MANILA - Corporate support for the mass media makes good business sense, because doing so ultimately benefits the community, Walter Panganiban, director for media affairs of The Coca-Cola Export Corporation, said yesterday.

Panganiban, speaking on the second and final day of the 16th National Press Forum of the Philippine Press Institute here, said it is not only the public that has a stake in a free and responsible media, but corporate entities as well.

By undertaking programs that are supportive of the media, such as those dealing with press freedom, the fourth estate can help empower the citizens. This in turn helps contribute to a progressive community, he said.

80 WV private schools
seeking for tuition raise

Eighty private schools in Western Visayas have applied for a tuition increase for the school year 2012-2013, Department of Education 6 regional director, Dr. Mildred Garay, said.

Garay said most of the schools have asked for a five-percent increase to fund school improvements, facilities, and teachers' salaries, among others.

She said the increase sought by these schools is minimal and still below the allowable of 10 percent.

Capitol to expand
Mambukal Resort

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. is set to extend the area of the Mambukal Resort in Barangay Minoyan, Murcia possibly by acquiring an adjacent 15-hectare farm lot a government press release said.

Marañon said the area will be used for parking spaces.

The provincial government is negotiating with several employees of the Provincial Capitol who own the lots included in the 15 hectares. The lots were earlier awarded to these employees, but the provincial government intends to buy them back, he said.