Police Project

TACURONG CITY, Philippines - The Police Regional Office 12 (PRO-12) launched last week the region-wide rollout of the Philippine National Police's computerized crime incident reporting system or the e-blotter.

Chief Superintendent Benjardi Mantele, PRO-12 director, said they started deploying the e-blotter software in various police stations and offices as part of the full imple-mentation of the new system in the region.

''The installation and testing (of the e-blotter software) in our field police stations are presently ongoing and we're expecting the full use of this system...before the end of the month,'' he said. (Ali Macabalang)

Power Initiative

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - An agricultural group has asked the government to implement the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) in an effort to lower the cost of electricity in the country.

In a consultation with various groups here, Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines (AGAP) Party-list Representative Nicanor Briones said a section of EPIRA states that all electric cooperatives under the National Electrification Administration must be converted to a stock cooperative under the Cooperative Development Authority, or a stock corporation under the Securities and Exchange Commission. Briones said that once implemented, the cost of electricity will be reduced. (Nonoy Lacson)

Trade Activity

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines - The Region-13 office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-13) has started to organize various activities for the holding of the Caraga Business Week from February 23 to 28.

The DTI said various offices in the Caraga Region are closely coordinating with other concerned agencies in an effort to achieve the objective off the business activity.

Highlighting the activity is the conduct of a Business Opportunity Forum (BOF) where would-be entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to know the perspective in establishing or investing business, said DTI-13 Director Brielgo O. Pagaran. (Mike Crismundo)

Family Welfare

CARRASCAL, Philippines - The officials of the Rural Health Unit here undertakes the hospital expansion for Basic Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care (BEmONC) Facility in an objective to provide more attention and care to mothers and children, not only in this town but also in neighboring Surigao del Sur municipalities.

The expansion project is also for the improvement of the existing birthing home that was upgraded into an infirmary.

The Department of Health pro-vided P1.5 million grant for the BEmONC facility, with a P3.5 million counterpart fund of the local government unit for the project. (Mike Crismundo)

Medical Program

PATIN-AY, Philippines - The health and medical program of the Agusan del Sur provincial government has already benefited thousands of residents, and for this year, the province is targeting to reach 20,998 far-flung villagers.

The provincial government is now intensifying its medical outreach programs and medical missions to remote areas, at the same tome, targeting to establish more health and day-care centers.

The provincial government has also set aside a P8,432,600 budget as its counterpart to a Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) program where a total of 185, 696 individuals already benefited. (Mike Crismundo)