ROXAS, Isabela (PNA) – The ingenious staff of the Manuel Roxas District Hospital (MRDH) turned waste materials into Christmas decorations. This developed after a contest on best decoration using scrap materials was launched during their recent Christmas celebration. They turned used syringes, vials, straws, and serum bottles into stars and Christmas tree. MRDH chief nurse Emelita Pacis, said the recycling of used materials will lessen waste product, and at the same time enhance the staffs creativity.

SKILLS REGISTRY

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PNA) – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional office, in collaboration with the Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), has recently launched the third wave implementation of the Skills Registry System (SRS) here. DOLE Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante said the launching of the SRS is one of the major activities of the department's 79th anniversary celebration in the region with the theme “Tapat na serbisyo, Hatid sa bawat Pilipino.” “The DOLE’s convergence with local government units, through the 3rd Wave Implementation of the SRS, is strengthened with additional municipalities and cities covered.

HYBRID RICE

CABANATUAN CITY (PNA) – The government should make more technology inventions that could help uplift the farmers’ livelihood, a Gawad Saka awardee said.  Ricarte Corpuz, 2012 Gawad Saka awardee, said he first learned of hybrid rice through the Department of Agriculture (DA) hybrid rice program in Laoag City, and immediately realized its potential yield. From his three-hectare farm planted mainly to hybrid rice, he attained a record harvest of more than 34 metric tons or 685 cavans (of 50 kilos each) of palay (paddy rice) per hectare. This came from three croppings – 240 cavans for the first crop, 245 cavans for the second, and 200 cavans for the third crop.

WATER PROJECT

MARIVELES, Bataan (PNA) – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office and the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) will jointly allocate P3.2 million to reforest an initial 130 hectares of the Mariveles watershed to boost the water potential of the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) dam. Officials of the Export Processing Zone Chamber of Exporters and Manufacturing, Inc. (EPZCEM) also committed to support the 25-year reforestation program to ensure the FAB dam could supply the water requirement of locators and manufacturers inside the 1,700-hectare Freeport.

HEALTH DRIVE

TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite – Virus cases, including HIV-AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) and meningococcemia, have been checked, contained and addressed in Cavite province with the all-out campaign of the Provincial Health Office and other concerned authorities in the area. The provincial government under Governor Jonvic Remulla, and the PHO led by Dr. George R. Respique have addressed the virus concerns, including dengue and diarrhea, with their intensified actions and year-round health program. Cavite is one of the provinces vulnerable to viruses, considering its huge population and some depressed areas. (Anthony Giron)