ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Philippines (PIA) – The Region-9 office of the Department of Labor and Employment and the local government here recently distributed “Kabuhayan” starter kits to some 78 beneficiaries in the city. The kits include equipment, tools, utensils, and paraphernalia needed to start a livelihood activity.

Mayor Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar reminded beneficiaries to value and to take good care of the things and livelihood that was given to them. “I wish that we value what was given to us, especially the support that we acquired from DoLE to start a livelihood for ourselves, given the limited resources of the city,” Akbar said.

Christmas spirit

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte – Christmas time is already felt in the province of Lanao del Norte after 2,124 children, including adults, both Christian and Muslims from the 22 towns, initially received their “Pamaskong Handog” gifts from the provincial government.

The initial gift-giving program, also benefiting persons with disabilities and senior citizens, was held at Agora public market. Recipients of the program came from the towns of Linamon, Kauswagan, Maigo, Bacolod, Kolambugan, Balo-I, Matungao, Pantao Ragat, Munai, Pantar, Tagoloan, Tubod, Baroy, Lala, Kapatagan, Sapad, Nunungan, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Poona Piagapo, Magsaysay, Tangkal, and Salvador. (Mike Crismundo)

Water facility

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The city government here extended over P48 million as its financial aid to the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) for the immediate implementation of water system projects that will benefit thousands of households in at least 20 heavy populated villages in this city.

The aid of the city government to the ZCWD here was contained in an agreement they both signed Monday, which will benefit thousands of households here. Mayor Celso Lobregat said the city government has allotted some P48.74 million for the five water system projects, as part of the local government’s commitment to help the ZCWD expand its services. (Nonoy Lacson)

Certified seeds

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PNA) – Agriculture personnel in South Cotabato trained at least 10 new inbred rice seed growers in a bid to augment the province’s rice seed supplies. Renato Parcon, seed coordinator of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG), said the training program is mainly aimed at boosting rice seed production, and enhance the national government’s food security initiative.

He said the training on inbred rice seed production and certification for seed growers was facilitated by OPAG in cooperation with the Bureau of Plant Industry’s National Seed Quality Control Services, Agricultural Training Institute, and the Philippine Rice Research Institute.

Welfare effort

DAVAO CITY – The Mindanao Migrants Center for Empowering Actions, Inc. (MMCEAI) is calling on the government and other concerned institutions to craft a mechanism providing protection to families abandoned by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), in commemoration of the 63rd anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

While the group is staunchly advancing the welfare of Filipino migrants whose contributions are indispensable to the economy of the country, it also advocates and struggles for the rights due to abandoned families of OFWs, MMCEAI executive director Inorisa Sialana-Elento said. (Ali Macabalang)