ANGELES CITY - Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan revealed Tuesday that his administration posted a 20 percent increase in revenues in the month of January this year as compared with the same month last year. Citing figures from the City Treasurer's Office (CTO), collection records showed a total of P191,248,188.25 in January 2011. This is 20 percent or P30,258,463.97 higher than the collection of P160,989,724.28 in January 2010. Pamintuan said his vigorous tax information campaign and honest-to-goodness tax collection efforts allowed the CTO to surpass its collections last year. (Franco G. Regala) Kalinga eyes geothermal prject TABUK CITY, Kalinga - Investors of a geothermal project covering three towns in upper Kalinga initially predicted bright prospects for a renewable energy plant. Based on studies conducted by the Department of Energy (DoE) which is now being validated by the investors, the towns of Pasil, Tinglayan and some parts of Lubbuagan are capable of producing more or less 80 megawatts of geothermal energy. This power output will help address the supposed shortage of power in the Luzon grid as well as spur development of rural areas. (Dexter A. See)
Live-in couples wed in Tagaytay Forty-eight live-in couples in Tagaytay City formalized their union vows in a joint wedding ceremony tendered by the local government for the feast day of Saint Valentine and Our Lady, Mother of Fair Love. Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino, Vice Mayor Celso P. de Castro and the 10 city councilors stood as honorary sponsors for the couples in a one-of-a-kind ceremony that was held every February 14 in the city. Leilani Diesta, city information and tourism officer, and Ma. Lina Noveno Vida, head of the Civil Registar's Office, said that the 48 couples were given a reception package for the bride and groom and their guests, the couple's framed portrait and their marriage license, and a gift and a souvenir item. (Anthony Giron) Cell phone use bill pushed TARLAC CITY - A lady solon here vowed yesterday to push for the speedy passage of a bill for the imposition of tougher penalties against motorists caught using their cellular phones while driving. Tarlac 2nd District Representative Susan Yap said House Bill No.318 will criminalize the act of using mobile phones while behind the wheel. Once caught, a fine ranging from P3,000 to P10,000 or imprisonment of not more than one year will be effected, she said. (Franco G. Regala) P100,000 reward up un Cainta CAINTA, Rizal - The local government here has offered a reward of P100,000 for those who could provide information on the whereabouts of the suspect who is being tagged as the killer of the four member household last Sunday in this town. Mayor Ramon "Mon" Ilagan is giving a P100,000 reward for anyone who could give a lead on the location of Fortunato Azibar, 20, alias "Jun-Jun," the primary suspect in killing of his uncle, Amado Azibar, 45, his wife Elizabeth Azibar, and their children, Amado, Jr, 14, and Fretchie, 10, all residents of Alley 12, Lakas Tao, West Floodway, San Andres, this town. (Nel B. Andrade)
