NEWS BITS

Bangus price down to P30

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — A sudden oversupply of “bangus” or milkfish has dropped the price from P110 a kilo to as low as P30 per kilo at the Magsaysay Fish Market in this city late last week.

An estimated 100 tons of milkfish had to be harvested weekend from fishponds in the island villages of Pugaro, Bonuan, Boquig, and Salapingao and in Lucao, here, due to the threat of typhoon “Lando.”

Rain brought by the typhoon caused the overflowing of water from fish pens, necessitating the premature harvesting of milkfish.

A stream of boats carrying the haul could be seen from the Jose de Venecia Sr. Expressway Extension, enroute to the market.

“The trouble is, there’s no electricity, and no ice to freeze the milkfish. By afternoon, expect the price to drop even lower,” said Ed Maramba, president of a fishponds operators group.

There were other fishpond owners claiming there was a mild fishkill due to the sudden downpour Saturday afternoon that resulted in thermal shock of the fish in captivity. – Liezle BasaInigo

Pureforce leads Nueva Ecija relief efforts

The Pure Force Rescue Corp., assisted by the RahaSulayman Fire Rescue, staged relief operations in Nueva Ecija early last week.

Led by Jojo Soliman, Pure Force Rescue Corp CEO and rescue team leader of Oplan Nueva Ecija 1, the team airlifted goods, a result of the request of Gov. Aurelio Umali who asked assistance of Rosita Soliman Foundation and Pure Force Rescue to conduct air rescue operations.

The land team was led by Ronan Li, chief of Raha.

The team coordinated with OCD through Martin Aguda to link with the Office of Civil Defense through the office of Col. Saddang; and contacted Victor Del Rosario who allowed the team to use his rice mill compound as staging area. Helicopter operations were under by Dr. Ted Esguerra of Energy Development Corp Rescue.

Despite the rain and rough wind of around 14-16 knots, the team did one run to distribute the goods to highly prioritized areas.

CAR mayors, MHOs finish health leadership and governance program

BAGUIO CITY -- The  Department of Health  recently held graduation ceremony  for  local chief executives and municipal health officers of seven towns across the Cordillera region  who  finished  the  Municipal Leadership Governance Program.

The graduates included mayors and MHOs of  Sal-lapadan in Abra, Pudtol in Apayao, and Benguet  towns of  Buguias, Kapangan, Kibungan, Mankayan and Sablan.

The MLGP  is a health, leadership and governance program in towns to make local leaders become leaders in their respective localities. It is a one-year and a two-module health leadership and program for mayors and MHOs.

It is led by the DOH in partnership with the Zuellig Family Foundation, and the Benguet State University.

According to Dr. Amelita Pangilinan, DOH-CAR regional director,  the MLGP was piloted in the UNFPA -selected municipalities in the provinces of Mountain Province and Ifugao.  . These MLGP municipalities of  Sadanga, Bauko, Tadian, Sagada, Bontoc in Mt. Province, and Alfonso Lista, Hungduan and Aguinaldo in Ifugao  have completed  the program last July 2015.

Through the one-year MLGP, the mayors and MHOs are able to develop responsive health systems to address health challenges in their municipalities. Using the Municipal Health Systems Development roadmap, they are  able to confront issues affecting safe maternal delivery and infant births, Pangilinan said.

Part of the program is  the  colloquium, a venue where each Municipal Health Team presents the story of  its  MLGP journey for ten minutes wherein a panel evaluates the presentations.

The  marks comprise 20% of the MLGP grade in the certificate course.

Here mayors share their leadership journeys through a public narrative that highlights health challenges and leadership responses in improving municipal health system.

The panel discussants  in the event included  officials from the National Economic and Development Authority; DOH-CAR; ZFF, Department of Interior and Local Government, and BSU. -- Maria Aprila Cruz

Barangay aid package set for Pampanga barangays 

LUBAO, Pampanga – Gov. Lilia  Garcia-Pineda promised to extend P300,000 financial support to 86 barangays in the province with less than P1.5 million in annual Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA). Provincial board members led by Vice Governor Dennis Pineda also vowed to expedite the approval of the request of the provincial chief executive, which they said, is intended for community development.  The governor said all marginalized villages of the province will also be given communal public toilets with complete artesian wells, covered courts, and barangay hall with necessary supplies and equipment. -- Franco G. Regala

Mountain Province town gets tech boost from DOST

BAUKO, Mountain Province -- The livelihood of the people in this vegetable –producing  town got a boost with introduction of  projects from the Department of Science and Technology.

At barangay Monamon Sur, the St. Bede Mushroom and the Vegetable Growers Association composed of 39 women and a man,  are  benefitting  from a DOST, in partnership with municipal government of Bauko.

With funds from DOST, the association got technology upgrading through the acquisition of an autoclave and an inoculating machine.

The use of such equipment resulted to the reduction time in sterilizing the medium for the mushroom spawn and prevention of the contamination of the spawn and the fruiting bags.

It  increased  production opening  an opportunity for wider market and better income for the association members.

The Green Salad Farms of Lorenzo Calawa in Guisgisaan , Mount Data, is  a two-phase beneficiary of DOST’s SETUP or Small Enterprise Upgrading Program - first in 2010 under the horticulture sector,  and in 2014 for food processing.

The  farm  acquired complete green house facility with an area of 1,500 square meters, on top of other technology interventions and support which vastly improved  production that opened a wider market for the proprietor and also provided employment for local folks.

From the kilograms of Romaine Lettuce before the S&T interventions, the farms yield increased to 120,000 kg after the first year of implementation, then to almost 130,000 kilograms in the second and up to 144,000 kilograms after three years.

From the two main outlets that the farm  is supplying, it  has now  increased  to  five major outlets including DOLE Philippines, Live Green International and Mountaineering Trading.

The Ceramic Water Filter Production Center  of the  Bila Potters Association in barangay Bila,   is another SETUP project .

The group  got a P4.7 million funding assistance from DOST and LGU – Bauko  which is a whole package of support from the establishment of the center up to the equipment and technology interventions for the production of candle-type ceramic water filter that suits the design developed by DOST –STDI  given the local clay resources and the inherent talent of the people of Bila as clay potters.

The ceramic water filter will not only ensure access to potable water for the people of Bauko but will also open better livelihood opportunities as they will have assured market considering the need of potable water in various parts of the region.

Bauko Mayor Abraham Akilit, in an interview, bared  that he took the initiative to partner with DOST  given the importance of bringing in technology upgrading to the livelihood of the people in their municipality that  could  result  to lower production cost, increased productivity and more competitive products  that bring  better income.

The three local livelihood undertakings in Bauko were among the DOST projects  visited  by a team of DOST officials and personnel  and  media practitioners in the three- day of the Science Nation Tour in Cordillera on October 6-8.

Science Nation Tour  is a nationwide strategy of DOST that aims to bring science, technology and innovations down to community  level. Aside  from showcasing DOST projects, it  also aims to inspire, engage and convert people to be adoptors of S&T and innovations for sustainable development and inclusive growth. -- Carlito Dar

Dagupan fishkill alarms fishpond owners

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan – Fishpond owners here fear loses amounting to millions after large volumes of dead fish surfaced in mangroves and rivers in another case of fishkill in the city renowned for its bangus and seafood industries.

Edwardo Maramba, national president of the Philippine Association of Fish Producers Incorporated (PAFPI) said since the fishkill started, his loses have reached P1 million.

Araw araw po na may namamatay na high value fish kasama narin ang bangus at hanggang ngayon hindi pa po kumikilos ang ating lungsod maging ang city agriculturist,(Everyday, high-value fish, including bangus are dyimg but up to now, the city government and city agriculturist is not doing anything to address the problem) Maramba lamented.

“Ang sinasabi nila ay walang fishkill at hindi marumi ang tubig, anongdahilanbakitsaDagupanlangnagkakaroonng pagkamatay ng mga isda na halos isang buwan na, malaki na ang lugi namin (They say there is no fishkill and that the water is clean, but why is it that the fish are dying for thye past month in Dagupan? We have been sustained heavy loses already.) Marama added.

Maramba also considered that it could be the result of overfeeding fish in some fishpens or fish cages that resulted to the fishkill .

Affected by the problem are Bonuan Boquig, Bonuan Gueset, Pantal, Pugaro, Lomboy,Salapingao, Carael and other barangays in Dagupan City.

Meanwhile, Councilor Joey Tamayo yesterday said the problem is very alarming and should be investigated by the city council.

“If the BFAR in coordination with the local aquaculture admin doesn’t do anything about this , losses in terms of capital and labor shall continue and shall happen over and over again to the damage and prejudice of the Dagupan bangus industry,” he said. -- LiezleBasaInigo

150 Ifugao b’gay tanods finish special basic military training

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- One hundred  fifty village watchmen from the municipalities of Lamut, Hungduan,   Hingyon and this capital town  completed  Special Basic Military Training (SBCMT) on peace keeping, environmental and disaster management.

This training organized by   Board Member Robert Mangyao, committee chairman on peace and order was  facilitated by military personnel from the 2RCDG, AresCom Camp Melchor F. Del Cruz, Echague, Isabela. 

Among topics were basic military subjects, environmental protection, disaster management and response, first aid and basic life support.

The tanods will assist Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council in disaster plan formulation and implementation, identifying evacuation areas in the event of disaster and assist barangay officials in crime prevention and promotion of public safety.

They will also help police  and Lupong Tagapamayapa in  the serving of warrants and other judicial processes and the ‘Doctors to the Barrio’ and barangay health workers in the implementation of health programs. -- Marcelo B. Lihgawon

DA recognizes 2 Benguet farms for good agriculture practices

TUBLAY, Benguet -- Two farms in this vegetable producing town  were recently recognized by the  Department of Agriculture Cordillera office  for good agricultural practices (GAP).

Issued   GAP certifications were La Faustino Farm owned by Rebecca and Lolito Faustino of Barangay Ambassador for their lettuce, broccoli, and sweet pepper produce,  and Cojoran Farm owned by Concepcion and Jeffrey Sotero of Barangay Daclan  for their cucumber, lettuce, soya, tomato, and bitter gourd.

The GAP Certificates were signed by Agriculture Sec. Proceso Alcala and issued by the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS). These are valid until March 2, 2016. 

Assistant  DA Regional Director Danilo  Daguio commended the farm owners for their accomplishment and dedication  for  meeting quality standards.

‘We are happy for farmers’ achievement  that they applied what they learned when  they  attended the many seminars and trainings we conducted’, Daguio said.

Lolito Faustino is encouraging  his fellow farmers to get assistance  from the DA and religiously  follow  proper farming  to eventually achieve GAP.  

Mayor Ruben Paoad urged farmers in the municipality to go for good agricultural practice in order have quality yield in their produce.

GAP as defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization are "practices that address environmental, economic and social sustainability for on-farm processes, and result in safe and quality food and non-food agricultural products."  -- Joseph Zambrano

San Juan is Abra’s lone  SGLG  awardee

BANGUED, Abra --  The municipality of San Juan reached  a    new milestone   having  passed the  2015 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), and the only  awardee  among the 27 municipalities in Abra.

San Juan Mayor Marco M.  Bautista expressed thanks when Director Millicent B. Carino of the Department of Interior and Local Government informed him of the good news.

Bautista said the local government unit values very much the award because this is a manifestation of the good quality of service they render to the people.

“Said award gives the LGU officials and employees an opportunity to exemplify the idealism of the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo who initiated the original Seal of Good Housekeeping Award to the LGUs for more dedicated public service”, Bautista emphasized.

He urged them to work with utmost accountability and transparency or the full disclosure policy and to improve their public service delivery system.

With the award is a P3 million incentive for development projects of the LGU. -- Josa Mai Ramirez-Lacsina

DTI-Kalinga turns over heirloom rice equipment 

PASIL, Kalinga-- The  Uno yPasil Terraces Association (UPTA) of this town is the latest  recipients  of the Department of Trade and Industry’s  Shared Service Facilities(SSF) Project.

DTI-Kalinga head Grace Baluyan turned over to the group  the equipment package consisting  of  one customized rice mill for heirloom rice, hermetic storage, grain moisture meter, bag closer machine, rice grinder with stand and heavy duty plastic pallets costing P513,600.

The turnover was witnessed by local officials and community leaders of Pasil municipality as cooperator under the SSFP. 

This was the  fifth  equipment package granted by DTI-Kalinga under the program this year, Aurora Sanet of DTI-Kalinga said.

Rowena Gunnay, UPTA president,  said the aid would further scale-up product quality and boost  their Unoy rice production.  --- Larry T. Lopez

DSWD  invites couples, to  foster care program

BAGUIO CITY-- The Department of Social Welfare and Development urged more couples or individuals to join its foster parenting program so more neglected children would be provided with love and care of a family and opportunities for growth and development.

Metzi B. Aglayen of the Adoption Resource and Referral Section (ARRS) of DSWD-Cordillera   said  Republic  Act No. 10165  or the Foster Care Act of 2012 , strengthens  foster care  as a   nurturing alternative parental care for abandoned, neglected, orphaned children and other children with special needs.

Accordingly, the  State recognizes that in most cases, a child will benefit more from foster care than institutional care.

Foster care refers to temporary substitute parental care to a child by a foster parent who is duly licensed by the DSWD to provide foster care, Aglayen said.

She said applicants for foster care must be of legal age, at least 16 years older than the child unless the foster parent is a relative; must have a genuine interest, capacity and commitment in parenting  and is able to provide a familial atmosphere for the child;  must have  a healthy and harmonious relationship with each family member living with him or her;  of good moral character;  physically and mentally capable and emotionally mature, among others.

Children who are eligible for foster placement include the following: children under the custody of DSWD or any child placement agency and are not yet legally free for adoption, but need individual attention in a family setting; abandoned by parents in hospitals or other places or with relative who are not qualified or in capable to care for them; those awaiting adoptive placement/child with disrupted adoption; and those who need special care and protection due to sexual or physical abuse, among others.

According to  Aglayen, social workers conduct assessment to all applicants on foster care through home study to have a detailed character background and to check their suitability to act as foster parents  before issuing a license.

A foster parent can only have a maximum of three foster children, Foster parents can avail of additional tax exemption of P25,000 depending on the length of foster caring,  she informed. 

She added that a foster child is  entitled to a cash subsidy from the DSWD. The said child is automatically a PhilHealth beneficiary and is entitled to health insurance benefits.

The foster parent may also  receive  cash subsidy depending on the assessment of the social worker.

For more information about said program, interested individuals can contact the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office – Cordillera Administrative Region, 40 North Drive, 2600 Baguio City particularly the Adoption Resource and Referral Section (ARRS) with Telephone Nos .(6374)444-8129/444-3638/444-3262, Telefax (6374)442-7917/304-3949 or E-mail:  dswdcar_arrs@yahoo.com, Website:  http://www.car.dswd.gov.ph/ .-- Maria Aprila Cruz