BISLIG CITY, Philippines – The Region-13 office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-13) targeted at least 5,683 potential beneficiaries in Bislig City under the new “Pantawid Pamilya” for January, 2012.

Based on the DSWD’s National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), these new beneficiaries in Bislig can avail of the government’s additional new “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program" or 4Ps this year.

Bislig is one of the three areas sighted by the NHTS-PR this year in Northeastern Mindanao. The two others are Magallanes and Nasipit, both in Agusan del Norte. (Mike Crismundo)

Volunteerism day

ILIGAN CITY (PIA) – To signal the start of a multi-sectoral cooperation in rebuilding this city, particularly building houses for the flood survivors, the local government here declared January 25 as a “Day of Volunteerism and Solidarity.”

In the tradition of the bayanihan spirit the “January 25 Build” is open to all volunteers and groups who would like to help flood survivors build their house units in a 15.9-hectare relocation site in Barangay Santa Elena that will house at least 1,600 families. The city government spearheads this activity, which enjoins the cooperation between government agencies and non-government organizations.

Computer literacy

BAYOG, Zamboanga del Sur (PIA) – The Barangay Computer Literacy Program that started last November is a live-out, 10-week training where participants are the 28 barangay (village) treasurers. The training aims to teach the treasurers on the basics of computer operation, and more specifically, to be able to formulate their respective Barangay Annual Budget for 2012.

With the advent of new technologies, it is never too late to learn and adopt new innovations. It is expected that at the end of the program, participants will be able to handle public administration roles satisfactorily within the demands, and in keeping with modern techniques.

Garbage project

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Mayor Celso Lobregat Wednesday commissioned six new garbage compactor trucks worth P28.5 million to improve the garbage collection and disposal system here.

Lobregat said the city had to purchase new garbage trucks to augment the present fleet here in the collection of garbage in this city, citing that some garbage trucks are no longer serviceable and beyond repair.

Considering the increasing volume of garbage in the city, there is an urgent need to purchase additional garbage trucks to augment the already dilapidated vehicles, he said. (Nonoy Lacson)

Irrigation system

DAVAO CITY – Rice production in Mindanao is seen to dwindle as one of the biggest irrigation systems on the island will face a four-month shutdown, affecting 12,000 hectares of rice paddies in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) said.

Ramon Bugacia, NIA irrigation supervisor, said the Ala River Irrigation System, the largest crop watering system in the two provinces, will be closed in May “to give way to several rehabilitation projects intended to restore the efficiency of the irrigation system.” The irrigation systems are expected to resume in September or October, said Bugancia. (Mick Basa)