DUMAGUETE CITY (PIA) — The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) launched its first classroom on wheels through the Mobile Training Classroom Plus Park and Train Program (MBC-PTP) recently in Canlaon City. According to TESDA Information Officer Geraldine delos Reyes, the van is equipped with welding equipment, machines and tools for mobile training. This is an alternative modality of delivering quality-assured technical-vocational programs at the doorstep of every community, said Delos Reyes. The skills training include Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) NC II, Masonry NC II, and Carpentry NC II.

LAND DISTRIBUTION

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte (PIA) — During the past 24 years of implementation a total of 428,928 hectares of government-acquired farmlands were distributed by the Department of Agrarian Reform to farmers in Eastern Visayas. Up for distribution to farmers in the region are 60,253 hectares of land before the expiration of the Comprehensive and Agrarian Reform program (CARP) on June 30, 2014. Alsmith Soria, DAR regional public information officer said the figure covers 12 percent of the land for distribution based on data as of May 30, 2012 database.

GREEN TECH

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — To promote the use of environment-friendly initiatives, the 2012 Sandugo Regional Trade Expo at the Island City Mall in this city will showcase “Green Technologies for Tourism” anchored on this year’s theme “Greening Products, Winning Markets.” Over 80 Filipino exhibitors are set to participate in the event that will take place this July 25-29. Other highlights will include the Raffia Country Branding Program of Department of Science and Technology and the Showcase of Crafts and Processed Food in the Visayas regions. Participants from Region 7, including those under the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines that make use of indigenous raw materials and local ingenuity, will also be highlighted. (Phoebe Jen Indino)

 LEYTE BROWNOUT

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte (PIA) — The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) served notice of the scheduled power shutdown of some of its transmission facilities in some parts of Leyte province on July 7 and July 10. Elmer Cruz of the NGCP Visayas said from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., power shutdown will be experienced by consumers in the franchise area of the Leyte II Electric Cooperative, Inc. or LEYECO II. This is due to the preventive maintenance along Ormoc-Babatngon 138kV transmission line and replacement of poles along Palo-Tacloban 69kV transmission line.

M.O.R.E.S. MEET

MACTAN, Cebu — At least 150 delegates belonging to the top opinion research and marketing firms are holding their 11th Marketing and Opinion Research Society (MORES) National Research Congress at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City. With the theme “MORES… Engage,” the event aims to align research approaches and programs with the higher demands and needs of marketing and ultimately, consumers. This is the first time that MORES is holding the congress, which aims to make research more valuable to stakeholders, outside of Manila, said MORES President Bienvinido Niles Jr. (Mars W. Mosqueda Jr.)