KORONADAL CITY, Philippines – President Aquino has extended the service tenure of a just retired Muslim career executive of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), a line bureau of the Department of Agriculture (DA), upon the request of DA Secretary Proceso Alcala, and petitions by fishery industry stakeholders in Mindanao.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. informed Alcala that, “upon your request, His Excellency President Aquino III has approved the extension of service beyond the compulsory retirement age of Regional Director Sani D. Macabalang, BFAR-DA in Region 12, for a period of six months from January 22 to July 21, 2012.” (Ali Macabalang)

Medical Supplies

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte – The provincial government of Lanao del Norte received medical equipment and hospital supplies from the World Medical Relief, Inc. (WMRI).

The equipment and supplies were loaded inside a container van, and recently arrived at the Mindanao Civic Center Complex here, where top provincial officials led by Lanao del Norte Governor Khalid Q. Dimaporo personally opened the donated health equipment and supplies.

The Detroit-based WMRI organization has been distributing surplus medical resources to places and countries where they are needed most without regard to race, color, gender, religion, nationality or political beliefs. (Mike Crismundo)

Wireless Network

DAVAO CITY – The City Council here is considering the construction of a wireless area network system to pave the way for a more effective response to natural disasters and security threats.

Councilor Pilar Braga, chairperson of the City Council committee on energy, transportation, and communication, said the Council is eyeing to explore the technology, citing the city’s need for a technology to detect unpredictable weather conditions, reducing impacts of disasters, including flash floods due to sudden torrential rains.

 “We can’t take this for granted because all along, we have not been saving lives,” Braga told the Manila Bulletin. (Mick Basa)

Education Aid

BUTUAN CITY – The Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF) is ready to accept applicants for their scholarship program for the year 2013-2014. Grants under the Philippine Student Program are for a maximum of one academic year for non-academic degree, one to two years for masters, and two years for doctoral degree studies.

The grant provides a round-trip international travel, monthly maintenance allowance, tuition and fees, book/supply allowance, as well as health and accident insurance. For details, just log on to http://www.fulbright.org.ph/ where application forms can also be downloaded in the said Web site. (Mike Crismundo)

Gov't Awardee

TANDAG CITY – The provincial government of Surigao del Sur is set to receive an award from the national government as one of the country’s “Agri-Pinoy” awardee. The province is also expected to receive a P4 million reward for “good governance,” and for implementation of programs and projects that have contributed to the increase in rice production.

Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny T. Pimentel said the reward will be allocated for projects that will enhance rice productivity, such as dryer, multi-purpose pavement, sprayers, and the like. “This monetary reward is a big help to our food production program,” he added. (Mike Crismundo)