The rice and corn sectors are expected to exceed last year's production despite adverse weather conditions this year, the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics said.

Rice production in the first half of the year could reach 6.68 million metric tons before milling, up 2.2 percent from 6.54 million metric tons in the same period in 2006, the bureau said in a press release.

Western Visayas, along with the regions of Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Bicol, and Socsargen, are expected to post significant gains in rice production in the first half.

WV 1st international
flight lands in Aklan

The Bacolod Airport of international standards in Silay City has yet to be inaugurated and opened, but the first international flight to Western Visayas landed over the weekend at the Kalibo Airport in Aklan, a government press release said.

Loaded with passengers from Incheon, South Korea, Asian Spirit McDonnel Douglas MD82 plane landed in Kalibo airport, 11:50 a.m., May 12.

Present to welcome the first international flight in the region were Aklan officials led by incumbent congressman Florencio Miraflores and Gov. Carlito Marquez, Tourism regional director Edwin Trompeta, and representatives from the Air Transportation and Immigration offices.

Arnaiz supports
organic program

Oriental Negros Gov. George Arnaiz complements the organic program of the Negros Island Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Foundation in making Negros the organic food bowl of Asia.

A press release from NISARD said the governor also supports the Organic Livestock Industry Development Program for Negros.

Under the program, the initial loan release of livestock cattle was made to 159 farmers in Oriental Negros in April. Some farmers have readily paid for the livestock distributed to them, adding to the next round of purchases and distribution of livestock cattle, the press release said. The distribution of the Brahman breeds is part of the dispersal, breeding and upgrading of the organic livestock program of the province.

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