SURIGAO CITY, Philippines – In an objective to address illiteracy, the provincial government of Surigao del Norte is set to construct more reading hubs in all the 20 municipalities in the province. It was learned that the construction of additional facilities aims to make a center of activity for students, teachers, and researchers who want to sharpen and widen their knowledge.

It was also learned the the reading hub is also equipped with speech laboratory. “This project is very vital because it will develop their (students) reading habits, improve their learning skills and can help in reducing illiteracy in the process,” Governor Sol F. Matugas said. (Mike Crismundo)

Tribal support

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Tribal leaders in the Socsargen (South Cotabato-Sarangani-General Santos) area are pushing for the mining operations of Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) in Tampakan, South Cotabato amid the existing ordinance approved by the provincial government that seeks to prohibit the open pit mining method within the province.

Fred Basino, indigenous peoples’ (IPs) representative to the Sarangani provincial council, said the Tampakan mining project is expected to bring economic opportunities to tribal communities within the Socsargen area. Basino decried the continued marginalization of IPs to pursue economic development in their communities. (Joseph Jubelag)

Medical facilities

BUTUAN CITY – The city government here received hospital facilities worth some P17.5 million from the World Medical Relief Project based in Detroit, Michigan, United States.

To mention a few, the first batch of medical equipment and supplies includes X-ray machines, ventilators, anesthesia, operating lights, ultra sound machines, fluoroscopes, EKG machines, defibrillators, beds, nebulizers, bed sheets, stethoscopes, adult diapers, chairs, and many more.

It was learned that the local government paid only the freight charges amounting to P1.5 million and a very minimal freight services from Davao City to this city worth P170,000. (Mike Crismundo)

Swine production

CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte – In an effort to help increase the revenue of this new city, the close to 12,000 households here are encouraged to venture into swine stocking production program, which in return could also add livelihood.

The city government called on the public who are interested to set up a swine business and urged interested households or individuals to visit the secretariat of the City Agriculture’s Office (CAO) to assist them and learn more about how to start in this kind of business. (Mike Crismundo)

Rice achievers

PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur – The National Search Committee (NSC) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) started evaluating the top performing rice-producing local government units (LGUs) in line with the search for the National “Best Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers Award” in 2012.

It was learned that at least 10 provinces, who will be chosen as “Best Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers Award” will be receiving a P4 million project grant each. Aside from awarding the best rice-producing LGU, commendations will also be given to top performing municipal governments, top performing agricultural extension workers, and irrigators’ groups. (Mike Crismundo)