PAGADIAN CITY, Philippines (PIA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has released P625,320,000 as of October 31, for the social pension program for indigent senior citizens in all regions, including the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

As of November 4, 2011, a total of 107,431 senior citizens or 77 percent of the 138,960 beneficiaries for 2011 are now receiving their P500 monthly stipend from the DSWD. The social pension program is provided under Republic Act (RA) 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

Davao incentive

DAVAO CITY (PNA) – The city government here is set to give additional Christmas bonus to 12,000 regular and contractual employees assigned in 19 departments of the City Hall.

Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio said once the city’s legislative department approves the Supplemental Budget 2 (SB2) for 2011, regular employees and job order/consultants will receive P10,000 and P15,000, respectively, as Christmas bonus, aside from the mid-year and Christmas cash gift that is required by law.

However, Duterte said she has yet to meet with the Local Finance Committee (LFC) to discuss SB 2, which they will submit to the City Council for approval.

Farm upgrade

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) – The Northern Mindanao Vegetable Producers Association (NorMinVeggies) is implementing a ground-breaking farming and marketing system that has boosted the stock of hundreds of small-hold farmers across Mindanao, and revolutionized vegetable production in the region.

Starting with only 15 producer-members in 1999, NorMinVeggies’ core membership has expanded to 178, which includes farmers, cooperatives, foundations, and growers’ associations. The transformation began when NorMinVeggies introduced the cluster farming method to its members with support provided by the United States Agency for International Development, through its Growth with Equity in Mindanao Program.

Careful moms

TAGUM CITY (PIA) – Increased vigilance among mothers can be a good deterrent to unscrupulous price increases. Trade and Industry Development Specialist Arnulfo J. Gana-an of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Davao del Norte field office pointed this out as he had seen women, especially mothers, to have a natural tendency of being price conscious.

He also noted that mothers seemingly have informal network of knowing which among the business establishments are offering the most affordable prices. “There is a need to focus on housewives to increase their awareness. They are natural predictors of prices,” Gana-an said.

Yuletide decor

COTABATO CITY (PNA) – Department of Trade and Industry Regional Director for Central Mindanao Ibrahim Guiamadel has urged the public to take extra care in buying electronic gadgets for the coming Christmas holidays.
Guiamadel said his office is coordinating with various local government units in Central Mindanao to closely monitor the sale of Christmas lights, and other electronic and digital gadgets that Filipinos usually buy ahead of the holidays.

“This is one way of preventing accidents and disasters brought about by low quality and sub-standard gadgets,” he said. He urged Christmas shoppers to look for indicators that the gadget had passed quality control.