KALIBO, Aklan, Philippines (PIA) – Aklan Gov. Carlito S. Marquez and former Vice-Governor, Atty. Ronquillo C. Tolentino lead this year’s roster of awardees of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) as Outstanding Volunteers in the province.
PRC Aklan Administrator Arcely Pelayo said, the grant of Chapter Awards for active volunteers is in recognition of their distinguished leadership in promoting various service programs in their chapter. The granting of awards was approved by the PRC Board of Governors.
Negros gets research vessel offer
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL (PIA) — Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Director Asis G. Perez is offering the use of BFAR’s research vessel MV DA-BFAR to the province.
Said vessel is equipped to determine the characterization of the larval settlements or planktonic population in the water column, throughout the province’s municipal waters.
This research undertaking will feed scientific data to various programs of the province on sustainable coastal resources management.
3,500 trees planted in Siquijor
SIQUIJOR (PIA) – Some 3,500 assorted seedlings from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Siquijor have been distributed and planted in DENR-timberland areas in the province since the launching of the National Greening Program (NGP) last month.
The count excludes those produced and planted by each LGU, partner agencies and organizations in other identified areas supporting the NGP. Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Antonio Cabrido said the DENR’s priority is to reforest all available timberland and mangrove areas, mine sites, watersheds, abandoned and other areas suitable for greening program to fight global warming.
NGOs involvement in 4Ps urged
BORONGAN, E. Samar (PIA) – Department of Social Welfare and Development Sec. Corazon Soliman urged such non-government organizations (NGOs) as Plan Philippines to monitor compliance by beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps, or Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program) requirements.
She also asked NGOs to give feedback or bridge complaints not forwarded by their own monitoring agents. Soliman’s statements were in response to questions asked by Aida Loyola of Plan Philippines who posed her question from a remote telecast from Calicoan Island, Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
Gecko collection alarms DENR 6
ILOILO CITY, Iloilo (PNA) – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office here is alarmed by rampant collection of gecko (“tuko”) in Western Visayas. DENR forester Reynato Andraje, chief of Biodiversity Conservation Section of DENR Region 6, said geckos might become endangered species in Western Visayas if its continued collection is not stopped.
There have been reports, denied by the Department of Health, that geckos might be used as a cure against cancer and other dreaded diseases. Geckos are said to be collected for buyers reportedly paying from P10,000 - P50,000 each, depending on size and weight. DENR-6’s wildlife division bans collection of geckos with its prior permit.