KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) – A bridge connecting Barangay Andagao to Pook, in this town, was turned over to the local government here. The bridge, according to Mayor William Lachica, has a road network leading to the Kalibo International Airport (KIA). Lachica said the bridge construction and its subsequent turnover to local government by Representative Florencio T. Miraflores and Governor Carlito S. Marquez is the provincial government’s initial steps in its plan of setting up a jetty port in Pook, Kalibo. From the jetty port in Pook, Kalibo, the provincial government envisions an alternative route to Boracay Island.

IRRIGATION PLAN

SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) – Government agencies here will turnover to beneficiaries on July 31 several newly completed communal irrigation projects worth R12.4 million. The irrigation systems will be turned over to irrigation associations in three villages of Valderrama town – Buluangan I, Buluangan II, and Canipayan. Agencies involved in the project include the Department of Agrarian Reform, through its Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Projects (ARISP) III, and the National Irrigation Administration-Provincial Irrigation Management Office (NIA-PIMO). The local government unit of Valderrama provided a counterpart fund and technical assistance.

FOOD PACKAGING

ILOILO CITY – Lito Buñag, co-organizer of the GlobalPack 2012, an international packaging conference and exhibit hosted by this city recently, emphasized that proper packaging can boost small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Buñag said SMEs are the country’s economic backbone, and it is imperative for SME entrepreneurs to inculcate the art and science of packaging. Buñag cited that the food industry here can benefit from packaging. He explained that local entrepreneurs must understand the rationale of product protection and shelf life. He noted there must be paradigm shift among local entrepreneurs in agri-business, handicrafts, and food to make their businesses survive. (Tara Yap)

SEWER EQUIPMENT

BACOLOD CITY (PIA) – The local government here has acquired a heavy duty sewer jet to clear sludge, debris, and other materials that clog the city’s sewers. The R21.8-million Hi-Vac Ohio sewer jet is only the second machine of its kind in the country, said Jomari Vargas of city’s Disaster and Risk Management Office (DRMO). The United States supplier’s representative, Troy Wolf, will solely train personnel of the DRMO, said Vargas. Wolf disclosed that two to three people can efficiently run the jet for some four standby trucks at any given location in the city.

ROAD CONVERSION

ILOILO CITY – Iloilo City Lone District Representative Jerry Treñas urged the Senate’s committee on public works and highways chaired by Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. to speed up the conversion of 15 major city roads into national roads that are vital to the city’s socio-economic growth. “The roads covered by the road conversion bills connect to national roads, and are vital links towards key transportation hubs such as the Iloilo International Airport and the Iloilo International Port,” Treñas said. “Various heritage sites and tourist destinations can be found along or are accessed through the roads covered by the road conversion bills,” Treñas added. (Tara Yap)