ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) — Mayor Celso Lobregat has promised to use all government powers and resources to reopen old waterways leading to the sea to mitigate the impact of flooding, disasters, or calamities. Lobregat stressed this in a recent meeting with the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council attended by barangay officials from areas prone to flooding and near the coast.

Specifically, Mayor Lobregat directed the Barangay Council of Sta. Catalina to finalize as soon as possible negotiations with owners of properties blocking waterways to pave the way for its opening. Until five decades ago, the shoreline barangay of Sta. Catalina used to have several canals or outlets from interior barangays to the sea but are now covered up with housing and other buildings.

Seaweed dispersal

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur  — The Government mobilized all resources to help the fisherfolk increase their production, especially in seaweed dispersal and production, it was learned.

Through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFARCaraga Region 13), the Government deployed more dryers to be used by the fisherfolk-beneficiaries in intensifying their seaweed dispersal, in an objective to increase more their production.

The BFAR observed that seaweeds have been doing well in the market, not in this region but also to other neighboring areas. (Mike U. Crismundo)

Safety campaign

DAVAO CITY (PNA) — The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has launched a safety info campaign to ensure that transmission lines are protected and safeguarded.

NGCP spokesperson Atty. Cynthia D. Perez-Alabanzain, in an interview here on Wednesday, admitted that it is impossible for them to protect the 20,000 circuit kilometers of powers lines that traverse around the island of Mindanao or an equivalent of 20,000-kilometer stretch.

Although she said they have an existing agreement with the military in securing these vital installations, the role of the host communities is important.

Flood aid

PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur — At least 3,000 village folks who were severely affected by flood waters caused by continuous heavy rains on the last week of December and early this year received relief goods and medical assistance from the provincial government of Agusan del Sur, it was reported Thursday.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported that most of the affected families that received assistance are those in the village communities of the municipalities of Rosario, La Paz and Talacogon. (Mike U. Crismundo)

Combat award

CAMP EDILBERTO EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) awarded two soldiers with “Gold Cross Medal” while “Military Merit Medal” was also awarded to the 14 Citizen Armed Forces
Geographical Unit (CAFGU)-Active Auxiliary (CAA) for gallantly repelling the attack of some 60 fully armed communist–New People’s Army (NPA) rebels at their patrol base in Barangay San  Antonio, Remedios T. Romualdez town, Agusan del Norte on January 3, this year.

The award was personally pinned by Maj. Gen. Victor A. Felix commanding general of the Army’s Northeastern and Northern Mindanao Fourth Infantry (Diamond) Division here. (Mike U. Crismundo)