ILOILO CITY - Agriculture and local government officials here have warned of the possible spread of infestation of the Rice Black Bug that could destroy hundreds of hectares of rice fields in Iloilo province.

Dr. Ildefonso Toledo, acting assistant provincial agriculture officer, said at least 23 hectares of rice fields in Barangays Pinantan Elizalde and Pinantan Diel in Ajuy town and in Barangay Bacabac in Sara town have been affected as of March 25.

Toledo said at least 1,000 hectares of rice fields will be affected if the spread of the infestation is not contained.

Rural banks to hold
2-day confab in city

The Rural Banks Association of the Philippines will hold its 2006 Visayas Management Conference on March 30 and 31 at the L' Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City.

Gilda Pico, acting president of the Land Bank of the Philippines, will be the keynote speaker.

Other speakers in the two-day event themed "Rural Banks: Unity in Diversity" are RBAP president William Hotchkiss and RBAP director for Region 6 Jesus Campos Jr.

Hinigaran ARBs seek
assistance to occupy land

Agrarian reform beneficiaries of the land owned by the Yusay heirs in Hacienda Katamsikan, Brgy. Quiwi in Hinigaran, are calling on the officials of the Department of Land Reform and of the provincial government to help them occupy the land the Certificate of Land Ownership Award for which was given to them in 2003 yet.

Veronica Norbe, chairperson of BILOG Association affiliated with the Mapisan Alliance, said at a press conference in Bacolod City yesterday it seems they are now helpless because the hacienda management prevented them from cultivating the land when they attempted to do so early this month.

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