AgNor PDRRMC to hold climate change, DRRM
confab
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY, July 19 (PIA) – In line with this year’s observance of the
National Disaster Resilience Month (NDRM), the province of Agusan del Norte,
through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC),
will hold its 1st Provincial Climate Change (CC) and Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management (DRRM) Convention on July 26-27 here.
PDRRM Office chief Erma Suyo said the event aims to present
science-based studies and initiatives that can be utilized for Climate Change
Adaptation measures as basis for local planning.
"This will also be the basis in order for the province to come up
with programs and initiatives that are tailor-made for its needs that geared
towards maximizing sectoral outputs in a sustainable manner," she said.
According to Merry Chris Cabonce of PDRRMO, some 200 participants are
expected to attend the provincial convention. These include different DRRM
council members of the province, emergency response teams, school coordinators,
private partners, and other stakeholders.
Sessions include the Philippines commitment to Sendai framework on
Climate Change, climate-resilient farming initiatives for the province of
Agusan del Norte, climate-resilient aquaculture farming, downscaling climate
information, concept of an effective early warning system, PhiLIDAR initiatives
for Agusan River Basin, and importance of biodiversity of the Agusan watershed.
As part of the NDRM observance, Suyo also said that the PDRRMC
through the PDRRMO will host the 1st Himig DRRM – a song writing composition
and interpretation on July 21.
She said the event, which is open to all Agusanons, aims to spread DRRM
and Climate Change Adaptation awareness through singing and creative
interpretation. (NCLM/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
DA envisions rise of corn industry in Caraga
Region
By Aurelius P. Arais
BUTUAN CITY, July 19 -- To keep up the momentum of the thriving
corn industry in Caraga Region, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is looking
for possible areas for the expansion of corn production.
In the recent 2nd Regional Corn Congress (RCC) held in Butuan City,
Melchor Bautista, chief statistical specialist of the Philippine Statistics
Authority (PSA) Caraga reported an increase in the volume of production, area
harvested as well as its average yield per hectare based on the 2017 data and
the 2018 1st quarter preliminary estimate.
From January to March 2017, the volume of corn production in Caraga
Region was 1,079 metric tons (MT) while in the current year for the same
period, data showed 2,144 MT. Also, the area harvested in the 1st quarter of
2017 covered 424 hectares, while for this year on the same period, it reached
650 hectares.
Meanwhile, a total average yield of 2.54 MT per hectare was recorded for
the 1st quarter of 2017 while 3.30 MT per hectare was recorded for the same
period.
Melody Guimary, DA Caraga’s regional corn program coordinator said the
challenge that lies ahead is how to keep up the momentum until the end of 2018
and even beyond.
“Though our yield and volume of production posted an increase we are not
yet confident since the area planted has slightly declined over the past years
due to some other reasons such as change of crop planted,” she said.
One of the strategies of the agriculture department in the region is to
look for other areas potential for corn production.
“Currently, we are coordinating with our partners in the local
government units (LGUs) to help us look for potential areas for corn
production, so we can coordinate with the owners to venture into corn farming,”
Guimary stressed.
In 2017, based on PSA data, Caraga Region posted a volume of corn
production reaching 119,980 metric tons from an area spanning 34,034 hectares.
“What we are aiming now is to surpass our previous records through our
massive interventions for the farmer, not just production support but technical
and marketing support,” Guimary said.
DA Caraga Regional Executive Director Abel James Monteagudo posed a
challenge to all the participants of the 2nd RCC, comprised of corn
coordinators from various LGUs in the region as well as farmers, to work as a
team to achieve the goal in an easier way.
“In sports just like basketball, you cannot win if you don’t know how to
work as a team, same is true with an organizational goal such as in the
agricultural sector, every member has to work in a team,” he explained.
Caraga Region’s corn industry has been the bread and butter of more than
32,000 farmers. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
DAR AgNor
distributes P1.8-M worth of equipment to abaca farmers
By Gil E. Miranda
BUTUAN CITY, July 19 -- A total of 2,172 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries
(ARBs), that included 427 Indigenous Peoples (IPs) stand to benefit from 12
units of mobile abaca stripping machines worth PhP1.8 million under the Project
Convergence on Value Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment
(ConVERGE), implemented by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) of Agusan
del Norte.
The abaca farmers are composed of 21 farmer-groups involving San Isidro
Upland Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SIUFMULCO), as the lead proponent
group of 20 participating farmer-groups in the four municipalities of Tubay,
Jabonga, Kitcharao and Santiago (TUJAKITSAN) cluster.
DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Andre B. Atega said
the equipment will enhance the production and quality of abaca fiber to better
meet market demands that significantly improve the lives of the agrarian reform
beneficiaries and other abaca farmer-workers.
The 12 units are just initial release for the farmer-organizations that
are already yielding abaca fiber, while the next units to be delivered are for
those that are in the process of expanding their plantation up to 200 hectares
over a five-year period.
SIUFMULCO manager Leonora Mila said they are thankful to DAR through its
ConVERGE project that brings positive impact on the way of life among the abaca
famers in the cluster.
Based on the original target proposal of project ConVERGE, a total of 27
stripping machines are supposedly distributed to cater to the needs of the
abaca-farmers in the cluster.
Project ConVERGE has several activities on the pipeline that include
abaca production seminar, entrepreneurial skills training, abaca planting
materials and production inputs, abaca-shed house, and a 10-wheeler truck.
The project intends to strengthen SIUFMULCO as the lead proponent group
of 20 member-organization in TUJAKITSAN Cluster consisting Tubay, Jabonga,
Kitcharao and Santiago to better meet market demands by improving production of
high quality abaca fiber. (DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Surigao del Norte guv urges gov't workers to
speed up reforms
By Venus l. Garcia/John Glenn A. Platil
SURIGAO
CITY, Surigao del Norte, July 19 -- Surigao del Norte Governor Sol
Matugas encouraged the employees of the provincial office and representatives
of the different line agencies to speed up development reforms during the
Strategic Management Planning Workshop held in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del
Norte from July 9 to 11, this year.
Gov.
Matugas said that in consonance with the Health, Education and
Environment, Agri-Aquaculture, Livelihood and Social Services, Security,
Spirituality (HEALS) Plus "Byahe sa Kadaugan" (Ride to Victory)
agenda, poverty must continue to decline with the following priority programs:
- Completion of the Cuban Health Care
System, service delivery network
- Focus on public health to encourage
preventive remedy than curative medication
- Hospital development as well as
updating of facilities, equipped with state-of-the-art amenities and
equipment
- Enhancement of the Rice Center
project and swine production initiative
- Establishing more sanctuaries and
initiate more market encounters
- Building of farm schools and move
towards mechanized farming and expansion of irrigation systems
- Improvement of the economic
competitiveness by looking into the investment side of the program
- Promoting adventure, heritage and
farm tourism projects
- Proper waste management, eco-farms
advocacy, and water treatment under the environmental conservation program
- Creating more programs for women
and the youth, especially for children in conflict-affected areas
- Business ventures through Puhunan
sa Pag-asenso (PSP) program
The
lady governor also urged the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) members to craft
policies and legislations that would support programs in different departments,
and to sustain the campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte against illegal
narcotics and all forms of criminality.
"Patients
must be treated equal as far as the hospitals are concerned. That is a
challenge, and that hospitals must be the centers of survival. Basic life
support facilities must be provided,” Matugas said.
She
added that the long trip to Dipolog City was worth it for she felt
the place is going to share much with the participants as they search for model
services initiated by other local officials.
“The
boulevard project, for example, is a product of creative mind and strong
political will aimed at changing the people’s way of life. Indeed, we seek for
holistic outcome,” said Matugas.
In
addition, Matugas noted that the relocation sites have restored the confidence
in people toward the leadership in Dipolog which she described as
"so high".
“There
is pride in their hearts. I commend the mayor for you could see how things go
around their city hospital due to systematic management. There are quite a
number of inclusive programs which include quality and affordable medicines,”
said Matugas.
In a
short period of time, Matugas said the entire meaningful endeavor has opened an
array of training development approaches.
“We
need to capture the priorities for 2019. Innovation - that’s the work of the
Provincial Budget Office. All we need is a productive mind, coupled
with imagining things and simplifying the burden of planning and
budgeting. Prioritizing brings us to the essential change we need to happen,”
she said.
According
to Matugas, the programs should lead to reforms that will manifest social
values of love and care and for people to be empowered and imbued with
a passion for excellence.
Matugas likewise
challenged the officials and heads of offices to look beyond their programs;
revisit them and reach out to those in need.
“Make
up your mind because you are the ones to set the change you want to
happen,” concluded Matugas. (PGO-SDN/PIA-Surigao del)
53 SLP beneficiaries join entrep seminar in
AgSur
PROSPERIDAD,
Agusan del Sur, July 19 - Some 53 beneficiaries of the Sustainable Livelihood
Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
recently participated in the entrepreneurship seminar held at the barangay
halls of San Vicente and Magsaysay, this municipality.
The
seminar was organized to equip the future entrepreneurs and help them
understand how to manage a business. They will soon start their trading
business funded thru SLP.
"I
am thankful for this seminar as I learned a lot about business," said
Liela Dagaang, SLP beneficiary of San Vicente.
The
participants were introduced to entrepreneurship thru workshop using Business
Expense Savings Training (BEST) Game Module.
The
BEST game is a comprehensive training instrument designed to stimulate positive
intervention in developing small businesses.
It is
a reality-based business game in which the participants had the opportunity to
experience how to operate business in real life.
Anthony
Mark S. CataloΓ±a of DSWD-SLP and Rezel May C. Goloran of the NegosyoCenter
Provincial Hub facilitated the seminar. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/ PIA-Agusan del Sur)
AgSur consumer
groups to practice organic farming
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur, July 19 – The Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI) Agusan del Sur (AdS), in partnership with the local government
unit here thru the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO), recently convened the
members of the consumer organization - Pagpakabana sa Katungod sa Konsumador sa
Agusan del Sur (PAKKADS) and convinced them to practice organically
grown-farming in their respective areas.
Ailyn Aleman of MAO-San Francisco shared to the group the benefits in
organic farming. Aleman said in planting vegetables, temperature and location
shall be considered.
“In a cool and shady area, the best plants are those leafy vegetables
locally known as "petsay (pechay), letsugas (lettuce), alugbati (Malabar
spinach), sibuyas (onion), and luy-a (ginger)," while plants which can
sustain from direct sunlight are "malunggay (moringa) and amargoso (bitter
gourd)," said Aleman.
Aleman also advised the group, before cooking vegetables especially if
sources were not determined and how it was grown, it shall be washed thoroughly
specially sayote (chayote), carrots, eggplant and other leafy vegetables to
remove possible pesticide residue, which is not good for human health.
In cleaning, Aleman clarified that it shall be dipped into the
water-vinegar solution or rinsed it with the baking soda solution. She further
mentioned that plants that were not much exposed to chemicals as they grow were
"pako (young fern), dabong (bamboo shoot), saluyot (jute), kulitis
(nettle) and moringa."
The group then agreed to adopt and practice this type of farming. In the
coming months, they will start growing plants, which seedlings shall be
provided by the MAO while monitoring will be conducted and rewards will be
provided to the best grower. (JPG/DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Feature: Claudy steps up for Brgy. Datu
By Russ Cleppin M. Paster
Claudy Loraine Orejas, a mother of five, has given her time for
volunteerism in their little community in Datu, Pilar, Surigao del Norte.
She was able to manage her time despite having a day job working as a
government employee, and volunteering – serving as Barangay Sub-Project
Management Team Chairperson. She shared that volunteering was never an easy job
for her.
“Sugod
pa gane gajud bagan mudili na gane tana ako na kay daghan ako trabaho.
Pagkahibayo nako na mud crab fattening ang proyekto, nasayangan ako ba na
balibaran nako so, ako tag-ingganyo ang mga tao kay dli man lagi mu attend nan
meeting, tag-ingganyo nako sila na mu-attend kay ang Kalahi-CIDSS kinahanglan
100 percent gajud ang attendance bisan ang isa ka bayay tag-isa ka
representante. Sunod kon jaoy mga seminar support ra ako pirmi gajud na dapat
muintra ang mga volunteers kay isa man jaon na dapat nila himuon para makuha
ang mud crab na project (At the start, I did
not want to engage with the implementation since I was busy.
But
when I learned that the proposed project was mud crab fattening, I changed my
mind and did not want to waste the opportunity, that is why I began encouraging
the people to participate, because Kalahi-CIDSS demands 100% participation – at
least one member per household. I also encouraged them to attend seminars
because it was required),” she said.
Claudy
was a bit shy during the interview – a typical characteristic for newbie
volunteers of the program. But through their exposure with Kalahi-CIDSS,
they have learned how to cope with their environment and use their voice to
encourage and empower others.
“Ang
empowerment bagan jaon na strengthen kaw kay ako sab medyo
may pagka-masipogon man sab ako jaon dili ako karajaw tig-storya. Pero mu
try gajud ako bisan dli ako mahibayo mu try gihapon para dili sab sila muhaod
magsipog-sipog (Before, I was shy and passive but
because of Kalahi-CIDSS I was empowered and strengthened. Even though sometimes
I doubt myself, I always try my best to participate so that other volunteers
might also be encouraged to be active,” she said.
Community
Driven-Development is one of the most effective community empowerment schemes
recognized by World Bank. It enables the people to address local problems with
the help of the government’s financial and technical support. This process is
being utilized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
through Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery
of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) to address the existing problems in the
communities. (DSWD-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
DOLE releases livelihood grant to Surigao
Norte coop
By Romelyn
B. Bactol
GIGAQUIT,
Surigao del Norte, July 19 - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
Surigao del Norte Provincial Office released recently a livelihood grant worth
Php775,200 to the local government unit (LGU) of Gigaquit for the enhancement
of chicken egg production of Cawayan Agra Farmers Cooperative (CAFACO).
Ronabeth
Bermudez CabaΓ±as, focal person of the DOLE's Integrated Livelihood and
Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP), handed over the livelihood check for the
project enhancement to the representative of Mayor Elvira A. Egay, Senior
Private Secretary Carlos M. Egay, together with the officers and members of
CAFACO and PESO Manager David Nueda.
CAFACO
chairperson Teresita A. Natad expressed her gratitude for the additional funds
provided by DOLE for their project.
“This
enhancement assistance is a big help for the farmers to increase production of
their products,” Natad said.
CAFACO
is already operating for about 22 years with 71 members.
The
first release for the project was in December 2012 amounting to Php490,149.82
which was spent for raising 600 chicken and for the construction of brooder
house, poultry house and the stock room for the eggs.
The
said project brought them the award as the Best Livelihood Project in the
province of Surigao del Norte in which they became representative to the
regional level this 2018.
After
the search for the Best Livelihood Project last February, the officers and
members of CAFACO submitted a proposal to DOLE for the enhancement of their
project aiming to continually help the members and to provide indirect
employment to the people of Gigaquit, and to supply the increasing demand of
egg in the market.
Kabuhayan
Enhancement is the second component of the DILEEP which provides additional
capital to the existing livelihood undertakings such as the chicken egg
production of CAFACO to enable them to grow into viable and sustainable
business. (DOLE Caraga/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
NC-Talacogon
trains more biz operators on financial literacy
TALACOGON, Agusan del Sur, July 19 -- Another 40 business operators of
this municipality recently underwent a seminar on Financial Literacy.
This group, which is re engaged into food processing, fish
retailing and sari-sari store, has already been facilitated to access financing
for additional capital to their business.
Remy Coquilla, a retired teacher turned into a businesswoman, thanked
the organizers for the additional knowledge they gained on how to better manage
their business.
"Pasalamat ako kay dunay dugang inputs akong nakuha mahitungod sa
negosyo mihatag ni kanako ug dugang kahibalo mahitungod sa panginabuhian (I’m
so thankful for the additional knowledge that I gained on how to better manage
a business and this will help me with my livelihood)," Coquilla said.
She further encouraged her co-participants to save from their earnings,
"that we need to change from what we were used to: we saved when all our
expenses were paid which most of the time nothing was left."
"With this new learning, let us try to apply it. This is for our
advantage, get a percentage from our income for our savings then the rest will
be used for our daily requirements," Coquilla added.
NC Talacogon will also schedule same training to beneficiaries of
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and Indigenous Peoples this coming
July 25, 2018. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/ PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Ayon naman kay Lordelie Enjambre, acting chief ng Mindanao Development
Authority (MinDA) AMO-NEM, ang isinagawang summit at workshop ay hindi lamang
pagkakataon ng pagbabahagi ng best practices kundi magbibigay daan ito tungo sa
adoption ng Agusan River master plan na sinimulan noon pang 2003.
(VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Tagalog News: Caraganons, nagkaisa para sa pangangalaga sa Agusan River
Basin
Ni Venus L. Garcia
LUNGSOD
NG BUTUAN, Hulyo 19 (PIA) - Ang banta ng climate change, siltation,
domestic waste, lumalalang biodiversity, krisis sa tubig at hindi angkop na kalidad
nito ay ilan lamang sa mga dahilan kung kaya nakilahok ang mga lokal na opisyal
ng barangay at chief executives ng Butuan City at Agusan del Norte kasali ang
mga kinatawan ng iba’t ibang national government agencies at civil society
organizations sa isinagawang Lower Agusan River Basin (ARB) Summit kamakailan
dito sa lungsod ng Butuan.
Layunin
nitong palakasin ang kooperasyon ng iba't-ibang stakeholders na makilahok sa
itinatag na Lower ARB Council na siyang mangunguna sa pagtugon sa adhikain para
mapanitili ang balanseng ecosystem ng ilog batay na rin sa Agusan River
Basin master plan.
Sa 18
major river basins sa bansa kung saan walo nito ay matatagpuan sa pulo ng
Mindanao, ang ARB ay tinaguriang 3rd largest river basin sa Pilipinas na
nahahati sa upper, middle at lower ARB.
Hinimok
ni Fr. Carlito Clase, acting chairperson ng ARB governing board, ang bawat
Agusanon na palaganapin ang holistic approach upang maipanumbalik ang dating
kalagayan nito at mas lalo pang mapakinabangan ng komunidad ang economic at
environmental value nito.
Binigyang
diin naman ni Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga
regional director Felix Alicer ang pagbuo ng programa at polisiya na
magpapalakas sa adaptability, resource management practices at kahandaan
lalung-lalo na ng indigenous groups na naninirahan sa kalapit na lugar nito.
Nais
naman ni River Basin Control Office executive director Antonio DaΓ±o na bumuo ng
stratehiyang maghaharmonize sa lokal at rehiyonal na planong pangkaunlaran para
sa river basin.
