COTABATO CITY, Philippines – A delegation of European Union (EU) envoys urged the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to intensify their negotiations to reach a peace accord acceptable to both parties at the “earliest possible moment.” EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux said the EU believes there is now a genuine window of opportunity to bring the peace process to a successful end despite ups and downs in past negotiations. “We believe that the timing is right for a decisive push toward an agreement and that such an opportunity should not be missed,” Ledoux said in a speech during the awarding ceremonies of the school painting competition “Let’s Paint for Peace” organized by the International Monitoring Team (IMT) here Tuesday. (Ali G. Macabalang)

Soldiers' Blood

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte - Government soldiers temporarily laid down their arms and donated their blood Sunday in a bloodletting activity conducted by the Provincial Health Office (PHO) at the MCC Complex, Barangay Sagadan, this capital town of Tubod, Lanao del Norte province. The donated blood of the soldiers from the 35th “Makamandag” Infantry Battalion will be used in the three-day Medical Dental and Surgical Mission organized by the provincial government of Lanao del Norte and Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP), composed of US and Philippine-based medical practitioners. The three-day mission begins Monday, Feb. 13, and ends on Feb. 15. (Mike U. Crismundo)

LTO Warning

COTABATO CITY – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Region 12 has warned the public about the operation of a recruitment syndicate which reportedly offers fake job openings at the agency in exchange for hefty fees. Arlan Mangelen, LTO Region 12 director, said Friday they were tracking down the movements of some persons involved in the hiring ring reportedly operating in some LTO district offices in the region. Region 12 covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. (Ali G. Macabalang)

UAE Hiring

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Philippine Overseas and Employment Administration (POEA) announced Sunday the immediate hiring of 122 emergency medical technicians for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The emergency government-to-government hiring of medical technicians with a basic salary of AED 102,000 per annum will be for the National Ambulance Company in UAE, POEA said. In a press statement, the POEA said applicants should not be more than 45 years old, preferably a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, with Philippine Society of Emergency Medical Technicians Certificate of Registration, and have two years EMT-based experience with at least one year following certification. (Mike U. Crismundo)

Health Insurance

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) -- South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. lauded the automatic inclusion of conditional cash transfer (CCT) beneficiaries as PhilHealth members as announced by the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office – 12 (DSWD 12). During a recent orientation of social welfare officers on National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS – PR) for Indigenous People in this city, Pingoy said this development provides an opportunity for the provincial government to enrol more indigents in the province into the health insurance.