Category: General

A handover ceremony for Laos-Vietnam Friendship Hospital built with a financial grant from the Vietnamese government took place in Phonkham village, Paek district, Xieng Khuang Province on May 17.

The ceremony saw the presence of Xieng Khuang Governor Bounchanh Sivongphanh, Deputy Minister of Health Sanong Thongsana, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment of Vietnam cum Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee Vice President Tran Quoc Phuong, Chairman of Nhge An Provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Trung and Consul General of Vietnam in Luang Prabang Kieu Thi Hang Phuc.

“This project is a grant support from the Vietnamese Government. It sits on an area of 2.5 hectares and is equipped with 200 beds and modern equipment,” said Mr Bui Ding Long.

Addressing the ceremony, Xieng Khuang Deputy Governor Sivilay Sengchaleun expressed sincere gratitude to the Party, government and people of Vietnam for their generous assistance and noted that the 21-million-dollar project symbolises the traditional solidarity and mutual assistance between the two countries.

Source: Lao News Agency

The construction of a more modern Patapat viaduct will soon start in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte as the bidding process has been scheduled for the end of the month. Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos said (IN A STATEMENT?) on Friday that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) allocated an initial budget of PHP300 million for the project. ‘This will be a multi-year project to be completed in four years,’ said Marcos of PHP1.2-billion viaduct. Marcos initiated the sourcing of funds from the DPWH to help address the frequent road closures along the Manila North Road caused by landslides and rockslides during inclement weather. He said a Japanese consultant has been tapped to help in the construction. During the rainy season, motorists and travelers passing through the Pancian, Pagudpud national highway that connects Ilocos and Cagayan Valley regions get stranded for hours due to road closures. For now, heavy equipment of the DPWH and volunteer contractors are on standby in the area in case clearing operations are needed due to landslide or rockslide.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Laoag City and the Huangshan Municipal People’s Government of China are pushing for deeper cooperation with regular exchange and communication. On Friday, at least six representatives from Huangshan City led by Secretary General Yang Long signed a memorandum of understanding with officials of the Laoag city government led by Mayor Michael Keon to establish sisterhood ties and business relations. Following the signing of the MOU held at the Laoag City Hall covered court, Keon told reporters he was set to visit Huangshan from June 6 to 9, 2023 to signify the city government’s commitment to promoting exchanges and cooperation related to tourism, world heritage protection, cultural exchange, and many others. “I look forward to a significant collaboration with Huangshan that is why we will visit them to start up a friendly discussion to benefit both cities,’ he said. During the signing, both parties agreed to maintain close coordination on possible key projects. On economic relations, both parties expressed commitment to encourage enterprises to conduct business exchanges, organize events on trade and investment, and provide access to their respective trade and commercial zones. The twin local government units also agreed to create their economic committee to review and recommend facilitating projects to boost economic development. Both parties are also interested in promoting tourism and major cultural events for cultural exchange programs. Huangshan in Anhui province, on the east coast of China, is known for its famous yellow mountain with massive gigantic boulders and ancient pine trees as heritage attractions.

Source: Philippines News Agency

The Department of Agriculture in Bicol (DA-5) distributed farm inputs worth PHP135 million to rice, high-value crops and poultry farmers from Albay and Camarines Sur this week. The mass distribution of agricultural inputs was funded under the Quick Response Fund (QRF) and regular fund of the Rice Program, High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) and Livestock and Poultry Program of the DA. The distribution likewise coincided with the Farmers and Fisherfolk’s Month celebration this May, according to Lovella Guarin, DA-5 information officer, in an interview on Friday. “The intervention given to the farmers was DA-Bicol’s way of honoring the importance of farmers and fisherfolk to the country’s food security,” she said. Guarin said they will give more intervention and support to the farmers in the coming months to help them increase their yield and income. “DA-Bicol will provide fertilizer support for the farmers for the wet season cropping (until Sept. 15). By June we will start to distribute fertilizer support through a fertilizer discount voucher,” she said. Under the DA-Bicol Rice Program, distributed were 10,213 bags of hybrid palay seeds, 3,040 bags of zinc sulfate, 42,264 liters of foliar fertilizer, 42,414 packs of plant growth enhancer, 21,332 packs of plant growth enhancer, 6,075 pieces of laminated sacks and 25 units of knapsack sprayer. Given under HVCDP were four units of pump irrigation system to the CLLS Federation of High-Value Crops Inc. in Libmanan, Federation of Integrated Farmers of Tinambac, Pilinio Federation of High-Value Crops Growers Inc. in Pili and Itulan Farmers Association in Pasacao, all in Camarines Sur. Meanwhile, distributed under the Livestock and Poultry Program were 570 heads of free-range chicken in Albay and Camarines Sur. “The PHP133.53 million worth of interventions benefitted five farmer associations and 37 local government units from the five districts of Camarines Sur,” Guarin added, noting that the amount excludes the cost of the poultry inputs.

Source: Philippines News Agency

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Bicol (BFAR-5) has reminded the public to always check with local authorities or residents about any potential dangers before swimming or diving in unfamiliar waters, after the reported proliferation of ‘salabay’ or box jellyfish in the seawaters off Garchitorena and Caramoan towns in Camarines Sur. Rowena Briones, officer in charge of BFAR-5 information unit, said in an interview on Thursday they recommend wearing protective clothing and avoiding prolonged swimming during daytime when jellyfish are known to be more active. “For first aid, when stung by jellyfish, the public is advised to rinse the affected area with vinegar for at least 30 seconds. Vinegar can help neutralize the toxins from the jellyfish and prevent further stinging,” the agency said in a statement. Also recommended were removing any tentacles with tweezers or gloves to prevent further stinging; soaking the affected area in hot water for 20 to 45 minutes, or as long as tolerable; applying a topical cream or ointment, such as hydrocortisone or lidocaine to relieve itching and pain; and taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to further relieve pain and reduce swelling. “It is important to avoid rubbing the affected area, applying freshwater, or using ice as these can worsen the sting and release more toxins,” the advisory added. Seeking immediate medical attention is also advised if the victim displays symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, nausea or chest pain and also if the victim is unaware of the type of jellyfish and if the sting occurred in a sensitive area such as the face or genitals.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Davao del Norte’s provincial government and the Army’s 60th Infantry Battalion (60IB) have turned over more than PHP100,000 in financial assistance to an Indigenous People’s (IP) farmer’s association in San Isidro town, a military official said Thursday. Lt. Col. Merrill Sumalinog, the 60IB commanding officer, said the Nagkahiusang Mag-uumang Lumad of Sitio Binuhi, a people’s organization (PO) in Barangay Datu Balong of the municipality, received the assistance Wednesday from the provincial government and the 1001st Infantry Brigade. ‘We, as a unit, are continuously working with the local government units with the different line government agencies to ensure that the issues in the community are promptly addressed to protect the IPs from exploitation and deception of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and its allies,’ Sumalinog said in a statement. The project aims to provide a sustainable livelihood to the IP farmers of Sitio Binuhi to alleviate their living conditions. Sumalinog assured that the 60IB focuses on the preservation of the insurgency-free status of the communities within its area of operations. He urged the PO beneficiary to manage their funds accordingly to achieve their collective goals to sustain the association members and their community. ‘The successful turnover of the cash assistance through the intensified partnership among stakeholders is proof that the government promotes responsive governance in delivering the needs of the grassroots, especially to our established PO,’ Sumalinog said. Jemuel Melmida, the executive assistant of provincial Governor Edwin Jubahib, assured the locals that the government would continue delivering its socio-economic development programs, especially in former conflict-affected communities. In response, Melesio Magalasin, the PO’s chairperson, lauded the government for the assistance they received. ‘The assistance is a great help for us, especially for our livelihood. Thank you so as this will surely uplift the lives of our fellow IPs,’ he said in the vernacular.

Source: Philippines News Agency