Sunday, August 19, 2007 (Philippines)

PLODDING THROUGH STORMY WEATHER. Residents in Malabon plod through floodwaters left by typhoon Egay. More than 1,000 people were evacuated from flooded villages in northern Pampanga Province, but daily life and its survival errands went on, come hell or high water. (AP Photo) SIX towns in the Province bought supplies and other items in 2006 without conducting a proper public bidding. They shopped instead. Government auditors questioned the use of shopping as “a usual mode of procurement” in the towns of Tuburan, Madridejos, San Francisco, Pilar, Tudela and Tabuelan. [full story]