College students to participate in ASEAN campus
forum in Butuan
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, May 9 (PIA) – College students from
various schools and universities here are set to participate in the ASEAN
campus forum on May 11, 2017 at the Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU)
CBE-Function Hall, this city.
As the lead agency, PIA Caraga regional director
Abner Caga said that the topics that will be discussed in the said forum
include Philippine chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) 2017, overview of ASEAN, positive impact of the ASEAN and how this
opens opportunities for all Filipinos.
“Additional talking points are Pre-employment,
Employment, Wage from the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board;
HIV/AIDS and Teenage Pregnancy from the Department of Health; and Regional
Development Plan from the National Economic and Development Authority,” bared
Caga.
Caga added that PIA Director General Harold Clavite
and Deputy Director General Gregorio Angelo Villar will personally grace the
event, together with other distinguished guest speakers.
“It is hoped that as we work together using the
awareness on how Filipinos can participate in and benefit from the programs,
policies and services of the government and the ASEAN, we can best define our
roles in pursuing the goals for sustainable development,” Caga expressed.
The 2017 ASEAN is anchored on the theme “Partnering
for Change, Engaging the World.” (JPG/VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Mutant Adlai as alternative staple food crop for
Filipinos
BUTUAN CITY, May 9 - Agriculture research
specialists from the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear
Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) continue to improve its mutant varieties of
Adlai or Job’s Tears, an alternative source of food to its better-known cousin
crops such as rice and corn.
Adlai is twice as rich in protein as rice, and is
known among indigenous communities throughout Asia as a source of flour,
coffee, tea, wine, beer and vinegar, among other products. It has anti-tumor
and other medicinal properties which can help mitigate the symptoms of
allergies, and diabetes. Moreover, Adlai is also known for its resilience
against extreme conditions brought about by climate change.
PNRI researchers are currently breeding mutant
crops of the Ginampay variety of Adlai. The putative mutants are already in the
fifth generation. After irradiating the seeds with doses of 100 to 200 gray
(Gy), they are planted and grown for further observation. The Adlai crops are
to be developed up to the eight generations to complete the mutation breeding
process. The experimental crops matured up to 28 days earlier than the
unirradiated variety, while also being 17-24 percent shorter.
Using gamma radiation, PNRI has been working since
2013 to improve the agronomic traits of Adlai by making mutant varieties that
yield more grain and mature earlier, while also having shorter heights to make
the crops more resistant to lodging during typhoons.
Aside from developing mutant varieties, PNRI also
conducted studies to improve the fertilizer, soil nutrient and water management
practices for Adlai. The field experiments were done in partnership with the
Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) under an International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA) project on “Enhancing Productivity of Locally-Underused
Crops Through Dissemination of Mutated Germplasm and Evaluation on Soil,
Nutrient and Water Management Practices.”
These improvements will also complement the Food
Staples Sufficiency Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA), which
encourages the diversification of staple food crops beyond rice by increasing
production, ensuring market availability and lowering its prices.
(DOST-STII/PIA-Caraga)
Army condemns NPA violation of CARHRIHL in Surigao
Norte
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, May 9 - The Army’s
30th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army joins the local government officials,
the clergy, the civil society organizations and the peace advocates in strongly
condemning the violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human
Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) for the continuous use of land mines by the
New People’s Army (NPA).
In a report, the army troopers while responding to
extortion complaints from civilians encountered more or less seven communist
terrorists which resulted to the recovery of an improvised land mine planted
near Sitio Kauyangan, Brgy Camam-onan, Gigaquit, this province.
The said encounter happened Monday morning, May 8,
2017 which lasted for ten minutes that also led to recovery of other war
materials and foodstuffs.
"These communists have been there for a week
conducting extortion to poor masses despite of the conditions of President
Duterte to Stop NPA extortions before the resumption of Peace Talks. We also
received reports that this group is conducting recruitment to minors on the
said barangay," said 30IB Civil Military Operations Officer 2Lt Jonel Castillo.
It can be recalled that President Duterte set
conditions which include the cessation of extortion activities conducted by the
NPA rebels before the resumption of Peace Talks last March of this year.
"It is clear that these communists do not want
peace for the communities. They continue conducting extortion to poor people,
harassing communities and recruiting minors to join their group," said
30IB Commanding Officer Col. Rico Amaro.
"It is also a violation of the NPAs on the
Comprehensive Agreement on Respect to Human Rights and International
Humanitarian Law (CARHIHL) regarding the use of land mines," Amaro added.
(30IB, Philippine Army/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
PSA to host 10th national confab for solemnizing
officers
BUTUAN CITY, May 9 - The Philippine Statistics
Authority (PSA) under the leadership of the National Statistician and Civil
Registrar General Dr. Lisa Grace S. Bersales, organized a nationwide convention
for the Solemnizing Officers to be held on May 23-25, 2017 at the Atrium Hotel,
Limketkai Mall, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City.
Priests, pastors, imams and other solemnizing
officers from various religious sects and denominations, city/municipal mayors,
members of the judiciary, law students, local civil registrars from all over
the country are invited and will converge during the 10th National Convention
of Solemnizing Officers.
The three-day event will include paper
presentations on updates on marriage laws and registration procedures and
sharing of experiences and best practices in the solemnization of marriages.
Dr. Bersales will cap the convention with the PSA’s future directions.
The theme of this year’s national convention is
“Pilipinong Rehistrado, Matatag na Kinabukasan ay Sigurado.” Said theme is in
line with the global celebration of the decade of Civil Registration and Vital
Statistics (CRVS), 2015 to 2024. (PSA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
News Feature: Wenifredo Maldo: Courage and
determination turns dream a reality
By Gil E. Miranda
“His leadership allows the farmers in Baleguian,
turning dreams of tomorrow into realities today!”
Wenifredo S. Maldo, 53 years old, is known to be a
man who always stood up for what he believes is right. His friends commonly
know him as “Bimbot,” whose passion in farming was a wonderful and rewarding
experience for him and his family.
Though they were lived with extreme economic
challenges, his family used to live in an old house made of wood, but in the
years passed they thrived well in a furnished single-level large concrete
structure, covered with galvanized sheet-iron roof.
Bimbot’s simple dream now becomes a reality because
two of his five sons are now registered seamen and employed in an international
vessel. His other two sons also graduated with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in
Agriculture and BS Elementary Education. The youngest is still in Grade VII.
He is an agrarian-beneficiary of 2.5 hectares
farmland in Baleguian, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte that is devoted to planting
rice. One-half hectare of his farmland then was inherited from his parents, and
the two hectares was registered under his name, both were acquired under the
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.
According to Bimbot, before his family acquired the
land, they had encountered harassment when the landowner ordered them to move
out, but because they stood up for their rights and fought to stay until the
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) awarded the land to them. His parents then
cultivated the one-half hectare and registered two-hectare under his name.
Everyday, Bimbot took off to his farm, bring a bolo
to remove weeds on the ground. Out of his cultivated 2.5 hectares, he managed
an additional eight hectares under an agreed leased rental agreement from his
neighbor’s farm land.
His rice-farming venture was so profitable that he
was able to buy his own Van, Isuzo Elf Truck, and a motorcycle. He purchased
farm implements that include five unit turtle power tiller with five units
machines and three units threshers.
He eventually increased his yield up to 50 percent
or an average of 80 cavans per hectare and sold at P17.50 per kilo, with a net
income of P855 thousand at two-cropping per year.
Other income came from farm implements he purchased
which gave him an additional earning of P79,200 from the five units turtle and
P58,318 from the three units thresher per year.
Bimbot was active in cooperative work and held the
Chairmanship of Baleguian Organic Farmers Irrigators Association (BOFIA) for
eight long years.
During his term, he made BOFIA holding an asset of
P40 million consisting of farm implements from Agrarian Reform Community
Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS), which provides an income
of more than P200,000 annually.
Also, he was the recipient of recognition from a
national leadership of Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP), a credit
program of DAR, Land Bank of the Philippines and the Department of Agriculture
for production capital to farmers.
Sometime in 1994, Bimbot was elected Barangay
Council up to the year 2000. He became a three-term Sangguniang Bayan member
from 2004 to 2013.
According to Bimbot, farmers in Baleguian dreamt of
additional irrigation facility for the expansion of 180 hectares rice lands now
came to reality when DAR constructed the P33.1 million irrigation project in
Baleguian, Jabonga.
“Irrigation facility was a great help, it will
bring major impact on the lives of the farmers in Jabonga,” Bimbot said.
The farmers are thankful for sharing his expertise,
and his vision to transform BOFIA to become rice dealer someday.
Today, he is now a living testimony of what CARP
did to his life and family, which is now a promise of a bright future.
“Everything happens because of my determination and
hard work,” said Bimbot. (DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Army provides support during school supplies
distribution in AgSur
TALACOGON, Agusan del Sur, May 9 - The 26th
Infantry (Ever Onward) Battalion of Philippine Army has provided support during
the distribution of school supplies to the different schools in the
municipalities of Lapaz, Veruela, San Luis and Talacogon, all of Agusan del
Sur.
Said activity was held recently in collaborattion
with the GMA Kapuso Foundation.
This project of GMA Kapuso Foundation dubbed as
“Unang Hakbang sa Kinabukasan” distributed 3,000 bags with writing materials
intended to the less privileged elementary school pupils in the calamity prone
areas in Agusan del Sur.
The distribution of school supplies in the area of
26th Infantry Battalion under 401st Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division
started on April 26, 2017 and April 28, 2017.
The said activity benefitted 3,000 incoming
kindergarten and grade one pupils of Veruela, Lapaz, San Luis and Talacogon
towns.
“The 26IB is always ready to help the communities.
One way of doing this is to actively support respectable organizations like GMA
Kapuso Foundation in its efforts to alleviate the sufferings of our needy
people and promote education among the children,” said 26IB commanding officer
LTC Rommel Pagayon. (26IB, Phil. Army/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
News
Feature: Iron fortified rice, a key to healthy lifestyle
There are many issues confronting health
development especially in areas where improper diet and food shortage occurs.
One of these issues is the rise of Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) and
malnutrition cases among children in the region. IDA is the shortage of red
blood cells (hemoglobin) in the body to meet the normal amount which is 120 mg
per liter. This occurs when the collected iron in the liver is already consumed
due to non-intake of iron-rich food in a period of time.
Rice remained as the staple food of Filipinos. A
study research conducted by Southeast Asian Regional Center (SEARCA)
commissioned by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PRRI) said that
Filipinos eat an average of 119 kg of rice annually in 2009 to 2010. This
indicates that rice plays a vital role to address health issues in the country
thus, this was prioritized in Research and Development Institutions (RDIs).
In line with this, RDIs have come up with several
studies to improve the production and health benefit of rice. For instance,
rice is being genetically modified in some research institutions in order to
produce new varieties, enhance its function, and production that can cater to
the demands of the population.
The emergence of Iron Rice Premix (IRP) and Iron
Fortified Rice (IFR) paved the way to address health and nutrition issues
plaguing the region. These are research- based products from the Food and
Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology
(FNRI-DOST) that aimed to slash the rise of anemia and malnutrition cases in
the community. IFR is a blend of well-milled rice and mineral iron in rice
kernel form.
Importance of IFR in the body
IFR is the only type of rice blended with iron.
Iron is one of the most important minerals in the body. As cited from the
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the significant function of iron is to
carry oxygen in the hemoglobin or red blood cells throughout the body so cells
can produce energy. Thus, it enhances body strength, activates brain performance,
and boosts body resistance against sickness. Iron also helps eliminate carbon
dioxide from the body.
Further, the recommended level of iron in the body
is classified by gender and age. Males aging from 14 to 18 are recommended with
11 mg, and aged 19 and above must have 8 mg daily intake. The daily intakes for
females aged 14 to 18, 19 to 50, and 51 and above must have 15 mg, 18 mg, and 8
mg, respectively. This indicates that females need more iron than males.
The daily intake of IFR contributes in many ways
especially to pregnant and breastfeeding women. Thus, the DOST 1 is
continuously promoting this technology to its target firms for production and
diffusion to the grassroots.
The DOST’s Iron Rice Premix (IRP) and Iron
Fortified Rice (IFR) is in line with the Philippine Food Fortification Act of
2000 (R.A. 8976), an act that protects and promotes the right of health for the
people and instills health awareness among them.
IFR is being adopted by several firms in the region
through the DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) under
the leadership of Director Armando Q. Ganal. One of its successful adoptor is
the Nutridense Food Manufacturing Corporation in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan owned
by Racky D. Doctor.
The company continues to expand its production on
IFR through a partnership with other government agencies. Aside from IFR, it
has also adopted other FNRI- DOST developed food technologies namely, Rice-
Monggo (RIMO) curls, and Rice-Monggo Instant Baby Food blend. These developed
food technologies are available in schools, relief areas and the public.
(DOST/PIA-Caraga)
Butuan cops ready for Balangay Festival 2017
BUTUAN CITY, May 9 - Security measures are in place
to ensure peaceful and secured Balangay Festival 2017 that will be held in the
city on May 10-19, 2017, Caraga Police director Chief Supt Rolando Felix said.
A total of 200 cops will be deployed to the
Balangay Festival aside from the troops from the Philippine Army and force
multipliers to support the security operations.
The Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the
Philippines, Local Government Units, other government agencies, and private
sectors will collaborate to make this event successful.
“Making this
Balangay celebration peaceful and orderly is our contribution to boost the
tourism in Butuan City and attract more investors from different parts of the
world,” Felix affirmed.
He also appealed to the citizens to immediately
report to the police suspicious activities in the area and to approach the
nearest police assistance desks for any concern of peace and order.
The upcoming Balangay Festival 2017 will showcase
the “Butuan Brand” introducing the city of Butuan as the Philippine’s prime
tourist and investment destination with colorful Balangay float parade. (PNP-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
