IN BRIEF

Solon wants to revive Masagana 99 program

CAMARINES Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte on Thursday urged the agriculture department to revive the Masagana 99 rice production program that prevented a rice crisis in the 1970s.

Villafuerte proposed the revival of the program in the wake of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) plan to plant high-yielding hybrid seeds in 1.5 million hectares this dry season.

The Masagana 99 program was envisioned to increase farm yields to 100 cavans per hectare, up from the 40 to 50 cavans per hectare harvest at the time. It was implemented by then Agriculture Secretary Arturo Tanco Jr. with current Senior Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban as chairman of the National Food and Agriculture Council. Maricel V. Cruz

Napolcom activates Maguindanao offices

THE National Police Commission (Napolcom) approved the activation of the Maguindanao del Norte Police Provincial Office (PPO) and Maguindanao del Sur PPO following the deactivation of the existing Maguindanao PPO.

The Napolcom En Banc, headed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary and NAPOLCOM Ex-Officio chairperson Atty. Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr., signed Resolution No. 2023-0213, dated March 1, 2023, which approved the aforementioned activation and deactivation pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 11550, entitled “An Act Dividing the Province of Maguindanao into Two (2) Provinces, namely: Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.”

Navotas City prepares for Holy Week influx

THE Navotas City government has started preparations to ensure safe observance of the coming Holy Week. The city has set up a security and traffic management plan particularly near churches and chapels that are centers of religious activities.

Mayor John Rey Tiangco said “we expect an influx of churchgoers and the faithful on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, especially in Brgy. Bangkulasi where the Bahay ng Mahal na Señor is located,” adding that tourists also flock the area to witness devotees practice “penitensya.” Jun David

T HE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through its Regional Office No. VII Bohol Field Office (BFO) simultaneously released a total of P4,689,300 worth of salaries to the workers of Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) from the various towns of Bohol on March 27.

“The workers are overjoyed since this is the first time in Bohol that payout was made simultaneously to 13 LGUS. It is also the first time that their salaries are released within 2 weeks from the last day of work,” Bohol Field Office Chief Maria Eloida O. Cantona, said.

The 1,078 beneficiaries from 13 municipalities each received P4,350 for doing community works like road and street cleaning. They worked for 10 days and received a minimum wage of P435 per day. The TUPAD workers were also given cleaning kits and TUPAD uniforms.

FREE ANTI-RABIES SHOTS. Pet lovers line up for a free anti-rabies vaccination for their pets as part of the Quezon City government’s “Rabies Awareness Month” in March.

A free deworming and neutering for cats was also held at Quezon City Memorial Circle. Manny Palmero

CAKE FOR DIGONG. A surprise birthday cake was given to former President Rodrigo Duterte from the officers and members of the Prosecutors’ League of the Philippines after his speech at the just-concluded national convention of prosecutors.

Felino Santos