COTABATO CITY, Philippines – For setting a new record in the recent Palarong Pambasa’s 100-meter dash, a Moro student now enjoys multiple scholarships and incentives starting in his third year high school study this academic year until his graduation in college.

And in return for the same honor earned by Romnick Nor for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governance, the Datu Paglas National High School in Maguindanao where he studies will also be rewarded with “all necessary modern sports equipment to develop and produce more quality athletes,” ARMM Executive Secretary Naguib Sinarimbo said. (Ali Macabalang)

Nutrition month

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) – The city government here announced the series of activities for the month-long celebration of Nutrition Month in this city. City health officer Dr. Rodel Agbulos said the Nutrition Month celebration, set in July, would include the “Buntis and Breastfeeding Summit” with lectures on the proper way of breastfeeding.

Feeding programs will also be conducted in selected schools and barangays (villages), according to Agbulos. He said his office will hold a city-wide search for a Model Breastfeeding Mother to be participated in by lactating mothers from each of this city’s 15 health districts.

Equipment auction

The city government of Zamboanga is preparing for the sale of old unserviceable equipment, still worth millions of pesos, like trucks and other motor vehicles, to interested buyers in this city by next month.

Rather than letting these units to be consumed by rust and occupy valuable space in the city, the units can still be converted into cash, considering the universal call for recycling of materials and the brisk business of scrap items in the region.

Engineer Rene dela Cruz, general services officer, said that various unserviceable government vehicles are being readied and scheduled for auction. (PNA)

Insurance benefit

BUTUAN CITY – The barangay tanod (village watchmen) are now in jubilant mood after receiving their respective insurance benefits over the weekend. No less than City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. handed over the insurance benefits of at least 1,105 watchmen from the 86 communities in the city, especially those in far-flung areas.

Aside from their insurance benefits, the watchmen also received their uniforms and certificates of completion during their training last week at the covered court of the Agusan National High School here. The training of the watchmen was conducted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government in the Caraga Region, along with local police force. (Mike Crismundo)

Aquatic inquiry

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Government agents conducted an ocular inspection at a warehouse in Barangay San Roque in this city over the weekend where it yielded traces of black corals and sea turtle carcasses. Officials of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) believe that the find is a major breakthrough in the ongoing black coral smuggling investigation being conducted by concerned government agencies in this city.

BFAR Director Azis Perez led a group of government officials composed of City Mayor Celso Lobregat, Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Ernesto Adodo, Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau Director Theresa Mundita S. Lim, BFAR Regional Director Sajili, and other marine life experts, and the police. (Nonoy Lacson)