MORE NEWS, ILOCOS NORTE

GMA program benefits Ilocos
By Freddie Lazaro

VIGAN CITY — At least 60 of the poorest towns in the four provinces that compose Region I were beneficiaries of the hunger mitigation program of President Arroyo, it was learned here.

The towns were named sites for "Tindahan Natin" stores, a project where the local folk would buy low cost rice and noodles.

Regional Coordinator Victoria Manez from the National Nutrition Council (NNC) said in a radio interview that out of the 60 towns identified, 11 towns are in Ilocos Norte, 12 in La Union, 17 in Ilocos Sur, and 20 in Pangasinan.

Manez said that the identification of these poorest towns in the region was based on studies conducted by the Philippine Institute of Development, an attached agency of the National Economic Development Authority.

"The next move of the PID is to identify the indigent families from the identified towns to avail the low cost rice and noodles to be sold in the ‘Tindahan Natin’ stores," Manez said.

Meanwhile, Ilocos Sur Gov. Deogracias Victor "DV" B. Savellano had already started distributing free rice to hundreds of children and residents of the province, which is in line with the Food for School Program.

Each child will receive a free kilo of rice daily for a period of 44 days starting last April 22, 2008.

The free rice distribution program for school children is part of the program of President Arroyo to sustain the children’s good health and to mitigate the continuous increase of the prime commodities in the market.