TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte (PIA) – Mindanao’s Biggest Durian Festival celebration will kick-off on August 7 at the Rotary Park Plaza which will also be the venue for the month-long showcase of different varieties of fresh durian fruit grown in this city. Durian Festival 2010 will showcase 16 culinary competitions such as: Durian Extreme Flare Factor (Cocktail and Mocktail); Restaurant Complete Services; Durian Pie; Durian Kakanin; Durian-Filled Bread; Durian Celebration Cake; Durian Entremet; Durian Petit Four; Durian Dessert Buffet; Cookery (Main Dish); Durian Coffee Blending; Plated Durian Dessert; Fruit and Vegetable Carving; Waiter’s Relay; and Food Basket in the Barangay.

Davao cops vie for 2010 Award

DAVAO CITY – At least 530 police personnel of the Davao Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) were recently inspected under the Annual General Inspection (AGI) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) as part of its search for the best police regional office in the country. Chief Supt. Pedro Tango, PRO 11 director, expressed high hopes that the region will once again receive the said award having awarded as the Best PRO last year. Having led the PRO 11 for almost two years, Tango felt honored that the region received the award under his leadership. “Being the best PRO 11 is a record in itself. It is a personal accomplishment for me and a great achievement for PRO 11,” he said. Chief Supt. Enrico Salapong, regional director of the Internal Affairs Service, said that PRO 11 has a chance to bag the award this year. (Sarah Jane Hilomen)

Zambo impounds 1,500 stray dogs

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The City Veterinary Office (CVO) here has intensified its anti-rabies campaign as it rounded up more than 1,500 stray dogs during the first half of 2010 in different urban and semi-urban communities in this city. Dr. Mario Arriola, CVO chief, said the rounded up dogs were immediately impounded at the Animal Pound Station in Barangay San Roque. Arriola explained through Dr. Armido Agbayani, division chief for animal health, that the animals which are unclaimed by their owners for three days would be subjected to mercy killing especially those that are old and sickly in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act. CVO’s Pound Dog Catching Team coordinates its activity with concerned local officials in various villages, Agbayan said. (Tony Pe. Rimando)

Farmers undergo organic training

MAHINOG, Camiguin (PIA) – The Municipal Agricultural Office (MAO) here in coordination with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) have conducted a one-day training for small farmers entitled “Vegetable and Rootcrops Techno Demo” at the Rural Based Organization Building in this town. Agriculturist Javier P. Andalan, of the ATI El Salvador City, said this training will enhance the capacity of farmers to produce “organically grown and insecticide-free” vegetables and rootcrops using organic farming method. Organic farming has proved to be cost effective and eco-friendly, Andalan said, since farmers and consumers will benefit greatly in terms of improving soil characteristics, increased income, health and environmental awareness.