ILOILO CITY, Iloilo (PIA6) — To mark Earth Day, the Iloilo provincial government, along with Alimodian and Maasin towns, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Eagle Cross, Inc. will conduct on April 19-21 the “Baklay Bukid-Amlig Suba (Up the Mountain, Protect the River),” an adventure mountain trek including a nature walk from upland Alimodian to the Maasin Watershed headwaters.

Initiated by private organization, the Eagle Cross, Inc., and the DENR, the activity started in 2009 and has henceforth been held April 22 every year to mark Earth Day. Able-bodied males and females, at least 15 years old and above willing to learn about the ecosystem are urged to participate.

Seedlings Production

ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA6) — Five people’s organizations (POs) have been tapped initially by Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO)-Capiz for seedlings to be implemented under the National Greening Program (NGP) in Capiz this year.

Said POs are the Quinabonglan Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Maayon town, Traciano Timberland Farmers Association in Dumarao, Lunayan Forest Planters Association in Cuartero, Dolores Integrated Social Forestry in Dumalag and Pinamalatican Timberland Farmers Association in Sigma which will all be oriented on nursery preparation and seedling production.

COCO Scholarships

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PIA) — The COCO Foundation is offering 10 slots for scholarship grants through the Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) in Dumaguete City this academic year 2012-2013.Scholarship grant recipients will be children of small coconut farmers in the province.

The COCO Foundation, established in 1987 to address the socioeconomic needs of communities where the United Coconut Planters Bank operates is administered by the UCPB- Coco Industry Investment (UCPB-CIFF) Group of Companies.

Seas Champ

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte (PIA) — Southern Leyte province will observe Ocean Month in May with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Management Office (PENRMO) Coastal Resource and Fisheries Management Chief Eva Abad revealing that all 18 municipalities and Maasin City are enjoined to participate in the search for areas with the best practices on Coastal and Fisheries Resource Management in the province last year.

Health Fair

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar PIA) — Over 100 mothers pledged to breastfeed their infants exclusively for six months, complete their child’s immunization and ensure their own health, at the first ever Zumarraga Island health fair which drew 117 lactating and 11 pregnant women. The latter joined health classes on basic pre-natal, post partum and child care services.

Municipal Health Officer (MHO) Dr. Katerina Abiertas said in 2010, only 45 percent of Zumarraga mothers initiated breastfeeding within one hour after birth while only 34 percent of them gave birth with the help of a doctor, nurse or midwife.