ZAMBOANGA CITY—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has engaged in massive seedling production of assorted tree species in Basilan province.

The DENR-ARMM program is part of the efforts of restoring the beauty and sustainability of Basilan’s natural resources despite the meager resources that the department is experiencing.

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Basilan has now accumulated some 18,707 potted seedlings with the completion of some 1,500 potted seedlings of assorted tree species last month.

PENRO Information Officer Grace Lazaro said 4,500 of the said potted seedlings were already distributed to the different line agencies, adding that the effort of the office is for the benefit of the present and future generations of the Filipino people.

PENRO head Abdusakor Lutian said that his offices in Lamitan City and Maluso town were producing and maintaining planting stocks of 5,000 potted seedlings of assorted species in its respective nurseries.

In addition, PENRO is also maintaining some 4,000 potted seedlings of mahogany, while the Lamitan City office maintains some 5,207 planting stock of mahogany species.

The Maluso office was able to distribute some 1,700 potted seedlings while Lamitan City distributed some 2,000, mostly to farmers and private individuals.

Lutian said the area, which is protected and foot-patrolled, has reached up to 17,871 hectares in line with its mandate of forest protection.

He also noted that the department has also conducted information and education campaigns.

The DENR in Maluso headed by Marietta Ladjiman has recently confiscated a few hundred board feet of lauan lumber in Maluso.

CLARK FREE PORT—A Korean company is set to invest at least $70 million for the development of a condominium-type hotel, water-theme-park resort and casino complex at this sprawling free port.

DAVAO CITY—The country’s power rate and real-estate cost are the common subjects of whining from foreign investors, although most of them end up still putting up their businesses here, the Board of Investments (BOI) said.

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) will ask the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) to establish a “fish zone” where farmers can grow ornamental fish and have a choice of what specific variety or species they want to grow.

AS part of the campaign to promote malunggay, the lowly veggie’s products and by-products will be showcased in three-day exhibit at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

IN an effort to address the growing demand for a technically skilled work force in a competitive global market, Cisco Networking Academy has expanded its curriculum in information technology (IT).

ZAMBOANGA CITY—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has engaged in massive seedling production of assorted tree species in Basilan province.

VIGILANT consumers are made by strong education and information.

Thus, this year’s Consumer Month Celebration in October is “Education and Information: Keys to Consumer Empowerment” with the Department of the Education (DepEd) hosting this year’s festivities.