PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Philippines (PIA) – The Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) will spend around P16 million for the second quarter in order to extend both technical and material assistance to farmers to enhance food production from diversified farming to veterinary products, including job generation, and tourism.

According to PAO chief Armando Lagumbay, the PAO will be spending some P5 million for diversified farming alone for the second quarter, and another P5 million for agricultural enhancement for growth and productivity.

“One of the projects that we will give more attention this second quarter is the multi-purpose drying pavement (MPDP) that will be scattered in selected municipalities province-wide,” Lagumbay said.

D.A. dvelops tea industry in Zambo
ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) – The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is developing the tea industry in this city.

DA officials said it was less than two decades ago when Leodegario Garcia stumbled across Ceylon Tea while attending a seminar at the City of Pines.

Impressed by its delicate flavor and aromatic taste, he collected half a kilo of the marble-like tea seeds from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) at the Baguio Experiment Station, and took it home to La Paz, this city.

“I thought since Baguio and La Paz have similarly cool weathers, the tea seeds would thrive and grow abundantly back home,” Garcia said. He was right, because 85 percent of the seeds sprouted and blossomed after they were planted in potted plastic bags.

Women's Month fete highlighted
KORONADAL CITY (PIA) – This year's observance of women's month is expected to improve women empowerment through the implementation of programs as guaranteed by the laws protecting women's rights.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 12 Assistant Regional Rirector Gemma Rivera said the objectives of this year's celebration are geared towards increasing public awareness on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which gives premium to women's welfare.

C.S.U. website enters finals
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) – The Caraga State University (CSU) Web site has been chosen as one of the five semifinalists in the 12th Philippine Web Awards (PWA) in the schools category.

This is the first time that the CSU Web site joined the Philippine Web Awards, a competition for the best Web sites in the country.

The award is an event that “annually recognizes the best Filipino-created Web sites and honors the individuals and teams behind them.”

Zambo Norte health system backed
DIPOLOG CITY (PIA) – The plan of the provincial government of Zamboanga del Norte (ZaNorte) to adopt the health insurance system used by the Negros Oriental government is slowly getting the support of the municipal mayors in this province.

This was the reaction of the municipal mayors after being informed by Gov. Rolando E. Yebes on the study conducted by the Local Finance Committee, together with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the Provincial Attorney’s Office.