IN BRIEF

Mining firms help typhoon victims

TWO companies operating the Masbate gold project in Aroroy town have sustained their financial and other relief assistance to calamity-stricken residents affected by the series of typhoons that hit Albay, Masbate, and Leyte provinces.

The two firms, Filminera Resources Corporation and Phil. Gold Processing & Refining Corp., gave away emergency kits to the needy residents of the three provinces. Their latest humanitarian endeavors amounted to P 2.2 million for Albay involving the distribution of emergency kits and firefighting gear worth P6.8 million since the start of their philanthropic programs in 2021. Earlier this year, the two firms also donated fire-fighting equipment and emergency kits to the fire departments in Manila, Masbate and Leyte.

Through the two firms’ partnership with GlobalMedic, a humanitarian aid organization based in Ontario, Canada, more than 2,000 families in Legazpi City, Daraga and other mu-

Albay received of nicipalities emergency kits. Each kit contained solar lights, a household water filtration system, two water buckets with lids, spigot, sponge, and filter, and hygiene kits with several pieces of soap, toothbrush, and toothpaste.

Senators eye raps vs. cops linked to drugs

THE senators on Wednesday said the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) should charge and not just dismiss from the service the 18 police officials linked to the illegal drug trade.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said the PNP and the DILG should do the right thing and charge the suspected police officers.

He stressed that the full force of the law should be applied to policemen to serve as warning to other law enforcers.

“Otherwise, we will continue to hear and see this over and over again,” he said.

Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. also suggested that the PNP and the DILG should do the next step- they should not stop in gathering evidence to meet the burden in a criminal prosecution so that those involved should be made accountable.

Sen JV Ejercito also echoed the same thing that they should be charged accordingly for the crimes committed. Macon Ramos-Araneta

NSC vows to assert PH rights on WPS

THE National Security Council (NSC) on Wednesday gave assurance it fully supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in upholding the country’s sovereign rights and territorial integrity.

Bicol solon rallies behind PBBM’s agri programs

REPRESENTATIVE Elizaldy Co of Ako Bicol has vowed to allocate funds to support the projects of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration aimed at improving the country’s agriculture.

Co commended the President’s vision for Philippine agriculture during his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) which is anticipated to bolster crop production and aid farmers.

Co said Marcos clearly conveyed during his SONA his administration’s comprehensive strategy to enhance local agricultural production through consolidation, modernization, mechanization, and improvement of value chains.

“As the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, I stand resolute in my promise to support and allocate the necessary budget for the administration’s programs and projects geared towards uplifting our hardworking farmers,” said Co, whose party-list

“We join the President in his declaration that the Philippine government will continue to uphold its sovereign rights and preserve our nation’s territorial integrity. Guided by the President, the National Task Force - West Philippine Sea will underscore the importance of unity and social cohesion among the Filipino people, assuring them that the government will not lose any of its territory,” National Security adviser Eduardo Año said in a statement.

APART from recognizing the contribution of Dolores, Quezon to spur growth of the country’s agricultural industry, Senator Cynthia Villar also extolled the gains of the coconut levy fund.

Speaking during the inauguration and blessing of the new city hall of Dolores last July 22, Villar noted that 80 percent of the town’s residents were engaged in agriculture.

She expressed gratitude to the people of Dolores for contributing to the production of various fruit-bearing trees like rambutan, citrus and lanzones, and vegetables like chilies, cabbage, tomato, and eggplant, among others.

According to the senator, she has also been authoring and sponsoring legislation to develop the agriculture industry and uplift the lives of Filipino farmers and shareholders.

She cited former President Rodrigo Duterte’s enactment of Republic Act No. 11524, or the “Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act”

The law that created the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund (CFITF) ensures the funding of P80 billion for the next five years. This will benefit 2.5 million coconut farmers and the coconut industry in general.

“The law also mandated for the preparation of the CFIDP which would set the directions and policies for the development and rehabilitation of the coconut industry within 50 years,” she added.

The utilization of the Trust Fund, she said, will be in accordance with the formulated plan.

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Ako Bicol advocacies included agriculture sector empowerment.

The President’s focus on advancing farmers’ knowledge through the use of modern technologies is a laudable step, Co said. He cited the distribution of more than 28,000 modern agricultural machinery and high-quality seeds as contributing to increased productivity and, ultimately, improved farmer livelihoods. Maricel V. Cruz