ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat, Philippines – The provincial government has released some P750,000 livelihood assistance to 15 former New People’s Army rebels who surrendered Wednesday to military authorities in Columbio town. Provincial social welfare officer Henry Albano said the funds were taken from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process through the intercession of Governor Suharto Mangudadatu.

He said the funds were used to purchase agricultural inputs, cattle dispersal, and for-hire-motorcycles that will serve as livelihood of the former guerrillas led by one Commander Jojo operating in Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato provinces. (Joseph Jubelag)

Fruit industry

TRENTO, Agusan del Sur – The provincial government of Agusan del Sur is targeting thousands of hectares for high-value fruit trees in 2012, in an effort to make this landlocked province a “fruit province” in the Caraga Region, and possible supplier of fruits in the entire country.

The provincial government is also eyeing to make the farmers “improve their living conditions” by way of planting more high-value fruit trees in their respective farmlands, making fruit tree growers more globally competitive in the fruit market. The provincial government has intensified the planting of more durian, mangosteen, rambutan, lanzones, and banana as high-value crops. (Mike Crismundo)

Classes resume

BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Education (DepEd)-Butuan City Division has lifted the suspension of classes due to typhoon “Ramon,” without any untoward incident in Butuan City and Surigao City.

DepEd official Israel Reveche said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration has removed Butuan City and Surigao City in the list of those affected with storm signals.

 “It is already safe to send the children to their respective schools,” he said. Classes in the pre-school and elementary levels were suspended Tuesday due to bad weather brought by tropical depression “Ramon.” (Mike Crismundo)

Youth Congress

BUTUAN CITY – The Provincial Youth Congress is slated next week at the Provincial Training Center, Agusan del Norte Provincial Capitol, this city. The 2011 Youth Congress will be under the Provincial Adolescent and Youth Health Development Program of the Provincial Health Office of the provincial government of Agusan del Norte.

Members of the Sangguniang Kabataan from all over the province will be the participants in the congress. Agusan del Norte Governor Erlpe John M. Amante and Department of Health-Caraga Regional Director Leonita P. Gorgolon are the guests of honor of the activity. (Mike Crismundo)

Economic meet

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Addressing the imbalance in economic development especially for less developed and remote territories is among the top agenda that will be tackled during the three-day Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines (BIMP)-East ASEAN Growth Area (EAGA) senior ministers in this city next week.

The gathering of key players of the BIMP-EAGA will also strengthen the Regional Development Plan that will show the importance of the BIMP-EAGA in boosting investments, trade and exports for the region, recognizing the opportunities offered by the participating governments in effecting cross-border consolidation, complementation, industry and value-chain management. (Mike Crismundo)