BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar C. Binay lauded Tawi-Tawi Gov. Sadikul Sahali for the formation of an Overseas Passenger Assistance Center (OPAC) here to further intensify efforts to curb human trafficking.

Binay, chairman emeritus of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), said Sahali’s establishment of the Tawi-Tawi OPAC only reflects the continued commitment of all member agencies in strengthening the campaign against modern slavery. This capital town serves as the “southern backdoor” and final exit point of human trafficking victims bound for Malaysia. (Nonoy Lacson)

Recovery program

BUTUAN CITY – A three-day moral recovery convention-seminar is set on November. The activity aims to serve as a venue for the exchange/gathering of ideas/concepts that are of national concern, which can contribute to the realization of the government’s desired change and resolution to current issues and problems besetting the country today.

The Moral Recovery Officers Foundation (MROFI) will be spearheading this year’s moral recovery program. Civil Service Commission Chairman Francisco T. Duque has called on the heads of constitutional bodies, departments, bureaus, and agencies of the national government to attend this big event. (Mike Crismundo)

Rural assistance

PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur – Various communities in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur started to benefit from the government’s financial assistance to fund their infrastructure projects and livelihood programs. Through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, the government handed some P30 million to provincial chief executives of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur.

The initial assistance of the two provincial governments is part of their respective P18 million financial assistance, and the remaining 20 percent of the amount will be released soon after the completion of their respective projects. (Mike Crismundo)

Job coaching

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Region-9 office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has established and launched the DoLE ZamPen Testing and Job Coaching Center aimed at mitigating the perennial problem of job and skills mismatch in the region.

DoLE-9 Director Ponciano Ligutom said the establishment of the center will ensure jobseekers and employers in Region-9 of a strong and skills-matched workforce. Ligutom said the center here is part of DoLE’s campaign to establish a job-fit and productive labor force through the proactive measures of educating and steering jobseekers to the right place in the labor market. (Nonoy Lacson)

Tourism project

BUTUAN CITY – The city government here expanded its tourism infrastructure projects following the increase of tourist arrivals that largely contributes to the economic development of this city. Local officials mobilized their respective resources to help identify the needed infrastructure projects that support the tourism industry.

City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. said the number of tourist arrivals this year has increased compared to last year. He said tourist arrivals brought some P8.7 billion to the local economy for the period of one year. “This is a big plus factor for our economy and also a big help to our people,” he said. (Mike Crismundo)