TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite — The number of tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV-AIDS) cases have increased in the area in 2012 as compared to those recorded in previous year, the Cavite Provincial Health Office said yesterday. Dr. George R. Repique, PHO officer, said that there were 243 new HIV-AIDS incidence that were recorded in 2012 and that TB cases increased gradually during the year as compared to the list in 2011. There was also one meningococcemia case that was reported in the province's upland town in 2012, Respique said. (Anthony Giron)

ROAD PROJECT

ROSALES, Pangasinan — Engineer Emmanuel Diaz of 3rd Engineering District revealed yesterday that the reason for delays in the road widening of the Manila North Road in the 5th and 6th districts of Pangasinan is the slow process in gaining a right of way from at least 200 residential owners. Nevertheless, Diaz assured that the P1.2-billion project to widen to up to six lanes and a stretch of 42-kilometers the national road through Villasis, Urdaneta, Binalonan,,Pozorrubio, Sison exitiong to Rosario, La Union will be finish in a few more years. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

URBAN GREENING

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — Urban gardening is now an advocacy livelihood project targeting school communities and families underthe “Masaganang Gulayan sa Bawat Bahay at Paaralan” in this city. The project was launched recently at the Lucena City National high School-Ransohan Extension and Ransohan Elementary School. The Kiwanis Club of Lucena, led by its officials Daniel R. Domiguez, Marilyn Jugueta, and Marvin Fuentes joined project proponents Anicia Villaruel and Rey Aleman in promoting the “green movement” even among very young children in order to improve the environment the health of families through eating more vegetables grown in backyards. (Danny J. Estacio)

NEW RECRUITS

FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija — The 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, (7ID) of Philippine Army headed by Major General Gregorio Pio P Catapang Jr., Commander of the 7th ID,  called on young men to join in the army and that  the registration and pre-screening for the first batch of applicants  for this year has been started. The office of the Assistance Chief of Staff for Personnel headed by Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva facilitates the processing of more than 400 applicants on its first day of registration held at the 7ID Grandstand. Catapang said applicants must be between 18 and 26 years old, at least five feet in height, and come with complete documents. (Mar T. Supnad)

POLL BETS URGED: SPARE TREES

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) urged yesterday various parties and candidates of this year’s elections to spare the trees from being covered from election paraphernalia. DENR Regional Executive Director Maximo Dichoso said candidates should stick to environment-friendly campaigning to ensure clean and orderly elections in the coming polls. He said well-meaning candidates and their supporters, even as they run on environmental platforms, should be mindful of the environment and resort to using recyclable and biodegradable campaign materials. (Jonas Reyes)