DA-13 holds ‘Usapang Palay’ Forum for Surigao
farmers, stakeholders
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Feb 1 (PIA) --The Department of
Agriculture–Regional Field Unit 13 (DA-13) in coordination with the Surigao del
Norte Provincial Agriculture Office and partner agencies conducted a Forum
dubbed “Usapang Palay” on January 31, 2013 at Mount Bagarabon Beach and
Mountain Resort, Brgy. Mabua, this city.
The activity is line with the Proclamation No.
494 signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III declaring the year 2013 as the
National Year of Rice, said Rebecca Atega, officer-in-charge of Regional
Information and Agriculture Information Division.
She also said the activity aims to disseminate
information on the rice program of the Department of Agriculture, including
technology updates to farmers to keep them abreast of the government's effort
and to boost their enthusiasm to learn the best farming practices in order to
achieve higher yield on rice production that would drive towards the attainment
of goals and objectives under the department’s flagship program- Food Staple
Sufficiency Program.
Meanwhile, Asst. Provincial Agriculturist Ma.
Rebecca Bagnol and Surigao City Agriculturist Isaias Elumba gave their welcome
remarks, while Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Training Specialist Samuel
Calonzo discussed ATI updates and PHILRICE Science Research Specialist Dr.
Gerardo Estoy discussed the overview of PHILRICE and its latest technology on
rice production.
Among the issues raised by the farmers during
the forum were the problem on land conversion, irrigation, rice seed
subsidy/financial support, and post-harvest market. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
PS Mark on Motorcycle Helmets
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 1 (PIA) – The Bureau of
Product Standards (BPS) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has
certified seven brands of motorcycle helmets bearing the PS Mark.
Philippine Standard Mark or PS Mark is a mark of
conformity appearing on a product. A helmet which bears a PS Mark signifies
proof of certification of conforming to quality and safety standards.
As of December 27, 2012, BPS issued an updated
list of DTI-Certified Brands of Motorcycle Helmets including HNJ, GDR, CARTING,
and ZEBRA bear PS Marks if it came from Foshan City Nanhai Yonghang Helmet
Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
However, these brands bear ICC Marks if it came
from Reachable Enterprises (GDR) or Richflow Trading (ZEBRA, Carting, GDR,
HNJ). So these brands can bear either an ICC or PS mark. The brand SPEED was
not issued an ICC Mark as of December 27, 2012. (DTI-13/PIA-Caraga)
100 high school studes join peace symposium
By 1LT. Stephen Basco
SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Feb. 1 -- Around 100 junior
and sophomore high school students participated in the peace symposium
conducted recently in Payapag National High School, Barangay Payapag, Bacuag,
this province.
The peace symposium was spearheaded by members
of the speakers bureau of the 30th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.
The symposium focused on the responsibilities of
the youth in carrying out the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP),
“Bayanihan,” and youth development of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Members of the speaker's bureau invited the
sophomores and juniors interested to become cadets of the Philippine Military
Acedemy in Baguio City to take the Philippine Military Academy’s Entrance
Examination scheduled on August 25 at designated testing sites in Butuan City.
(SDR/30IB-PA/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Butuan LGU to sign MOA for the protection of
watershed
By Junesther Jean S. Iway and Eldie N. David
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 31 (PIA) -- To implement the
Butuan City Watershed Code, the Sangguniang Panlungsod has approved a
resolution authorizing the Butuan City Watershed Management Council to enter
into a memorandum of agreement with the EnterpriseWorks Worldwide/Philippines
Inc. (EWW/P) to prepare the operational framework for the Code. The agreement
will put emphasis on biodiversity conservation and enterprise development
activities of local communities within the watershed areas.
EnterpriseWorks Worldwide/Philippines Inc.
(EWW/P) is a registered Non-Government Organization that implements the project
“Biodiversity Conservation through Management of Natural Resources (BCMNR)”
whose overall goal is to develop natural resource-based enterprises in order to
combat poverty and at the same time conserve and protect natural resources and
biodiversity. As stated in the MOA, it will harmonize the biodiversity
conservation and natural resource management approaches thereby avoiding
redundancy in project implementation and increases beneficial impacts to the
environment and the communities.
In this agreement, the Government, for their
part, undertakes to allocate funds for the implementation of activities such as
activities on the preparation of the Integrated Watershed Ecosystem Management
Plan, skills training, enterprise development and other watershed
rehabilitation and development activities.
The government shall also provide assistance in
obtaining information necessary for the effective implementation of the Code
and will provide assistance in the formulation of rules and regulations and
applicable natural resources and environmental management laws. And lastly, it
shall ensure the engagement and effective participation of the local
stakeholders.
On the other hand, the EnterpriseWorks
Worldwide/Philippines Inc., will develop training design, instructional manual
appropriate for LGU, the people’s organization, identified by the City
Government, and shall conduct training needs assessment for those who will be
involved in the accomplishment of this agreement as well as hands-on training,
workshops, seminars and consultative meetings for the improved management of
the watershed areas.
The EEW/P shall also provide technical
assistance will extend reasonable financial support for the said activities.
According to Vice Mayor Law Fortun with the
upcoming signing of the MOA it will be a positive move to jumpstart the
implementation of the Watershed code which was recently launched. “With the
technical expertise and assistance of the private sector stakeholders in
protecting our Watershed, this will definitely hasten the crafting of the
Comprehensive Framework Plan for the management, conservation, protection and
rehabilitation of our environment particularly our sub-watersheds,” Fortun
said. (NCLM/Butuan City Vice Mayor’s Office/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Cebuano news: Pangulong Aquino giila ang
kontribusyon sa NEDA ngadto sa kalamboan sa nasod
Ni Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Feb 1 (PIA) -- Giila ni Pangulong
Aquino ang mga kontribusyon sa National Economic and Development Authority
(NEDA) sa paglambo sa nasod kagahapon atol sa selebrasyon niini sa ilang
ika-40th nga anibersaryo.
Ang Pangulo namahayag nga ang ekonomiya sa
Pilipinas nagadako ug samtang kini gadako, ang NEDA kinahanglan usab nga
maningkamot pa og dugang aron makab-ot ang sustenableng pagdako alang sa
katawhang Filipino.
Ug aron kini makab-ot iyang giawhag ang NEDA
uban ang gobyerno nga kinahanglan ipadayon niini ang mga paningkamot nga
mahimong patas ang tanan, tangtangon ang korupsyon, patas-an ang kalidad sa
nasod ngadto sa global market.
Matud pa niya nga ang gobyerno usab magpadayon
pagsuporta sa human capital pinaagi sa edukasyon, maayong panglawas, ug social
services nga maoy makatabang paglambo.
Iya usab gipasalamatan si kanhi Secretary
Cayetano Paderanga ug kasamtangang Secretary Arsenio Balisacan tungod sa
dedikasyon niini aron ang NEDA mahimong maayo. (RER/SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
