DAVAO CITY, Philippines (PNA) – The city government here has activated a team that will strictly monitor eateries, canteens, and all other food establishments, particularly those located near schools to ensure that these places are complying with the city’s Sanitation Code.

Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, city health officer, said monitoring sanitary code compliance among food establishments in the city, especially those near schools where ambulant vendors tend to flock, will ensure safety of food being sold from various diseases. Villafuerte said the sanitation code provides that each food vendor or canteen employee must have health cards issued by the City Health Office (CHO) before they could be allowed to operate.

Dapitan caravan

DAPITAN CITY (PIA) – In order to promote entrepreneurship and access to credits and markets, the Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (BSMED) in cooperation with the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), Philippine Franchising Association (PFA), and the Department of Trade and Industry-Zamboanga del Norte (DTI-ZN), will conduct a two-day WOW (Work-on-Wheels) SME Negosyo Caravan in this city on July 1 and 2. DTI-ZN Provincial Director Noel R. Bazan said DTI Secretary Gregory L. Domingo is attending the opening program. He will also hold a press conference with the local members of the media.

Trade practice

TAGUM CITY – Two business establishments in Davao del Norte have gained recognition for sustaining their strong support to the rights consumers and responsible trade practice. Jenny Grace Molbog-Mendoza, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 11 information officer, said the two establishments have been conferred with the Bagwis Silver award.

The two establishments added to the list of Silver Awardees are Gaisano Grand Mall in Panabo City and Tagum Fiesta Appliance in this city. The Bagwis Program aims to give due recognition to the entrepreneurs that uphold the rights of consumers and practice responsible business where consumers get best value for money. (Mick Basa)

Villages cited

BUTUAN CITY – The Regional Search Committee (RSC), a committee tasked in the search for local government unit (LGU) with “Outstanding Lupong Tagapamayapa” in the Caraga Region, announced the winners, after a thorough evaluation of their respective performances.

The RSC in Region 13 conducted an assessment to determine those that excel in the administration of “barangay justice” in various categories covering the periods of 3rd and 4th quarters of 2009, and 1st to 4th quarters of 2010. (Mike Crismundo)

Greening drive

BUTUAN CITY – The National Greening Program (NGP), the first agency to consolidate all greening projects, not only in local government units (LGUs) but also private entities, started to plant five million trees of various species in Northeastern and Northern Mindanao regions.

The PhilSaga Mining Corporation (PSMC) alone is targeting 100 hectares this year to be planted with 500 rubber trees per hectare in the municipalities of Rosario and Bunawan in Agusan del Sur and nearby areas. (Mike Crismundo)