POPCOM-13 calls for preservation of Mt. Mayapay
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 11 (PIA) – As the Commission
on Population (POPCOM) Caraga continues to promote and intensify information,
education, and communication on Responsible Parenting, Family Planning, and
Adolescent Health and Youth Development in the communities, the commission is
also calling on the general public to take responsibility in the protection and
preservation of the Mount Mayapay, the world’s heritage.
In his interview over Power FM, Philippine
Information Agency’s (PIA) radio station in Butuan City, OIC Regional Director
Alex Makinano bared that as the population is increasing, the resources –
fiscal and manmade are also decreasing.
“The Commission on Population is also engaging
programs for climate change, environment, and for Mount Mayapay. We have to be
responsible enough. Trees are being cut in the mountains for building houses
and other purposes, and some are just passive, not thinking of the risks that
might affect people in the communities,” Makinano said.
Makinano also said that in partnership with PIA,
Samahang Magdalo and other sectors, we are able to influence people in the
grassroots to also join us in this move for a common cause. “Everybody is
directly accountable of what is happening in our environment right now,” he
added.
POPCOM-Caraga continues to advocate for the
protection and preservation of Mt. Mayapay along with their programs.
(JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Couples should have informed choice in family
planning, says POPCOM-13 chief
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 11 (PIA) – The Commission on
Population (POPCOM) Caraga through Officer-in-charge Alex Makinano bared that
the commission has continuously implement the Philippine Population Management
Program focusing on Responsible Parenting and Family Planning by providing
accurate and complete information to couples on their fertility needs.
“The government respects the right of the
couples to decide on the family size they plan to have, and the timing or
spacing according to their financial capabilities,” said Makinano.
Makinano added that the commission is also
conducting the Philippine Development Sessions to married couples in the
communities (puroks, barangays) to orient them on Responsible Parenthood and
Family Planning especially to women ageing 15-49 (reproductive age and capable
to bear a child).
"This is also for couples who want to limit
pregnancy. Their intention is there but the practice is absent. That's why we
have to provide them complete information and it's up to them to choose and
decide," he said.
It was also learned that 11 women are dying
everyday in the country due to pregnancy-related causes. "That's why we
have to intensify informed choice and volunteerism among couples especially the
women in the choice between artificial and natural family planning," he
said.
Makinano further said that in every session,
POPCOM is giving eight hours of counseling to couples in the communities.
As to the provision of contraceptives, Makinano
clarified that it is the Department of Health (DOH) that is to provide the
commodities like condoms, pills, among others while the commission’s main
responsibility is to intensify information, education, communication (IEC), and
motivation to married couples. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
AgSur, ADFi to showcase FarmASI to farmers
By David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Sep. 11 (PIA) -- The provincial
government here and the Foundation for the Development of Agusanons introduced
FarmASI at the provincial capitol compound to show that even with small piece
of land, farmers can produce more variety products with less farm inputs.
According to Dr. Rex Linao, Executive Director
of ADFI, FarmASI is a play on words as it could actually mean pharmacy, as the
farm to be developed will produce foods that are full of vitality, full of
life.
”As it was said in the olden times, let medicine
be your food, let food be your medicine, so the name FarmASI. But ASI in the
program name is also an acronym that refers to as Agricultural Sustainability
Interventions,” Linao said.
In front of the provincial capitol main
buildings, around five hectares of land are being farmed. At a glance, it looks
like a plain rice field but on closer inspection, it contains “palay-isdaan,”
palay-itlogan,” and a small field for initially seven goats.
Linao designed the canal that divide every block
of the rice field larger and deeper than the usual rice field canal to serve as
pool for tilapia during rainy season, and these are placed back to the pond
within the rice field on ordinary days. At the center of the rice field, there
is a small hut with nylon net extending some 50 meters on each side, that can
accommodate the egg-laying ducks.
On the other side of the road going to the
provincial capitol, another hut can be found that serves as the area for goats
that feed on naturally growing grass in some three hectares of land.
“The rice planted in the area are chemical free,
with organic fertilizer inputs. The Department of Agriculture evaluators will
be coming to evaluate and see for
themselves how we implement the FarmASI and the application of organic
fertilizer in our rice farming,” Linao said.
“ADFI also developed a Medicinal Herbs Garden
and Vegetable Garden using Biodynamic Technology at the back of the provincial
capitol. Around 90 kinds of medicinal herbs – with proven therapeutic
characters used by locals – were collected and propagated by ADFI. Vegetables
are also grown manned by the staff that underwent capacity development
training. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
DAR-13 inks contract with DAP, XSF for ARCCESS
monitoring
By Joie L. Ceballos
BUTUAN CITY, September 11 (PIA) - The Department
of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-Caraga Regional Office 13 signed on Tuesday a contract
between the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and Xavier Science
Foundation (XSF) for the process and progress monitoring of the extension
services providers under the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and
Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) Program.
The ARCCESS project is one of DAR’s Support
Services Direction for 2011 to 2014 aside from enhancing the convergence of the
rural development agencies such as Department of Agriculture and Department of
Environment and Natural Resources in partnership with local government units
and non-government organizations and strengthening linkages with public-private
partnership.
The contract signing was attended by DAR-13
regional director Faisar Mambuay, DAP sa Mindanao Manager Regina Fernandez and
XSF representative Sustenes Magallanes.
Mambuay said the signing is significant not only
as it kicks off the activities but because it actuates DAR's commitment to the
continuing delivery of quality service to the agrarian reform beneficiaries in
Caraga.
Fernandez and Magallanes both pledged to
undertake the necessary activities in the contract as commitment not only to
DAR but also to the ARBs involved as this is a core of their organizations.
Mambuay thanked both DAP and XSF for partnering
with DAR as it will ensure quality, timely and reliable output from the
extension services providers. (FEA/DAR-13/PIA-Caraga)
