Pension fund

NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley, Philippines (PNA) – The Region-11 office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-11) recently distributed social pension checks to 190 senior citizens here during the second series of Association of the Regional Executives of National Agencies 11 (ARENA-11) “Serbisyo Caravan.”

In the distribution led by Assistant Regional Director Priscilla N. Razon, P407,500 was given to the beneficiaries with the bulk of the money intended for the fourth quarter benefits of the senior citizens in the province. Razon said the social pension addresses the clamor for social protection to the most vulnerable.

Joint effort

ZAMBOANGA CITY – In the pursuit of the state’s anti-human trafficking efforts, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and the Inter-Agency Council Against Human Trafficking will conduct a four-day training here from December 6 to 9 for advocates and trainers serving the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Secretary Imelda M. Nicolas, CFO chairperson, said “the activity is aimed at preparing key point persons in popularizing key messages on trafficking and other related concerns.” Nicolas said this is in partnership with the Zamboanga Sea-Based Anti-Trafficking Task Force and support from the United Nations International Children’s Fund. (Ali Macabalang)

Training project

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Region-10 office of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA-10) announced that a P11.6-million scholarship grant is set to be distributed to accredited public and private Tech-Voc providers and TESDA technology institutions in various provinces and cities in Northern Mindanao.

The TESDA-10 said at least 1,190 scholarship slots are prepared under the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) of TESDA for Agriculture and Infrastructure/Construction sectors. TESDA-10 encourages applicants to visit the various TESDA offices all over the region for more details. (Mike Crismundo)

Lanao event

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte – The provincial government of Lanao del Norte announced Friday that the three-day “2011 International Motocross Invitational” slated next week is ready.

This highly-anticipated motocross event is already being watched as foreign motorbike enthusiasts started to arrive at the Mindanao Civic Center (MCC), and at the world-class seven-hectare dirt-racetrack, in this capital town.

Racers from the American Motocross Association and riders from Europe, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Japan are also set to arrive early next week to compete from December 9 to 11. (Mike Crismundo)

Tree program

KABACAN, North Cotabato – Nearly 2,000 volunteers joined the tree-growing activity under the “MindaNOW! Nurturing Our Waters” program of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) early this week in Barangay Pisan, this town.

The MindaNOW! is a flagship program of MinDA and a response to the urgent call of Mindanawons to take action on the deteriorating ecosystems of Mindanao.

It promotes the twin thrusts of economic sustainability and ecological integrity, emphasizing that the environment’s carrying capacity and its natural resource base need to be considered to make sustainable development possible.