CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – The economic growth here continues due to the influx of Korean and Taiwan investors. City officials said the foreign investors noted the key advantages in this city that encouraged them to conduct business here.

The officials said that some of the advantages seen by the investors include the city’s rich agricultural environments, a broad consumer and manpower base, cheap and abundant power, strategically located international seaports, modern telecommunication facilities, adequate infrastructure, and a highly efficient educational system. (Mike Crismundo)

Market rehab

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) – In support to the 2011-2016 Regional Development Plan (RDP) of the Caraga Region on infrastructure support, the provincial government of Agusan del Norte has recently approved the P5 million financial support for the rehabilitation of the public market of the municipality of Nasipit.

Agusan del Norte Governor Erlpe John M. Amante said the fund is included in the 20 percent budget wherein the project will be implemented in the first quarter of 2012. He also said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has deliberated on the issue and is ready to release the fund by next year.

School shines

DAVAO CITY (PIA) – The Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School in Matina District, this city, won 3rd prize during the recently concluded National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools. The school received a P30,000 award during the awarding ceremony held at the SM North EDSA.

The first prize winner is the Camarines Sur National High School in Naga City, and the second prize winner is the San Jose Recoletos High School in Cebu City. These were schools that bested all the other 14 competing high schools all over the country. Likewise, the Luna Elementary School in Kapalong, Davao del Norte, is among those declared regional champions for elementary level.

Peace movement

BUTUAN CITY – Catholic Bishops and Muslim Ulamas here jointly issued a statement urging peace for Mindanao. The group also appealed to all warring groups to “stop fighting and join the declaration for lasting peace in an effort to propel the development and progress in all local communities.”

In the weeklong 13th year of the Mindanao Week of Peace that ended Wednesday, the Catholic Bishops and Ulamas in their joint statement and pastoral letter distributed to all sectors of society, it advocated to “continue pray and work for peace not only for home, but also to work for peace for our entire country.” (Mike Crismundo)

Service caravan

NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley (PIA) – Speaking during the Serbisyo Caravan held here over the weekend, Governor Arturo T. Uy said that if a similar government services caravan would be held in his province, he would be proposing that the medical outreach component would last for two or more days.

The Serbisyo Caravan is a project of the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (ARENA) in combining an array of free government services in various areas around the region. The first caravan was held in Boston and Cateel towns in Davao Oriental. Uy said he was overwhelmed by the presence of regional directors and the services that they brought with them.