WB OKs $83.75-M loan for agri devt in Mindanao

DAVAO CITY — The World Bank on Thursday said it has approved a $83.752-million loan sought by the Philippine government, to finance the second phase of a four-part program aimed at improving food security in Mindanao.

In a statement released to the media, the international lender said its board of directors had approved Phase 2 of the Mindanao Rural Development Project, which will benefit 225 municipalities in the 27 provinces of Mindanao.

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Davao Elections ’07: Same Faces, Same Names


Off They Go. Rep. Prospero Nograles (center) and his son and chief of staff Karlo Nograles (left) go to the Comelec Thursday to file their certificates. Click here to view more photos. (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)

That, in a nutshell, defines the elections in Davao City less than two months from now. The Dutertes are running virtually unopposed: for the first time ever, the city is faced with the possibility of having a father and his daughter occupying the top posts at City Hall. Incumbent councilors and congressmen, not surprisingly, have an edge over the independents and smaller political parties. Only the congressional race in the third district promises a real contest, with three politicians vying for the House seat.

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Task Force Davao To Disband Soon?


Out They Go? The military has been told to prepare a pullout contingency plan for Task Force Davao. (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)

DAVAO CITY — Despite recent talk about the possible disbandment of the Task Force Davao, some higher officials in the military still believe that the composite police-military unit is going to stay in the city.

The military’s East Mindanao Command chief, Rodolfo Obaniana, said Thursday that they have not received any order for the termination of Task Force Davao, which was created in 2003 after a series of bombings rocked Davao City.

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Arroyo’s 6-Year Record Shows Highest Debt, Lowest Social Spending

MANILA — In her response to a survey that found the Philippines to be the most corrupt economy in Asia, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo claimed that the country?s negative image was an offshoot of tough decisions she made to turn the country around, such as the implementation of tax reforms like the RVAT.

But an examination of her six-year record in office showed that her government actually brought the country to its worst-ever fiscal crisis, according to independent think-tank IBON Foundation.

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