CEBU CITY, Philippines  – The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) 7 revealed on Thursday that prospects of the regional economy for 2011 remain bright despite some of the external factors that threaten to disrupt the recovery of some region’s major industries.

During the Regional Development Council (RDC) 7 Full Council Meeting on Friday, NEDA 7 Director Marlene Rodriguez revealed that the renewed confidence of the markets on the Aquino Administration provides Central Visayas with optimism that new opportunities would be available for residents in 2011. (Mars W. Mosqueda)

P.D.E.A. 6 agents under go testing

Iloilo City, Philippines —Newly installed Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA 6) regional director Yogi Ruiz surprised his agents when he conducted a random drug testing.

“It was done to send the message across that our own backyards are clean before we start going after other people,” said Atty. Ronnie Delicana, PDEA 6 chief legal counsel and designated spokesperson.

Delicana noted that it was an operational procedure and does not mean that there are personnel under suspicion of drug use.

“We do it every now and then. It was even done during the time of Paul Ledesma,” Delicana said. (Tara Yap)

Solar power in Aklan hospital 

KALIBO, Aklan (PNA) - Negotiations are now under way for the proposed installation of solar panels that will provide power to the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbukon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH).

Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez said he wanted to make the Aklan provincial hospital energized by solar power amid the increasing rates of electricity.

"Our province is now negotiating with companies that could provide us better and cheap services for the instal-lation of the solar panels in that hospital," said Marquez. Marquez said the savings generated from the use of solar power may be used to intensify the provision of health services in Aklan.

Kalibo rehabs city drainage system

Kalibo, aklan(PNA) – The municipality of Kalibo in Aklan has started the rehabilitation of its drainage system, according to Mayor William Lachica. The mayor cited the need for the rehabilitation to remove the remaining sludge three years after the town was severely affected by Typhoon Frank. He said that several establishments are already occupying areas that are supposed to be for the drainage. He said their old drainage system could not anymore match the demand of the present times.

Greening program 

NAVAL, Biliran (PIA) – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), together with other government agencies, launched Friday in Biliran, the National Greening Program (NGP) which aims to plant 1.5 billion trees to 1.5 million hectares of public lands all over the country.

Joselito Eco, NGP coordinator and chief of Reforestation and Aforestation Unit of DENR-Biliran, disclosed that the launching and tree planting activity was held at the Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) area in Brgy. Libtong, Naval, where more or less 300 employees from the provincial government of Biliran, municipal government of the municipality of Naval, and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).