A Mango Pulp Weevil Action Team (MPWAT) was formed by provincial government of Palawan to boost the ailing mango industry in the province. Board Member Rolando Bonoan Jr., authored an ordinance to establish the MWPAT to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the eradication of the pest through the help of local government units, Department of Agriculture and the Mango Growers Association of Palawan. Bonoan said the ordinance which was approved by the Sangguninang Panlalawigan, will address issues and concerns of the mango growers. There are 248,000 mango trees in the province. (Ferdinand Castro)

Book Reading

BALIUAG, Bulacan— A simultaneous celebration to instill the culture of reading in young people was recently held at SM City Marilao, SM City Baliwag and SM Supercenter Valenzuela. The activities included puppet shows, storytelling sessions, book donation drives and exhibits. The activity aims to encourage students to make reading a daily habit. Four different books complemented with visual presentations, role playing and illustrations were read by invited storytellers to students aged 6-9. Highlighting the event was the turnover of brand new books to Marilao, Baliwag and Valenzuela public schools in support of DepEd’s Adopt-a-School program. (Freddie C. Velez)

Blood Donation

TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite —The Cavite provincial government is celebrating National Blood Donor's Month with simple activities at the Capitol here. The Provincial Health Office (PHO) will lead the activities which will be participated in by personnel of various provincial agencies. July is National Blood Donor’s Month The observance aims to build public awareness of the need for quality and safe blood, honor and recognize blood donors, and encourage regular blood donation.

The Cavite PHO under Dr. George Repique Jr. would lead the three-part activities dubbed "A Walk for Life," "Mobile Blood Donation" and the "Search for Mr. and Ms. Blood Olympics. (Anthony Giron)

Best A.R.B.

ABUCAY, Bataan — The Department of Agrarian Reform’s Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) recently gave recognition to the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) for their exemplary contributions in making the government’s CARP work. Josefina Soriano, a native of Capitangan, Abucay, Bataan received the Most Outstanding Woman (Agrarian Reform Program) award from the DAR. It gave the Most Outstanding ARB award to Ranilo Gines, recognized as A Navigating Farmer Entrepreneur. The Nagkakaisang Magsasaka Agricultural Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative (NMAPMPC) based in Talavera, Nueva Ecija, was named as the Most Progressive ARB Organization. (Mar T. Supnad)

Fighting Crime

CAMP GEN. PANTALEON GARCIA, IMUS, Cavite — The Cavite Police Provincial Office (PPO) has stepped up its anti-criminality drive following the rash of robbery incidents, particularly in the province’s upland districts. Senior Supt. John C. Bulalacao, Cavite PPO director, ordered the concerned police chiefs to strengthen their intelligence network, assign patrols and install checkpoints in strategic areas daytime and nighttime to check the operation of lawless elements in their midst. Bulalacao made the move after he noted domestic robberies particularly in Mendez-Nuñez town and Tagaytay City, Dasmariñas City and lowland Bacoor City. (Anthony Giron)