DAR conducts basic cooperative training to AgNor
ARBs
By Gil E. Miranda
BUTUAN CITY, May 7 (PIA) - The Department of
Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Agusan del Norte conducted a two-day seminar on Basic
Cooperative Course 34 Agrarian Reform Beneficiary (ARB) members of farmers’
cooperatives and associations held recently at Barangay Dulag, here.
The seminar was held through the effort of the DAR
Agusan del Norte led by Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Andre B.
Atega, CESO V, in partnership with Propegemus Foundation, Inc. (PFI).
Among the participants who attended the training
are members of the DAR assisted organizations that includes Manila De Bugabus
Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MDBMPC); Dulag Organic Farmers (DOF); Dulag Dairy
Cow Farmers Association (DDCFA); Dulag Women’s Association and Barangay Dulag
Organic Farmers Association Inc (BDOFAI).
The activity was aimed to capacitate the ARBs on
the fundamental of cooperativism, identify the importance of legal
underpinnings of a cooperative and explain the plans, programs and policies of
the cooperative.
According to BDOFAI Chairman Lorenzo Salar, Jr.,
majority of the participants are satisfied with the results of the topic
discussed during the training.
“Na challenge ko sa kabag-ohan sa mga topiko.
Nagpasalamat ko sa facilitator nga ilang
napasabot sa amo ang topiko hinungdang nga nadugangan ang among kahibalo
sa kooperatiba (I was challenged from the new kind of topics. I am thankful to
the facilitator for we learned something from this training)," Salar said.
During the seminar, Arnold L. Tapere, PFI
Executive Director and one of the speakers discussed to the participants the
history of the cooperative and its principles.
“The DAR and in partnership with the PFI intend to
empower the ARBs and strengthen their organizations,” he said. (DAR-Agusan del
Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
DAR AgSur launches project, gives financial
assistance
By Cyrene Tajonera and Rechel Besonia
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, May 7 (PIA) - The Department
of Agrarian Reform recently launched the Village Level Processing Center
Enhancement Project (VLPCEP) and signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
held at DAR Conference Hall, San Francisco, this province for the RAM Agrarian
Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (RARBEMPCO) as the project
beneficiary.
Said project was designed to enhance the existing
processing center with development support initiative for ARB cooperatives,
improve their capability to produce quality processed products including
services to its members. Further, it helps develop market- competitive Agrarian
Reform Beneficiaries Organization (ARBO) products and enrich enterprise and
livelihood activities at the community level in the selected agrarian reform
areas.
The RARBEMPCO at Barangay Sta. Cruz, Rosario,
Agusan del Sur is fortunate to be able to avail the said project. The coop
engages in kaong vinegar production because of its wide production of sweet
palms. Though they have an existing processing center, their financial
capability is not sufficient to cover the expenses to enhance the building and
acquire the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) License to operate which is
necessary in promoting the reliability of the product’s safety for the
consumers. Hence, the department provides technical and financial assistance
amounting to P500, 000.00. 70 % which will be used to cover the expenses of the
processing center enhancement while 30% will be used in the processing of FDA-
LTO and trainings.
The said launching was attended by Department of
Trade and Industry OIC Provincial Director Brenda Corvera; OIC Provincial
Agrarian Reform Program Officer I (PARPO I) Allan N. Mundala; Municipal
Agrarian Reform Program Officer (MARPO) Evita R. Puerin; Agrarian Reform Program
Officer II (ARPO II) Corine Munion; RAM Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries
Multi-Purpose Cooperative (RARBEMPCO) Manager Juel Jayuma and other
representatives from line agencies.
“Ako nagpasalamt ug dako sa atong ahensya sa DAR
nga pinaagi ani nga proyekto kami matabangan aron molambo ang among produkto.
Dako kaayo nga garbo sa among kooperatiba nga maila ang among produkto dili
lang sa among probinsya kundi lakip sa ubang mga lugar. Among paningkamotan nga
mamahimong successful kining mao nga proyekto pinaagi sa among kakugi (I am
thankful to the DAR for giving us this rare opportunity to enhance our
processing center and eventually improve our product. It is our pride to be
known for the quality of our product not just in our province but hopefully to
other places as well. We will give our full commitment in making the project
successful through hard work),” said Jayuma on his message of commitment. (DAR-Agusan
del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
News Feature: More Pinoy babies breastfed in an
hour after birth
By Mildred O. Guirindola
Early initiation of breastfeeding is one of the
core indicators of optimal feeding practices. It is the proportion of children
aged 0-24 months who are breastfed immediately or within one hour after
delivery over the total number of 0-24 months old children born on the same
period.
Breastfeeding within one hour after birth
establishes breastfeeding and ensures that the child will receive its first
“protection” from the immunoglobulins found in “colostrum”- the first form of
milk produced by the mother’s breast.
It also protects the child from infectious and
chronic diseases and promotes cognitive development. It also establishes
mother-baby bonding and boosts the confidence of the mother to breastfeed.
A significant increase in the proportion of timely
breastfeeding initiation was noted from 51.9% in 2011 to 77.1% in 2013,
according to nutrition surveys by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of
the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST).
This may be partly due to the strengthened
implementation of the Mother-Baby Friendly Hospital Initiatives (MBFHI) in both
public and private hospitals and clinics.
The MBFHI facilities follow the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding
Statements published by the World Health Organization as follows:
Every facility providing maternity services and
care for newborn infants should:
- Have
a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health
care staff.
-
Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this
policy.
-
Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of
breastfeeding.
- Help
mothers initiate breastfeeding within half an hour of birth.
- Show
mothers how to breastfeed, and how to maintain lactation even if they should be
separated from their infants.
- Give
newborn infants no food or drink other than breast milk, unless medically
indicated.
-
Practise rooming-in - that is, allow mothers and infants to remain
together - 24 hours a day.
-
Encourage breastfeeding on demand.
- Give
no artificial teats or pacifiers (also called dummies or soothers) to
breastfeeding infants.
-
Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer
mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic.
How the child was taken cared of at birth and how
the baby was fed in particular, ultimately impact on health and survival.
Let us make breastfeeding the default feeding
among infants and young children by ensuring that all newborn infants are initiated
to breastfeeding within one hour of life.
For more information on food and nutrition,
contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana,
Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and
Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Telephone/ Fax Nos:
837-2934 or 837-3164; Direct Line:839-1839; DOST Trunk Line: 837-2071-82 local
2296 or 2284; e-mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or at mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST
website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph.
Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/FNRI.DOST or follow our Twitter
account at twitter.com/FNRI_DOST. (FNRI-DOST S&T Media Service/PIA-Caraga)
