CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines (PIA) – The Philippine National Police (PNP) conducted an anti-hepatitis vaccination drive in this city Thursday. With the support of the Police Regional Office (PRO) in Northern Mindanao and the PNP Ladies Club, the special project primarily utilized the proceeds of the First RD (Regional Director) Fund Run for a Cause, held last December 10, with the theme “A Run for Unity, Peace and Prosperity.” The “Adopt an Anti-Hepatitis-Vaccinated-Child Program” is supported by PNP chief Director General Nicanor A. Bartolome and his wife Dr. Noemia Bartolome, both advocates on fighting hepatitis disease.

Bright Prospect

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – The military hierarchy in Central Mindanao is optimistic that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Government of the Philippines negotiating panels will sign a final peace accord within this year, citing “signs” of favorable trend pointing to such bright prospect. “Everybody now is talking about livelihood and development (as) the negotiating peace panels tend to have overcome differences that saddled their previous talks…These are signs that a final peace accord is almost at hand,” Major General Rey Ardo, chief of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, told a fellowship meeting here with the media Thursday night. (Ali Macabalang)

Financial Aid

An Islamic group has started collecting and accepting the payment of “Zakat” (obligatory alms) from Muslims with financial capability, initially generating P87,500 for the month of January, this year. The Baital Zakat Foundation, Inc. (Baital Zakat) called on Muslims to fulfill their obligation as members of the Ummah (world Islamic community) by paying their mandatory alms to their needy brethren. Aleem Siddiq Saripada, Baital Zakat chairman, said they are now accepting the payment of the “zakat.” He said that for January, the group collected a total of P87,500 and immediately distributed P86,550 to 155 qualified beneficiaries. (Edd Usman)

Project Support

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PNA) – A foreign-backed mining firm has gained the support of the local chief executive of Tampakan town in South Cotabato on its appeal for reconsideration for its rejected environmental compliance certificate (ECC) application. Municipal Mayor Leonardo Escobillo Sr. appealed Thursday to President Aquino to reconsider last month’s decision of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje denying the Sagittarius Mines, Incorporated’s (SMI’s) ECC.

Rural Service

TACURONG CITY, Sultan Kudarat (PIA) – Recognizing their potent role in the delivery of health services in the countryside, the city government here continues to arm all Community Volunteer Health Workers with knowledge on how to be effective and reliable in their works, the latest of which is the training on first aid. More than 120 volunteer health workers from 20 villages here attended the three-day First Aid Training and Year-Round Assessment Program held recently. Personnel of the City Health Office served as resource speakers in the lectures, which included proper response or first aid to injuries, drowning, convulsion, heart, and other cases that require urgent attention.