ILOILO CITY, Philippines — A proposal by the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) compelling motorcycle drivers to use half-face helmets as an identification measure for crime suspects is being studied by the city council.

The ICPO submitted the proposal after motorcycle-riding assailants wearing full-face helmets here shot dead a life insurance agent last week.

Joshua Alim, chair of the council’s police matters committee noted that the proposal is really meant to be a tool for identifying suspects and not for crime prevention.

He urged the ICPO to strengthen its intelligence gathering to preempt crimes including robbery and murder. (Tara Yap)

Barangay insurance 

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  — The Bacolod City council has passed a proposed ordinance providing hospital, accident and life insurance to all tanods, barangay health workers and other barangay officials and members.

Councilor Caesar Distrito, who authored the ordinance known as “Insurance for Barangay Officials, Tanods, BHW and Lupon (Council) Members,” said it “aims to provide insurance for barangay officials since based as they are within the community and prone to accidents and trouble, they are at the forefront where public service is concerned.

” He also said the ordinance is important because of the barangay’s limited budget and meager honorarium of barangay officials. (Edith B. Colmo)

Sisterhood aid

CEBU, Philippines  — Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia recently gave a P5-million check representing the province’s aid to Cebu sister-city Ilocos Norte recently hit by typhoon.

Typhoon Mina-caused floods affected some 20,000 Ilocos Norte families and submerged parts of the province, particularly Solona and Dingras towns, underwater. Cost of damage is estimated at R211 million.

The sisterhood agreement between Cebu and Ilocos Norte was signed last July 2, 2011, the 82nd birthday of Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos’ mother, Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos.

Art exhibit 

CALBAYOG CITY, Philippines  (PIA) — In line with the forthcoming fiesta celebration in this city, the Calbayog Art Association, Inc., with the support of the City Government of Calbayog, launched August 31, the “An Iroy nga Uray” Art Exhibit featuring the best paintings of local artists here.

The exhibit is dedicated to the city’s Patron Saint, Our Lady of Nativity and will last until September 9 at the city hall lobby.

The paintings on exhibit are made of acrylic, oil, and water. Aside from the art exhibit are nightly arts and music performances at the city’s Nijaga Park.

Firefighting gear 

ROXAS CITY, Philippines  (PIA) — Two sets of fire breathing equipment will soon be added to the Fire Disaster and Emergency (FIDE) Unit of the Sapian municipal government in Capiz.

The equipment will be in addition to the fire truck and four fire suits in the FIDE Unit’s inventory of facilities.

The firefighting protective gear will allow responding fire volunteers of the unit to enter a fire zone during conflagration. FIDE unit members also had training on Water Search and Rescue (WASAR), firefighting, basic life saving techniques and in responding to various emergency and medical situations like earthquake, typhoons, and vehicular accidents.

The training activities are supplemented by a monthly refresher course.