ILOILO CITY, Iloilo (PIA) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development-6 (DSWD-6) eyes 133 local government units (LGUs) in Western Visayas under the Pantawid Pamilya program by yearend, according to Delia Bagolcol, DSWD-6 Gender and Development focal person who discussed Tatsulok in her report during the Ugsad Regional Gender Resource Center Coordinating Committee at the University of the Philippines Visayas, this city last July 18. Tatsulok is the convergence of the Aquino administration’s three key poverty reduction programs implemented by DSWD, which includes the Pantawid Pamilya along with the Self-Employment Assistance–Kaunlaran (SEA-K) and Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi–CIDSS).

GUIMARAS CHIPS

GUIMARAS (PIA) — The sweet potatoes or camote will make it to the world market soon, as Guimaras province is set to have its processing plant through public-private partnership. Governor Felipe Hilan Nava said the plant is funded by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Science and Technology with counterpart from the province. Local farmers and stakeholders should take advantage of the opportunity as there are several sweet potato species all over the world, but it was Guimaras-produced camote that met standard set by a Los Angeles-based exporter, Nava said, adding that the plant will be put up by the Nueva Valencia Multi-Purpose Cooperative with identified farmer-producers.

PEACEFUL ANTIQUE 

SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) — The Antique Police Provincial Office (APPO) has declared that crime incidents in the province have dropped in the first six months this year as compared to the same period last year.  A Philippine National Police report says total crime here dropped 15 percent from 234 crimes in January to June, 2011 as against 199 crimes during the same period in 2012. “These positive developments are manifestations that the 'Pulis Nyo Po' in Antique is effectively carrying out its mission of maintaining peace, order and security here. We will continue to double our efforts in safeguarding our province,” Police Senior Superintendent Ruperto T. Floro Jr. said.

CLEAN UP

 TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) — The Province of Bohol through local Executive Order-25 dated July 9, 2012 declared yesterday, July 23, "Anti-Dengue Clean-up Day" in response to the recent spate of heavy rains and the reported rising incidence of suspected dengue cases in the province. Governor Edgar Chatto urged Boholanos to conduct a concerted community clean-up yesterday to help prevent the spread of the dreaded disease, keeping in mind to seek and destroy breeding places of dengue mosquitoes, such as discarded tires, drums, cans, bottles, gutters, and other places where there may be stagnant water.

CASH AID

CATARMAN, Northern Samar (PIA) — Five former rebels and militiamen were recently given financial assistance by the Northern Samar provincial government under the Local Social Integration Program (LSIP) at the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office. Carmen Mejia, provincial social welfare and development officer, said this is the first this happened in the region and that there are 15 more former rebels who also want to be reintegrated in society and avail of the program.