DAR scales up abaca enterprise in Agusan Norte
By Nora L. Molde/Gil E. Miranda
BUTUAN
CITY, Aug. 7 - Some 427 abaca farmers in far-flung communities in Agusan del
Norte are set to expand their abaca farms to boost local production of abaca
fiber through the abaca value chain project under Project ConVERGE (Convergence
on Value Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment), implemented by
the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) of Agusan del Norte.
The
project ConVERGE supports in scaling up the abaca value chain enterprise of San
Isidro Upland Multipurpose Cooperative (SIUFMULCO) as the lead proponent group
of 21 participating groups consisting of 2,035 members; of which 460 (24
percent) are Indigenous Peoples (IPs) living across the four municipalities of
Tubay, Jabonga, Kitcharao and Santiago (TUJAKITSAN Cluster) in Agusan del
Norte.
Provincial
Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PAPRO) II Andre B. Atega urged the local
farmers and Indigenous Peoples (IPs) engaged in abaca value chain to produce
quality fiber in order to compete with the market standard that will result to
increased household income.
Under
the integrated enterprise enhancement for abaca value chain, the projects have
released around PhP55.6-million since it was launched in 2016, which composed
of capability enhancement trainings; 12 units stripping machines; one unit
10-wheeler hauling truck; and planting materials and inputs covering 383
hectares distributed to at least 10 farmer-groups comprising 427 beneficiaries.
Project
ConVERGE Coordinator Annelyn Chan said that from the PhP55-million budget, 43
percent or PhP23.5-million is still in the pipeline to be implemented within
2018. This included the proposed Phase I, which entailed the
1.6667-km. farm-to-market road from NRJ Poblacion 2 to Sitio
Cadahon-dahonan in Santiago.
SIUFMULCO
Manager Leonora Mila admitted that for several years, the cooperative had
experienced downfall of abaca production, due to widespread diseases and lack
of adequate skill on farm management.
"Presently,
the demand of abaca has been increasing. We are now delivering an average
production of 200 metric tons per month. We are projected to double into a
compounded annual growth rate of around five percent in the next five
years," Mila said.
"We
are very grateful through the support of DAR under Project ConVERGE and
complementation efforts of various stakeholders. The farmers could slowly fill
the gap on the abaca fiber supply shortage in the province,” Mila further
added. (DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Surigao del Norte solon wants broadcast media to devote airtime for PSAs
SURIGAO
CITY, Surigao del Norte, Aug. 7 (PIA) – Surigao del Norte Second District
Representative Robert Ace Barbers wants broadcast media to devote 20 minutes of
regular airtime a day for Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to inform the
people of social issues such as drug abuse and prevention and emergency
preparedness, which directly affect everyone.
In
his House Bill 7981, Barbers said media should help in educating the public on
welfare rights and benefits, environmental issues, education, suicide
prevention, and voter and civic education.
The
public should also be made aware of policies and laws, road and traffic rules,
physical and mental health, government processes, disaster preparedness and
public safety through PSAs.
“Public
service announcements are effective ways to generate public awareness on
critical issues and in the end, promote behavioral change,” said Barbers, chair
of the House of Representatives’ committee on dangerous drugs.
“If
done correctly, PSAs may foster an informed discourse among community members
on societal problems,” he added.
Barbers
said laws that grant broadcasting companies the franchise to construct,
install, operate and maintain television and radio broadcasting stations in the
country mandate them to allow sufficient time for public service.
“The
problem is the franchise given to media companies doesn’t stipulate a preset
number of hours, and the truth is, these companies seldom comply with their
mandate,” Barbers said.
“To
whom much is given, much is expected,” he stressed.
Under
the measure, a 30-second PSA shall be aired before the primetime news of all
television and radio stations.
Barbers
said the PSAs shall be non-commercial, non-denominational, and non-political
and may be changed every six months to cover a wide array of social issues.
(SDR/2nd District Congressional Office/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
