GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has called on local chief executives in Central Mindanao to refer to their respective geohazard maps to prevent the occurrence of disaster and calamities in their localities. He said the DENR had already distributed geohazard maps to local government units specifically those which are prone to disaster and calamities.

“Local officials should make the geohazard maps as basis in identifying disaster-prone areas so they can take the necessary steps before, during and after calamity,” Pascual said. The DENR official’s call was made in the wake of tropical storm “Sendong” which devastated several areas in Northern Mindanao, killing more than 1,000 people. (Joseph Jubelag)

More beneficiaries

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) IX identified 58,801 new beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) for the Zamboanga Peninsula region, said Ms. Aida Magracia, DSWD IX Division Chief.

Magracia revealed that the additional beneficiaries will come from the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay.

She cited the expansion of the program in the region saying, “Region 9 is one of the top 10 poorest regions in the country.” According to Magracia, DSWD IX will be spending P107 million a month for the new beneficiaries alone.

DepEd request

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — The Department of Education (DepEd) is requesting the local government to help bring the evacuees to another place since it will have to normalize classes on Jan. 3.

This matter was presented during a gathering of the Technical Working Group of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) of Northern Mindanao for tropical storm “Sendong.”

On the initial report of damage on school buildings, DepEd reported of up to 105 classrooms in Iligan and 278 in Cagayan de Oro with an estimated total cost of P63.8 million.

Green welcome

DAVAO CITY (PIA) — With 2011 coming to a close, the Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) urged Davaoeños to reflect on what have been achieved during the year, and at the same time to go green in welcoming 2012.

The DLPC advised residents to consider the green ways in holding the Filipino tradition of celebrating New Year's Eve with a blast without spending much money and power.

The first tip is to keep the celebration simple with electronic invitations such as using ceiling fans or personal fans instead of air conditioning. Ceiling fans will help circulate the cool air.