ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (PNA) – Mayor Celso Lobregat led the inauguration of the rehabilitated and improved senior citizens ward at the Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) here. Costing P2.3 million, the rehabilitation and improvement of the senior citizens ward will enhance the delivery of services to ailing elders.

During the past months, the city government also unveiled and turned over senior citizens’ centers in the villages of Vitali and Culianan. Similar projects are undergoing construction in the villages of Ayala and Sta. Maria. Senior citizens also benefit from the city government’s insurance program.

Dapitan tourism

DIPOLOG CITY (PIA) – Seeing Dapitan City as the tourism hub in the region, the Region 9 office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE-9) headed by Director Ponciano M. Ligutom spearheaded a “3Y” project here.

3Y, which stands for One Locality, One Industry, One Service Quality, was the brainchild of Ligutom in an effort to promote local community tourism in Dapitan with emphasis on improving the quality of service by hotel and restaurant attendants, bus and tricycle drivers, and other service groups for the tourists and guests.

Dapitan has been famous for its Rizal Shrine – the legacy of the national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal who was exiled here by the Spaniards from 1892 to 1896.

Coco technology

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PNA) – The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) in South Cotabato is pushing for the adoption of various coconut production technologies in a bid to increase the productivity and income of local coconut farmers.

Jesus Gamir, PCA-South Cotabato provincial manager, said they are now educating local coconut farmers on available trends and technologies on coconut farming, and the production of its numerous by-products to help open possible additional livelihood opportunities in the area.

“Most coconut farmers are just producers and they don’t consider the importance of the expanded income from its by-products such as vinegar, sugar, cooking oil, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and biodiesel,” he said.

Industry effort

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The government is urging tuna exporters to explore ways to diversify as the dollar-earning industry faces tough times. With the pressing concern on declining fish catch, Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said there is a need to start the conservation and preservation of biodiversity to uphold sustainability of the fisheries sector.

One of the projects cited was the planting of mangroves along ideal coastal areas to provide fisherfolk an option to augment daily expenses and counter the impact of declining fish catch. (Mick Basa)

Road project

BISLIG CITY – The Surigao del Sur District Engineering Office II of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) disclosed that the concreting of the road that connects this City and provinces in the Caraga Region to the provinces and cities in Southern Mindanao has been completed ahead of schedule.

The concreted Junction Lingig (Surigao del Sur)-Trento Road (Agusan del Sur) is a road that leads to Davao City via this city, hence, a vital infrastructure that will spur economic activity in the said areas. The road project also shortens time travel by two hours from this city, passing Trento town, in Agusan del Sur to Davao City. (Mike Crismundo)