ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) – The government’s food agency in Capiz is now intensifying its palay procurement here.

National Food Authority (NFA) Information Officer Jose Davila, Jr. said a mobile procurement team has already been sent in three far flung municipalities in Capiz to ease the burden of farmers in bringing their produce to the agency’s warehouses.

Davila said that said areas having a scheduled mobile procurement include Maayon, Tapaz, and Jamindan.

He added that they have also established an express lane for farmers who have no passbook yet for them to sell their palay produce for a maximum of 100 bags. Davila said from January to February 16, they have already procured 6,733 bags of 50 kilograms of palay.

Firms asked to pay more taxes
BORONGAN, Eastern Samar (PIA) – The Bureau of Internal Revenue District Office No. 86 is urging business firms in Borongan to increase tax payment by 23%.

Revenue District Officer RDO) Number 86 Eddie Castillo said under his leadership, the office will move to strengthen its tax campaign this year.

He said most business firms here source their capitalization from banks and that they can establish a credit line with the banks if they pay their taxes well.

National Arts Month marked
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte (PIA) – Maasin City Mayor Maloney Samaco has signified support for the National Arts Month celebration this month to create pride of being a Filipino.

Through the Maasin City Council for Arts, Culture and Tourism, activities related to the event will start on Feb. 23 until Feb. 25.

The celebration will start with a motorcade, a short program on the first day, and viewing of paintings and photography entries.

On the second day, a Tour around Maasin city specifically Danao Forest Park, Monte Cueva, Cacao Mountain Resort, the Abiera Museum and Jalleca Hills will be held.

Pro-Nutrition group bares activities
NAVAL, Biliran (PIA) – The Anti-Hunger Pro-Nutrition Media Group in Region 8 has identified its priority activities for 2011 during a meeting held at the Ritz Tower de Leyte here recently.

The meeting was attended by Ms. Carina Santiago, Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) in Region 8, with Francis Batula, the said group’s president as presiding officer.

Batula said an activity for this year will be a logo-making contest the aim of which will be to choose an official logo for the group.

G.S.P. joins climate change advocacy
DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PIA) – The Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) Negros Oriental-Siquijor Council is urging all Girl Scouts to actively participate in GSP's advocacy on climate change.

Local Council President Dr. Profetiza Lim in a circular called for the conduct of planting activities such as fruit-bearing, forest or vegetable gardens in their respective schools, districts and communities.
The San Jose GSP District was the first to respond to Lim's call and launched their own planting project on February 4, said local council executive Rosario Rosales.