BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines – The office of the Department of Health (DoH) here launched on Tuesday its health program rebranded as Complete Treatment Pack Program (ComPack) aimed at providing affordable medicines to the Filipino people.

Tawi-Tawi Governor Sadikul Sahali said the program is part of the DoH’s commitment to provide basic services like health and cheaper medicines, and to assure its sustainable access by the marginalized sectors of the society. Sahali said the poor people of the province will directly benefit from the ComPack like the beneficiaries of DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program who will be given free medicines for their illnesses. (Nonoy Lacson)

Kabacan aid

KIDAPAWAN CITY – At least 5,018 poor families from the 24 villages of Kabacan, one of the conflict-affected towns in North Cotabato, will soon receive cash assistance from the national government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, one of the three poverty reduction programs implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The list of the beneficiaries is taken from the survey conducted in 2009 by the National Housing Targeting Center, according to Kabacan municipal social welfare officer Susan Macalipat. The list, however, has yet to be validated by another survey and registration of beneficiaries. (Malu Cadelina Manar)

Scout Jamboree

PAGADIAN CITY – The First Mindanao Scout Jamboree, which focused on the theme “Building Tomorrow Today,” was staged here recently with the participation of some 10,000 Boy Scouts from various provinces in the Southern Philippines.

Host Zamboanga del Sur Governor Antonio H. Cerilles said the week-long jamboree, which was preceded by a civic parade around this city’s major streets, was held at the 80-hectare Provincial Government Center in Barangay Dao. Boy Scouts of the Philippines Secretary-General Jose Rizal Pangilinan served as jamboree guest of honor. (Tony Pe. Rimando)

‘ABC’ college

BUTUAN CITY – Considered the first in Mindanao, the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) in this city is set to open the “Liga College” in time for the opening of classes next year. The Butuan City ABC “Liga College” is eyeing to initially cater to 600 students under its scholarship program for the 86 urban and rural villages in this capital city.

It was learned that the “Liga College” is one of the priority projects of the ABC here, in an effort to help the poor families whose children are qualified for the scholarship program to further enhance their education. (Mike Crismundo)

Schools confab

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – The six regions of the Department of Education (DepEd) in Mindanao recently started staging their respective week-long Regional Schools Press Conferences (RSPCs) until the end of this month.

Western Mindanao DepEd Regional Director Walter O. Albos said holding the annual RSPC is mandated by Republic Act 7891, or the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, which institutionalized the practice of responsible campus newspapering in public and private elementary and secondary schools nationwide. This school year’s RSPC, Albos said, focuses on the common theme “Promoting Digital Literacy Through Campus Journalism.” (Tony Pe. Rimando)