5.8M voters for May 2013 polls in Central Luzon-COMELEC

BALER, Aurora, January 15, 2013-According to the latest figures from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Region 3, the Central Luzon has 5,823,044 registrants for the midterm polls-months.

Central Luzon COMELEC Regional Director Zoilo Perlas said in a cellphone interview that Bulacan has the most number of voters in the region at 1,497,873 followed by Nueva Ecija with 1,363,646; Pampanga-1,239,372; Tarlac-692,948; Bataan-456,648; Zambales- 444,202; and Aurora-128,355.

He added that there will be 7,905 clustered precincts in 2,822 voting centers for its 14 cities and 116 towns.

Records showed that Southern Tagalog is still the nation’s most vote rich area with over eight (8) million followed by Metro Manila with 5.9 million.

Meanwhile, Some 1,429 local positions will be up for grabs in Region 3 consisting of 21 congressional seats, 7 gubernatorial, 7 vice gubernatorial, 68 provincial boards, 130 mayoral, 130 vice mayoral, and 1,066 councilors, the third biggest in the archipelago. (Jason de Asis)

Legarda Visits Pangasinan to Support Farmers, Strengthen Local Disaster-Resilience

MANILA, January 15, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda today visited the province of Pangasinan for a whole-day engagement with local communities and farmers.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, will turn over geohazard maps to municipalities in Pangasinan and conduct a public briefing on the use and implementation of the maps. She will also hold a Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Roadshow at the Pangasinan State University-Lingayen Campus.

Legarda, author of the Agri-Agra Reform Credit Act, will also lead the turnover of knapsack sprayers and fertilizer for corn production programs in Mangaldan and will join farmers at the Pozorrubio Farmers’ Night.

“I want my visit in every province to be very productive, especially by way of educating our people in the countryside on disaster resilience and providing them with the necessary tools to ensure that they are ready to face the hazards ahead,” she stressed.

“Our local government units must be able to prepare our communities for disasters and the geohazard maps will help them make sound policies for local disaster resilience. Meanwhile, the agriculture sector is one of those most vulnerable to climate change. Thus, we want to equip them with the information and tools they would need for better yield and effectively adapt to the effects of global warming,” she added.

“Our times and climes have changed. This is a reality that even our soldiers realize. In fact, our armed forces are gearing up for a battle against disasters,” said Legarda, referring to reports that the Armed Forces of the Philippines will join a climate change summit this year.

“The AFP is strengthening capacity to respond to disasters, but they should also be better-equipped in preparing for natural hazards to reduce loss of lives and damage to properties. We must all join hands in shaping our country to become thoroughly prepared,” Legarda concluded.