ALABEL, Sarangani (PIA) – A village vegetable gardening initiative has taken roots in Barangay Maribulan with the launching of “Gulayan sa Barangay Maribulan.”

The village-local government unit, in partnership with Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation, Inc. (CLAFI) through its Rural Advancement and Development Program, launched the “Gulayan sa Barangay Maribulan” in cooperation with the Provincial Governor’s Office, Southern Philippines Power Corporation, Alsons Agri-Unit and Sarangani Energy Corporation.

“It is an opportunity for our barangay to have partner NGOs (non-government organizations) for this kind of program,” village chieftain Jimy Catulong said.

Dengue awareness

PANABO CITY, Davao del Norte (PIA) – This city hosted the dengue awareness month launching in June due to its high rate of dengue cases in 2010 in the entire province.

The Panabo City Health Office together with the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and the Department of Health (DoH) launched the activity with the theme “Kilos na! Mag-4S Kontra Dengue.”

The activity also carried a slogan that stated “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure,” which pushed health agencies/departments to build public awareness on preventive measures against the deadly mosquito-borne viral disease.

Volunteers cited

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines  – The regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has lauded hundreds of volunteers who helped in the relief operations for the victims displaced by the recent flash floods in Cotabato City.

DSWD Regional Director Sarah T. Taha said the volunteers offered their unrelenting services in the repacking, transporting, and distribution of relief goods to more than 40,000 flash flood victims in Cotabato City and nearby areas.

“The spirit of volunteerism shown by these people in the time of crisis deserves recognition,” Taha said.

“They are worthy of emulation for pooling their manpower and resources to help in the distribution of relief goods to victims in the evacuation sites.”

Potable water

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines  (PNA) – Some 7,000 household connections from hinterland villages here and nearby town in North Cotabato are expected to benefit from the newly completed water line transmission project of the Metro Kidapawan Water District (MKWD), officials said.

This would mean additional 31.8 percent of the current house-hold connections, according to MKWD general manager Stella Anima. New water connections would benefit residents in the villages of Nuangan, Manongol, and Singao here, and Matalam town, also in North Cotabato.

The source of the 12.8 kilometer-transmission line is the Lapaan Falls in Barangay Perez located within the protected zone of Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak.

Town facilitators

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (PNA) – Forty-five applicants for the position of municipal facilitators for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (ARMM’s) peace and development arm underwent training on business planning and awareness under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Cathy Icalina, DTI-ARMM trade and industry development specialist, provided the training for the ARMM Social Fund Project Learning and Livelihood Food Sufficiency (LLFS) program.