MALUNGON, Sarangani, Philippines – Tribal leaders and local government officials lauded the Armed Forces of the Philippines-National Development Support Command, and the ABS-CBN Foundation for the construction of a two-classroom school building at a remote village here – predominantly inhabited by B’laan tribesmen.

Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino said the P800,000 school building project was made possible through the concerted efforts among the Nadescom, ABS-CBN’s “Sagip Kapamilya” program, local government here, the Department of Education, and the provincial government of Sarangani. Soldiers from the Army Engineering Battalion took charge in the construction of the facility. (Joseph Jubelag)

Skills training

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) – The Department of Energy (DoE) through its Oil Industry Management Bureau, conducted a skills and management course for gas station operators the other day. The activity is one of a series of management and skills training courses for investors who wish to avail of the Gasoline Station Lending and Financial Program.

Republic Act 8479 or the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998 mandates the DoE to promote retail competition through the establishment of Gasoline Station Training and Loan Funds to provide credit assistance to the new industry players in the petroleum retail.

Investment promo

MATI CITY (PIA) – Local Economic and Investment Promotion Officers (LEIPOs) of the various municipalities of Davao Oriental converged here recently in a bid to jointly craft plans to further entice investments to the province.

Held at the Governor’s Mansion here, the LEIPOs of Governor Generoso, San Isidro, Banaybanay, Baganga, and this city discussed the implementation of the activities and projects next year, like setting up of the Investment Promotion Center, creation and review of the Municipal Investment Incentive Code, data banking, production of promo collaterals, and, capability-building for LEIPOs.

Sarangani cited

ALABEL, Sarangani (PIA) – The province of Sarangani has earned the Seal of Good Housekeeping Award in recognition of its exemplary performance in governance, transparency, and accountability.

The award also entitles Sarangani to avail of the Performance Challenge Fund in the amount of P10 million as financial incentive to support the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Marife Tenorio of the Department of the Interior and Local Government said the province will avail of the incentive in the form of project grant, but stressed that objectives of the projects should be aligned with the MDGs.

Gift center

DAVAO CITY (PIA) – In time for the Yuletide Season, the local government here opened the Pasalubong Center that offers Davao City-made products for tourists and local residents as well. City Tourism Officer Jason Magnaye said the facility is operating on a temporary basis as the local government is yet to finalize the guidelines for the operation of the center.

“In the meantime, we are opening this for the Pasko Fiesta. Unlike the other “pasalubong” stores in the city, this newly-opened center prioritizes small and medium entrepreneurs who sell Davao-made products.