NEW CORELLA, Davao del Norte, Philippines (PNA) – A United States (US)-based private voluntary organization has urged stakeholders to upgrade the P23 million Food for Progress (FFPr) dairy project by properly breeding their existing milking cows using 100-percent imported Holstein through artificial insemination.

Land O’Lakes, Inc. country manager Qazi Yawar Naeem said in this way, the bloodline of the next generation of cows will increase from 62.5 percent into 80 Holstein, which ensures production of more milk while retaining the stock’s characteristics of being able to produce in tropical climate.

Peace forum

PAGADIAN CITY (PIA) – To break the culture of violence and impunity happening in the country and to allow a culture of peace and justice to prevail, a Forum on Peace and Security and Updates on the Government-Moro Islamic Liberation Front Peace Process was held Wednesday at a hotel here.

The Civil Society Organization Forum for Peace, Inc. based in Iligan City, in partnership with the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, Ummah Fi Salam, and other concerned organizations will launch the forum that is in line with the peace initiatives of the Aquino administration of working for a solution to the peace problem in Mindanao.

Child welfare

KORONADAL CITY (PIA) – Elementary pupils in public schools here will have an additional education on proper hygiene and healthy lifestyle with the city government’s implementation of the “Fit for School” program.

The local government recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Education, and Fit for School, Inc. for the implementation of the program, focused on promoting healthy habits among school children.

The signing was also in preparation for the upcoming launching of the Essential Health Care Program in the city. The measure aims to inculcate healthy behavior among children for more long-term health improvements of the pupils.

Road projects

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte – The road to development and progress in the province of Lanao del Norte is boosted with the newly acquired P60 million road construction equipment that will fast-track the road concreting works. This brand-new Sakai PM550 road stabilization equipment acquired by the provincial government is expected to fast-track the road construction works.

The Provincial Engineer’s Office is now in the testing phase of its newly acquired road stabilization equipment. This latest technology from Japan also provides soil stabilization and full-depth reclamation to repair failed hot mix asphalt pavements “quickly and cost effectively,” it was learned. (Mike Crismundo)

Veggie center

Farmers in Lantapan town, Bukidnon’s vegetable basket, recently inaugurated their own Municipal Packaging and Bagsakan Center (MPBC) to eliminate middlemen and provide consumers with better prices.

The MPBC project was implemented by the Department of Agriculture in partnership with the Central Mindanao University, Department of Trade and Industry, and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, who established a similar bagsakan center in Quezon province, welcomed the establishment of the MPBC to enable vegetable farmers to raise their incomes. (Marvyn Benaning)