VERUELA, Agusan del Sur, Philippines – Economic activities in this far-flung town are expected to benefit from a recently completed road network. The newly completed Sampaguita-Veruela Road was turned over to the local government by the 2nd District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under District Engineer Rainero A. Zerda.

No less than Region 13 DPWH Director Danilo E. Versola, and Rep. Evelyn Plaza-Mellana (2nd District, Agusan del Sur) lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new road that was formally turned over to Veruela Mayor Salimar T. Plaza and the town’s village officials. (Mike Crismundo)

Military desk

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – While helping harmonize relief services for villagers displaced by the recent Moro rebels’ factional fighting, a just-established military desk is also conducting trauma management sessions for evacuees to help them recover from psychological distress, Army officials reported Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Rey C. Ardo, chief of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division based here, said he ordered the inclusion of the evacuees’ trauma management into the functions of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Desk established earlier in Datu Piang, Maguindanao, for IDPs affected by the breakout on August 6 of “infighting” between field leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). (Ali Macabalang)

Mineral source

SURIGAO CITY – Mindanao, particularly the Caraga Region, is a bowl of mineral deposits as it holds Asia’s biggest volume of gold, nickel, and copper.

It was learned at the recently concluded Mining Summit and Safety Competition here that the country has some nine million hectares of deposits spread in the various areas of the country, particularly in Northeastern and Southern Mindanao regions, and portions of the Zamboanga Peninsula and Central Mindanao.

It was also learned at the mining summit that Mindanao is not only a “food basket” but also home of largest mineral deposits. (Mike Crismundo)

Davao surprise

DAVAO CITY – Tourists flying to this southern city were offered with a welcome drink dubbed “Davao punch” that is made from a concoction of guava, pomelo, and calamansi juice. “Come to Davao and we will welcome you with a good punch,” an advertisement showing a fair-skinned woman wearing Lumad attire, raising a glass of the so-called “Davao punch” reads.

Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio admits she was surprised and was even asked if she could be photographed with the fruit punch as the brains of the creative advertisement wanted her to be the endorser of the welcome drink as part of a recently concluded month-long event. (Mick Basa)

Health aid

ALEGRIA, Surigao del Norte – The new birthing clinic and health center that will soon rise here before the end of September is expected to benefit various communities, especially those in far-flung areas.

The local government here is a recipient of a health grant from the Agencia Espanola Cooperacion Internacional y Desarollo (AECID) of the Spanish government.

It was learned that the AECID granted a P2,044,578.40 fund for the construction of the health facility here. (Mike Crismundo)