Feature: 'Piggy-banking' on pigs
by David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Sept. 30 (PIA) – Ronaldo Cuanan, 36, who used to work for the provincial government of Agusan del Sur has stumbled on 'piggy-banking' on pigs as friends from the provincial agriculture's office often talked to him on swine raising and its technology of making it a big business venture.
“I started the venture in 2006 with my meager savings. I bought two sows, and after a few months, asked my friends from PAO to give them artificial insemination," Cuanan said, "Na- bored gyud ko ug pina-abot (I really feel bored of waiting), 114 days just feeding the sows."
The waiting paid off, he smiled when each sow bore ten piglets each. "Joy replaced my boredom," he laughed out loud now recalling his impatience then.
After a month, Cuanan earned P36T out of the 18 piglets he sold without counting the cost of his initial inputs to the project. He said, he was just happy to earn that much.
That started Cuanan's determination to expand his business. Eager and excited to learn more, he never failed to attend seminars and hog raisers' conventions.
He even trained with the International Training Institute on pig husbundry specializing on artificial insemination course.
Cuanan's industry caught the fire of the provincial government. It was always open to assist Ronaldo. Under the provincial government's swine upgrading program, then governor Maria Valentina Plaza gave him a high breed sow to add to Ronaldo's materials for production.
After two years in the swine business, Cuanan put up a semen laboratory to ensure that materials for insemination to all his sows, his neighbors’, and other pig growers are of the best quality, having two high breed boars already in his possession.
After learning that Ronald Cuanan was introducing artificial insemination using high breed and high quality semen, many pig growers hired his pig production services, at P250 per 100 ml. bottle semen injection.
Last year, Ronaldo has already eight high breed and healthy sows and two boars in his piggery in San Jose, Prosperidad.
Each sow bears an average of 10 piglets twice a year leaving Ronaldo a gross sales of P360T.
“Of course, swine project needs personal attention. That is why I resigned from my job at the provincial capitol to focus my attention to my 'pigs', he laughed.
Ronaldo plans to expand his project but he wants to maintain only ten sows and two boars so that "I can fully attend to the animals."
Ronaldo dreams and hopes that someday, his project becomes a re-dispersal center of healthy piglets, while sharing the high breed materials to everybody who are interested to venture on the same for higher profitability.
Today, Ronaldo Cuanan is happily cashing on his sows and boars! (PIA-Agusan del Sur)
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Situation and prospects of Agusan Marsh discussed
by David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Sept. 30 (PIA) – A multi-sectoral group recently convened a forum to discuss the situation and prospects of the Agusan Marsh here which is tentatively listed as one of the world’s heritage by United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and one of the most important wetland in the world.
According to Dr. Rex Linao, Executive Director of Agusan Development Foundation and co-chairperson of Agusan Marsh and Biodiversity Management Committee, Agusan Marsh need to be given attention because of various threats of destruction that surrounds it.
“In 1991, the land area of Agusan Marsh as declared by the government was 111,000 hectares, but because of the conversion policy, a bill was passed in 1996, declaring that the protected area of Agusan Marsh is only 19,997 hectares,” Dr. Linao said.
Dr. Linao identified the threats that Agusan marsh is confronting. Among them are the houses along the river banks and inside the marsh area, banks destruction, logging, mining in the upland areas, illegal fishing, and the conversion of forest land into alienable and disposable land.
According to Dr. Linao, one of the reasons why the giant crocodiles came out of their hiding areas is because of illegal fishing.
“We all know that Agusan Marsh is very rich with its flora and fauna. Illegal fishing using electric rod and other methods disturb the living things in the marsh area. Small and big fishes alike are killed. Years ago, when people does not yet practice illegal fishing, fresh water fishes are abundant in all parts of Agusan Marsh, which is the main food taken by the crocodiles. But because of the disturbance and merciless killing of fishes, they became scarce and the crocodiles have to go to other areas in the marsh to look for food. That is why people can now see them, while some of them have already inflected harm to people and their farm animals,” Dr. Linao said.
Because of the threats to Agusan Marsh, the panelists, composed of Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza, representatives of Congresswomen Maria Valentina Plaza (District I) and Evelyn Plaza-Mellana, representative from the Protected Area Management Board, representatives from the Department of Education (DepEd) and funding agencies presented their organizations’ initiatives, funding and activities that would contribute to the preservation of Agusan Marsh’s diverse life.
Also in that forum, the launching of the integration of Agusan Marsh Environmental concerns in the Elementary Science and Health subjects took place with DepEd as the main implementer. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)
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Heads of gov’t agencies to join Moral Recovery Program Convention Seminar
by Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 30 (PIA) – The 13th National Moral Recovery program (MRP) Congress is set to be conducted on November 9-11, 2011 at the Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center here.
As per Civil Service Commission (CSC) Announcement No. 26, series 2011, all heads of constitutional bodies; departments, bureaus, and agencies of the national government; Local Government Units (LGUs); Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) with original charters; and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) are directed attend and take part to the said event.
In a written statement, MROFI Chairman Job Sar Diasanta said that agency’s representatives, including all Moral Recovery Officers, Moral/Spiritual/Values Advocates/Promoters/Human Resource Development Officers are also enjoined to participate in the said seminar.
Also, a cash registration fee of Php3,500.00 will be charged to each participant to cover the expenses on food starting from dinner on day-0 (Nov. 8, 2011) to afternoon snacks on day-3 (Nov. 11, 2011), hotel accommodation, kit/handout materials, organized tour in Butuan City, honorarium of resource persons, supplies/materials/transportation of the secretariat.
This year’s seminar is anchored on the theme: “Empowering the Filipino people through values”. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
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ACE to discuss plans, commitment for ‘Clean Ground, Zero Waste’ Program
by Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 30 (PIA) – The Association of Caraga Executives (ACE) will conduct an Executive Briefing on October 6, 2011, 2:00 p.m. in one of the local establishments here.
Caraga executives will be discussing their plans and commitments for the full implementation of the ‘Clean Ground, Zero Waste’ Program by the city government thru the ‘No Segregation, No Collection’ Policy which is set to start on November 11, 2011 (11-11-11) in all the barangays of the city.
It can be recalled that the said program was launched on September 11, 2011 in Butuan City during the simultaneous clean-up activity in all the barangays here participated by the government employees, private stakeholders, youth organizations, community volunteers, and residents.
According to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga Regional Director and ACE President Atty. Rene K. Burdeos, the ‘Clean Ground, Zero Waste’ Program is in line with the full implementation of the Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
“The program aims to strengthen the forgin og partnerships with all sectors towards the proper management of the city’s solid wastes,” Burdeos stressed.
The Association of Caraga Executives (ACE) is an organization of heads of offices from different government agencies in Region XIII which aims to further professionalize the corps of CESOs and eligibles. ACE members not only provide financial assistance through the members’ contributions to civic groups’ programs but also undertake outreach programs for the less privileged sector of the society. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
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DA to spearhead Consumer Welfare Month in Caraga
by Maria Rebecca C. Ayaton
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 30 (PIA) – This year’s celebration of Consumer Welfare Month (CWM) in Caraga will be spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) with the theme, “Sapat, Ligtas at Abot-Kayang Pagkain Para Sa Lahat”.
According to Department of Trade and Industry Caraga Regional Director Breilgo Pagaran, the theme is anchored on the key policy area of the national government on food security and self-sufficiency by making them accessible, affordable, safe and nutritious.
The month-long celebration will be opened with a motorcade on October 4, 2011 at 8:00 a.m, starting from the D&V Building Grounds to DA Motorpool.
DA together with DOH and DTI enjoined representatives from business sectors and other government agencies to enjoin the activities for this month long celebration.
CWM is celebrated every month of October as mandated in the Presidential Proclamation No. 1098 by former President Fidel V. Ramos on September 26, 1997.
It is initiated by the National Consumer Affairs Council (NCAC) to create Republic Act No. 7394 otherwise known as Consumer Act of the Philippines which aims to protect the interests of consumers. (MRA/PIA-Caraga)
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Surigao Norte PPOC to hold Super Quiz Bee today
by Dandy Lapura
SURIGAO CITY, Sept. 30 (PIA) – Students from the different secondary schools in the province will vie for this year’s Super Quiz Bee competition which centered on the slogan, “Knock Out Crime!” to be held this afternoon at Gateway Hotel, this city.
The activity, spearheaded by the Provincial Peace and Order Council of Surigao del Norte, is in line with the celebration of the National Crime Prevention Month with this year's theme: “PiNoy Ako, Crime Prevention Misyon Ko!”
Other highlights include Poster Making Contest, Essay Writing Contest, the awarding of 2010 Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives and 2010 Outstanding Barangay Peace and Order Committee.
PPOC Chairperson, Governor Sol F. Matugas is set to give an inspirational talk after the awarding ceremony. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
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Tagalog News: Tandag City, nasorpresa sa pagbisita ni Senator Chiz
ni Nida Grace B. Tranquilan
TANDAG CITY, Set. 30, 2011 (PIA) – Sinorpresa ni Senator Chiz Escudero ang probinsiya ng Surigao del Sur partikular ang siyudad ng Tandag kahapon, Setyembre 29.
Ang pagbisita ng Senador ay lingid sa kaalaman ng mga lokal na opisyal dito. Gayunpaman, nakahabol pa rin sina Gobernador Johnny Pimentel at City Mayor Alexander Pimentel upang makausap at maiparating sa Senador ang tunay na kalagayan ng probinsiya sa ngayon.
Ayon na rin mismo sa Senador, ito’y bahagi lamang ng kaniyang tungkulin na bumisita sa bawat siyudad at probinsya, may okasyon man o wala upang makausap, makapiling, mapakinggan at maramdaman ang kalagayan ng mga kababayan dito.
Samantalang pinuri naman ng Senador ang taglay na klima sa Mindanao kung saan bihira lang ito tatamaan ng bagyo.
Napag-alaman na galing ang opisyal sa Surigao City bago pumunta ng Tandag, at bago mag alas dose bumiyahe na naman ito lulan ng isang private plane papuntang Siyudad ng Butuan upang harapin ang nakatakdang appointment doon. (NGBT/PIA Surigao del Sur)
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Tagalog News: Master plan sa agrikultura, masusing tinatapos ngayon ng DA, DENR
ni Nida Grace B. Tranquilan
TANDAG CITY, Set. 30 (PIA) - Masusing tinatapos na ngayon ng Department of Agriculture (DA) at ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ang isang pag-aaral sa usaping pang agrikultura, ito ay ibinunyag ni Senador Francis Joseph “Chiz” Escudero ng bumisita sa Tandag City kahapon.
Sinabi ng Senador na ito’y huling ginawa noong 1984 pa kung saan ang pag-aaral ay binabase sa soil quality at weather pattern, kung saan ito ang magdidikta kung ano ang dapat itanim sa partikular na lugar pang agrikultura.
Dagdag ng opisyal, kahit napag-iwanan na ang Mindaano sa mga nagdaang administrayon, naniniwala ang Senador na sa ilalaim ng pamamahala ni President Aquino ito’y mapagtuonan ng pansin sa ngayon.
Tinaguriang ‘food basket” ng bansa, malaki ang tiwala ni Senador Escudero na dito sa Mindanao ituturo ang pagpapatupad ng isang master plan dahil bihira lang ito tatamaan ng bagyo.
Inihahambing ni Escudero ang Mindanao sa bansang Vietnam at Thailand kung saan sinabi nitong “sinong mag aakala ngayon na nangunguna na ito bilang exporter ng bigas sa buong mundo”.
Dagdag pa ng Senador, naniniwala siya na ang Mindanao ang daan at tulay sa pagyaman at pag-unlad ng ating bansa, dahil hindi raw umano ito kakayanin ng Luzon at Visayas lamang. (NGBT/PIA Surigao del Sur)
