ILOILO CITY, Iloilo (PNA) — Job pledges from the private sector and government agencies exceeded the target set by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for its Special Program for Employment of Student (SPES) this summer.

Labor information officer Amy Judicpa said they have already received 7,448 pledges far higher compared with DOLE’s target of 5,692. Judicpa said some participating groups to the SPES, particularly local government units (LGUs), have decided to shoulder the entire salary of those that they will hire instead of getting 40 percent of their remuneration from DOLE.

Medical Advice

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PNA) — Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria has been advised by his medical doctor to rest for three days because of high blood pressure triggered by too much stress. Sagarbarria said, however, there is nothing to worry about as he is in perfect shape; the mayor described himself as “strong as a bull.”

He said the results of his medical checkup revealed that he had a blood pressure of 200/100 which prompted his medical doctor to let him undergo further tests. The mayor had an Electrocardiography (ECG) to determine his heart condition, a Tissue Doppler (TD) echocardiography and nuclear scanning for the heart but all tests came out negative.

Women's Desk

CATARMAN, Northern Samar (PIA) — The Civil Service Commission (CSC) Northern Samar Field Office, in partnership with the provincial government, Junior Chamber International Philippines and other line agencies will lead “Women’s Desk on Wheel,” an activity providing services particularly for women in observance of Women’s Month.

This year’s theme is on “Women’s Weathering Climate Change: Governance and Accountability, Everyone’s Responsibility” which is focused on the role of women as powerful agents of change in relation to disaster risk reduction (DRR).

Safe Water

ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA6) — The long wait in Cuartero, Capiz for access to potable water is over with the inauguration of the Cuartero Water District recently. Flores said he has long hoped for the project to be realized and he expressed gratitude to government for finally providing said water system to his constituents.

Nearly 1,500 households in Cuartero town proper are expected to benefit from the water system realized through the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).

Farmers' Training

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte (PIA) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC) in Region 8 called on farmers to be vigilant and intensify their pest and diseases monitoring activities in their respective rice cluster areas.

The call was made during the pest surveillance training conducted by the DA-RCPC in cooperation with the local government units of Hinundayan and Hinunangan last March 6-7, Francis Rosaroso, chief information officer of DA-8, said.

Delfin N. Francisco, pest surveillance officer of RCPC-8 disclosed that most losses in yield are caused by pests.