TABUK CITY, Kalinga (PIA) — Tabuk, in partnership with the Department of Tourism Regional Office here, recently conducted a tourism planning workshop for the formulation of the Tabuk City Tourism Development Master Plan. To realize such output, the city government invited representatives of key sectors in tourism including non-government organizations, private and government offices, and local government agencies, city tourism officer Arlene Ethel Odiem said. Some 50 participants were presented with Philippine tourism sector trends, prospects, and directions; product development and the tourism circuit; and the marketing aspect of tourism.

BAMBOO COUNCIL 

TABUK CITY, Kalinga (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Kalinga recently organized the Kalinga Bamboo Council (KBC) to formulate the province’s Bamboo Propagation and Plantation Development Plan. The KBC is chaired by the DTI with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as vice chair. Jeffrey Pasikan, Bamboo Production coordinator of DTI-Kalinga, said the KBC composed of key government agencies would be given the responsibility to encourage, promote and develop the bamboo industry in the province. He said Kalinga has the advantage in propagating bamboo with its favorable climate and availability of land area for planting.

BAYANI CHALLENGE 

CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) — The Pilipinas Natin and Gawad Kalinga Foundation along with the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia launched the Bayani Challenge program at the Saint Joseph Institute (SJI) auditorium here last Friday, Nov. 30 during the commemoration of the 149th birth anniversary of Philipppine hero, Andres Bonifacio. The launching coincided with the assembly of Pilipinas Natin movement volunteers initiated by the Presidential Communication Operation Office (PCOO). The challenge, among others, is to recruit over 2,000 youth volunteers from Ilocos and Abra provinces to help build and repair of houses in the Gawad Kalinga sites in Candon City during the celebration of the youth volunteerism on March 23-29, 2013, Joson said.

INFORMATION SHARING

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) — Information officers from local governments and regional line agencies here said they welcome the Information Sharing System (ISS) concept developed recently by the Regional Development Council-Committee on Development Information and Communication (RDC-CDIC).  The ISS was recently launched by the Presidential Communications Operation during a recent Local-Regional Information Assembly in Tuguegarao.

DISKWENTO CARAVAN

MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan  (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) held a pre-Christmas Diskwento Caravan at the Capitol compound in Malolos City yesterday, December 4, from 8 a.m. to 5 in the afternoon. Bread, processed meat, detergents, cooking oil, vinegar, canned goods, powdered milk, coffee, shampoo, and bath soap were sold at factory prices. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority specialist as also provided free massage, hair cut and foot spa while National Economic Research and Business Action Center member-agencies such as Social Security System, Pag-IBIG and PhilHealth rendered services.