The year 2011 saw the realization of the reform and change agenda of the Defensor administration in the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.

After a year and a half in office, Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. has proven that leadership by example really works for the benefit of the people of the province.

Transparency in provincial government transactions, which is being promoted by Gov. Defensor, has attracted many suppliers to participate

in the conduct of biddings and has resulted to big savings on the part of the provincial government.

For instance, the Capitol was able to save P1.5 million from the purchase of 5 ambulances, P3 million from the hospital upgrading projects under the Department of Health’s Hospital Facility Enhancement Fund (HFEF), and P16.6 million from the acquisition of 10 brand new dump trucks.

“We have given Iloilo

Defensor’s ‘reform and change’ cited

Defensor’s ‘leadership by example’ bears fruits

Affirming the results of the Gov. Arthur Defensor’s call for reform and change, the Department of the Interior and Local Government has cited the Province of Iloilo with various honors, including the “Excellence in Administrative Governance” award and the Seal of Good Housekeeping.

The DILG in Western Visayas specifically recognized the various modes of “transparency and accountable vehicles” instituted by Defensor when he assumed office in July 2010, including the reorganization of the Bids and Awards Committee.

The Province of Iloilo also received the “Excellence in Local Legislation” award,

also an affirmation of the bid to institute policy reforms as well as the harmonious relationship between the Executive and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Iloilo.

“These are proofs that we have already made inroads in our bid to restore the people’s trust and confidence in the provincial government of Iloilo,” Defensor

said.For each of the

“excellence” award, Defensor received a Plaque a Recognition and a cash prize of

P10,000 during the 2011 Excellence in Local Governance (EXCELL) Awards, the year-end recognition program of the DILG held on December 27, 2011.

In another development, Iloilo also received P30 million from the DILG’s

Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) for successfully obtaining the Seal of Good Housekeeping.

The Seal is given to local government units that have excelled in the areas of planning, fiscal management, transparency and accountability initiatives, and their use of performance monitoring tools.

The EXCELL

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Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. presents to the employees of the provincial government the plaques received by the Province of Iloilo in the 2011 Excellence in Local Governance (EXCELL) Awards.

EXCELL TROPHIES

Reform and change is not just a political statement.

It is a commitment.

The State of the Province2

2011 was a fruitful year for the environment after Gov. Arthur Defensor championed the planting of more than one million trees to re-green the province and cushion the impact of climate change.

A total of 1,432,837 trees were planted last year, a bulk of which was done under the auspices of the Action for Regreening and Transformation (ART), Defensor’s flagship environment program.

M o b i l i z i n g government employees, students, civic groups, the military and the police, among others, ART planted 1,229,337 all over the province.

The rest were planted through the existing upland reforestation and watershed rehabilitation programs initiated by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office.

The Upland Reforestation Program (URP) involved 500 hectares of upland areas in the towns of Calinog, Igbaras, Lambunao and

Tubungan.The Watershed

Rehabilitation Program, on the other hand, was implemented in Maasin and at the West Visayas State University College of Agriculture and Forestry Watershed in Lambunao.

The URP, which reported a 100-percent a c c o m p l i s h m e n t , include community organizing and information-education campaign advocacy involving 210 upland dwellers.

To support Defensor’s regreening initiatives, five district nurseries were set up where 905,660 were raised to augment the stocks at the Provincial Nursery in Barangay Daja, Maasin.

P E N R O ’ s a g r o f o r e s t r y development initiatives, which involved the planting of high-valued fruit trees in a 200-hectare area, also reported a 100-percent accomplishment.

2011: Fruitful year for the environment

Awards, for its part, honors best managed local governments in the region showcasing their achievements in governance, administration, social services, economic development and environmental management initiatives.

In the same ceremony, Iloilo was awarded first runner-up in the search for the Best Performing Local Government Units (Provincial Category) were Guimaras earned the top honor. Aklan was second runner-up.

Iloilo was also awarded first runner-up in the Excellence in Economic Development and Excellence in Environmental Management Awards, and was second runner-up in the Excellence in Social Services Award.

In recognizing Defensor’s “reform and change” agenda, the

DILG also noted his administration’s regular consultations with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the League of Municipalities and barangay leaders.

It also cited its engagement with sectoral groups, non-government organizations and the business community, eventually making them partners in various development endeavors.

Defensor has enjoined provincial employees to work hard so that Iloilo will receive more top honors in the EXCELL Awards this 2012.

“The awards and achievements that we have received inspire us to do more for our province and our people,” he added.

From Page 1 DEFENSOR’S REFORM AND CHANGE CITED

Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. and wife Cosette plant a Narra tree seedling at Brgy. Bagongbong, Lambunao, Iloilo.

Road maintenance on despite rains

For the year 2011, the Provincial Engineer’s Office (PEO) implemented significant infrastructure projects, such as, the repair and improvement of provincial roads and bridges and of provincial/district hospitals.

Despite the limitations on equipment and personnel and the weather factor, PEO was able to complete the rehabilitation of 419 meters of provincial roads amounting to P2.9 million and the improvement of 1,055 meters of provincial roads in the amount of P5 million.

It has also installed/improved Cross Drainage Structures along the provincial roads with a budget of P6,937,169.64; improved/constructed Road Appurtenances, Lined Ditch Canal and Slope Protection at critical sections of various provincial roads amounting to P11,043,016; repaired/rehabilitated various provincial bridges including their approaches and slope protection amounting to P11,838,482.13; maintained 95.095% (629.079 kms. of the total length of 655.629 kms) road length, incorporating thereat 110,975 cubic meters aggregate course materials amounting to P8,304,070.70.

PEO also implemented the repair/upgrading of various infrastructure facilities of the eight District Hospitals and one Provincial Hospital in the amount of P36,092,718.17.

To ensure their functionality, the PEO has also undertaken the repair, preventive maintenance and servicing of various light and heavy equipment owned by the Provincial Government.

PEO has also provided equipment support to Local Government Units in the maintenance/improvement of 352.9 kms. of municipal/barangay roads and track ovals for the conduct of CDSA Meets.

Also, PEO currently implements various ongoing infrastructure projects amounting to P44,013,000 as well as various projects funded under the 2011 20% IRA amounting to P28,730,500.

The State of the Province 3

Dengue hemorrhagic fever continued to grip the province of Iloilo in 2011 but there has been a very significant decrease in the number of cases as compared to the 2010 figures, data from the Provincial Health Office showed.

There were only 561 dengue cases in 2011 while in 2010, the cases reached a high of 6,500, or a decrease of 91.4 percent.

The 2011 figure includes eight deaths in 2010, or a decrease of 75 percent over the 32 casualties recorded in 2010.

Gov. Arthur Defensor attributed the decrease to the sustained massive cleanup operations initiated by the provincial government of Iloilo.

Defensor launched the province-wide “Do Day Kontra Dengue” on March 25, 2011 to avoid a repeat of the outbreak in 2010.

The campaign encouraged the people to clean their surroundings regularly, with a cleanup activity done every

4 pm of Fridays intended to destroy the breeding places of mosquitoes, the carrier of the disease.

Supported by the League of Municipalities of the Philippines Iloilo chapter and the Department of Health, the anti-dengue drive kicked off following heavy rains brought about by the La Niña phenomenon.

San Joaquin had the highest number of cases in 2011 at 120, but registered a zero casualty.

Two of eight casualties came from the town of Leon while the rest came from the municipalities of Ajuy,

Barotac Nuevo, Dumangas, Leganes, Miag-ao and Oton.

In 2010, the province of Iloilo was placed under a state of calamity due to the outbreak of dengue cases.

Dengue down in 2011

From left, Board Member June Mondejar, City Health Officer Dr. Urminico Baronda, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Patricia Grace Trabado, Department of Health Undersecretary David Lozada, Governor Arthur Defensor, DOH regional director Dr. Ariel Valencia and City Administrator Norlito Bautista crush the mascot representing a dengue-carrying mosquito during the launching of People Power Kontra Dengue at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol on March 25, 2011.

Right: Provincial government employees clean up the vicinity of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol during the launching of People Power Kontra Dengue yesterday, March 25.

The State of the Province4

Thousands of less-fortunate individuals in the province of Iloilo have benefited from the various medical services rendered through the “Project Buligay” of provincial First Lady Cosette Rivera-Defensor, the Iloilo Provincial Goverment and partner agencies last year.

Target of the medical mission are economically deprived population located in far-flung barangays that are seldom or never been reached by basic health services for reasons of distance or lack of interest due to economic difficulties.

“Project Buligay’s” first staging was held on June 25, 2011 coinciding with the launching of the province’s one million trees project, the Action for Regreening and Transformation (ART) I in Brgy. Cahigon, Calinog.

The project was able to make 507 medical consultations, 42 tooth extractions, 36 circumcisions, 205 deworming and supplementation, 83 anemia detection and 160 diet counseling for children and adults not only from Barangay Cahigon but also from neighboring villages.

On October 1, 2011, another “Project Buligay” was held in Brgy. Bagongbong, Lambunao which also coincided with the holding of the Phase 2 of ART I.

The project successfully gave medical consultation to 272 individuals, dental/tooth extraction to 50 individuals,

circumcision to 20 children, and haircut to 31 individuals.The supplemental feeding conducted with the help of the

Philippine National Red Cross served 520 individuals while 44 children availed of Nutrition Assessment, Deworming and Supplementation.

Last December 17, 2011, the “Project Buligay” team landed in the municipality of Mina where it was able conduct 1,254 Medical Consultations, 133 Dental Extractions, 329 Nutritional Assessments, 258 Circumcisions, and 11 Surgical Excisions.

There was also a supplemental feeding for 400 children by the PNRC and blood donation as well with 60 blood donors.

The project’s regular partner, the Philippine Army, also provided free haircut and massage services.

Provincial Administrator Raul Banias attributed the successful conduct of “Project Buligay” to the partner agencies as well as the support of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), and the medical staff of the various hospitals in the province.

He said more towns will be visited by the “Project Buligay” in 2012.

“Project Buligay” is being supported by Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. as part of his social services programs mainly intended for the poor population of the province.

Thousands of indigents benefit from ‘Project Buligay’

Ten inmates at the Iloilo Integrated Provincial Jail finished high school and two others finished their elementary education while serving time at the provincial jail facility in Barangay Nanga, Pototan.

The inmates were able to attend school under the Alternative Learning System, a program implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd) under the Bureau of Alternative Learning System.

Those who finished high school were

Ernesto Abunyawan, Romar Abunyawan, Helen Amorosolo, Sante Beboso, John Castro, Rex Espinosa, Kenneth Gaylan, Marlon Jaromay, Ralph Robles and Richard Supetran.

Those who graduated in the elementary level were inmates Joey Camino and Danny Odal.

Ernesto, who has already been released after he applied for probation, was accused of rape. Amorsolo was also released after

serving her sentence for robbery.The others are still detained for various

offenses ranging from drug use to murder.Launched in April 2011, the IPIJ ALS

program attracted 66 enrollees but only 12 passed the accreditation and equivalency test administered in November 2011.

The ALS is one of the many programs introduced at the IPIJ after its operation was transferred to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

Provincial jail inmates finish school

Gov. Arthur Defensor and Mrs. Cosette Defensor visit the Mina Sports and Cultural Center in Mina, Iloilo on where Project Buligay, a medical-dental mission, was organized.

The State of the Province 5

The campaign against illegal fishing in Northern Iloilo has made not only inroads but has also raised P2.6 million in compromise fines from the various apprehensions made by the Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force for 2011.

“It has been observed that the intrusion of commercial fishing and the use of active gears tremendously declined in the municipal waters of Northern Iloilo,” the Bantay Dagat said in a report. “Such illegal activities have been greatly impaired by the decisive seaborne operations of the Task Force.”

Dynamite fishing, according to the Bantay Dagat, has been minimized but it remained a serious concern considering that the ingredients in the manufacture of explosives are very much available in the towns of Estancia and Carles as well as in the neighboring town of Pilar, Capiz.

The Bantay Dagat ‘s relentless campaign has prompted

sustenance hulbot-hulbot (fishing boats using Danish Seine fishing gear) operators in the towns of Ajuy, Concepcion and San Dionisio to voluntarily stop their illegal activities and support anti-illegal fishing drives.

For the period February to December 2011, the Bantay Dagat has apprehended 109 Trawls, 51 users of air compressors, 48 Danish Seines, 7 Round Haul Seines and two dynamite fishers. It also apprehended two boats that were illegally trading petroleum products.

The Bantay Dagat has also filed 13 criminal cases with the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, 30 with the San Dionisio municipal court, and one each with the Balasan and Estancia municipal courts.

It has also recovered 29 bottles of homemade explosives, two cal. 45 pistols, and one cal. 357 revolver.

Drive vs illegal fishing makes inroads

The Iloilo Provincial School Board has released P78 million in 2011 as aid to 93 various elementary and secondary schools in the Province of Iloilo to fund their various projects and as salaries of 272 teachers, among others.

But the bulk of the PSB funds, or P30.72 million, was used to pay the 263 contractual and nine regular teachers hired to augment the manpower requirements of some schools that lack teachers.

Gov. Arthur Defensor, PSB chair, also caused the release of P12.4 million for the repair of various school buildings of 125 elementary and 63 high schools all over the province.

At least P11.4 million was also used for the construction of school facilities like multi-purpose pavements, mini-gymnasiums, school canteens, among others.

Some P10.2 million was released for the construction of new school buildings in the towns of Ajuy, Alimodian, Batad, Cabatuan, Concepcion, Estancia, Janiuay, Lambunao, Lemery, Maasin, Miag-ao, Mina, Oton, Pavia, Pototan, San Enrique, San Joaquin, Sara and Tubungan.

The governor also approved the release of P9.8 million for the hosting of various sports events like the 2011 Western Visayas Regional Athletic

Association (WVRAA) Meet and the five congressional district meets.

The PSB also provided P10.9 million as aid to the Department of Education Division of Iloilo, which was used for the construction of the Library Hub and procurement of books and other resource materials for the Alternative Learning System Program, among others.

An aid of P879,400 was released to the Iloilo National High School, which was used for the procurement of a risograph machine, the construction of the media arts building and for the school’s participation in the 2011 Iloilo Sports Council Meet.

PSB releases P78 M for various school projects

Rev. Fr. Bernabe Tutana, parish priest of Concepcion, sprinkles Holy Water on one of the two new Bantay Dagat patrol boats of the Province of Iloilo in simple ceremonies at the SBS Iyang Beach Resort in Concepcion, Iloilo.

The State of the Province6

Province a new kind of government… a government which is transparent, accountable, free from corruption and a government that leads by example,” stressed Defensor.

The Governor also cited the success of the two major environmental programs that he launched this year—the regreening and reforestation project and coastal resource management.

Defensor said the province, with the help of the different sectors, has planted a total of 1,229,337 trees this year, thereby exceeding the one million trees target under his Action for Regreening and Transformation (ART).

He also launched a massive mangrove planting in all coastal towns of the province under the Artificial Reefs for Transformation (ART) II program.

“I believe that we have awakened the consciousness of our people as regards the importance of environmental preservation in combating climate change,” Defensor said referring to his environmental programs.

Defensor also cited the successful campaign against illegal fishing activities especially in Northern Iloilo. He said, because of the intensive operation of the Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force illegal, fishing activities have drastically reduced resulting to increased fish catch among small-scale fishers.

Defensor also thanked the local governments and fishing operators in the towns of Batad, San Dionisio, Ajuy, and Concepcion for cooperating in the anti-illegal fishing campaign.

Fishing operators in the said towns have vowed to stop the illegal practice of “hulbot-hulbot” or Danish Seine fishing in support of the provincial government’s anti-illegal fishing drive.

Defensor also claimed his administration has made substantial improvements in the delivery of hospital services by acquiring equipment and implementing repairs, rehabilitation and upgrading of hospitals wherein the province has already invested about P100 million.

He added, the province also appropriated P200 million for the repair and rehabilitation of the eight district hospitals and has secured a P300 million loan from Landbank for the upgrading of

four catchment hospitals.Defensor also allotted P20 million for the PhilHealth coverage

of the 8,136 volunteer workers in the province.After several years, the Iloilo Sports Complex has undergone

major repairs and renovation as initiated by Gov. Defensor. Last November 16, 2011 he inaugurated the newly renovated Iloilo Sports Complex covered gym which now houses a state of the art basketball court. Also, P12 million was allotted for the repair and repainting of the different facilities, playcourts, swimming pool, track oval, perimeter fence, and comfort rooms.

The province has acquired 10 brand new dump trucks and several other heavy equipment to be used in the repair of provincial roads and other infrastructure projects.

“Because of all the things that we have done we are happy to announce to you that the province is a recipient of P30 million grant from the national government as a reward for the Seal of Good Housekeeping obtained by the province,” Defensor said.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) awarded the Seal of Good Housekeeping to Iloilo province in recognition of its exemplary performance in governance, transparency and accountability.

Just recently, DILG, through the 2011 Excellence in Local Governance (EXCELL) Awards, conferred to Iloilo province the Excellence in Administrative Governance and Excellence in Local Legislation Awards.

“These achievements simply show that we are on the right track,” Defensor quipped.

For the coming year 2012, Gov. Defensor has this to say: “We look forward to not only another good year, but we look forward to a more effective implementation of all our existing programs and ongoing projects… it will be much more improved implementation because we already have the full cooperation and support of all provincial government officials and employees and practically all the mayors of the province.”

“We have shown that we can effectively work together… that we shall continue to join hands, this time stronger, because we are implementing an inspired leadership and a leadership for the people of the Province of Iloilo… because I believe that this

Defensor’s ‘leadership by example’ bears fruits From Page 1

Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. sprays champagne to the new dump trucks after the blessing ceremony on Dec. 29, 2011. Looking on are provincial government department heads and employees.

Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. and Provincial Population Office (PPO) chief Ramon Yee (2nd from right) grace the inauguration of Oton National High School’s Fitness Center on Nov. 29, 2011. At right is ONHS Principal Dr. Nelida B. Baitan.

The State of the Province 7

There was no outbreak of any livestock and poultry diseases for 2011, unlike in 2010 when Iloilo’s cattle industry was hit by an epidemic of hemorrhagic septicemia, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) reported.

“We have ensured that the animals in the province remains healthy and productive considering that in the Province of Iloilo, 85 percent of the livestock population are in the hands of backyard raisers,” wrote Provincial Veterinarian Silvino Teodosio in a report.

The PVO’s accomplishments for 2011 include the vaccination of carabaos (9,511 heads), cattle (9,498 heads), goats (4,755 heads), hogs (23,777 heads) and poultry (30,251 heads).

It also completed the deworming of 1,015 carabaos, 999 cattle, 501 goats, 2,497 hogs and 3,219 poultry.

The PVO also conducted ante and post mortem inspection of meat establishments, especially municipal slaughterhouses.

“Consumers in the province are protected against the risk of meat-borne illness and other hazards through proper adaptation of good hygienic slaughtering practices,” Teodosio reported.

Hot meat or bocha trading that is common in Metro Manila is non-existent in Iloilo, he noted.

Teodosio said food security in Iloilo is ensured as well as provision of safety and quality standards for meat and meat products to assure the protection of the public against unreasonable risk of injury and hazard to health.

The PVO’s canine vaccination program had a 92 percent accomplishment, as it vaccinated 280,975 heads out of a total dog population of 306,535.

Zero outbreak of animal diseases in 2011

Iloilo Flood Control Project assistant coordinator Engr. Leonila Chua (right) confers with Governor Arthur Defensor during an ocular inspection of the riverbank erosion in Cabugao Sur, Maliao and Tigum in Pavia, Iloilo. Pavia Mayor Arcadio Gorriceta and officials from Department of Public Works and Highways Region 6 also joined the ocular inspection. The riverbank erosion is believed to have been caused by the Iloilo Flood Control Project.

Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. turns over a check worth P300,000 to the representatives of Cagbang Women’s Multi-purpose Cooperative which availed of a loan from the Provincial Livelihood Project Fund, a program of the provincial government that aims to help cooperatives and associations. Also in photo is Alice Pajado (extreme left), Project Development Officer of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO).

The Province of Iloilo raised at least P51.9 million in revenues for the period January 1 to December 15, 2011, hitting a collection efficiency rate of 80.66 percent over its target of P64.3 million.

The Provincial Treasurers Office, in its year-end accomplishment report, disclosed that it has collected P30.5 million in real property taxes and P11.1 million in transfer taxes.

“Our target for real property taxes for 2011 was P45 million and our collection efficiency was only P67.74 percent, but we exceeded our target for transfer taxes which was only P8 million,” said provincial treasurer Melba Sullivan.

The Iloilo PTO, meanwhile, was awarded as the Most Outstanding Provincial Treasury Office in Western Visayas for 2010 for having obtained the highest performance evaluation rating among treasury offices in the region.

The award was received by Sullivan during the 2011 Year-End Assembly and 4th Quarter Regional Conference of the Regional Association of Treasurers and Assessors (Regata) in Region VI held on December 7-10, 2011.

The PTO also collected P3.9 million from its sale of accountable forms, P3.7 million from the annual fix tax on delivery trucks and vans, P2.2 million from franchise taxes and P390,550 from professional taxes.

It conducted public auctions on delinquent real properties and on the acquired assets of the provincial government, tax mappings, and spot inspections on delivery trucks and vans, among other activities to improve its tax collection efficiency.

Iloilo earns P51.9M in taxes for 2011

The State of the Province8

Most senior citizens or old dependents are still working even after reaching the age of retirement which is 60, initial findings of the Population Data Banking and Management Project revealed.

Processed data from a sample barangay – Barangay Calmay in Janiuay, Iloilo – showed that of the 111 residents who are over 60 years old, 55.8 percent or 62 are still working.

Senior citizens constitute 5.9 percent of the village population which is 1,861. Off the 111 residents who are over 60 years old, 57 are males and 54 are females.

Some 79.5 percent of the 380 households in Barangay Calmay were found have a monthly income of P5,000 and below, or 302 households living below the poverty threshold.

“We hope to complete the processing of all data gathered from 1,721 barangays all over the province by June 30, 2012,” says Ramon Yee, Provincial Population Officer.

The data gathering process was completed in May 2011 and all were encoded by December 2011.

“These data will serve as bases for program planning, population development planning, policy formulation and project implementation,” Yee explained.

The Population Data Banking and Management Project was one of the accomplishments of the PPO for 2011.

“With this, the PPO wishes to establish and maintain an updated population data bank for program operations and development planning at the barangay, municipal and provincial level,” Yee added.

Aside from this project, the PPO also mobilized Barangay Service Point Officers (BSPOs) to monitor the planting and survival of trees under the Action for Regreening and Transformation (ART) Program of Gov. Arthur Defensor.

Defensor, through the PPO, also established five district Multi-Purpose Teen Centers in the towns of Dingle, Lambunao, Oton, Pavia and San Dionisio as a strategy in the operationalization of the Adolescent Health and Youth Development Program.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office has continuously provided initiatives intended to uplift distressed and disadvantaged individuals, families, groups and communities as well as interventional opportunities to enable its constituents to become self-reliant and active participants in nation building.

Dr. Neneth Pador, PSWDO chief, attributes the successful implementation of the provincial government’s social welfare and development programs to the strong partnership among program stakeholders, service providers and beneficiaries.

For 2011, the Province of Iloilo has allocated P30 million to increase the number of beneficiaries of the PhilHealth Indigency Program from 35,000 in 2010 to 50,000 last year, which include 10,022 service volunteers like Barangay Service Point Officers, Day Care Workers, Barangay Health Workers and Barangay Nutrition Scholars.

Likewise, P10.8 million in Aid to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) was also disbursed to 6,919 walk-in clients for medical, burial and other emergency needs.

As a poverty-reduction strategy, the PSWDO also provided various practical skills training in sewing, candle making, food processing and preservation, baking, beauty culture and accessories

making that benefitted 722 families.“The local government units and non-government

organizations that have requested for the training have provided their counterpart for transportation and facilities while the PSWDO have expended for the materials,” Pador reported.

With fund assistance from the national government, 40,988 day care children were fed for 120 days with hot meals using indigenous foods equivalent to 1/3 of the Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intake (RENI), a dietary standard for Filipinos.

PSWDO: Uplifting the distressed, disadvantaged

PPO study: Retired but not tired

Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. talks to some Barangay Health Workers from the First District who just received their cash gift at the Guimbal gymnasium.