ILOILO WANTS RECHECK OF BPO FIRE SECURITY
ILOILO CITY Mayor Jose Espinosa 3rd has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to recheck the fire security of all Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies located in malls in the city. Espinosa issued the order in wake of the tragic incident in Davao City where more than 30 people, mostly call center staff, died after they were trapped inside the mall where an American BPO firm was located. He said the PNP and the BFP should ensure that call center companies have complied with the fire safety standard. “They have to check if the fire exits are open and well-lighted so that if brownout occurs or if there is fire, the staff can see the exits and can easily escape,” he said. Espinosa added that the BFP should conduct fire drills for BPO employees.
TARLAC TOWN’S HEALTH, WELLNESS ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS PEOPLE’S DAY
ANAO, Tarlac: Health and wellness activities highlighted the recent People’s Day celebration in this northeastern town famous for the ylang- ylang flower. Mayor Betty Lacbayan said it is one of her administration’s priorities to promote a healthy lifestyle among her constituents through various health programs. The municipal covered court was converted into a “one- stop shop” for eye check- up with free reading glasses, bloodletting, manicure and pedicure services with free collagen, massage, haircut and medical check- up with free medicines. Lacbayan lauded the participation of the Tarlac Red Cross, the municipal blood council and municipal health office, the police and Eye Tech Design Optical Center. Alvin Butay of the Department of Agriculture distributed vegetable seeds to farmers and residents for backyard farming. Ylang- ylang products for which the town is famous were also on display.
3 NPA REBELS SURRENDER IN SULTAN KUDARAT
THREE members of the New People’s Army ( NPA) have surrendered to the military based in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat, after a year of “waiting for school teachers” inside a rebel camp. Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, Philippine Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion commander, identified the former rebels as Ryan Mama, 24m his sibling Daniel, 25, and their cousin Ruben Pagiloy, 21. Cabunoc said Ryan told him that “Ka Yoyo,” an NPA commander based in the Visayas, failed on his promise of fertilizer and seedlings for his family, as well as getting a formal education. “All three surrenderers are interested to pursue their studies through the Alternative Learning System offered by the Department of Education,” Cabunoc said.