Regions Briefs
Nolcom to PNP, BFP: Look into camp blast
CLARK FREEPORT—The military’s Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) has asked the Philippine National Police and Bureau of Fire Prevention to investigate an explosion inside its headquarters in Camp Servillano Aquino in Tarlac City on Tuesday night. The blast injured Florelia Bohol, wife of an Army captain, who was hit by a glass shard, according to Lt. Col. Leopoldo Acerden, group commander of Nolcom’s Civil Relations Service. In a statement, Lt. Col. Alan Macatingrao, chief of the public information office of Nolcom, did not say what caused the explosion. The blast started a fire at the old enlisted personnel barracks at 10:30 p.m., he said. It took an hour to control the fire. “[Nolcom] assures residents of Tarlac City that despite the incident, [the city] remains safe,” Macatingrao said. —TONETTE OREJAS AND GABRIEL CARDINOZA
Solons call for probe of importation of corn-based sweetener
BACOLOD CITY—At least 15 representatives from sugar-producing provinces are seeking an investigation of the entry of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), a sweetener made from processed corn starch, into the country. Bacolod City Rep. Greg Gasataya said his group, composed of lawmakers from the provinces of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Capiz, Bukidnon, Tarlac and Iloilo signed a joint resolution calling for an inquiry on the impact of the importation of HFCS on the sustainability of the domestic sugar industry. Massive importation of HFCS had been blamed for the drop in sugar prices—from P1,800 per 50-kilogram bag at the start of the milling season in September last year to P1,500 per bag in December. Archie Baribar, spokesperson of Kilusang Pagbabago-Negros Island Region, said aside from health issues related to HFCS consumption, its importation threatens the sole livelihood of small sugarcane farmers, farm workers and their families in the Negros provinces. —CARLA GOMEZ
Bridge linking Sorsogon, Samar gets OK
LEGAZPI CITY—The Regional Development Council in Bicol approved on Tuesday a proposal to build a bridge linking Matnog town in Sorsogon province and Allen town in Samar province. Sorsogon Gov. Robert Lee Rodrigueza, who endorsed the project, said the bridge, once built, would boost tourism and trade in the Bicol provinces and Samar. Albay Gov. Al Francis Bichara, RDC chair, said the project proposal will be sent to the national government for further study and funding. The bridge, spanning 40 kilometers, will connect four islands and will take four years to build. —MICHAEL B. JAUCIAN
