MANILA – State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines is stepping up its assistance to the transport and logistics sector with its flagship infrastructure and transportation initiative, the Connecting Rural and Urban Intermodal Systems Efficiently program.

DBP president & chief executive officer Francisco Del Rosario, Jr. said that the bank had approved 14 projects amounting P1.4 billion under the program, with projects ranging from roads, packaging, transport and distribution facilities to cold chain facilities.

The projects are located in Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Batangas, Sorsogon. Cebu, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Eastern Samar, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Surigao del Sur.

DA approves organic seed
production plan

The Department of Agriculture Bureau of Agricultural Research approved the Organic Seed Production System for Upland Crops of Negros Occidental under its “rainfed” banner program.

Maurine Managaring, BAR project development officer, said DA has approved 21 projects worth P48.12 million under the Philippine Rainfed Agriculture Research Development and Extension Program.

The total estimated budget for Visayas is P13.77 million which includes the Organic Seed Production System for Upland Corps of Negros Occidental, Rice-based Farming System and Rainfed Rice Intensified Farming System of Capiz, Rice-based Integrated Farming System of Aklan, Chicken in Rice Farming System of Leyet, and Sagip Saka Conservation Farming Villages of Negros Oriental, Albay, Ifugao, Davao, and Laguna.

New director chosen for
NFA W. Visayas

The National Food Authority in Western Visayas has new regional and assistant regional directors who assumed office after a reshuffling and a promotion recently, Cynthia Luz Chua, senior grains operation officer of NFA Negros Occidental, said yesterday.

Ruben Reside of NFA Cagayan Valley is the new regional director of Western Visayas while Tomas Escarez of Region VI was transferred to NFA Southern Tagalog, Chua said.

Iloilo manager Pablito Gemarino has been promoted to assistant regional director while Vilma Zarraga was promoted to regional director for NFA Easter Visayas, she also said.