SURIGAO CITY, Philippines – Officials of the Surigao del Norte provincial government are fast-tracking the poverty alleviation program, including health, education, and livelihood programs in an effort to alleviate the living condition of the far-flung villagers in the province.

The provincial government is also stepping up its priority agenda to make the province more globally competitive and deserving to the constituents by focusing various infrastructure projects that are vital in development and progress. This developed after the provincial government held a mid-year accomplishment review and planning workshop here where Gov. Sol F. Matugas personally spearheaded the activity the other day. (Mike Crismundo)

Mango production

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PNA) – Farmers in Mindanao have been urged to plant more mangoes to boost the country’s production and increase its competitiveness in the international markets. Fred Dumasis, president of the Sarangani Federation of Fruit Industry Associations, Inc., said they will discuss the potentials of mango production in the region during the 13th National Mango Congress in Glan, Sarangani.

“We would like to highlight the Soccsksargen Region, especially Sarangani province, as a viable location for off-season mango production,” said Dumasis. He said the region’s vast land area and favorable agro-climatic condition “make it an ideal location for year-round mango production.”

Coco processing

DAVAO CITY (PNA) – Three more desiccated coconut plants are slated to rise in Davao Region within this year that is estimated to infuse an additional P52.3 billion worth of investments to the country’s coconut industry. Lornito Orillaneda, Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) regional director, said as of August this year, the country’s coconut industry generated an income of about $700 million.

Bulk of the income was generated by exports of crude coconut oil, the main product of Philippine coconut, valued at $600 million. Orillaneda said desiccated coconut is the finished product obtained from coconut.

Health caravan

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon (PIA) – The Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan (LBK) health caravan fiesta bus will roll into remote communities of Kitaotao town, Bukidnon from August 10 to 11. The LBK will promote vital health messages in fiesta-like scenery on the importance of proper nutrition, pre-natal checkup, safe pregnancy and delivery, child immunization, and hand-washing.

The caravan features a bus that has been customized as a mobile clinic with interactive health exhibit and counseling, story-telling sessions, mini-classes, and dance-along activities and games on health with the aim to bring information and education to families in remote communities.

Policy dialogue

DAVAO CITY – Business sector leaders in Mindanao have engaged several national government executives on a series of policy discussions aimed at finding the common ground for addressing crucial economic issues that affect the island region, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said Tuesday.

Focusing on energy, mining, and agriculture, a two-day roundtable discussion in Manila was initiated by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Mindanao, Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program, and MinDA to gather inputs of private sector on certain policy issues. During the discussions, the Mindanao private sector and industry leaders took the opportunity to bring up for immediate response a number of policy issues. (Mick Basa)