Gloria inaugurates P2B
in infra to fight poverty
IN NEG. OCC.
BY CARLA GOMEZ

President Gloria Arroyo inaugurated close to P2 billion in infrastructure projects in Negros Occidental, including the P1.8 billion rehabilitated irrigation system and post harvest facilities in Bago City as she launched the Philippines' week-long fight against extreme poverty yesterday.

At the Bago River Irrigation System in Barangay Bagroy, Bago, the president sowed seeds in a ricefield, and in a forum with farmers, stressed the goal of government to boost the income of farmers and make them agri-businessmen.

She said government is making P150 billion in loans available to farmers and has increased NFA support price buying of rice to 1 million metric tons, at the forum attended by 1,000 rice farmers.

Troopers of the 6 th Regional Mobile Group providing security to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, yesterday figured in a car crash in Silay City , Negros Occidental that claimed the life of a taxi driver and caused injuries to three others.

Supt. Jerry Bartolome, Silay police chief, said the seven-man team of RMG troopers were on their way to Bacolod City as part of the police contingent providing security to President Arroyo, when the Fuzo Canter vehicle they were riding, bumped into a taxi at the newly-constructed diversion road in Hacienda Normandia, Brgy. Bagtic, Silay City .

Bartolome said Mario Belinario, driver of the Nissan Sentra taxi vehicle, was killed and his passenger identified as Jonalyn Libron, 31, was injured. Two RMG troopers, whose identifies were not available as of press time, were also hurt.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday congratulated Negros Occidental for being the first province in the country to fully comply with government's nationwide Material Recovery Facility campaign.

“Congratulations to all of you. Rather than preaching to you on the MRF issue, we will praise you and inform all provinces of your successful campaign in the combat against global warming,” the president said during a climate change briefing at the Aniceto Lacson heritage home in Talisay City .

Yesterday's climate change briefing was the 45th since the President began last December her advocacy to educate Filipinos about global warming, Presidential Adviser on Climate Change Sec. Heherson Alvarez said.