PNA file photo. M'LANG, North Cotabato - The local government and the Department of Agriculture (DA) kicked off Thursday the distribution of 105 sentinel piglets to revive its hog industry that collapsed due to African swine fever (ASF) infestation. Municipal agriculturist, Arlyn Encarnacion, said the piglets were dispensed to about 90 hog raisers from 23 villages earlier hit by the hog disease. "These are those livestock farmers who abided by the biosecurity level 1 measure in their pig farms," Encarnacion said. Biosecurity level 1 entails the construction of a fence along the perimeter, foot bath, and septic tank not located along the riverbanks and irrigation canal. "At least 25 percent of the 685 affected farmers have passed the biosecurity level I requirements," Encarnacion said. The sentinel hogs, which are at a fattening age ranging from 30 kg. to 35 kg., were given by the DA 12 (Soccsksargen). "Experts will gather blood samples from these hogs in 40
MANILA - Malacanang on Tuesday ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Philippine National Police (PNP) to investigate the release of a "fake" document supposedly announcing the appointment of a new commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration (BI). The Palace earlier said no document for the said position has been issued by the Presidential Management Staff, Office of the Executive Secretary, or the Office of the President. "Nag-utos [ang Palasyo] ng imbestigasyon sa NBI and PNP through their respective secretaries, [Justice] Secretary [Jesus Crispin] Remulla and [Interior Secretary] Benhur Abalos," Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles announced in a Palace press briefing. The NBI is a line agency of the Department of Justice while the PNP is an agency under the Department of the Interior and Local Government. Cruz-Angeles said those found to have forged the great seal of government, signature and stamp of the president in the fake document could be puni
(Graphics courtesy of DSWD-11) DAVAO CITY - At least 2,760 students received cash aid via an Educational Assistance Payout on Aug. 20, the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Davao Region (DSWD-11) said Monday. In a statement, DSWD-11 said the total amount disbursed for the payout in the region reached PHP6.3 million. The assistance is under DSWD's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), which has been extended to cover students in crisis or emergencies. Elinita Albano, a senior citizen from Barangay Aplaya, Digos City, Davao del Sur, received PHP7,000 for her college student and two grandchildren at the elementary and high school levels. "I have a son who is a solo parent, he is a tricycle driver. This is a big help for us, we will be able to buy school supplies for the children," she said. Another recipient, 40-year-old Emilyn Jovita of Barangay Maa here, received PHP8,000 educational assistance for her children. "This is a big help for m
SUPPORT TO YOUNG FARMERS. Seventy-five young farmer-entrepreneurs from Caraga Region receive startup capitalization in an activity conducted by the region's Department of Agriculture on Monday (Aug. 22, 2022) in Butuan City. The program aims to encourage the youth in the region to engage in agriculture and fishery ventures. (Photo courtesy of DA-13) BUTUAN CITY - At least 75 youth groups and individuals benefited from a PHP5.5 million grant as startup capital for their agri-based projects in Caraga Region, regional agriculture officials said Tuesday. Emmylou Presilda, Department of Agriculture in the Caraga Region (DA-13) information officer, said 40 individual youths were provided with PHP50,000 each startup capital during the ceremony held in this city Monday. "Another 35 youth groups from the different provinces in the region also received PHP100,000 each as capitalization for the agriculture-based ventures," Presilda said in an interview. In a statement, DA-13 said th
(File photo) MANILA - The plan to modernize the fishery sector is part of government efforts to ensure food security in the country, Malacanang has said. This was after the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), vowed to prioritize increasing local fish production to maximize the potential of the country's fisheries industry. Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said BFAR's initiatives are in line with the commitment of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who also heads the DA, to ensure a sufficient food supply. "Bilang pagsunod sa mga polisiya ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na siguruhin ang food security, inilatag ng Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Central Office ang kanilang mga plano para mapataas ang fish production sa bansa at mabawasan ang pangangailangan sa fish importation (In adherence to President Bongbong Marcos' policies to ensure food security, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Reso