TUGUEGARAO CITY, Jan 18 (PIA) — The Conservation International Philippines (CIP) is set to conduct a training on mango production to more than 100 upland farmers in the five barangays of southern Peñablanca, Cagayan.

He said the project also aims to facilitate mango production for agroforestry farmers under the Philippine Sustainable Reforestation Project (PSRP) in the pilot barangays of in Bugatay, Cabasan, Sisim, San Roque and Manga.

Malanos said the training is one way to engage farmers to become producers of mangoes of good quality which could be sold locally and abroad.

He said that although mango production is quite expensive considering the cost of farm inputs, CIP will train the beneficiaries on farm management practices to reduce the cost and to gain income.

The training include marketing and post harvest technology transfer to be able to facilitate skills on marketing and to impart to the beneficiaries the possible benefits they can get from the said project, Malanos added.

CIP is a non-government organization concerned on the protection and conservation of natural resources, especially the forest resources of the Philippines. (TCB/OTB/PIA-2)

BASCO, Batanes, September 6 (PIA) — The local government of Basco is encouraging the buying public to claim official receipts for their purchases to educate businesses comply with the law.

Six coupons are drawn every last Friday of the month and the six winners will receive P500 each as reward.

The local officials have noted the success of the ‘pera sa resibo’ program as consumers are becoming aware in claiming receipts. # (TCB/NGA/PIA Batanes)

BAGUIO CITY, August 7 (PIA) — Around 4,500 various seedlings have so far been planted by employees of government agencies, barangay officials, students and private groups in this mountain resort city under the National Greening Program (NGP) since it was launched last June.

According to Ed Flor, City Environment and Natural Resources Officer, the rainy season is the best time of the year to plant tree seedlings.

‘Tree seedlings need a lot of water in order for them to grow healthy, he explained.

President Benigno S. Aquino issued Executive Order (EO) Number 26 creating NGP to pursue sustainable development for poverty reduction, food security, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation and adaption.

In the Cordillera region, 3,400,000 trees covering 6,838 hectares are targeted to be planted for a period of six years.

Flor said that in order to ensure the successful implementation of the NGP, all students identified by the Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and all government employees shall individually required to plant a minimum of ten seedlings a year.

Private sector and civil society groups shall likewise be encouraged to participate in the NGP with the assistance from the government and shall primarily responsible of maintaining and protecting the established plantations, Flor added. *(JDP/JBZ-PIA CAR)

TUGUEGARAO CITY, July 20 (PIA) — The Department of Education (DepEd) Cagayan Division has urged elementary and secondary school officials to establish their “Malungay” avenues within their schools to fight malnutrition.

Antonia Mangussad, Nurse-in-Charge, said, through the department order 234, all schools are now required to plant more malunggay trees in schools to make schoolchildren aware of its nutritional and medicinal value which are needed to prevent not only malnutrition and other illnesses.

Mangussad said they will be evaluating each school on the implementation of the order and in ensuring that the schoolchildren will be benefitted out of the program.

She said malunggay (moringa oelifera) was once considered a “poor man’s vegetable” but it is now known as a “miracle tree” or “nature’s medicine cabinet” by scientists and health care workers worldwide for its vitamins and minerals which are effective remedies form many kinds of ailments.

Studies have shown that all parts of the malunggay tree are usable for nutritional and medicinal purposes – from the roots, trunk, and branches to the leaves, flowers, and seeds.

The education department, Mangussad said, has also developed a handbook of recipes out of malunggay leaves.

DepEd is also eyeing for the conduct of trainings of school teachers on malungay processing and production of foods as an investment and industry for the schools. (TCB/OTB/PIA-2)

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela, July 5 (PIA) — Rice farmers in the province are currently participating in the two-day rice exposition, July 5-6, which is being conducted at the country’s biggest corn processing site in Napaccu Pequeno in Reina Mercedes, Isabela.

Sponsored by the Syngenta, a private company that is producing new technologies in rice farming, the rice exposition aims to help the farmers increase their rice yield per hectare in support to the government’s goal for rice self-sufficiency by 2013.

Dr. Napoleon Saavedra, an entomologist and the vice president for External Affairs of Syngenta Philippines, Incorporated, said the rice self-sufficiency program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) is achievable with the help of Science and Technology.

He likewise said the introduction of new technologies by Syngenta will help the farmers increase their yield from the 120 bags per hectare to 190 or 200 bags per hectare.

Saavedra explained that the new technology interventions, which begins from seed level up to harvest period can boost rice production and can protect the crops from the risk of pest infestations.

Two demo rice plots from seed bed, vegetative and the harvestable stages, one for the traditional farming using older techniques and technologies and the other one is the syngenta product which uses new technologies were also presented.

He said at the demo farm that “enhancing and prolonging the rice plant’s capability at photosynthesis helps produce fuller grains, heavier and more vigorous harvests”.

“The activity will also be conducted in other rice producing areas in the different parts of the country”, Saavedra said.

Last year, the company has conducted the same rice exposition activity in Nueva Ecija where farmers in the said province got interested in using their new technologies.

The Syngenta products that are being introduced to the farmers of Isabela are pesticides, fungicides, and insecticides that will boost the capability of rice to grow and bear good fruits that totally increase rice yield of Isabela farmers.

Saavedra urged farmers to visit and participate the rice expo and witness the effect of Syngenta products in a farm demonstration located in Reina Mercedes Grains Processing Center. # TCB/MGE/PIA- Isabela

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, June 28 (PIA) – - The decreasing population of carabaos, which are great help in rice farming, led the province to pursue with its carabao dispersal program, according to the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (PVET).

Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Ruben Cayad-an said the province earmarked P200,000.00 for the carabao dispersal program to purchase eight caracows, or female carabaos, at P25,000.00 each.

Cayad-an said the caracows will be used for breeding purposes aimed to reproduce more carabaos.

Dr. Miriam Tiongan, who appeared before the members of the provincial board explained the dispersal program of the PVET.

The program also aims to help augment farm labor for marginalized farmers who could not afford farm mechanization and uplift the living of farmer beneficiaries in providing draft animals that could also be hired by other farmers.

Recipients to the dispersal program are four rice producing towns namely Atok, Kapangan, Kibungan, and Tuba to receive two heads of caracows each.

Cayad-an explained that one of the causes of the decreasing population of carabaos is lifting of the ban on indiscriminate slaughter of carabaos through Memorandum Order No. 3 of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

Executive Order (E.O.) 626 of then President Ferdinand E. Marcos prohibits the slaughter of carabaos for conservation purposes for small farmers who rely on them for energy needs.

He said carabaos are being used in performing rituals as part of the culture of the province.

Cayad-an also noted that the necessity of carabaos employed as draft animals used for pulling heavy loads is now trimmed down. This is due to the gradual conversion of rice farms into vegetable farms.* (JDP/SCA- PIA CAR, Benguet)

MAKATI CITY, June 5 (PIA) — The local government has assured its residents over the weekend that the city has provided more than enough public school facilities with the anticipated increase in the number of enrollees in their public schools this year.

In a statement, it said residents can expect the opening of classes to go without a hitch and that all public schools in the elementary and high school levels are “ready for the influx of students starting June 6.”

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay said the combined efforts of school officials, teachers, district engineers, barangay officials, volunteers, and parents have ensured the city’s readiness.

“Besides making sure that school buildings and facilities are safe and clean, we have also seen to it that we have enough classrooms and chairs, teachers, textbooks, and other school supplies to meet the needs of schoolchildren in the city,” Binay said.

Meanwhile, DepEd Makati Supt Elena Ruiz said the final number of enrollees will only be determined by the first week of classes, as there may still be late enrollees. She also said enrolment figures may further increase this school year in light of the Department of Education’s policy of non-discrimination in accepting students, including non-residents and transferees from private schools, being observed by the division.

Ruiz said as in the past years, the city government has ensured that Makati public schools have adequate school facilities with the construction of new school buildings each year. It has also hired contractual teachers to cover the expected increase in the number of students. (RJB/JCP-PIA NCR)

Legarda said that despite having several laws on women’s rights, the country is yet to achieve a society where men and women are considered equal.

She sought for the strict implementation of the country’s laws on gender equality and women empowerment as the nation celebrates Women’s Month.

According to Legarda, the role of women in our society has continuously evolved through the years. As more women have gained access to education, more have also joined the workforce, even participating in work and activities previously considered ‘exclusive’ for the male populace.

However, more is not always equivalent to enough. More women participating in decision-making, whether within the family, the community, or the nation, does not mean they are already considered equal to men, she said.

Legarda explained that the Philippines already has laws such as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act, the Anti-Discrimination Against Women Act, the Women in Development and Nation Building Act, the Rape Victim Assistance and Protection Act, and the Magna Carta of Women, among many others, yet statistics still indicate that the country is far from achieving equality between men and women.

Based on the records from the Philippine Commission on women, there are more girls enrolled in elementary and secondary education, but in terms of employment statistics, the male populace is still dominant.

In the October 2009 Labor Force Survey (LFS), the Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for females is at 49.3 percent and for males at 78.8 percent.

Participation of women in politics and governance is still at a minimal level with only 18 percent of the elected posts in the 2010 Elections won by women candidates.

Furthermore, violence against women (VAW) continues to surge even with the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004 (RA 9262) already in place.

Legarda cited some statistics. Following a six-year downward trend from 2001 to 2006, the number of violence against women cases reported to the Philippine National Police rose again in 2007 with 5,729 cases.

There was further increase in 2008 with 6,905 cases, and more in 2009 with 9,485 cases.

Legarda said, our country has passed so many laws addressing women’s issues and it is considered as one of the best in terms of legislation with measures on various societal issues already in place.

“However, legislation is just one phases of the overall effort to achieve gender equality and women empowerment. These laws need to be strictly and faithfully implemented,” the Senator declared. (PIA-7/Minerva BC Newman with reports from the office of Senator Legarda)

The initial 13 passers identified by the CSC College of Health Sciences as of press time are Regina Salve Balin, Ma. Cinderella R. Ifurung, Carrol Gay F. Jacob, Ignatius Ll. Jordan, Exequiel U. Mariano V, Jayzzon B. Pereyra, Paula Bianca S. Salameña, Nelrose G. Sarmiento, Rosa Aurea A. Tabirara, Salve Tresmanio, Coolen J. Torrecampo, Gayle T. Tuboro, and Jennifer D. Uchi.

PRC announced that 29,711 out of 84,287 or 35.25 percent passed the licensure examination.

CSC had 14 passers out of 38 takers or with 36.84 percent passing rate. Its first takers, however, all passed in the said examination.

PRC also announced that the oathtaking of the new nurses as well as the previous ones who have not taken their Oath of Professional will be held before the Board on March 14 and 15, with morning and afternoon sessions at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

The mass wedding ceremony was officiated in the afternoon by Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, February 14, at the Taguig City Hall Quadrangle.

The event was attended by 132 couples whose marriage was witnessed by their family, friends and other loved ones.

Mayor Cayetano said the Valentine Wedding Special was her Valentine’s Day gift to unmarried couples from different barangays in the city.

“This program is a special one, I believe that in order for us to have a better community we should start first in our family. This is another chance also to make their relationship as husband and wife official and legal and for the sake of their children,” Cayetano added.

The city government provided the couples with wedding essentials such as bridal bouquets, aras, wine and wine glass, wedding cake and a wedding photo. All that the couples brought on their own were their respective wedding rings.

During the event, Mayor Lani Cayetano gave out special awards as Oldest couple, Best dressed couple, and earliest couple to arrive at the venue. Each got P2,000 as cash prize. All couples also received 25 kilos of rice each.

Lawyer Darwin Icay, Mayor Cayetano’s spokesperson, said that mass weddings is just one of the programs that the mayor would like the people to engage in for their benefit.

“The mayor values the importance of family as the basic social institution. That’s why he has lined up various programs geared to uplift their living conditions,” said Icay, a former city councilor. (NCR)