SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) — The Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) chairman, Governor Exequiel B. Javier has issued a directive to provincial departments and agency members of the council to fast-track implementation of infrastructure projects and training programs particularly in communities vulnerable to disasters and calamities. “Projects funded under the 2011 calamity fund should be given priority,” Javier said. Antique had a calamity fund of over R36 million in 2011, 70 percent or about R25 million of which were allotted to projects and activities geared towards disaster preparedness and mitigation, while the remaining 30 percent or R11 million went to the provincial government’s account as quick-response fund.

Housing Project

CEBU CITY, Cebu (PNA) — Forty families living in the Old Lorega San-Miguel Cemetery in Barangay Lorega, Cebu City will transfer to their new homes this week. Gawad Kalinga (GK) has finished a R13-million socialized housing project, started in late 2010, inside the cemetery, giving way to said housing project. GK took care of the construction of the three-storey building and the city government undertook site development. Project funds worth R11 million came from Cebu City (North District) Rep. Raul del Mar’s Priority Development Assistance Fund and R2 million from the Action for Nurturing Children and Environment (ANCE) led by Fr. Max Abalos.

Career Coaching

ROXAS CITY CITY, Capiz (PIA) — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 6 office is conducting weekly career-coaching sessions in Iloilo City according to DOLE-6 director Ponciano M. Ligutom during his recent visit to Capiz for the organization of the Guidance Counselors Network (GC Net) in the province. Dubbed “Trabaho o Negosyo… Pili Ka!,” the sessions, with two business groups volunteering to lead in conducting the activity, take place Friday afternoons this month to help high school students and job seekers in either choosing a career or in becoming entrepreneurs.

Riverbank Bolstered

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PIA) — The municipal government of Sibulan in Dumaguete City, one of the worst-hit by tropical storm "Sendong" last December 2011 is now repairing damaged infrastructure facilities, including the bolstering of the Okoy riverbank periphery worth R2 million. Okoy River is Sibulan town’s catch basin of water bodies from the hinterland village of Enrique Villanueva to mountain areas in Valencia town. Some 617 total homes were hit, 268 of which were totally destroyed and 349 partially damaged. Negros Oriental provincial government has set aside R20 million while Second District Rep. George Arnaiz gave R2 million to fortify the sides of Okoy River with the installation of boulder dikes.

Stage Play

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar (PIA) — Health education in the form of community theater is a strategy by the health department and the Samar Provincial Health Office to improve the mindset and health-seeking behavior of rural folks here. Thus, stage plays on health and family planning will be presented in various areas. The plays premiered last Monday at the Calbayog Convention Center and will go on until June 21.