DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Davao Region is likely to reach six out of eight Millennium Development Goals, according to the National Statistical Coordinating Board (NSCB).

Six goals, among them, are promoting equality and women empowerment, reducing child mortality, improving child mortality, maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, ensuring environmental sustainability and developing a global partnership for development, are at high probability to be achieved by the region by 2015.

Estrella R. Turingan, NSCB-11 director, said the region has only two goals, eradicating poverty and hunger, and achieving universal primary education that are yet to be achieved. (Mickk Basa)

Christmas decor

TAGUM CITY (PIA) – The city government here is set to light its giant Christmas tree as a kick-off event for the fast-approaching Christmas season. The 108.6-foot holiday tree will again come to life on Wednesday night, and it will be glittered with thousands of Christmas lights and decor.

The yearly formal lighting of the Christmas tree has become one of this city’s well-attended events at the freedom park, drawing thousands of people from all walks of life to witness the holiday tree shine and glimmer. The structure has thus become one of the city’s icons for its distinct design.

Public support

DAVAO CITY (PNA) – Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte urged all sectors to participate in the public hearings on the passage of an anti-discrimination ordinance, set to be discussed on the committee level next month. Duterte said the tight schedule among the committees at the City Council delayed the discussions on his proposed anti-discrimination measure due to other concerns calendared earlier for deliberation.

Duterte said he expected more viewpoints to come out with the anti-discrimination measure, which requires the participation of the residents, being a very dynamic proposed law. “You ventilate your sentiments because it will be a very strict law,” he said.

Tramline system

DAVAO CITY (PNA) – The Region-11 office of the Department of Agriculture (DA-11) recently inaugurated the 880-meter agricultural bi-cable tramline system worth P1 million at Sitio Mamaon in Barangay Sibulan, Toril District, a remote mountainous village in this city.

Raul Paz, national tramline program leader of the DA’s Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, said the project will be a big help to farmers as they will be able to save money in transporting their products to the market and reducing post-harvest losses. He said the system is a hauling facility using cables and pulleys to transport agricultural products.

Volunteer run

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) – Registration for the Philippine Red Cross’ (PRC’s) “Million Volunteer Run” set for December 4 continues, and is expected to exceed the thousand-mark in this city in the days to come.

PRC-Zamboanga chapter administrator Vic Liozo Jr. calls on all sectors, various organizations, including various companies, to embrace corporate social responsibility by encouraging employee participation in the advocacy.

He said companies are encouraged to join the Red Cross in making world history. Liozo said registrants for the Million Volunteer Run can visit the Zamboanga Red Cross Chapter headquarters at the Pettit Barracks.