CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines (PIA) – In line with the thrust of the city government here to boost the productivity of farmers this year, the City Council during its regular session authorized the allocation of P607,750 for the Farmer’s Field School in 10 villages.

Legislators also earmarked P1.6 million for the establishment of nurseries in 25 villages, and P110,000 for the promotion of post-harvest technology and additional fixtures and furniture for the Farmer’s Academy. Special programs include the City Coastal Resources Management Program, Research Development and Extension Program, Farm Youth Development Program, and Entrepreneurial Development for Rural Women, among others.

PhilHealth aid

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) beneficiaries, especially those severely affected by the recent calamity that struck this city, have the reason to be happy because the city government through the 16th City Council approved an allocation of P30 million to provide PhilHealth benefits to 50,000 poor families in the city’s various villages, it was learned Thursday.

It was also learned that the City Council spearheaded by Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas immediately approved the allocation in an effort to extend help to those affected by recent floods. (Mike Crismundo)

Research center

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – With the aim of providing the public with easy access to various economic and financial information, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilpinas (BSP) branch here recently launched its Economic and Financial Learning Center (EFLC), a world-class program that is easy to use and open for everybody.

BSP-Zamboanga research specialist Hermogenes Buenaflor Jr. said EFLC is open to anybody who wishes to gather valuable information, from finance and economy, BSP’s core mandate and functions, basic knowledge on central banking, and banking system in our country and its evolution, to name a few.

Naval operation

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Naval Forces Western Mindanao has rescued seven crewmembers of a fishing boat and 17 civilian passengers to include eight Marines who have been drifting for four days in the high seas of Sulu.

The fishing boat F/B Kent-Ford 2 left Mapun Pier in Tawi-Tawi last December 28 enroute to this city when it encountered major derangement on its transmission system causing the whole propulsion to stop.

Rear Admiral Armando Guzman said that upon receiving a distress signal, two Navy vessels, an aircraft, and the BFAR vessel manned by Coast Guard personnel were deployed for a search-and-rescue operation. (Nonoy Lacson)

Weather monitor

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PIA) – The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) in Sarangani has found that Internet is useful in monitoring weather situations in the country.

PDRRMO officer Buenaventura Solarte said Governor Migs Dominguez has told him to use all available technology like the Internet to monitor weather condition such as the low pressure area (LPA) monitored in neighboring General Santos City.

He said the province has been touching base with all the Municipal DRRMCs to ensure that all information and updates are properly coordinated at the village levels.