Negros Occidental governor dies
BACOLOD CITY -- Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon, surrounded by his family, died at his residence in Santa Clara Subdivision here at 6:40 p.m. Thursday, six days before his 74th birthday.
The governor, who suffered from a lingering liver illness, succumbed to cardio-pulmonary arrest and died in his sleep as he had wished, his chief of staff Jose Ma. Valencia said.
He is survived by wife Aida Lopez and his three children Sagay Councilor Joseph Gerard Marañon, Ma. Lourdes Yupangco and Ma. Therese Ledesma, his brother Sagay Mayor Alfredo Marañon III and his sister, Sonia Sarrosa.
The remains of the governor will be brought to the Provincial Capitol today, and to Sagay City for burial Sunday or Monday, Valencia said. Carla P. Gomez, Inquirer Visayas
Dole stops expansion due to land row
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Pineapple giant Dole Philippines (Dolefil) announced that it halted its expansion project here due to an alleged ownership row involving the lands it was developing into a plantation.
Kevin Davis, Dolefil vice president, said the decision to stop the expansion was arrived at even though some portion of the lands that the company had leased in Barangays Sinawal and San Jose here had already been planted.
The conflicting claims have prompted the city council to conduct an investigation in the said villages.
Davis said they decided to stop the planting out of respect to the investigation being conducted by the city council on the multiple claims filed by several families over the tracts of land. Aquiles Zonio, Inquirer Mindanao
Japan grants 9 new projects to Mindanao
DAVAO CITY -- The Japanese government has granted nine new community-based social projects worth P23.8 million for conflict areas in Mindanao through Japan?s Grant Assistance for Grassroots and Human Security Projects in the Philippines.
The projects, according to the Office of the Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process, are responsive to the needs of people in post-conflict communities. Jeffrey M. Tupas, Inquirer Mindanao
Group seeks donations for Bicol flood victims
The Go Rinconada Movement, a non-stock, non-profit socio-civic organization formed by Metro Manila-based professionals and civic leaders from Rinconada (Baao, Balatan, Bato, Bula, Buhi, Nabua and Iriga City in Camarines Sur), has launched ?Tabang Rinconada? to help those suffering from the recent flooding caused by the unusual heavy rains in the Bicol region.
Aside from distributing relief goods, the group will also hold a medical and dental mission on April 4-7 in Iriga City and other areas.
Those interested in sending donations may text or call chairman Jay Dimaiwat 0926-7014854; April Zaballa 0916-5620777; or Christian Auro 0916-2472342.
