BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – Alarmed on eviction of the National Food Authority (NFA) granaries in this city, officials in the Caraga Region appealed to President Aquino to let the NFA continue using the grain warehouses in Barangay Libertad here.

The local officials petitioned President Aquino to intercede in order for the thousands of Butuanons and Agusanons not be affected with the impending eviction of the two NFA warehouses that have a capacity of 100,000 bags of rice each. The petitioners said the two warehouses are very vital for the “food security” in the area. (Mike Crismundo)

Tribal project

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Some 1,000 T’boli tribesmen, most of whom displaced by landslides and flash floods in the gold rush area in T’boli, South Cotabato, availed of the medical and dental mission jointly conducted Monday by Tribal Mining Corporation, Philippine Eagles Club, 1002nd Army Brigade, and local government unit.

Former T’boli Vice Mayor Salvador Ramos said they brought physicians and dentists, while the TMC provided the medical supplies for the medical mission. “We are doing these free medical services to our less fortunate indigenous tribesmen who could not afford to pay medical check up and buy medicines,” Ramos said. (Joseph Jubelag)

Peace mission

JOLO, Sulu – The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) has deployed a Marine battalion to help other law enforcement agencies here combat insurgency and terroristic activities in the area.

Civil Relations Group chief Lt. Col. Gamal Hayudini said the PMC has ordered the deployment of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-6 headed by Lt. Col. Romeo Dolojan to this province to augment the present military units stationed here.

Hayudini said the troopers, who just completed a seven-month retraining, arrived here on Saturday and will be placed under the command of the 3rd Marine Brigade. (Nonoy Lacson)

Proper disposal

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PNA) – The use of plastic straws, disposable cups, Styrofoam, and other “throw-away” materials will soon be prohibited in all offices and premises of the provincial government of South Cotabato as it intensifies its campaign on the adoption of solid waste management practices in the province.

South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. said he issued a directive mandating the reduction and segregation of solid wastes in all provincial government offices, conference rooms, canteen, motor pool, rest rooms, and all government hospital under its jurisdiction. He said outsiders will also receive penalties for non-disposal of garbage properly as provided for under the anti-littering ordinance.

Flexibility urged

JOLO, Sulu – Representative Habib Tupay Loong (1st District, Sulu) urged the government peace negotiators and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to exercise flexibility in their talks in order for them to reach a peace accord that would be beneficial to both panels and the people of Mindanao.

Loong, chairman of the House Committee on Muslim Affairs, believes that ending the Mindanao conflict in the soonest possible time would draw the needed trade, investment, and job opportunities for the people in Mindanao. He also asked the MILF leadership to be realistic with their demands. (Nonoy Lacson)