News: New Mountain Rat Found

A NEW species of rat has been found on a mountain in the southern Philippines, the environment department said on Wednesday.

The Hamiguitan batomys, or hairy-tailed rat, is a yellow-brown rodent with a long furry tail. Weighing about 175 grams, it lives 950 metres above sea level in the dwarf mossy forests of Mount Hamiguitan on Mindanao island.

It was discovered in a joint US-Filipino expedition in 2006 that involved experts from the Chicago-based Field Museum of Natural History, the Filipino government agency said in a statement.

The Hamiguitan batomys is related to several other species found in central Mindanao, neighbouring Dinagat island and the main Philippine island of Luzon. But its natural habitat is an area of less than 10 square kilometres, the agency said. More ...

News: DPWH offers 1,424 jobs in Caraga

The Regional 13 office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH 13) in Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga Region) is set to open initial 1,424 job openings today, it was learned yesterday.

The job fair will be opened at the DPWH regional office here at 8 a.m. today and those applicants that will pass the criteria will be deployed in Agusan del Norte, Butuan City, Surigao del Sur and Dinagat Islands, it was also learned.

The DPWH 13 needs civil engineers, foremen, laboratory technicians, heavy equipment operators, masons, steelmen, welders, drivers, auto electricians, carpenters, surveyors and construction workers, it was gathered.

In the initial recruitment, at least 898 job openings are available for Agusan del Norte; 341 in Butuan City; 47 in Surigao del Sur and 138 in Dinagat Islands.

The next batch of job openings will be announced by the DPWH regional office soon.

The DPWH is fast-tracking this month the bidding of P60 billion worth of projects set for implementation during the first half of this year to accommodate more job openings, it was also learned. Read more...