CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Job seekers and small business entrepreneurs in Mindanao, particularly those in Northern and Northeastern Mindanao, are invited to visit this “Golden Friendship” city next week as 18 American firms are expected to join domestic companies for “Orobest Expo 2010.” The “Orobest Expo 2010” will run parallel with the 19th Mindanao Business Conference and the Mindanao Investment Forum, a big gathering of business groups, to be held here in Cagayan de Oro City on Sept. 17-18 at the Grand Caprice Convention Center. US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas is expected to grace the opening of MinBizCon. (Mike U. Crismundo)

D.T.I. TAPS N.G.O. IN INVEST DRIVE

DAVAO CITY — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in this region has tapped a non-government organization (NGO) that is expected to help the investment arm of the agency. To spur investments, DTI XI has tapped the Medium and Small Scale Industries Coordinated Action Program (MASICAP) MSME Development Foundation, Incorporated’s Masicap II Program in helping its investment arm, the National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC). NERBAC is a government initiative to provide a one-stop center for applicants who wish to secure business permits without the hassle of going to different agencies. Marizone S. Loreto, DTI 11 Regional director, said the influx of investors must be encouraged to boost job generation and business opportunities. (Mick M. Basa)

KIDS JOIN BUTUAN ‘SPORTS FOR PEACE’

BUTUAN CITY — Children aged 10 to 12 years old from different tribes all over the Caraga region participated in the “Sports for Peace 2010” held here recently. Parents of various tribes — Lapaknon, Mamanwa, Manobo and Higaonon — were elated at the skills gained by their children, GTZ Communication Officer Danton R. Remoto said. Muslim children, who are not member of the tribal communities, also participated during the events held from Sept. 3 to 5, Remoto said. The children-athletes came from five provinces and three cities of the Caraga region in northeast Mindanao. (Mike U. Crismundo)

BARANGAY WINNERS RECEIVE AWARDS

CAMP RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City — Nine local government units (LGUs) and non-government organizations (NGOs) in Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga region) received awards as model Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs). The awarding of winners for model BPATs occurred during the culmination program of the 16th National Crime Prevention Week on Tuesday at the regional command of the Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13), Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez here. Chief Supt. Lino D. Calingasan, regional director of PRO 13, and Atty. Macapado T. Guro personally handed the awards to the winning BPATs. The awardees for model BPATs were: Barangay Manapa Buenavista in Agusan del Norte; Barangay Poblacion and Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur; Barangay Amontay, San Francisco, Surigao del Norte; Barangay Bongtud and Tandag City in Surigao del Sur; Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte; and Barangay Luna, San Jose, Dinagat Island. The awardees for NGOs were: Nagkahiusang Pundok sa Kababaihan sa Cabadbaran, PASAKK, Inc., Golden Luck Cooperative, Social Civic Volunteer, and Rotary Club of Downtown Butuan. (Mike U. Crismundo)