BONTOC, Philippines  — The support given to the heirloom rice farmers in the province has enhanced the production of the traditional rice varieties now being exported as well as sold locally thereby giving sustainable sources of livelihood to hundreds of traditional rice farmers involved in the fast growing lucrative trade.

Provincial Agriculturist John Likigan said Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, the author of the Organic Agriculture Law when he was a congressman, gave his full support to the production of the organically grown native rice in order to increase the production of native rice which will serve as the source of livelihood of tradi-tional rice farmers involved in the raising of native rice. (Dexter A. See)

Kalinga rehab

TABUK CITY, Philippines  — Rehabilitation of previous typhoon damages on infrastructure in the province will start very soon with P73 million from the Disaster Related Rehabilitation Program already downloaded and bidding of projects will be held anytime in order to bring back the previous condition of roads and bridges prior to the onslaught of previous weather disturbances.

Engr. Alexander Castaneda, newly-installed district engineer of the Kalinga District Engineering office, said various restoration works have to be done on arterial and secondary roads in the province damaged during typhoon Juan while damages inflicted by typhoons Mina, Pedring and Quiel are still awaiting funding to be released by concerned government agencies. (Dexter A. See)

Labor compensation

TUBA, Philippines  — After successfully sealing a P717 million 5-year compensation package with its labor union, the management of the Philex Mining Corporation here recently signed a new P421.7 million 5-year compensation package with the leadership of the Philex Mining Supervisory Employees Union (PMSEU) signaling the renewal of its collective bargaining agreement (CBA) from 2010-2015.

Included in the hefty package will be the wage-related benefits amounting to P176.42 million: Retirement benefits amounting to P230.9 million and non-wage benefits having a total of P14.4 million which includes rice subsidy, outside medical assistance, LPG subsidy, loyalty award, union welfare fund and loyalty incentives. (Dexter A. See)

Police station

TAYTAY, Philippines  — The police station located in the town proper will soon move to a new and spacious location at the back of the current municipal government building.

This came as the Club Manila East (CME) has donated 300 square meters of lot to the municipal government to become the future site of a three-storey police station building.

Supt. Arthur Masungsong, police chief here said that the ceremonial turn-over of the property may happen during the flag raising rites on Monday at the town hall which is located inside the sprawling CME com-pound. (Nel B. Andrade)

Tagle congratulated

CAVITE, Philippines  — Officials here have congratulated with pride and honor Most Rev. Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, DD, STD, bishop of Imus Diocese, on his appointment as new Manila archbishop.

Pope Benedict XVI appointed the 54-year-old Tagle to the position last Thursday, replacing Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales after a four-year prolonged term.

The Vatican extended the term of Cardinal Rosales, Archbishop of Manila for seven years, when he retired upon turning 75 years old on August 10, 2007. (Anthony Giron)