Anti-hunger mitigation program launched in Ifugao
by Redjie MElvic Cawis
With the theme “Mission : Good Nutrition- Drive out Hunger”, the program served as a venue to share and discuss the plans and accomplishment of the government’s drive to address hunger and malnutrition. It is consistent with the Pagkain sa Bawat Mesa and Alagaan ang kalusugan campaigns of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
DOH regional director Dr. Myrna Cabotaje, head of the AHMP in the region, said that the launching of the program in the province is timely with the reports of the NNC and DOH surveys that the province is the most nutritionally improving province in the region.
During the program, NNC Officer in Charge June Falancy presented the regional nutrition situation showing that the region has increasing number of poor families leading to hunger and malnutrition especially to children.
Cabotaje said that hunger and malnutrition in the region is caused by unavailable or insufficient supply of food to eat and poverty or lacking money to buy food.
On the report that Ifugao is the most outstanding province, and Lagawe for the municipal level, in implementing the nutrition program in the region, Governor Teodoro Baguilat Jr. said that he has focused on program on health and nutrition and not just the usual infrastructure programs to provide better and healthier life to its constituents.
He added that the province is rich in agricultural products particularly cattles and livestock, fisheries and vegetables that provide food to people in Ifugaos, be it in the highlands or the lowland municipalities. The production of these goods in the province is also sufficient.
Baguilat stressed that the local government units of the province have institutionalized nutrition and health programs to provide sustainability of the AHMP implementation for their constituents.
Ifugao is just the first wave of the program in the region. The DOH will also be launching this program in the AHMP priority provinces of Apayao, Abra, Kalinga and Mountain Province.
The AHMP is implemented by the 30 agency members Anti-Hunger task force led by the DOH and the NNC. (PIA-CAR)
7 tree planters awarded certificates
by Juliet B. Saley
Bontoc, Mt. Province (28 November) — The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) issued Tree Planting Certificates to seven individual tree planters from barangay Bila in Bauko municipality for planting a number of trees and committing to continue planting more trees and protecting the environment.
The seven who were awarded during the launching of the 2010 Lang-ay last month were Luis Homrebueno, Jr., Antonio Apil, Lyndon Colbongan, Rodrigo Payacda, Valentine Cameyeng, Calixto Gamlosen, and Purita Cominga.
As stated in the certificate, each awardee commits to continue planting more trees and join with his neighboring awardees to protect the trees they have planted and other existing vegetation including their surroundings from forest fires and poachers as well as enhance the ecological balanced of their environment.
The Tree Planting Certificate was formulated by the Provincial Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources (PAENRO) Board as an incentive to all tree planters and rightful owners of the land planted under the 1 Million Tree Planting Program of the province. This was institutionalized through Provincial Ordinance No. 74 passed by Mt. Province Sangguniang Panlalawigan on July 31, 2006.
Benefits of the Tree Planting Certificate include access in acquiring permit to cut or harvest timber as required by law, free forest charges per memorandum of agreement signed by all sectors of local government units, government agencies and non-government on September 23, 2004, provided the trees to be cut were planted in 2004 and onwards under the 1 Million Tree Planting Program of the province; and income from forest products.
To avail of the Tree Planting Certificate, tree planters should submit Tree Registration Certificate including all attachment like registration of trees planted from 2004 and onwards, land tenure documents or any proof that they own the plantation, Sustainable Traditional and Indigenous Forest Resources Management System and Practices, Free and Prior Informed Consent, and Evaluation of Trees Planted.
It can be recalled that the province under its 1 Million Tree Planting program achieved its target of planting one million trees in three years in just one and a half years. As of September 2008, more than two million forest and fruit tree seedlings have already been planted in various areas in the province.
Planting trees is one of the easiest way in which the public can help mitigate the effects of global warming and climate change. (PIA Mt. Province)
DA establishes 35 barangay bagsakans in CAR
by Joseph B Zambrano
Lagawe, Ifugao (28 November) — The Department of Agriculture in the region has so far built 35 barangay bagsakans (Kantina) in the Cordillera which aims to make trading more accessible, and lessen post harvest and transport losses.
DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Cesar Rodriguez said basic food commodities like rice, meat, fish, vegetable, sugar, salt and noodles and other basic household necessities like soap are also available in the kantina.
Rodriguez said this is one of the programs of the government to help solve hunger, alleviate poverty and address malnutrition problem in the countryside. “A cooler and refrigerator are provided in each kantina to maintain the freshness of the produce, a grinder to process food products, a weighing scale and rice dispenser,” Rodriguez added.
He said those who want to avail of the kantina can be provided a cash grant of P100,000 to P200,000 but they need to submit a project proposal to the Department of Agriculture for evaluation and validation. This will also be subject to regular audit procedures.
Rodriguez explained that applicants must be an association with three years of good standing record, endorsed either by the barangay captain, mayor or the governor.
Meanwhile, the DA is also willing to help finance the establishment of a bagsakan center (trading post) by providing a cash grant from P500,000 to P 2 million. However, this has to be in partnership with a local government unit whose counterpart should be provision of a lot and labor in putting up the trading post through their Priority Investment Plan (PIP).
Rodriguez added that the DA-CAR obligated an amount of P 2million to the province of Benguet as part of its cold chain operations. (PIA-CAR)
Comelec Ifugao bares number of registered voters
by Vency D. Bulayungan
Provincial Election Supervisor, Atty Ricardo Bolintao, said that as per their official records, the total number of registered voters has gone up to 101,387.
Topping the highest registrants is the municipality of Alfonso Lista with 15,286. Lamut comes next with 12,562. The municipality of Banaue has the third highest registered voters at 11,448. Aguinaldo has 9,341 registered voters ; Asipulo-6,806; Hingyon-7,376; Hungduan-5,705; Kiangan-8,662; Lagawe-10,233; Mayoyao-6,790; Tinoc-7,178.
Bolintao said that the official lists were posted in the different COMELEC offices throughout the province thus he encouraged interested individuals to check their names before the election day comes. “In the past we experienced problems on missing names thus in order to minimize this problem, we encourage our voters to check it now,” Bolintao said. (PIA-Ifugao)
Abra women rallied to end violence
by Maritess Benas
The theme of this year’s 18-Day End Violence Campaign is “Mga kalalakihan, kaakibat ng kababaihan laban sa lahat ng uri ng karahasan.” The campaign started November 25 until December 12, 2009.
This year’s campaign is very timely in Abra as the candidates for elective positions in the provincial and municipal levels had their mass filing of Certificate of Candidacy (COC) and urged them to be mindful of the peace and security of their constituents in the upcoming electoral exercises.
After the motorcade, a forum was held at the Provincial KALIPI Center based at the Office of the Philippine Information Agency. Myrna Ruth Borgonia, the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer of Bangued talked on the provisions of the Anti-Child Trafficking Law since there are already cases of child abuse and even rape of minors in the province. She explained how women, particularly the KALIPI could be of help in averting the occurrence of such kind of abuse against children who are the most vulnerable sectors of society.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Decimia D. Cabang, emphasized the great role of women in rearing a family especially the protection of children and how violence against women and children could be prevented through their responsible and caring attitude and determination to uphold the safety and protection of their family members.
Plans for the Christmas celebration of the KALIPI were later discussed with the provincial focal person, Ms. Noemi Bachiller. (PIA-Abra)
Baguio City launches Panagbenga 2010
by Lito Dar
Baguio City (28 November) — The City Government of Baguio, in partnership with the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFFI), launched the schedule of activities for the Panagbenga 2010 in a simple program Monday morning.
Panagbenga 2010, the 15th staging of the Baguio Flower Festival, adopts the theme: “Celebrating 15 years of Festival Excellence.”
In his message, Baguio Congressman Mauricio Domogan stressed that the “Panagbenga” should be included in the annals of the city’s centennial history.
According to Domogan, the whole of Baguio should be enjoined in celebrating such tourism activity as it is an opportunity for all, regardless of color, tribal group or religion, to work together in promoting the city and Cordillera’s cultural identity. This is not only to sustain the city’s tourism industry, but also for the visitors and our own happiness as well, he said.
“It is also gives us the time to thank the Lord for giving us a beautiful environment, with all the trees and flowers. It is also a time to remind us of our own obligation to maintain and preserve such environment, so as to avoid the serious consequences of climate change,” Domogan added.
Confetti rained and balloons were released as Baguio City Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr proclaimed the declaration of the Opening of the Panagbenga 2010. This was done simultaneous with the unveiling of the 15th Flower Festival banner, by the festival’s co-chairmen, Baguio Country Club General Manager Anthony De Leon and Camp John Hay Chief Operations Officer Freddie Alquiroz. The University of Cordillera also gave a performance as the Philippine Military Academy Band played the Panagbenga Hymn.
In a press conference, Alquiroz, assured the public of a grander staging of Panagbenga, that would equal if not surpass the Panagbenga 2009. He also highlighted the media’s important role on promoting the festival, so as the city’s tourism industry, could have a faster turnaround from the adverse effect of the recent disasters that hit the region.
“Through the media’s help, we can push forward the message that Baguio is here, up and about and never went out of business,” Alquiroz said.
De Leon bared that there will be new activities for the Panagbenga 2010, which will run from February 1 to March 7. Among these are new musical concert on the lake titled “Camelot,” during the staging of the Fluvial Parade at the Burnham Park Lake on February 14, and the staging of a “Mardi Gras,” at the Harrison road, in time with the Session Road in Bloom on March 1-7.
Other regular scheduled activities for the flower festival include Market Encounter at the Burnham Park (Feb. 1 – March 7), Legarda Rocks (February 12-14), Abanao Nights (Feb 26-28), Pony Boys Day (March 6), plus the usual highlights of the Panagbenga: a Grand Street parade on February 27 and a Grand Float Parade on February 28. The Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration (Feb.13) and the PMA Homecoming (Feb. 20 – 22), are also entwined with the Pangabenga 2010.
Meantime, Department of Tourism (DOT-CAR) Regional Director Pura Molintas also stressed the importance of sustaining the Panagbenga, which is a major tourist festival that has already gained an international stature. She said this is a major economic activity that plays a major role not only in boosting the city and the region’s tourism but also the country’s development as well. (PIA)
Baguio City launches 18-day campaign to end violence vs women
by Lito Dar
Baguio City (28 November) — The Save Our Women Foundation, in cooperation with the city’s Gender Equality and Development (GEAD) Council’s Inter-agency Committee on Violence against Women and Children (VAW-C) launched its own 18-day campaign in a Kapihan forum at the City Social Welfare and Development Office, Wednesday.
The 18-day campaign to end Violence Against Women and Children is observed nationwide from November 25 to December 12 by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 1172. This year’s theme is “Commit, Act, Demand: we can end Violence Against Women.”
Locally, the observance is centered on a “Pledge to never commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women”.
In the said forum, City Social Welfare and Development Officer Betty Fangasan confirmed that reported cases of violence against women are increasing. She attributed this to the increasing awareness of women about their rights under the law.
In Baguio City alone, collated reports from the CSWDO, Baguio City Police Office Women & Children Protection Desk (BCPO-WCPD), Baguio General Hospital – Women & Children Protection Unit (BGH-WCPU) and Save Our Women Foundation, show that for the first three quarters of 2009 alone, there were already 493 VAW cases reported, compared to the 429 VAW cases reported for the whole of year of 2008.
Fangasan bared that majority of the cases were physical abuses, while other cases reported involved sexual abuse and economically abused women.
Patricia Gallardo, of Save Our Women Foundation, informed that as part of the launching activity, they have started a signature campaign along Session Road, for a pledge to never commit or condone violence against women, girls and children. They are also initiating the wearing of white ribbon as a sign against Domestic and Intimate Relationship Violence (DIV).
April Lippi Sudango of BGH-WCPU, Atty Debbie Dulay of the Public Attorney’s office, PO1 Grace Marron of the BCPO-WCPD and Marvin Gaddang of Save Our Women Foundation also shared their respective offices experiences and programs offered in relation to violence against women.
Tthe panelists enjoined all women to resolve to speak out against the abusive behavior of other men toward women, girls and children. There are existing laws that give them rights and protection, as well as government and private sector programs that could give them assistance in such endeavor, they said. (PIA)
PGMA bares plan to set up weather forecast assets
Manila (28 November) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo revealed in Bohol the government plan to equip itself with weather forecasting assets, during her recent one-one one interview with a local media representative in Loboc.
This as she stresses that weather forecasting is one very important things, at a meeting with the press prior to a cabinet meeting on disaster preparedness set in Bohol two weeks ago.
“What is most important is that we have to be ready,” the president told Bohol Chronicle chief Peter Dejaresco.
Dejaresco, the son of the paper’s founder and the current chief executive officer of the Bohol Chronicle Radio Broadcasting Corporation asked the President, is the Philippines ready for disasters with all the preparations.
Over that, Mrs Arroyo cited America and her advanced technology, “and they were still proven to be not ready”.
Mrs. Arroyo pointed out that weather forecasting is one important thing, and so we are improving our capabilities to track rainfall amount.
She was talking about a system of Doppler radars installed all over strategic locations in the country.
A doppler radar makes use of the doppler effect to produce data about objects at a distance, by beaming a microwave signal towards a desired target and listening for its reflection. It also includes analyzing how the original signal has been altered by the object that reflected it.
Variations in the frequency of the signal give direct and highly accurate measurements of a target’s velocity relative to the radar source and the direction of the microwave beam, according to wikepedia.
President Arroyo told the media in Bohol that the country has already installed radar in Baler Quezon, Tagaytay, and is testing in Baguio and Subic.
The country is also putting up one in Surigao and South Cotabato, Catanduanes, Virac and in Guian Samar next year, she narrated.
Weather system forecasting has popped up as a necessary capability after the country, especially Southern Luzon, bore the brunt of floods spawned by a series of storms dumping rains all over the places.
With the system of radars installed, the president hopes that the country can have pre-emptive evacuations, she said.
To secure the country’s food supply, the President also ordered the Department of Agriculture (DA) to fast-track all irrigation infrastructure projects in time as the government intensifies preparations to help the agricultural sector deal with the damage of the storms and the El Nino weather phenomenon.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo added that the President has also instructed the Pro-Performance Team to work with the private sector to monitor the progress of the president’s State-of-the- Nation commitments projects.
The DA has been pushing upland rice production in anticipation of the dry spell that is threatening the agriculture industry.
Now, the DA is prioritizing farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems, extension services, loans, dryers, and certified seeds in anticipation of the widely held belief El Niño will “put pressure on the agriculture sector”. (PIA)
NVizcaya hosts regional KALAHI meet
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (November 25) — The province will be hosting the Regional Development Council(RDC) – Regional KALAHI Committee(RKC) at the provincial capitol here on December 2, 2009.
Undersecretary Monina Plan, chairperson of the RKC and Presidential Assistant for Cagayan Valley said following agenda will be tackled during the 4th Quarter Meeting:
National Anti-Poverty Council(NAPC), 1st semester KALAHI report, Generation of commitments for KALAHI barangays of Biruk in Dupax del Norte town, Pelaway in Alfonso Castaneda town and Villa Santiago in Aglipay town in Quirino province, ststus of commitments for the 6 barangays where the KALAHI program was launched from April to May 2009 and the 3rd quarter Comprhensive Emergency Employment Assistance(CLEEP) status report.
Before the meeting, a project visit in barangay Poblacion, Villaverde, Nueva Vizcaya will be made by RKC members to monitor the Level II Water System Project funded under the NAPC-WASCO in 2008. (PIA NVizcaya)
NVizcaya towns get P8.6-M for community irrigation projects
Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya (November 25) — This town recently received P8.6 million – worth of irrigation projects to be utilized by upland farmers in protecting critical watershed areas of various barangays here.
The amount was given by the Japanese government to fund small scale community irrigation systems in the town which will benefit upland farmers in barangays Tidang and Sinapaoan in Kayapa town and barangay Antutot in Kasibu town.
The assistance was released under the project “Promotion of Participatory Forest Management in the Critical Watersheds of Nueva Vizcaya.
The project, now on its second phase also provides trainings for selected extension workers/farmer cooperators on organic fertilizer production, efficient use of biological residues and other environmental activities including marketing of agricultural and forest products to augment meager income of the beneficiaries.
The project will be supervised by the GLM Institute, a Japanese non-government organization, recipient local government units and the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement.
It was conceived to rehabilitate the watershed areas of Nueva Vizcaya, whose forest cover has dwindled over the years due to slash and burn system of agriculture, illegal logging and increasing upland settlement.
With its environment and natural resources potentials, Nueva Vizcaya serves as the watershed haven of Cagayan Valley. (bme/PIA NVizcaya)
