Monsoon rains submerge Botolan anew, cut link to South Zambales
by Allen Villa
Latest report from the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) revealed that nonstop rains that started 12 noon yesterday brought floodwaters reaching as high as six feet damaging a total of 1,197 houses and displacing some 2,000 families.
The national highway along Barangay Carael linking South Zambales to the North was also closed to traffic anew as the approaches to the newly constructed steel bridge were damaged by strong currents of floodwaters expanding as wide as 5 kilometers and depth of 2 feet.
The Bailey Type Bridge had just undergone repairs yesterday to avoid further damage but raging waters destroyed even the “Gabion mattress” or concreted boulders the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) had placed to reinforce the bridge’s shoulders, according to DPWH District Engineer Hercules Manlicmot.
Relief operations and emergency assistance by the PDCC, the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), Provincial Social Welfare and development Office (PSWDO), Philippine National Police Zambales Provincial Office (PNP-ZPO), and the 24th IB of the Philippine Army are on-going as of press time and is personally supervised by Governor Amor D. Deloso.
In an interview, Governor Deloso has announced his plan to call into a summit the Olongapo City Government and concerned national agencies to discuss massive dredging and desilting operations in the province to clear waterways and avoid aggravating the now escalating disaster. (PIA-Zambales)
DA Bicol turns over grains center to Tabaco City
by MR Ilan
Tabaco City (8 September) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) Bicol regional office has recently turned-over the Grains Center to the city government here that will provide farmers in the first congressional district of Albay easy access to post-harvest facilities that will minimize losses and obtain quality rice.
Dr. Jose V. Dayao, DA Bicol regional executive director, said the post-harvest facility is funded under the Bicol Calamity Assistance Rehabilitation Effort Program (B-CARE) thru the efforts of Cong. Edcel C. Lagman.
The facility is equipped with a multi-pass rice mill with a capacity of 25 cavans per hour; a re-circulating mechanical dyer that can accommodate 120 cavans of palay per batch, drying pavement, and a concrete access road.
Dayao said that obtaining quality rice means better price. He urged the farmers to patronize the grains center to sustain its operation.
He added that the DA is still implementing the 50 per cent subsidy on certified seeds and also the premium subsidy on insurance coverage from August 1 to December 15 planting.
He encouraged the farmers to avail these programs for them to increase production and obtain better income.
Dayao also said that a biomass-fed flatbed dryer would also be installed in addition to the existing facilities. The dryer could also accommodate six tons of palay per batch.
Mayor Krisel Lagman-Luistro on the other hand is grateful that said project was established in Tabaco City as the city has current 1,065 hectares rice area.
She said that she is also campaigning on the planting of hybrid rice to increase production and obtain rice sufficiency.
She believes that going into hybrid rice production will not only increase yield but also the income of the farmers.
She also cited that the city is also a recipient of several FMR projects that would link production area to market.
She announced that she gives priority to agriculture and they are now implementing the plant now pay later for hybrid seeds and also the 50 per cent discount on fertilizer.
Meanwhile, Rep; Edcel C. Lagman lauded the efforts of the city mayor and announces he is also pushing House Bill 330, which give importance to post harvest facilities.
He emphasized that providing post harvest facilities to farmers organization to be paid on a long-term basis without interest would surely help them increase their income.
Another project that he is now giving priority is the FMR which would link production areas to market.
He disclosed that good irrigation, coupled with post harvest facilities and FMR would surely give agriculture an added boost.
He wanted the farmers to sell rice not palay as he saw the economic advantage of selling rice.
He also mentioned the P250 million funds released to DA for the development of indigenous products of Bicol, which include pili, abaca and coconut.
He sees also the potential of these indigenous crops especially pili in terms of providing additional income to the farmers.
He envisions the establishment of a plantation of pili in the region that could sustain the increasing demand of pili nuts for processing. (DA/PIA)
Training on off-season vegetable production held
by MR Ilan
The training was conceptualized to introduce new technologies in producing off-season vegetables. It also aims to provide farmers with the knowledge and skills on how to produce quality vegetables even during off-season.
This activity is jointly sponsored by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Congw. Liwayway Vinzons-Chato of Camarines Norte lone district.
Vinzons Mayor Oliver F. Ferrer said trainings similar to this are important as more farmers learn new technologies to increase vegetable production.
He added that if more people were given the opportunity to attend similar training, our problem on poverty may be addressed.
He cited that right in their backyard, farmers could produce vegetables and other crops not only for their consumption but also for sale.
He lauded the efforts of Chato for spearheading the activity and for choosing Vinzons as one of the pilot municipalities for her project.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jose V. Dayao, DA regional executive director, said that the agency is always on hand to provide technical assistance to interested farmers or vegetable growers.
With the collaboration and linkages of national and local agencies more farmers will be benefited and vegetable sufficiency can be attained.
He emphasized that it is important for participants to learn the right technologies for them to produce quality vegetable, which is vital in getting market channels.
In addition, it is necessary for the group to be organized in order to sustain the supply after marketing agreement has been forged.
Chato, on the other hand, said that it only requires positive attitude and discipline for one to succeed.
She challenged the group to give their best and learn the different techniques so they could also produce quality vegetables throughout the year.
She said that nothing is impossible if you give your heart in whatever you do.
She urged the group to share whatever skills, technique or knowledge they acquire out of this training.
In addition, after the training it is important to practice what they learn for a multiplier effect.
She added that her office is willing to provide their assistance like seeds so they could start a backyard garden after the training.
The trainers came from DA RFU-5 and East-West Seed Company Incorporated. A combination of lecture and hands-on or actual field work was the methodology used. (DA/PIA)
Bicol rated number 1 in rice production in RP
by LA Gavino, S Nieves
Bicol posted a 17.3% palay production growth rate in the first semester of 2009 compared to the first semester of last year, the highest among the rice producing regions.
Camarines Sur, a consistent surplus rice producer, stood out among the provinces of Bicol in terms of volume in palay production which is an immense factor in the region’s number one ranking during the said period.
Ilocos region ranks second with 13.08 % growth rate for the same period, followed by Central Luzon which registered a 9.23 % net production growth.
Governor LRay Villafuerte has placed high premium on agricultural productivity, especially on palay production, because of his firm commitment that it is vital to the economic acceleration of the province.
The BAS report attributes the remarkable performance of Bicol to the use of quality seeds by most farmers, the additional use of inputs and better irrigation system. (MMEC/PIA)
Masbate police to search houses for guns
by EA Delgado
Masbate City (8 September) — In the event known politicians here failed to register their loose firearms under a new firearms amnesty program that began last Aug. 1, 2009, the Police Provincial Office here may embark on raids and search operations.
Chief Inspector Rodolfo Abella, PPO Masbate community relations officer aired this warning even as it urged owners of unlicensed firearms to avail themselves of the government’s amnesty on the registration of loose firearms.
“This is the ultimate amnesty for holders of loose firearms. After this, aggressive police operations will commence against firearms law violators and there will be no let up or sacred cows in this campaign,” Abella said, quoting from a press statement issued by PNP Director General Jesus Verzosa.
The amnesty program, approved by President Macapagal-Arroyo last month, aims to reduce gun-related violence in next year’s national and local elections. Part of the implementing rules incorporates a reward system to those who could lead police to anyone holding loose firearms.
Police pegged the number of loose firearms at 1.2 million, which are in the hands of organized criminals, the New People’s Army and civilians.
Although the final amnesty will be in October, Abella said the PNP opened the processing phase last Aug. 1.
The provincial command and police stations are all authorized to accept and process unregistered guns, he said.
Authorities here have noted that most crimes committed with firearms in the last few years involved loose guns.
In a recent forum, no less than Bishop Joel Z. Baylon of the Diocese of Masbate expressed alarm at the proliferation of unlicensed firearms in the province and asked the PNP to step up its campaign to recover these guns which he said were mostly in the hands of political supporters.
“There are lots of unlicensed guns around,” the prelate said. “Halos bawat bahay ay may baril.” (PIA Masbate)
PhilHealth offers extension services in Hongkong
Legazpi City (8 September) — Mobile officers of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) were dispatched since August this year to Hongkong providing access and information to Filipinos on the agency’s membership updates and renewal, claims and benefits, and premium remittance concerns.
The task of PhilHealth mobile officers is to attend OFWs gatherings or meetings and coordinate with Filipino organizations in Hongkong to facilitate information drives promoting the agency’s programs and services.
They may also receive claim documents from OFWs admitted to any hospital in the country to help facilitate the processing of their reimbursements.
A confinement of an OFW shall be paid based on the benefit rates of a Level 3 hospital, with the validity period of his contribution being the eligibility requirement.
For a start, mobile officers will be sent to Hongkong, for two weeks once every three months, to popularize PhilHealth programs and services as well as render assistance to various health insurance concerns of our members in the former Crown Colony.
Dr. Rey B. Aquino, PhilHealth president and CEO, stated, “This is just the beginning, after Hongkong (which also extends services to nearby Macau), we shall replicate this project in other OFW-dense countries like Malaysia, Singapore and Saudi Arabia.”
PhilHealth, complementing its extension services overseas, also signed and entered into a Collection and Remittance Agreement with Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP).
Under the agreement, the two government banks were accredited as collecting partners for OFW premium contributions.
OFWs in Hongkong may pay their health insurance premiums through subsidiaries and remittance partners of the mentioned banks, ready to accept premium payments either for membership renewal, member re-activation or from new registrants.
Aside from Hongkong, DBP also has tie-ups in the Middle East, Singapore, USA, United Kingdom, Canada, Taiwan, Switzerland, Ireland, Cambodia, Australia and Korea.
According to Dr. Aquino, PhilHealth management will continue to evaluate and accredit institutional applicants for our overseas collection efforts to enable our two million OFW members update their contribution payments.
“Through updated premiums, they are assured of claims and benefits of accredited facilities in the Philippines or in hospitals abroad. It is our ultimate goal to provide more payment windows, especially for our OFW members,” he said. (PhilHealth V/PIA)
Clark Museum now open on Saturdays
Clark Freeport (6 September) — The Clark Development Corporation has announced the opening of Clark Museum during Saturdays starting this month.
The museum, located in front of Clark’s Parade Ground inside the Freeport zone, will be opened six days a week from 8 am to 5 pm starting September.
The announcement came following the increasing number of local and foreign tourists, even school children, who frequent the Museum during weekends.
CDC President Benigno N. Ricafort made the announcement following the request of several sectors to open the Museum, which showcases Clark’s memorabilia from the Spanish, Japanese and American eras.
The Clark Museum is managed by CDC’s Tourism and Promotions Office (TPO).
The opening also coincided with the Aetas employment as tourist guide following the completion of their training on “Specialized Tour Guiding Seminar” which is part of CDC’s development program on tourism for the Freeport and the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ).
The tour guiding seminar for the 20 Aetas was in conjunction with the regional office of the Department of Tourism in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga.
For more details contact Noemi Garcia, TPO Manager, at telephone numbers (045) 599-3222 or (045) 599-3854. (PIA)
Agriculture department to fund multi-purpose drying pavements in 6 Ifugao towns
by Vency D. Bulayungan
Lagawe, Ifugao (5 September) — Six municipalities here will benefit from the GMA Rice program this wet cropping season.
Raymundo Bahatan, the Provincial Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Office (PAENRO) here said that local officials in six municipalities here have submitted request to the provincial government and the Department of Agriculture-CAR for funding of multi-purpose drying pavements in their localities.
According to Bahatan, each proponent will receive P100,000.00 each.
Aguinaldo has two barangays proponents namely Mongayang and Chalalo. For Asipulo, the proponents are Sangguniang Bayan, Pula Barangay Council and Amduntog Barangay Council. Alfonso Lista will receive P400,000.00 to be subdivided by four proponents: San Quintin Barangay Council, United Family Cooperative in Busilac, San Jose Barangay Council and Bangar Barangay Council.
The Municipality of Lamut has three proponents, Jolowon Barangay Council, Bimpal Barangay Council and Ambasa Barangay Council while Kiangan has two proponents, Hucab Barangay Council Sangguniang Kabataan of Duit. Olilicon Barangay Council is the only proponent for Lagawe.
Bahatan disclosed that there are five proposed additional proponents. These are Mungayang Barangay Council in Kiangan, the Barangay Councils of Caba, Banga, Magullon and Lawig in Lagawe. (PIA-Ifugao)
Sadanga gets another poverty reduction project
by Juliet B. Saley
Sadanga, Mt. Province (5 September) — This municipality is a recipient of another poverty alleviation project dubbed “Makamasang Tugon.”
According to Mrs. Minda Romero of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Makamasang Tugon project is a reward for this municipality as best performer in the Kapitbisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services(KALAHI-CIDSS) program.
As a recipient of the KALAHI-CIDSS, Sadanga showed a satisfactory performance on good governance along participation, transparency and accountability during the implementation of this project.
Romero said the DSWD has granted Sadanga the amount of P4 Million which was divided among the eight barangays with Demang getting the biggest share of P1,507,423.29.This was followed by Sacasacan with P837,725.08.
Barangay Bekigan had a share of P437,832.07, Belwang- P400,113.08, Poblacion – P300,739.53, Saclit – P188,759.91, Betwagan – P182,637.32, and Anabel – P132,098.61.
This grant required a counterpart from the Municipal Local Government Unit and from each barangay. The counterpart of the LGU was given to each barangay.
The grant was downloaded directly to the account of each barangay since they are the implementers of the project, she added.
Barangays Anabel and Belwang used the amount for the improvement of communal irrigation system; Bekigan for the construction of communal irrigation system; Betwagan for the construction of foot trail, and Demang for the upgrading of Demang and Poblacion water system. Poblacion improved its footpath; Sacasacan its barangay road and Saclit used it for the construction of footbridge.
Romero said these projects which were implemented in the different barangays are 100 percent accomplished. The projects were supervised by Christian Bon of DSWD-CAR who stayed in Sadanga until the projects were finished. (PIA MP)
Gov’t reports status of RDC capability building autonomy fund
by Lito Dar
Baguio City (5 September) — The Regional Development Council (RDC-CAR) held a forum Wednesday, September 2, at the RDC Hall NEDA Compound, in order to give partial progressive report on the status of the capability building autonomy fund that was given to its member line agencies.
In the said forum, RDC-CAR Acting Chair and NEDA regional director Juan Ngalob explained that as part of the renewed pursuit of regional autonomy some line-agencies were given special autonomy fund of P1 million, for capability building so to enable them to take on the devote prospective functions, in line-with the 8-plus areas, should we become an autonomous region.
Ngalob also stressed that the P1 Million capability building fund, is a small amount and was just given to pump prime, the different line-agency programs for economic development of the region.
For the Department of Agriculture (DA), they were tasked to try to revive the region’s coffee industry, particularly the Arabica Coffee; for the Department of Tourism, the were tasked to be more aggressive in selling the eco-tourism potential of CAR; and as far as the e-sector is concern it is led by the Department of Trade and Industry, which is tasked to progress in improving the region’s business and investment climate, Ngalob said.
In her progress report, DA Planning and Monitoring Division head Suzan Balanza, the DA have already started a program, they call “Advancing the Coffee Industry in CAR,” in an effort to revive the region’s coffee industry, particularly Arabica.
According to Balanza, our Arabica has a big potential not only in the local market but international as well, and Cordillera have a comparative advantage, as far as coffee farming is concerned because of our high altitude and cool climate. By advancing the region’s coffee industry, we are not only enhancing the income and livelihood of our farmers but we can also protect our watersheds, through Agro-forestry, Balanza added.
As for the DA’s accomplishments, Balanza reported that they have already provided some direct interventions, enhance the capability of our coffee growers, in partnership with the Office of the Presidential Assistant (OPA) and they are also presently in the production of IEC materials. “The DA has already done several trainings in facilitating the skills of our coffee growers, such as harvesting, nursery and post-harvest. The DA is also providing farmers with seedlings and seedling bags,” Balanza added.
For DTI’s part, Assistant Regional Director Carmelita Usman reported, that they are engaged in souvenir products enhancements, designers full development and promotions of investments. With augmentation from the DTI’s own fund, Usman also stressed that they are assisting LGUs in streamlining their licensing processes, which is important for local economic development.
On investment promotion, Usman also reported that the DTI has been doing Audio Video Presentations, on different venues, such as the North Luzon Business Conference, OTOP Luzon Island fair and IMPAKABSAT fair. DTI-CAR is also planning to join the North Philippines cluster (with regions I and II), in promoting our region’s identified investment priority areas and to give employment opportunities for our constituents and increase their revenues, Usman added.
For product Development, the DTI is also helping in developing the packaging of our food products, which is important in marketing, and for non-food product, the DTI is helping in showcasing new product designs, Usman said.
Meantime, DOT-CAR Regional Director Pura Molintas reported that are into the promotion of the region’s tourism in the international and domestic television. “We are now intensifying our promotion, through television, both local and international, and we are focusing into two categories, namely, on adventure and agriculture/culture,” Molintas said.
“Right now we have two on-going AVPs, one with Living Asia and the other is on ABS-CBN’s TFC channel, which resulted to higher awareness of the other region’s on our different tourism area.”
DOT-CAR is also now in the process of finalizing or completing a new AVP for Cordilera’s tourism, wherein the new adventure spots and packages are included and will promote Cordillera, as the “Skyline.” (PIA)
