MALAYBALAY CITY, Philippines – The first Childhood Care Laboratory is set to rise in this city. If completed, the center will cater to the needs of toddlers and pre-school children with ages three to four years old.

It was learned that classroom modules can handle 15 to 25 toddlers for a two-hour morning and afternoon sessions.

 The center will be a model institution and laboratory that will serve as an observation center for other entities involved in early childhood development. (Mike Crismundo)

Dental plan

PAGADIAN CITY – The Department of Education (DepEd) has chosen 20 public elementary schools in Mindanao’s six regions to pilot the implementation of its dental project called “Happy Smiles for Healthy Kids” for School Year 2011-2012.

 DepEd said the project is made up of several components that include daily tooth brushing and hand washing drills, oral health services, oral health treatment/intervention, role delineation, provisions of support for operation, recording and reporting, and monitoring and evaluation.

The DepEd enjoined the elementary school health and nutrition personnel in the selected pilot schools to initiate the implementation and evaluation of the project. (Tony Pe. Rimando)

Ethnic pageant

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The first-ever tribal beauty pageant will highlight the Tribal Day celebration at the municipal gym in Malungon, Sarangani, on November 17. Dubbed “Manenggeya na Lebon” that means a virtuous beautiful woman, the pageant will be participated in by at least 13 contestants belonging to the B’laan and Tagakaolo tribal minorities, said event organizer Noel Ramos, the chief of the local general services office.

“The contestants will showcase their beauty and talent in a tribal-style fashion show during the pageant night,” Ramos said. He said the contestants will be allowed to speak in their own local dialect during the question and answer portion of the pageant. (Joseph Jublega)

Safety measure

VALENCIA CITY – The rapid damage assessment brought about by earthquake early Monday night was intensified Wednesday as businesses and daily activities in this city went back to normal.

Northern Mindanao Office of Civil Defense Director Ana Caneda said the Office of the Building Official of the City Engineer’s Office here is spearheading the damage assessment, and also made the appropriate “call” and proper disposition on the safety of all affected structures, and the safety of occupants.

Caneda said engineers and technical men of the Bukidnon Electric Cooperative already restored the supply of electricity after the quake knocked out electric power lines. (Mike Crismundo)

River project

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) created a task force that will investigate and assess the discoloration of the Iponan River in Cagayan de Oro City.

DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations Ernesto Adobo Jr. signed a memorandum directing the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-10 to create a composite team to conduct site investigation and assessment of the river’s condition.

The “Unified Task Force Iponan” is primarily tasked to address the perennial problem of siltation and sedimentation of the river brought about by illegal hydraulic operations. (Ellalyn de Vera)