NEGROS OCCIDENTAL (PIA) – Some 90 hectares have been planted with tree seedlings here since government’s National Greening Program was launched, but the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) says it has a long way to go before accomplishing Negros Occidental’s target of covering 1,299 hectares in 2011, which would be planted with some 6.4 million trees.
The responsibility will be shared by PENRO’s environment centers in Bacolod, Cadiz, Kabankalan and Sipalay cities with 333 hectares each and Mt. Kanlaon with 50 hectares.
Mangrove nursery in Pilar, Capiz
ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) – A mangrove nursery is being managed by the municipal government of Pilar, Capiz through its Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMA) in Sitio Kawit in Barangay Binaobawan. The nursery has provided about 5,000 mangrove seedlings in a recent tree-planting activity by the local government unit, Pilar Water District officials and employees in Brgy. Binaobawan.
Mayor Rita Lyn B. Patricio said the purpose of the project is to protect the coastal barangays from tidal waves and cyclones. Mangrove roots offer safe habitats for fish, shrimp, and oysters. The roots also help stop erosion by anchoring the ground and lessening the effects of waves.
Higher revenues
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) raised more than P531.7 billion during the first seven months of the year which was P64.5 billion, or 13.8 percent higher compared to the actual collection of P467.5 billion for the same period last year.
“The collection performance continues to improve every month and this puts the target well within our reach,” BIR Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares said Monday. She said the collection from January to July was less than one percent, or P3.1 billion, short of target. “The BIR has exceeded its collection of taxes where it has administrative control, but has fallen short in the collection of taxes that the government remits to us,” Henares said. (Jun Ramirez)
TB free Bohol needs support
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) – The Bohol Tuberculosis Council is urging local communities here to join in seeking out and referring persons suspected of having tuberculosis so that the province can attain its vision of becoming TB free.
Bohol health authorities said barangay health workers, tanods, officials and purok leaders communities can help in the referral of persons, who may be having two-week-old cough, to test for the disease. “This is the only way we can get through to our people and get those who may have caught the disease and are traumatized to come out,” said Board Member Cesar Tomas Lopez, MD.
Peace campaign
DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PIA) – A campaign to gather public support for sustainable peace in Mindanao dubbed "Duyog Mindanao 2011" was held by non-government organization, Mindanao Peaceweavers (MPW) for four days, August 9 to August 13 last week in Dumaguete City.
The group staged a photo exhibit and a "Run for Peace" which was facilitated by the Negros Oriental Sports confederation and the Metro Dumaguete Roadrunners Club to benefit displaced communities in Mindanao.