Kiangan farmers provide free labor to repair irrigation
by Vency D. Bulayungan
Kiangan, Ifugao (27 February) — In a bid to source out water to irrigate nearly dried up rice fields, farmers here joined hands and provided free labor to repair existing irrigations.
According to Baod, all the farmers here joined hands and repaired a destroyed irrigation just to let water flow in their rice paddies which are getting dried up. He disclosed that the “bayanihan” (free labor) they provided in the repair of the irrigation was supported by the Municipal Government which provided food for work for the farmers.
Baod added that the land owners who are beneficiaries of the said irrigation also contributed money to buy materials and other needs in the repair of the irrigation system. The farmers tapped the water from a nearby river since the other sources are slowly drying up.
The farmers just planted their palay last January and according to Provincial Agriculturist Raymond Bahatan, it will take at least four months for the palay to yield a bountiful harvest if the ricefields has water for at least three months.
Baod said that they need not to wait for the government to act on their plight but should do their part to solve the problem. “If we keep on depending on the government for help then we will be at a loss. (PIA-Ifugao)
NFA Ifugao assures enough rice supply even with El Nino
by Mhars B. Lihgawon
Lagawe, Ifugao (27 February) — Amid fears of rice supply shortage due to the long dry spell, the National Food Authority (NFA) assured that its rice grain stock is enough to sustain the needs of the people here.
NFA-Ifugao Economist Carmenzita Galvez made the assurance after the Provincial Agriculture Environment and Natural Resources Office (PAENRO) reported that Ifugao has incurred P62 million worth of crop damages due to the dry spell.
Galvez stated that NFA has enough rice grain stock to meet the demand of the public most especially the indigents who could not afford to buy commercial rice.
“At present, there are 10,000 sacks of rice stocked in our warehouse enough to supply the needs of consumers despite the dry spell,” she said.
Galvez also announced that the province is expecting an additional 10,000 sacks of rice to be delivered in the coming days to augment the current stock pile of NFA.
Meanwhile, NFA is currently accrediting additional Institutionalized Bigasan Sa Palengke (IBSP) outlets to sustain rice sufficiency most especially in the far flung barangays of the province.
Galvez explained that the accreditation of IBSP will end on March 13 to give chance to those who want to avail of the outlets.She said that there were only seven outlets in the province that selling NFA rice. (PIA Ifugao)
350 graduate from DepEd-ALS livelihood skills training program
by Lito Dar
Baguio City (27 February) — The Department of Education (DepED) Baguio City Division’s Alternative Learning System (ALS) in coordination with the city government of Baguio held a simple graduation program for the 350 learners who finished their Livelihood Skills Training Program, last week.
Congressman Mauricio Domogan and Mayor Reinaldo Bautista who served as guest of honors lauded the DepEd ALS livelihood program and expressed their support for the sustainability of the program and to provide assistance to the graduates, individually or as a group, to those who want to venture into livelihood projects or open up a small business.
According to Domogan, education is the best empowerment the government can give to its people for their progress. He advised the graduates who want to start their own business or livelihood programs, to submit their proposals to the City Social Welfare and Development Office, wherein his office is also funding livelihood programs.
Bautista on the other hand expressed his support for the DepED ALS program, not only on its livelihood skills training but also on its Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) program, which provides chance to elementary and high school undergraduates to pursue their studies.
There is always a chance for everybody and with the ALS program, people are not only given a chance to learn but also an opportunity of employment and livelihood, Bautista said. He also stressed to the graduates that the city government through the City Social Welfare and Development Office is willing to provide them livelihood assistance.
ALS Baguio head Art Tiongan stressed that with through its Livelihood Skills Program, they are not only providing livelihood opportunity but they also give a chance for the elementary and high school undergraduates, in every barangay, the chance to continue their studies and pursue a higher goal in life, by also bringing in their A&E program. In the same manner, the ALS learners are also given a chance to acquire livelihood skills through the program.
Tiongan also stressed that ALS-Baguio holds the highest passing rate of 41 percent, in terms of A&E passers in the past five years and provides livelihood skills training to about 180 individuals in a year.
In the same program, DepED ALS-Baguio also gave plaques of recognition to the institutions, trainers, barangay officials, government officials, volunteers, trainers, facilitators, school ALS coordinators and administrators, who in one way or another fully supported, participated, cooperated and contributed to the success of their programs.
Also present were DepED Baguio Division Superintendent Dr. Ellen Donato, DepED District I – PSDS Dr Revelina Abarquez, ALS Regional Head Gloria Felipe. (PIA)
Gun-less police join Panagbenga parades
by Redjie Cawis
Baguio City (27 February) — Anti-gun campaign rules over the city’s Panagbenga Festival as Mayor Peter Rey Bautista has ordered the police force not to bring guns in the parades.
Bautista announced in a press conference that the police force will be gun less during the street dancing and float parade. He said showing of guns in festivities and gathering of people creates a bad image of the place.
“We do not like to spoil the parade by showing off guns and arms.” Bautista said. He stressed that guns are not necessary since there is no threat of violence in the city. He added that the impression should not be of arrogance but a friendly people.
According to Baguio Flower Festival Executive Committee Chairman Anthony De Leon, he has witnessed several festivals in the south where the police and the military forces are carrying long firearms like ready to go to war. It is improper to place these men in the middle of a celebration, he said.
Baguio City is a tourist destination so the Baguio people should always be tourist- friendly. “The displays of marshals with long firearms are very much intimidating and prohibitive to tourists,” De Leon said.
Bautista explained that there would be other uniformed men stationed on strategic locations around the city that would be allowed to bring firearms.
De Leon added that the BFF is confident with the peace and order situation during the festivities with the Baguio City Police Office in the lead.
The Baguio police force is set to protect the expected two million or more tourists in the city for the annual Panagbenga street dancing and float parade this weekend. (PIA)
DA assists typhoon-affected Abra farmers
by Maritess Benas
Bangued, Abra (27 February) — The Department of Agriculture while to bracing the farmers for the El Nino which is now affecting parts of the country, is fastracking its quick recovery program for farmers gravely affected by typhoon Pepeng last year.
The said program is the Department of Agriculture’s Quick Recovery Program in the form of fertilizer subsidy to the farmers who have not recovered from the adverse effects of the strong typhoon.
About 3,442 hectares of ricelands have been directly affected by typhoon Pepeng in the province. A total of 17,210 bags of fertilizers were provided for the quick response program of the DA. At least three bags of complete fertilizer and two bags of urea per hectare are given to the farmers.
A farmer who has only a half hectare of land is given one bag each of complete and urea. If the land is only ¼ hectare and below, only one bag of complete fertilizer is given.
The fertilizers are given to the farmers in the form of certificate of entitlement. The payment of the fertilizers are reimbursed directly to the individual farmers in the form of check.
Aside from the fertilizer subsidy, seed subsidies were also given to those affected by typhoon Pepeng.
Erlinda Burton, OPAG information officer said a total of 2,017 hectares with 2,558 farmers were benefited by the said seeds distribution. This was handled by the National Food Authority with the supervision of the OPAG and the municipal agriculture offices as regards the identification of affected areas and the individual farmers. (PIA-Abra)
PGMA to inaugurate Mt Data-Bontoc road section
Baguio City (27 February) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is set to inaugurate the Phase II or the Mt. Data-Bontoc Section of the Halsema Highway Road improvement project on Monday, March 1.
The President is expected to be briefed of the project and make a drive thru at the Boga Bridge in Mt. Data, Bauko.
The concreting/widening of Mt. Data-Bontoc Section of (Halsema Highway – Phase II) project with a total length of 50.49 kilometers started in March 2006 with a project cost of P1,094.85 million.
The Halsema Highway covering an approximate length of 180 kms is the only accessible road for vehicle travel from the premier city of Baguio City to the productive agricultural highlands of Benguet, and Mt. Province. It extends further to Banuae, Ifugao, a major tourism destination in the area.
The Bontoc-Banaue section is Phase III of the Halsema Highway and is expected to be completed by April.
With the completion of this Phase II project, the travel time from Baguio to Bontoc is reduced from seven hours to four hours which reduces fuel consumption. It is also expected to enhance agricultural and tourism development and will definitely increase transport mobility and accessibility within and outside the region.
The improved road provides for easier transport of products to the market and lessens occurrence of slides and roadcuts that have been the causes of spoilage of some products like vegetables.
The Halsema highway is a SONA project of the President which she badly wanted completed before she steps down in June. This is her legacy to the people of Mt. Province and the Cordilleras.
This is part of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s Super Regions tour with an inspection of projects in the North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle (NLAQ), the fifth and last of the regions identified in her 2006 development strategy which set up five growth corridors to spread development away from Metro Manila.
The other SONA project in CAR is the Bontoc-Tinglayan Tabuk Road which is presently under construction. (PIA)
Sorsogon police officer named to TOPWP 2009
by Bennie A. Recebido
Sorsogon Province (1 February) — Police Officer 3 Judith Daria-Olbes, non-commissioned officer of the Sorsogon Police Provincial Office (SPPO) was named among the 8th Search of the Ten Outstanding Police Women of the Year (TOPWP) 2009.
Olbes is the first lady law enforcer in this province feted with said recognition receiving the TOPWP Kabalikat Awards trophy.
She also received cash prize from ZONTA Club of Makati Paseo de Roxas Foundation, gift certificate from the Arms Corporation Philippines (ARMSCOR) and the Outstanding Achievement Medal from the Philippine National Police (PNP).
PSSupt. Heriberto Olitoquit, police provincial director here, stated that among hundreds of nominees from the police commissioned and non-commissioned officers across the country, 28 were chosen finalists and wherefore named the deserving ten outstanding police women of the country.
“Olbes indeed deserves the recognition considering her dedication and exemplary work significantly contributing to the cause of peace and order in the local community,” related Olitoquit.
It can be recalled that Olbes was part of the successful implementation of PNP programs bridging the gap between the police and the community, including the Expanded Community Orienting Polishing System (ECOPS) that focused on the promotion of public’s health; “Kampo ng Bayan sa Lawasnon” showcasing sports development, as well as the maintenance of heightened security at the Sorsogon Baywalk.
Likewise, Olbes initiated the “Malusog na Bata, Malusog na Bansa” program targeting children in the remote barangays to be their feeding program recepients, the “Konting Tulong ni Mama at Aleng Pulis” where they chipped-in certain amount from their own pocket and used this to realize the “Kaarawang Handog ni Mama at Aleng Pulis” and the distribution of slippers, food and school supplies to children.
Olbes who is currently the SPPO’s Family Juvenile and Gender and Development PNCO is an active officer of Sorsogon Women’s Network and Development (SWND) and Visayan Forum Foundation respectively working on women and children’s welfare.
In an interview, Olbes, though didn’t expect she can really make it to the top, extends her utmost gratitude to the past provincial chiefs of SPPO including PSSupt Joel Regondola, PSSupt Henry Rañola and to PSSupt Heriberto Olitoquit, the present PD. “I am also grateful to PSupt Edgardo Ardales, Deputy Prov’l Director PSupt Elmer Ferreras and to the Non-Uniformed Personnel as well as the Police Non-Commissioned and Commissioned officers of SPPO,” she added.
Other awardees are: PSupt Lailene Amparo – Marilao Police Station, Bulacan Provincial Office (PO), Police Regional Office(PRO) 3; PCI Delia Ingalla – Taguig City PO, Southern Police District, NCRPO; PSI Lerma Tirana – Regional Police Community Relations Division, NCRPO; SPO1 Marifel Cortez – Butuan City PO, PRO 13; PO3 Zorayda Aripin – Zamboanga City PO, PRO 9; PO3 Ruth Poserio – Sta. Barbara Police Station, Pangasinan PRO, Police Regional Office 1; PO3 Lilybeth Pascual – WCPD PNCO-Camarines Sur Police Provincial Office (PPO), PRO 5; PO2 Famela Suba – Cabiao Police Station, Nueva Ecija PPO, PRO 3; PO2 Rina Salaya – Maasin Municipal Police Station, Iloilo PPO, PRO 6.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself conferred the award to the Ten Outstanding Police Women of the Philippines, Jan. 13, at Rizal Hall in Malacañang.
These awardees that make up this year’s TOPWP were chosen for the honor by the ZONTA Club of Makati Paseo de Roxas Foundation and the Philippine National Police. (PIA Sorsogon)
DOST-TRC slates Teknobiz Idea Challenge
by PO Lucena
Legazpi City (1 February) — The Technology Resource Center (TRC) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) invites students of public and private higher education institutions to join the “TeknoBiz Idea Challenge” to be held in conjunction with the 1st Techno Partnering Forum to be hosted by TRC on February 24, 2010.
Evolving on the theme: Merging Business with Technology, the event typifies a youth business idea contest designed hone their creativity and entrepreneurial skills to become successful techno-preneurs in the future.
DOST’s promotional papers states that entries on technology-based ideas should be innovative, must not have been introduced elsewhere in the country and have market acceptability both to the Philippine and foreign markets.
It added that the entries must be endorsed and signed by the school’s authorized representative (College Dean or President) shall be accepted.
The entry form and requisite proofs of registration shall likewise be submitted in a folder in two sets and similarly labeled on the outside for easy and clear identification.
Elimination will be held on January 27, 2010 and winners will be duly notified by the Contest Secretariat through email and call-out.
Pre-requisites for participation include the following:
a) All registered students should submit their technology-based business idea between December 15, 2009 and February 5, 2010.
b) Must be a bonafide student of a CHED-accredited educational institution or a state college/university during the abovementioned period. Proof of enrolment in the form of a photocopy of each team member’s Registration Form or school I.D. for SY 09-10 must be attached to the Entry Form.
c) Must comply with all contest entry requirements (eligibility, entry form, formats for concept paper and presentation, and school endorsement) per information kit.
d) Must agree to abide by the TeknoBiz Idea Challenge contest rules and the decision of TRC, the Contest Organizer.
e) Students may opt to form a team but should not be more than five. All team members must be enrolled in the same school.
f) A student can be a member of only one team.
In addition, participants are required to submit a concept paper or the executive summary of their business technology idea. Participant are also encouraged to submit a prototype/model/design mock-up/sample product to support their idea.
Entries must be submitted to TRC’s Technology Livelihood & Information Dissemination Services Group (TLIDSG), TRC Bldg., #103 J. Abad Santos St., Little Baguio, San Juan City, Metro Manila 1500 with contact nos. (632) 727-6205 locals 201 or 206 (telephone); (632) 721-0063 (fax) and tlidsg@yahoo.com (email/Mr. JC Amobit, Junior Technical Expert as contact person) on or before 5:00 p.m. on January 31, 2010 and to consider the other contest timeline as follows:
Deadline for submission of entries : February 5, 2010
Announcement of 10 Finalists : February 12, 2010
Presentation at the Technology Forum/Final Judging : February 23, 2010
Awarding Ceremonies : February 24, 2010
All basic criteria must be met and judging will be based on the following factors:
Innovativeness – 25%
Market Potential – 25%
Feasibility (Philippine Contest) – 25%
Social Impact – 15%
Environment Friendly – 10%
—————-
Total: 100%
The DOST-TRC TeknoBiz Idea Challenge: Merging Business with Technology is a great opportunity for enterprising Bicolano college students who have excellent achievements in Business and Technology to participate in said youth competition. (DOST V/PIA)
DENR intensifies climate change advocacy
by AM Contreras
Legazpi City (1 February) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), has reaffirmed it commitment and relentlessly pursued climate change adaptation and mitigation information and education drives
DENR Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus Fragada stated the agency has since last year provided technical assistance to local government units (LGUs) on climate change adaptation and mitigation planning activities and intensified enforcement of air pollution laws to contain emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
Fragada pointed out that Republic Act No. 9728 or the Climate Change Act of 2009 signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on October 23, 2009 explicitly mandates local government units to be “the frontline services in the formulation, planning and implementation of climate change action plans in their respective areas.”
He noted that DENR has long been a partner of LGUs in crafting measures to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change
“These include the implementation of smoke belching regulation to contain the excessive emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from transport vehicles, provision of technical support for Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM), particularly in setting up and operation of material recovery facilities and sanitary land fills,” he said.
DENR has recently been assisting LGUs in planning formulation of mitigation and adaptation projects to address global warming and climate change.
Fragada also said that the DENR Regional Public Affairs Office (RPAO) has been complementing the climate change advocacy of the EMB thru press and broadcast releases to local newspapers, radio and television, and production of information materials on climate change which are distributed to school libraries, barangay information centers (GMACs) and other institutions and individuals.
DENR-RPAO staff also provided library services and assistance to researchers on climate change.
Fragada recently created the Climate Change Regional Desk which will provide focus assistance to students, teachers, local government officials and other persons seeking information on climate change. (DENR/PIA)
Police nabs illegal drug pusher in Sorsogon
by BA Recebido
Sorsogon City (1 February) — Police operatives here arrested a drug pusher in a buy bust operation last Monday (January 25) in Purok Dapdap, Barangay Balogo, this city.
Joint elements of the Sorsogon Police Provincial Safety Management Company and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Bicol, led by Intelligence Officer Juan Arnel Lasay apprehended one Antonio Labitag Y Peralta, 34 yrs. old, single and a resident of said barangay while selling marijuana to some students of Sorsogon National High School (SNHS) around 6:45 pm.
Initial investigation shoed that majority of his clients are students from the said school.
Confiscated from Labitag are four (4) sachets of marijuana leaves, Php200.00 marked money and one (1) 1100 unit cellphone.
Labitag is also an active barangay tanod in Balogo and already in the authority’s watch list since 2009.
The suspect is now under the custody of PDEA ROV Legazpi City in Albay for further investigation for record filing purposes and inquest proceedings.
Lasay said the feat has manifested the local authority’s commitment to intensify anti-drug campaign activities here. (PIA Sorsogon)
