OROQUIETA CITY, Philippines (PIA) – The provincial government of Misamis Occidental has reminded its constituents to be doubly careful in the wake of all the merry-making in the coming holidays. “In fact, there could be many things that our people need to be concerned about in the midst of all the invitations to partake in the festivities that Christmas celebration brings to everyone,” Governor Herminia Ramiro said.

The first of these concerns would be on the aspect of health, the governor said, adding that people who have problems on health must have the discipline not to over-eat, which may result to complications, later on. People should also remember that per experience, there were fire incidents in the past that resulted from firecrackers which were sub-standard or illegal. “Most of all, people should refrain from using their guns to welcome the New Year,” the governor added.

Media summit

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PIA) – A United States (US) Embassy official commended the 7th Mindanao Media Summit and its organizers for bringing together media practitioners all over Mindanao to relevantly discuss environmental issues to the forefront.

 “We applaud your efforts and congratulate you on the successful implementation of the 7th Mindanao Media Summit,” US Embassy Press Attache Bettina Malone said. In her message, she stressed that “gaining an understanding” of environmental issues may be daunting but because the “world is changing,” journalists must take on the task to inform and educate the public.

OFW assistance

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental (PIA) – Another group of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the province of Misamis Occidental benefited from the “Balik-Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay” Program of the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA).

The said program is undertaken by OWWA in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) and the provincial government. Provided under the livelihood package include some kitchen utensils and other cooking equipment, such as steamers, and food keepers, among others, which are needed in preparing snacks and viand for sale.

Awareness drive

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – A training-seminar on bomb awareness was recently conducted among hotel workers in one of the local hotels here after the owner requested the conduct of the same to “arm” his employees on the proper response in case of suspicious looking items or persons in the hotel.

The hotel workers were oriented on how to react in case they see or spot a suspicious baggage or item in the hotel vicinity.

Trade seminars

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) conducted seminars on Doing Business in Free Trade Areas (FTAs) to the academe and business sectors in this city.

The two separate seminars for college marketing students and for businessmen were orientations on Philippine Export Development Plan and on the Philippine Free Trade Area Network.

DTI General Santos City officer-in-charge Arnel Sayco said the seminars are also aimed to educate the public about the six existing Free Trade Agreements entered into by the country.