SC EYES INFO OFFICES IN LOCAL COURTS

BACOLOD CITY: The Supreme Court plans to put up information offices (PIO) in local courts but hindered by budgetary constraints, Court Administrator Theodore Te, said during a forum here on Friday. Speaking before 30 participants to the forum, “Uncovering the Courts: Media Training on Monitoring the Judiciary,” Te pointed out that all judicial stations would be filled with a PIO. “What we’re doing right now is to empower the judge because we can’t afford yet to put a PIO for all the courts. We move to streamline communications strategy along the courts,” he said. The training forum was initiated by Hustisya Natin, a group of non- government organizations aimed at empowering civil society including the media to monitor the courts, in partnership with the Negros Press Club.

ENR- ARMM LAUNCHES OFFICIAL PUBLICATION

COTABATO CITY: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DENR-ARMM) launched its official publication – Gaddung – aimed at strengthening the campaign for a more eco-friendly community. “Gaddung, a local term for the color green, symbolizes the shade of our environment as well as our identity as a Bangsamoro,” said its editor-in- chief Albashir Saiden. The magazine also seeks to inform the public, especially those at the grassroots, about the department’s social transformation, climate change mitigation programs, as well as its accomplishments and initiatives. DENR-ARMM Secretary Hadji Kahal Kedtag said the first issue with more than 200 copies will be distributed to ARMM’s different line agencies, including libraries, schools and coffee shops.

SOCCSKSARGEN GEARS UP FOR 2017 SCI- TECH WEEK

COTABATO CITY: The Department of Science and Technology Regional Office 12 (DOST-12) will bring energy and vigor to the region on October 17-19 at KCC Convention Center, General Santos City as part of the annual celebration of National Science and Technology Week. Dubbed “Science for the People,” this year’s regional celebration will showcase milestone and breakthroughs in science, technology, and innovation in the region and its overall impact to the socio- economic opportunities and achievements in the countryside such as employment generation, improved livelihood, and safer and healthier communities. DOST Regional Director Zenaida Hadji Raof Laidan invites everyone to join the celebration as different activities will be staged to promote and preserve science culture and dynamism in the region.

GSIS CITES DEPED- ARMM HEAD FOR INCREASE OF LOAN PAYMENTS

COTABATO CITY: The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) on Friday presented a Certificate of Commendation to the Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao ( DepEd- ARMM) secretary, John Amil Magno during a stakeholders’ dialogue in Koronadal City, South Cotabato recently. Magno was cited for his outstanding dedication, commitment and support to the GSIS which resulted to a significant improvement in the Collection Efficiency on Loans of DepEd-ARMM from 29 percent for July 2017 remittance to 90 percent for August 2017 remittance of loans and arrears of the teachers and employees on their previous GSIS loans.