Metrobriefs

Cop killed in shootout with robbers conferred award

The Philippines National Police on Saturday conferred a posthumous award to Police Officer 1 Venerando Pantino, who was killed in a shoot-out with suspected robbers Wednesday in Taguig City. Apart from the commendation for his bravery and heroism, the slain cop’s family also received financial assistance from PNP, said Superintendent Dionard Carlos, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) spokesman.

Pantino, who was assigned at the NCRPO headquarters, shot it out with two suspected robbers who tried to rob an eatery owned by his in-laws at around 6 p.m. One of the suspects was critically wounded, said Senior Supt. Tomas Apolinario, Taguig City chief of police. Pantino sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the body. Tina G. Santos

QC steps up school sanitation, will train vendors and teachers

The Quezon City government is taking food sanitation in schools to a new level by training food vendors operating in the vicinity of the city’s 95 elementary schools and 46 high schools. The city health department has started fielding sanitation inspectors to lead three-session food handling classes to the vendors. The classes are now being held in barangay halls and health centers. The program is meant to nip in the bud food contamination and health complications resulting from unhygienic food preparation practices. “What we are doing right now is urging ambulant vendors to strictly comply with the city’s sanitation requirements,” city health officer Antonieta Inumerable said in a statement. Inumerable also appealed to ambulant vendors that they sell only packed food items to the students. She said they require even ambulant vendors to procure health certificates and sanitation permits. Jaymee T. Gamil

Mayor Lim pays tribute to top business taxpayers

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim paid tribute Friday to the 2010 city’s top business and real property taxpayers whom he said should be credited for the country’s development. In simple rites held at the City Hall, Lim feted the top 10 business taxpayers and the 10 highest real property taxpayers in the city. Awarded were the city’s highest business taxpayers: The Manila Electric Rail and Light Co.; the International Container Terminal Services Inc.; Unilever Philippines Inc.; Asian Terminals Inc.; the Philippine Ports Authority; the Philippine American Insurance Co.; the Marikina Square Properties Inc.; the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.; SM Prime Holdings Inc., and Maynilad Water Services Inc. The top 10 real property taxpayers in the city are:  Asian Terminals Inc.; SM Prime Holdings Inc.; Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas;  International Container Terminal Services Inc.; the San Miguel Corp.; Maranaw Hotels and Resort Corp.; Marina Square Properties Inc.; the Philippine Diamond Hotel and Resort Inc., and PLDT. Jeannette I. Andrade