TABUK, Kalinga, Philippines — Quality of products produced here is becoming competitive in the market after the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) continuously poured in assistance in the amount of P1.15 million for several enterprises to procure new equipment and improve product labeling.

The assistance is part of the advocacy of the Regional Development Council (RDC) in the Cordillera to enhance quality product labeling in the different parts of the region in order to establish their respective product identities in preparation for the attainment of an autonomous status in the future so that people will be able to be capacitated to be self-reliant.

DoST Provincial Officer Alfonso Berto said that three micro-enterprises were recently given zero-interest loan assistance to procure equipment that will accelerate their production, improve packaging and product label in order to keep public patronage.

He said the Salidummay Woven Products owned and managed by Virginia Buliyat was granted P100,000 to procure sewing machine, loom and display cabinet. (Dexter See)

BAGAC YOUTH WINS S.K. POST

BAGAC, Bataan, Philippines — The young son of the incumbent mayor in this coastal town won as Sangguniang Kabataan Federated president, giving him the title of Ex-Officio member of the Provincial Board of Bataan.

Louise Gabriel del Rosario, 16, son of Mayor Ramil del Rosario here, ran and won unopposed as Federated SK president, making him the first-ever member of the Provincial Board coming from this small town.

The young del Rosario, now 4th year high school student of the Bataan Christian College, took his oath before Bataan Gov. Tet Garcia that was witnessed by local newsmen and Department of the Interior and Local Government officials of Bataan.

Prior to the recent elections, Louise Gabriel had been rumored to be a sure winner of the SK top position after 10 of the SK municipal heads were his political ally, while only two SKs are perceived to be on the other party.

Newsmen believed that the success behind Del Rosario’s success was the “magic formula” of the governor who is regarded as the “political kingpin” of the province due to his strong leadership and intact political machinery. (Mar Supnad)

RED CROSS AIDS 1,200 FAMILIES

TABUK, Kalinga, Philippines — About 1,200 families whose houses were damaged by typhoon “Juan” last October received shelter aid from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Kalinga Chapter in order to help them recover from their harrowing experiences during the said natural disaster that struck most parts of Northern Luzon.

PRC-Kalinga Chapter head Glorina Reyes said shelter aid materials for the 342 first batch of beneficiaries, and 321 for the second batch were already released. Release of assistance from the international relief agency for the remaining beneficiaries is on-going.

Assistance is given after beneficiaries of the recent weather disturbance will have completed application requirements, Reyes said. Beneficiaries under the Red Cross shelter aid program get P7, 000 worth of construction materials for partial repairs, and P35,000 for full repair.

There were 200 families given full repair assistance from the Red Cross while the rest were provided with partial repair assistance so that they could already rebuild their damage hones with other assistance coming from the government and other private sectors which are inclined to aid calamity victims. (Dexter See)