Damages that results to hunger

NDRRMC: 'Crising' caused over P11M damage to agriculture in Mindanao

At least P11.24 million in agriculture was destroyed due to Tropical Depression Crising, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Saturday.

In its 6:00 a.m. update, the NDRRMC based its initial figures on damage to agriculture from Asuncion town in Davao del Norte province.

The damage of P11,241,800 included P10,087,300 in rice; P444,500 in corn; and P710,000 in vegetables.

The NDRRMC also said Crising has so far affected 51,458 families or 261,570 people in 189 villages in Regions 4-B, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Of these, 7,460 families or 33,849 people are staying in 47 evacuation centers.

The death toll remained at four, with two still missing. - VVP, GMA News


Reaction:

I was truly disappointed by this news because this kind of event can affect the daily livelihood of the fishermen, farmers and the other people who benefit from their products. According to the Department of Agrarian Reform, Droughts and Cyclones have many negative impacts on the agricultural sector including: reducing crop yields by burial of seedlings under sand deposits, the loss of plant tissue and reduced photosynthetic activity as a result of sandblasting, delaying plant development, increasing end-of-season drought risk, causing injury and reduced productivity of livestock, increasing soil erosion and accelerating the process of land degradation and desertification, filling up irrigation canals with sediments, covering transportation routes, affecting water quality of rivers and streams, and affecting air quality.  

I hope our local government can solve this kind of situation and the farmers can go back to its feet again. Although, I know this movement requires a lot of time. In case that the government doesn't fix this issue there will be a shortage  of rice, corn and other agri-based products that other people rely on. The Industrial Sectors couldn't make their move in making their products due to loss of raw materials coming from the agricultural sectors. Also, there will be an unemployment and underemployment increase. As a summary, there will be no economic advancement. 

That's why the government's position is no joke because every problem about the country lies to them and they have to come up with the solution for this problem as early as possible.

<p><a href="http://www.epdrama.com"><img src="http://www.epdrama.com/links/Sungkyunkwan-Scandal.png" alt="Drama"></a></p>

Be an instrument for Change

PCOO calls on Tarlac College of Agriculture students to be part of Pilipinas Natin

CAMILING, Tarlac, Feb.25 (PIA) -- Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) for Special Concerns called on students of Tarlac College of Agriculture (TCA) to be an instrument for change by joining Pilipinas Natin (PN). 

“PN is Bayanihan for Nation Building. Our goal is to create an enabling environment for the youth to become patriotic leaders of their community who desire to excel in their own fields to make a difference for the country, especially the poor,” said overall coordinator June Joson during a PN forum in the Tarlac college. 

The undertaking involves formations on Filipino shared values and community servant leadership (Building the Filipino), organizing and network building (Building a Volunteer movement), and township development (Building the Country). 

“Our goal is to form an army of volunteers into balangays - the basic unit of PN. Composed of 15 builders, the balangay follows a monthly life cycle where they learn and nurture PN values and virtues,” Joson added. 

Each balangay monthly cycle consists of nourishing meetings where members meet to mentor one another on a specific topic; a service day to the community wherein they conduct clean up drives, feeding program or any desired advocacy; assembly where they inspire and encourage each other in best practices, inspiring stories, and innovative ideas; and family day where members are encouraged to share to their families things learned from being a PN volunteer-builder. 

“Friday’s forum is the first phase of the recruitment process of PN members in TCA. After this, we will hold a two-day balangayan leaders camp to those who expressed interest to be part of this undertaking, and then have a launch wherein there will be a concert plus simultaneous volunteerism activities,” Joson disclosed. 

A similar forum will be held in Tarlac State University on March 4, and Araullo University in Nueva Ecija on March 8. (WLB/CLJD-PIA 3) 

Reaction:

As a person who is concerned with and advocates the protection of the environment, I am truly amazed by this kind of movement that  Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) has made because this will make the future agriculturists more capable of caring about the environment. Furthermore, it will benefit them in different kind of areas of responsibility, practicality and progression that can't be found in books. This will help them to get to know of the environment that they use to be with.

In terms of socialization, these agriculture students can influence other people to build their dreams of being employed by the use of their resources and skills. They can raise the hopes of other marginalized people in the road to success and riches. Also for them to pursue an agricultural degree and to make the our economy increase. Therefore, I conclude that each on of us can change the world in to a brighter one.

Organic Agriculture in Siquijor

Groups appeal for adoption of Organic Agriculture in Siquijor towns

SIQUIJOR, Feb 25 (PIA) -- The Provincial Organic Agriculture Board (POAB) and the Technical Working Committee (TWC) of the six municipalities in Siquijor appeal to the local government units and schools to adopt organic agriculture as a way of farming lifestyle in the island. 

"It can be difficult at first, but let’s start now,” says San Juan municipal agriculturist Arnold Manginsay as he appealed to the local legislators for the adoption of RA 10068 known as Agriculture Act. 

In one of the fora on RA 10068 conducted by the POAB and the TWC, Manginsay said that as implementors of the law, it’s not easy for them to convince right away the farmers to turn into organic farming because farmers are used to using inorganic fertilizers as it was the first advocacy to increase production, Manginsay said. 

“The irony is, we from the Department of Agriculture (DA) had introduced the use of inorganic fertilizer to boost the farmers’ income but it is also us, this time who are teaching them to return to organic farming because we have seen the effects of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides to people’s health and the environment,” Manginsay added. 
He said commercialization aspect of the organic agriculture cannot be seen right away but we have to start if we want to save our environment and our people. 

Organic agriculture is a potential tourist attraction for the province, especially for San Juan town that claims to be the tourist capital in Siquijor. Theseries of forum in all municipalities is an initiative of the POAB and the TWC to lobby support from the local legislators for the adoption of RA 10068 and creation of Organic Agriculture Boards and Technical Working Committees at the municipal level. 

The province of Siquijor has adopted the law last year along with the creation of the Provincial Organic Agriculture Board (POAB) with its Technical Working Committee and the formulation of the Organic Agriculture Road map for the province. 

Reaction:

I, as an environmental-oriented student, am agreeing to the appeal of the Provincial Organic Agriculture Board (POAB) and the Technical Working Committee (TWC) to use Organic products in farming instead of using the inorganic one. In using the Organic way of farming it relies on techniques such as crop rotation, green manure, compost and biological pest control. Organic farming also uses fertilizers and pesticides which leads us to organic agriculture that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. While in using the inorganic way of farming, has some side effects in terms of our health condition and the environment which promotes distruction. 

But the  main problem is here is that the farmers doesn't know how to use this kind of farming. The aren't knowledgeable enough to adapt these kind of methods and  procedures. So how can this bill benefit from them? I think the should give some orientation and discussion about the process they are about to promote. Then, that's the only way that the farmers can do their job. Organic Agriculture is seen as a significant tool to boost the province’s ‘agri-eco-tourism’ and increase the local farmers’ productivity and income, says the POAB in all of its forums. 

Kasambahay bill

Aquino signs Kasambahay bill into law

MANILA, Philippines -- President Benigno Aquino III has signed into law the Kasambahay Bill, which is expected to benefit some 2.5 million domestic helpers.

Deputy Malacanang spokesperson Abigail Valte said Republic Act No. 10361, or “An Act Instituting Policies for the Protection and Welfare of Domestic Workers,” was signed on January 18.

The statute defines the labor rights of domestic household workers, increases their minimum wage, and provides regular employment benefits for them.

The new law sets the minimum wage of domestic workers to a minimum of P2,500 a month in the National Capital Region; P2,000 a month in chartered cities and first class municipalities; and P1,500 a month for those employed in other municipalities.

A year after the law takes effect, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards are mandated to review and adjust the wages for domestic workers as needed.

Besides standardized pay, domestic workers will be entitled to other social benefits provided under existing laws and to be enrolled in the Social Security System, Philhealth, and Pag-Ibig Fund, with premium payments shouldered by employers if the helpers receive a monthly salary below P5,000.

Reaction:

Cleaning the whole house, washing clothes, dishes, and cars is what a house helper should do everyday. It requires hard work, perseverance and patience in order to have this king of profession. Being a house helper is no kind of joke. It is nice to know that the local government is caring about them and their situations. In this typical type of world, the house helpers belongs to the "lowest class" in the society. As result, the house owners is only giving them a salart as low as they could possibly get. That's why they could not send their child to school and even support their family.

By approving this king of bill, the house helper can breathe undoubtedly because they can now receive a higher salary for their timeless hard work and perseverance. More than that, they can receive more bonuses like enrolling them in the Social Security System, Philhealth, and Pag-Ibig Fund, with premium payments shouldered by employers if the helpers receive a monthly salary below P5,000. Therefore I conclude that Our President Noynoy Aquino did a great job.

6069 Senate Bill

House Bill 6069

ALAB ng Mamamahayag (ALAM) has intensified its campaign against privatization of public hospitals.

ALAM Chairman Jerry Yap said privatization of 26 government institutions won’t solve problems in health services.

House Bill 6069 or “An Act Creating National Government Hospital Corporations,” authored by Bacolod City Rep. Anthony Golez is pushing for the complete privatization of public hospitals in the country.

Senate Bill 3130 or the National Government Hospital Corporate Restructuring Act, a counterpart measure of House Bill 6069, is authored by Sen. Franklin Drilon.

Yap said these bills, supposedly a part of the government’s Public-Private Partnership scheme, are anti-poor as it gives highly expensive costs of the cure.

He believes that these bills are being rushed as trimmings for President Benigno S. Aquino III’s forthcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“Malayo sa katotohanang masasagot ng PhilHealth ang lahat ng gastusin ng mahihirap sa ospital dahil napakalaki ng utang nito sa iba’t ibang ospital,” Yap said.

Yap said PhilHealth President Dr. Ed Banzon was just following his boss’s orders when his office promised to provide indigent patients free hospitalization, medicines and laboratory services under its “No Balance, No Billing” policy.

“Malabong maipatupad ang “no balance billing” project at universal health care system ng PhilHealth, dahil karamihan sa ma public hospitals ay kulang sa pasilidad,” he said.

“Mas lalo lamang hindi papansinin ng mga duktor ang mga maysakit na sasailalim sa programa PhilHealth kung ipipilit ito.”

Yap, former National Press Club (PC) president-turned-treasurer, said it is just a promise that could not be kept.

Meanwhile, ALAM President Berteni Causing said not all Filipinos are covered by PhilHealth, adding that privatization of these hospitals will make health services beyond the reach of the poor people.

“Palpak din ang planong pagtatanggal ng charity wards sa government hospitals dahil hindi lahat ng maysakit ay maa-accomodate ng PhilHealth,” Causing said.

“Kung talagang nais ng gobyernong matulungan ang mga mahihirap na maiayos ang kanilang kalusugan, pondohan nila ng malaki ang Department of Health (DOH) at tanggalin na lamang ang conditional cash.”

Because of this, Causing urged the government not to let people end up making them reliant on others instead of themselves.

“Mas magandang sundin ng gobyerno ang payo ni Confucius na ‘teach the man how to fish and he will live for the rest of his life’ kesa pagmukhaing pulubi at patay-gutom ang mga beneficiaries ng conditional cash,” he pointed out

Reaction:

I, Kristoffer Diwa, strongly oppose to the privatization of these public hospitals or House Bill No. 6069. I believe that Hospital Privatization or Corporatization is a "pro-poor" bill because the marginalized people will suffer the most. I can see no reason why these hospitals should be privatized or to be sold to other corporations. It seems that they are making the situations worse. In case that President Benigno Aquino III approved this bill there will be an increase in terms of the medical expenses, hospital bills and medicines. As a result, the marginalized people will make these medical expenses be harder to reach/comply with.

On the brighter side, once these hospitals are transferred to the private sectors. There will an improvement in terms of the facilities, technologies and furniture. Because they will make hospitals profitable and beneficial. But again this bill will not make our economy increase and will not attain something good.

Poor and landless

Poor and landless

   

  In Tarlac province, about 100 kms north of Manila, Hacienda Luisita was once touted as a showcase of the land reform program. Here, however, CARP has failed to win the hearts and minds of farmers: In recent random interviews, they told Bulatlat.com that their lives have been ruined further because of CARP. Luisita is owned by the family of former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino.
     
  One of the workers, Francisco Nakpil, is an agricultural worker in the sugarcane plantation of Hacienda Luisita, Inc. (HLI) for 45 years. When the stock distribution options (SDO) scheme under CARP was introduced in the hacienda in 1989, Nakpil became one of the 7,000 workers who became instant “stockholders” of the agro-corporation. Within 30 years under this scheme, hacienda owners were to transfer 32 percent of the total stocks of the company to the farm workers.
   
  For the past 15 years, Nakpil received an average daily wage of P9, a sack of rice every month, a P4,000 educational loan every June and an average annual three percent profit share of around P2,000. Based on reasonable market price equivalents of the material benefits, Nakpil was in effect getting an average yearly income of P17,760 - or P48.66 daily. For being an HLI stockholder, he also got a 240 square meter home lot.
      
Yet, has Nakpil become richer through the land reform program?
      
Today at 62, Nakpil says he has only a home lot souvenir from the HLI, a P20,000 separation pay, and some P2,600 monthly pension from the Social Security System. His retirement ended his profit share from the HLI. He does not have land to pass on to his children. His monthly pension gave him just P86 a day that can hardly meet his family’s needs.
And so his answer in Filipino: “I am poor, past and present.”


Reaction: 


As a fellow human being, I bad and ungrateful for Francisco Nakpil who have been working diligently and patiently just to make sure to feed and support the needs of his family. This just proves that the Philippine Government doesn't show their full support to the Filipino Farmers, whom I call the Heroes of our Livelihood" because they are the one who plant, grow and collect rice for us to eat something which is the source of our living. The government should do their obligation to focus on the farmers' condition to have their own land to upgrade the country's productivity and and the quality of their goods. In fact, once the government accomplished this tasks, more and more countries will buy our goods in exchange of dollars that will make country's currency higher.

As for those farmers who could not own a land, the government should also add more benefits and laws that could support their families needs like the 13th month pay, Educational Insurance, Bonuses and a Medical Insurance too. The government should also realize that solving these agricultural problems will lead us to economic progress and development. 

I just hope that Francisco Nakpil will be the last one to experience these kind of poverty and hopelessness. His 45 years of service, perseverance and loyalty broke down into pieces. The Government support is a must. 

Suliranin sa Agrikultura

PCA continues coconut salt fertilization program in Bicol

SORSOGON CITY, Sept. 3 — The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is continuing with its Salt Fertilization Program (SFP) in an effort to immediately increase local coconut production by applying fertilizer in nutrient-deficient coconut areas using locally sourced agricultural grade salt (NaCl).

The program that provides free supply of NaCl to farmers resumed in Sorsogon province and the entire Bicol region last month and it will continue with a target of 6,840 bags to be distributed in the province until the end of the first half of September this year, PCA provincial chief Alejandro Olaguera on Monday said here.

SFP is an initiative of the Department of Agriculture (DA) under its Agrikulturang Pilipino or AgriPinoy project which is the over-all strategic framework of the department that guides its various services and programs from 2011-2016 and beyond.

The project incorporates principles and practices that optimize the development of Philippine’s natural and human resources to achieve goals in agriculture and fisheries and contribute to national development, according to Olaguera.

Its implementation is guided by the principles of food security and self-sufficiency, sustainable agriculture and fisheries, natural resource management and local development.

Under food security and self-sufficiency, he said AgriPinoy seeks to meet the domestic food needs particularly the staple food and make accessible, affordable, safe and nutritious foods that reach the dining table of every Filipino.

Sustainable agriculture and fisheries is directed to meet the ever growing needs of a growing Philippine population by way of continually increase productivity. But in doing so, Olaguera said “we must also ensure sustainability, both ecologically and economically”.

It is under this principle that the SFP comes in to ensure that producers and other stakeholders in the whole value chain “from farm to table” receive economic benefits that enable them to sustain their participation, he explained.

Natural resource management is in line with the goals of self-reliance and sustainability as AgriPinoy focuses on the natural resource endowments of the Philippines, and how to manage them so that they are not exhausted, while enhancing their competitive advantage.

Local development on the other hand involves the devolution of governance and the recognition of an eco-system framework of development to reinforce the Agri-Pinoy guiding principle of local development.

Coconut productivity is among the main focuses of AgriPinoy being the country’s leading agricultural sector that contributes heavily to export, employment generation and rural economic development thus the SFP is now being implemented to assist the industry’s sustainable growth, Olaguera said.

Earlier, Euclides Forbes, the PCA administrator, said in a statement that the administration of President Benigno Aquino III has allocated over P336 million for the SFP this year apart from the P502.3 million for the massive coconut planting and replanting program.

These allocations, Forbes said are the biggest ever given to government-funded programs for implementation by the PCA.

In the fertilization program, he said the PCA aims to fertilize some 20 million low-bearing coconut trees or approximately 200,000 hectares with salt or a combination of salt and organic fertilizers from chicken manure and coir dust.

This project would benefit a total of 200,000 coconut farmers, the PCA administrator said, stressing that it will be a big help for the coconut farmers to increase their income especially nowadays that the international demand for coconut products continues to rise.

Olaguera said the use of NaCl or common salt as fertilizer is a practical means of increasing coconut production. Salt is the cheapest and best source of chlorine to increase copra yield.

Chlorine deficiency in coconut is widespread in inland areas and a PCA survey conducted nationwide showed that at least 40 coconut-producing provinces are severely chlorine deficient.

Apart from being the cheapest coconut fertilizer, salt is very easy to apply, accelerates crop growth and development, increases copra weight and number of nuts, minimizes leaf spot damage and environment-friendly under judicious practice.

It boosts the nut bearing capability of coconut trees, increase the thickness of coconut meat and makes coconut resistant to drought, pests and diseases, he added. (PNA)

Reaksyon:

Nakakapagpasaya ng aking damdamin na may ginagawa ang ating pamahalaan upang matulungan ang ating mga magsasaka sa pagtatanim. Ayon sa aking pagsasaliksik isa ang Buko sa mga permanenteng at mabentang ani sa rehiyon ng Bicol. At upang kumita pa ng malaki ang mga magsasaka sa sa Bicol, gumastos ang Philippine Coconut Authority o PCA sa programang Coconut Salt Fertilization para umunlad ang kalidad ng mga ito. Sa ganitong paraan maraming mga bansa ang magkakadarapa na bumili nito upang kumita ng maraming dolyar at para tumaas halaga ng piso sa merkado. 

Sa kabilang dako naman ay tataas din ang "employment rate" ng ating bansa dahil kakailanganin ng maraming manggagawa sa kabuuang produksyon. At dahil dito hindi lang ang gobyerno ang nakikinabang pati na rin ang mga mamayan. Pero nakapagtataka lang na bakit sa Bicol lamang nila ito ipinapatupad, dapat pinagtutuunan din nila ng pansin ang mga probinsya tulad ng Siquijor, Isabela at iba pang isla sa Mindanao na masagana sa likas na yaman at sa mga yamang lupa. Upang lalo pang umangat ang ekonomiya ng ating bansa. Nakapanghihinayang lang na hindi natin gaanong napakikinabangan ang ating mga likas na yaman na maaaring makatulong sa atin. Kung sino pa ang mga bansang hindi nabibiyayaan nito tulad ng Korea, Singapore at Japan sila pa yung mga mayayaman.