TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, Philippines – The nearing completion of farm-to-market roads in the far-flung villages of Lala in Lanao del Norte are seen to benefit local farmers, and expected to boost the local economy in the area.

These farm-to-market road projects are under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDDS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Four other towns in Lanao del Norte – Kapatagan, Bacolod, Salvador, and Sapad – are also expected to benefit from the Kalahi-CIDDS program. (Mike Crismundo)

Investment plan

DAVAO CITY – The government will implement its P8.5 billion roadmap and investment plan for the five provinces under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) pending appeal against a Supreme Court decision upholding the constitutionality of a law resetting the polls in the region and allowing the President to appoint an officer-in-charge governor.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo said the P8.5 billion disbursement acceleration fund is on top of the P11.8 billion regular ARMM budget for 2011, which will be implemented by at least 10 national government agencies under an ARMM Transition Team to be headed by the DILG. (Mick Basa)

‘Oplan Christmas’

DAVAO CITY (PNA) – The Police Regional Office 11 (PRO-11) has implemented “Operation Plan Pamasko” in all urban centers, provinces, and municipalities in Region-11 to ensure the safety of residents from lawless elements during the holidays.

Superintendent Jose Carumba, PRO-11 spokesperson, said the security plan took effect November 11, and will be observed up to New Year’s Day. Carumba said Davao Region is enjoying a relative peace and order due to the prompt cooperation among the residents, local government units, police and the military.

Farm supplement

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur – The Region-13 office of the Department of Agriculture (DA-13), in partnership with the provincial government of Agusan del Sur, launched Thursday the region’s first Liquid Nitrogen Plant (LN2) in the province.

The launching of the LN2 project is seen to strengthen the artificial insemination program in the Caraga Region. It will also upgrade local breeds of cattle, carabao, goats, and other farm animals. The DA through the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) had provided P5 million worth of equipment, while the local government of Agusan del Sur provided a counterpart fund amounting to P1.5 million for the building, electrification, and manpower. (Mike Crismundo)

Mobile lab

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PNA) – A Manila-based group has unveiled in nearby Sarangani province the country’s first-ever jeepney-turned-science and technology laboratory as part of a planned nationwide rollout. JeepneED, an innovative mobile science laboratory, is “an engaging outdoor learning area” equipped with 10 netbooks, 3G hub for Internet connectivity, and basic science materials.

Shaina Tantuico, JeepneED co-founder, said the project seeks to address gaps of science teaching methods in public schools where teachers usually resort to lectures only due to unavailability of resource materials and other exposure activities.