Tuesday, June 16, 2009
JPE warns of chaos in 2010
Next president to find govt coffers empty
By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay: Failure of the computerized elections in 2010 would cause “chaos” but, if the polls succeeded, the winner would find the government coffers “empty,” Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said over the weekend.
“I would like to urge the people through the [people of Legazpi City] to be very, very careful in this coming election of the leaders who will handle the Philippines in 2010 and beyond,” he said.
“I would like to tell you that we’re facing a critical period in our history. The elections in 2010 are very critical because, for the first time in our political history, we are going to change the manner of [conducting the] elections,” Enrile added, referring to the fully automated polls next year. He spoke during a program here marking the 50th anniversary of the city.
Enrile expressed fears that the electronic voting could go haywire.
“We’re going to use machines to record and count the votes, [when in the past] we were using human beings or teachers,” he said. “What will happen if the machines break down? What do you think will happen to our country? This country will be in a total chaos, there will be no government or leaders, no soldiers, no policemen, no Supreme Court. What will happen to our country? It will be the rule of the strongest among us. I hope that will not happen.”
Empty coffers
Enrile added that the successor of President Gloria Arroyo would discover that the government was broke.
“If President Arroyo, an economist, a very intelligent woman and a very determined person [has been able to] run the government despite the opposition and the obstacles that have been placed before her [but still] could not manage the nation as we want it to be, how much more the next President [who] will be confronted with so many problems and [who will be expected to] unify a fragmented force? How could he or she do it when the country’s coffers are empty?” he said.
“So, if we want clean governance, it should begin at the kitchen of Malacañang because one of the [problems] in the country is corruption and if you clean up your backyard, the rest [stamping out of the other problems] will follow,” Enrile added.
Lessons from China
He said that the Philippines could draw inspiration from the China experience.
According to him, China used to be the doormat of the world but later became an emerging superpower through the will of the government and the people.
Enrile said that the Chinese had told him that their determination and that of their leaders brought about a modern China free from domination of other countries. The same resolve, he added, could see China outshining the United States.
“I will tell you, in this decade [China] will overtake America. China will become the superpower of the world, because [it has] prepared [itself for that role],” Enrile said.
He allowed, though, that China’s ascendancy entailed economic and political costs. Still, Enrile said, the price the Chinese people paid went to “freedom.”
“True enough, [the Chinese] government is a little bit rigid compared to our government, and I’m not trying to say [that we] adapt the [Chinese] system but, nonetheless, we must work together as a people in order to bring progress and to make our country really free,” he added.
Enrile’s visit to Legazpi City coincided with celebrations there commemorating the 111th anniversary of the proclamation of independence.
He said that his wish for the occasion was to see the country attain economic freedom and freedom from poverty.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
More than 2,000 judges needed, says Chief Justice
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
More than 2,000 judges needed, says Chief Justice
By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent
LEGAZPI CITY: While the Supreme Court has brought “Justice on Wheels” right at the doorstep of the poor people, there are 2,000 salas throughout the country lacking judges, which has resulted to a backlog of cases in local courts nationwide, observed Chief Justice Reynato Puno,
“This is true in regions or areas with peace in order problems, where they have to deal with insurgency or the MILF. There are precently 19 percent backlog cases all over the country. The backlog is more serious in the trial courts than the appellate courts,” Puno said.
“One of the primary reasons why our Judges are afraid to apply to fill in the vacant salas is due to fear for their lives. Several of our Judges have been killed. If media is the number one victim of killings in the country, second to media killings are the members of the Judiciary, particularly the Judges,” The Chief Justice continued.
Besides fear for their safety, there are no takers for the position considering the low compensation package, specially in conflicted areas.
Puno admitted that the biggest problem of the judiciary department concerns its budget as provided by government. He said the judiciary has been allotted less than one percent of the total budget of government for over a hundred years.
“There are towns and cities across the country without a Hall of Justice like in the city of Manila. If we have at least two-percent of the total budget of the government, at least we could satisfy the needs of the judiciary. We can build more Halls of Justices in the country,” Puno lamented.
Chief Justice Puno, accompanied by Justice Consuelo Ynares-Santiago, the Justice in Wheels committee chairperson, led court officials on Saturday in bringing the mobile court project to the grassroots areas in Bicol.
Puno launched the mobile court program inside the provincial jail compound where Regional and Municipal Trial Court Judges held hearings inside the two salas on the Justice on Wheels bus..
The Justice on Wheels according to Puno is roaming around the country from Friday to Sunday specifically in areas with issues related to insurgency and the MILF. The program is intended to assist the marginalized sector as complimentary effort of the regular court. “I hope this will be pursued by my successor,” Puno stressed.
Puno said that since the introduction of JOW program last year, at least 1,450 overdue cases have been resolved specifically the juvenile and violation against women cases while 4,614 served with mediation, 8,100 free legal lectures particularly to the members of indigenous people, 781 free legal advice and 6,135 free medical services among the poor stricken communities.
Chief Justice Puno also met the village officials of the 70 barangays including the members of Lupon ng Tagapamayapa.
Speaking before the local officials here, Puno urged the strengthening of the Barangay justice system. He stressed that it was the most effective justice system and our Filipino ancestors even before the Spanish colonization introduced it.
“Barangay officials have executive, legislative and judicial powers in other words there’s a lot of trust and confidence in you that’s why your ability to strengthen democratic process is highly recognized. You’re in the forefront of the justice system throughout the country,” he said.
The Chief justice also met with court officials and IBP members held at the People’s Hall of the Albay Capitol. He also inspected the Hall of Justice in Legazpi that was ruined in 2006 when super typhoon Reming battered the Bicol region.
The construction or rebuilding of the Hall of Justice in this city might take several more years due to lack of budget in the judiciary department. Puno also led the inauguration of the newly constructed Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Albay chapter building headed by its new president lawyer Maryilou Duka-Castillo.
More than 2,000 judges needed, says Chief Justice
By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent
LEGAZPI CITY: While the Supreme Court has brought “Justice on Wheels” right at the doorstep of the poor people, there are 2,000 salas throughout the country lacking judges, which has resulted to a backlog of cases in local courts nationwide, observed Chief Justice Reynato Puno,
“This is true in regions or areas with peace in order problems, where they have to deal with insurgency or the MILF. There are precently 19 percent backlog cases all over the country. The backlog is more serious in the trial courts than the appellate courts,” Puno said.
“One of the primary reasons why our Judges are afraid to apply to fill in the vacant salas is due to fear for their lives. Several of our Judges have been killed. If media is the number one victim of killings in the country, second to media killings are the members of the Judiciary, particularly the Judges,” The Chief Justice continued.
Besides fear for their safety, there are no takers for the position considering the low compensation package, specially in conflicted areas.
Puno admitted that the biggest problem of the judiciary department concerns its budget as provided by government. He said the judiciary has been allotted less than one percent of the total budget of government for over a hundred years.
“There are towns and cities across the country without a Hall of Justice like in the city of Manila. If we have at least two-percent of the total budget of the government, at least we could satisfy the needs of the judiciary. We can build more Halls of Justices in the country,” Puno lamented.
Chief Justice Puno, accompanied by Justice Consuelo Ynares-Santiago, the Justice in Wheels committee chairperson, led court officials on Saturday in bringing the mobile court project to the grassroots areas in Bicol.
Puno launched the mobile court program inside the provincial jail compound where Regional and Municipal Trial Court Judges held hearings inside the two salas on the Justice on Wheels bus..
The Justice on Wheels according to Puno is roaming around the country from Friday to Sunday specifically in areas with issues related to insurgency and the MILF. The program is intended to assist the marginalized sector as complimentary effort of the regular court. “I hope this will be pursued by my successor,” Puno stressed.
Puno said that since the introduction of JOW program last year, at least 1,450 overdue cases have been resolved specifically the juvenile and violation against women cases while 4,614 served with mediation, 8,100 free legal lectures particularly to the members of indigenous people, 781 free legal advice and 6,135 free medical services among the poor stricken communities.
Chief Justice Puno also met the village officials of the 70 barangays including the members of Lupon ng Tagapamayapa.
Speaking before the local officials here, Puno urged the strengthening of the Barangay justice system. He stressed that it was the most effective justice system and our Filipino ancestors even before the Spanish colonization introduced it.
“Barangay officials have executive, legislative and judicial powers in other words there’s a lot of trust and confidence in you that’s why your ability to strengthen democratic process is highly recognized. You’re in the forefront of the justice system throughout the country,” he said.
The Chief justice also met with court officials and IBP members held at the People’s Hall of the Albay Capitol. He also inspected the Hall of Justice in Legazpi that was ruined in 2006 when super typhoon Reming battered the Bicol region.
The construction or rebuilding of the Hall of Justice in this city might take several more years due to lack of budget in the judiciary department. Puno also led the inauguration of the newly constructed Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Albay chapter building headed by its new president lawyer Maryilou Duka-Castillo.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Global warming more urgent issue than financial crisis-EU
Top Stories
Global warming more urgent issue than financial crisis–EU
By : By Rhaydz B. Barcia Manila Times 30 November 2008 12:10 AM
The world is headed to irreversible and catastrophic changes if global warming results in an average rise in temperatures of more than 2 degrees Celsius, Europe’s top envoy warned yesterday.
“The Philippines given its geography is one of the countries particularly at risk from climate change, whether in terms of extreme weather like super typhoons, sea level changes or simply from the effects of a less certain climate on agriculture,” said Ambassador Alistair MacDonald, head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to the Philippines.
More than the global financial meltdown, the threat of a global meltdown because of climate change is “the most pressing issue” today, he said.
“The global challenge of climate change [is a] more urgent matter than any other global meltdown,” MacDonald said during the awarding ceremonies of 2008 Climate Change Photo Contest sponsored by the EU.
“All of these issues are particularly in the spotlight at the moment but global warming is already causing changes in the world’s climate and these changes will become increasingly severe unless urgent action is taken to reduce carbon emissions,” he said at Ateneo De Manila University.
“The Philippines has a tremendous renewable-energy potential like vast untapped biomass such as bagasse, rice hull and wind energy resources,” MacDonald said.
“There is much that can be done in terms of energy efficiency and the European Union has been happy to work with the Philippines in supporting a number of initiatives in relation to renewable energy and efficient energy,” he said.
He said he has urged local environment and other officials who will attend an international conference on climate change in Poznan, Poland, this week to strengthen global efforts against global warming.
“If we are to stand a chance of keeping the temperature increase below the 2 degrees Celsius target, [greenhouse gasses] emissions from industrialized countries should be cut by 60 [percent] to 80 percent by 2050 as part of a multilateral agreement,” the envoy said.
The EU is already committed to reduce its overall emissions to at least 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2020, he said, adding it is ready to scale up this reduction to as much as 30 percent.
There were more than 100 entries in the 2008 Climate Change Photo Contest. Linus Escador of the Manila Bulletin bagged the top prize on the single image category with his piece “Baceso Tornado Aftermath.”
Other winners were Charlie Saceda, second prize, of the Philippine Star with his piece “Rescue;” Randall Cipriano, 3rd prize, with his entry “Wane;” and Pepito Frias, 4th prize, with his entry “Rising sea water.”
Honorable mention awards in the single photo category went to Linus Escandor with his entries “When the wind blows” and “Irosin Residents Agree to Leave Homes;” and Ramon Castillo’s “Frogs as indicator of environment health.”
Awards of excellence were given to Rhaydz Barcia of The Manila Times for “Aerial photo of denuded mountain somewhere in Camarines Sur;” Pacifico Jose Jr. for “Floating;” Bobby Timonera for “Medel’s cross;” Fernando Zapata for his “Frosted Salad;” Gregorio “Jhun” Dantes Jr., for “Water world;” Keith Kristoffer Bacongco for “Sea of Empty Waves;” and Vicente Jaime “VJ” Villafranca for “Monsoon Nights.”
For “Photo Story” category the top prize went to Gregorio “Jhun” Dantes Jr. for “Water world” and Maria Virginia Cruz for “Burning Planet.”
Honorable mention awards for photo story category went to Bill Willard Gange for “Typhoon Frank Flash Flood;” Maria Virginia Cruz for “Poisoned Solution;” and Vicente Jaime Villafranca for “Monsoon Nights.”
Global warming more urgent issue than financial crisis–EU
By : By Rhaydz B. Barcia Manila Times 30 November 2008 12:10 AM
The world is headed to irreversible and catastrophic changes if global warming results in an average rise in temperatures of more than 2 degrees Celsius, Europe’s top envoy warned yesterday.
“The Philippines given its geography is one of the countries particularly at risk from climate change, whether in terms of extreme weather like super typhoons, sea level changes or simply from the effects of a less certain climate on agriculture,” said Ambassador Alistair MacDonald, head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to the Philippines.
More than the global financial meltdown, the threat of a global meltdown because of climate change is “the most pressing issue” today, he said.
“The global challenge of climate change [is a] more urgent matter than any other global meltdown,” MacDonald said during the awarding ceremonies of 2008 Climate Change Photo Contest sponsored by the EU.
“All of these issues are particularly in the spotlight at the moment but global warming is already causing changes in the world’s climate and these changes will become increasingly severe unless urgent action is taken to reduce carbon emissions,” he said at Ateneo De Manila University.
“The Philippines has a tremendous renewable-energy potential like vast untapped biomass such as bagasse, rice hull and wind energy resources,” MacDonald said.
“There is much that can be done in terms of energy efficiency and the European Union has been happy to work with the Philippines in supporting a number of initiatives in relation to renewable energy and efficient energy,” he said.
He said he has urged local environment and other officials who will attend an international conference on climate change in Poznan, Poland, this week to strengthen global efforts against global warming.
“If we are to stand a chance of keeping the temperature increase below the 2 degrees Celsius target, [greenhouse gasses] emissions from industrialized countries should be cut by 60 [percent] to 80 percent by 2050 as part of a multilateral agreement,” the envoy said.
The EU is already committed to reduce its overall emissions to at least 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2020, he said, adding it is ready to scale up this reduction to as much as 30 percent.
There were more than 100 entries in the 2008 Climate Change Photo Contest. Linus Escador of the Manila Bulletin bagged the top prize on the single image category with his piece “Baceso Tornado Aftermath.”
Other winners were Charlie Saceda, second prize, of the Philippine Star with his piece “Rescue;” Randall Cipriano, 3rd prize, with his entry “Wane;” and Pepito Frias, 4th prize, with his entry “Rising sea water.”
Honorable mention awards in the single photo category went to Linus Escandor with his entries “When the wind blows” and “Irosin Residents Agree to Leave Homes;” and Ramon Castillo’s “Frogs as indicator of environment health.”
Awards of excellence were given to Rhaydz Barcia of The Manila Times for “Aerial photo of denuded mountain somewhere in Camarines Sur;” Pacifico Jose Jr. for “Floating;” Bobby Timonera for “Medel’s cross;” Fernando Zapata for his “Frosted Salad;” Gregorio “Jhun” Dantes Jr., for “Water world;” Keith Kristoffer Bacongco for “Sea of Empty Waves;” and Vicente Jaime “VJ” Villafranca for “Monsoon Nights.”
For “Photo Story” category the top prize went to Gregorio “Jhun” Dantes Jr. for “Water world” and Maria Virginia Cruz for “Burning Planet.”
Honorable mention awards for photo story category went to Bill Willard Gange for “Typhoon Frank Flash Flood;” Maria Virginia Cruz for “Poisoned Solution;” and Vicente Jaime Villafranca for “Monsoon Nights.”
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Upland farmers in Bicol continue to marvel in the wonderful world of our ancestor to protect the environment
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Upland farmers try ‘bonkol’ way in Ligao City
By Rhaydz B. Barcia
LIGAO CITY: The upland farmers in Bicol continue to marvel in the wonderful world of our ancestors through the use of bonkol, a primitive way of farming to protect the environment from degradation and also to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change due to global warming.
The practice by the upland farmers coincided with the campaign of Albay Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda through the Center for Initiatives and Research on Climate
Adaptation (CIRCA) headed by Manuel “Nong” Rangasa in pursuit of provincial level implementation of the United Nation’s program for the protection of the environment, food security and new challenges in agriculture following the global climatic change phenomenon.
Rosalina Del Valle, 63, a resident of an upland village of Pinamaniquihan along with more than 50 farmers are doing the bonkol method of farming in the mountainous areas of this city specifically on top of the Kawa-kawa hill.
Bonkol is a long bamboo tube with knife like shape on the lower portion to perforate the dregs, having a slot running its length. As it pounds the ground, it produces a sound that carries far and wide across the distance like a talking drum.
As the bamboo tube pounds the ground, the locals or visitors could even dance the indigenous way due to its captivating humming sounds created by the bonkol tools.
Florentino “Tata Tinoy” de la Cruz, 67, also a resident of Pinamaniquihan village said they continue to practice the bonkol process of Dinorado palay planting because it helps to preserve and protect the environment, specifically prevention of land erosion.
“The bonkol way of farming might be odd to many but we uphold this traditional way because the land we’re tilling has not been affected by the hazardous method used lowland farmers using mechanized farm implements such as tractors, thrashers among others,” he said.
“If you have noticed and go around the mountainous areas here all upland farmers opted to use bonkol because this is the best way to plant the Dinorado and our very own contribution to government’s campaign to preserve the environment by adapting the primitive or old practiced of our ancestors,” Tata Tinoy told The Manila Times.
The bonkol or hasok type is a primitive way practiced by upland farmers here despite the modern techniques, which contribute carbon gas emissions, that cause global warming. The bonkol tools also serve as instrument to communicate with people living across long distances specifically in hazard prone areas.
Bonkol planting is fun and attracts people from all walks of life here when the farmers pound off the ground. The bonkol way of farming became popular when Mayor Linda Gonzalez started the Dinorado Planting Festival last year on top of Kawa-Kawa Hill.-- Rhaydz B. Barcia
Upland farmers try ‘bonkol’ way in Ligao City
By Rhaydz B. Barcia
LIGAO CITY: The upland farmers in Bicol continue to marvel in the wonderful world of our ancestors through the use of bonkol, a primitive way of farming to protect the environment from degradation and also to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change due to global warming.
The practice by the upland farmers coincided with the campaign of Albay Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda through the Center for Initiatives and Research on Climate
Adaptation (CIRCA) headed by Manuel “Nong” Rangasa in pursuit of provincial level implementation of the United Nation’s program for the protection of the environment, food security and new challenges in agriculture following the global climatic change phenomenon.
Rosalina Del Valle, 63, a resident of an upland village of Pinamaniquihan along with more than 50 farmers are doing the bonkol method of farming in the mountainous areas of this city specifically on top of the Kawa-kawa hill.
Bonkol is a long bamboo tube with knife like shape on the lower portion to perforate the dregs, having a slot running its length. As it pounds the ground, it produces a sound that carries far and wide across the distance like a talking drum.
As the bamboo tube pounds the ground, the locals or visitors could even dance the indigenous way due to its captivating humming sounds created by the bonkol tools.
Florentino “Tata Tinoy” de la Cruz, 67, also a resident of Pinamaniquihan village said they continue to practice the bonkol process of Dinorado palay planting because it helps to preserve and protect the environment, specifically prevention of land erosion.
“The bonkol way of farming might be odd to many but we uphold this traditional way because the land we’re tilling has not been affected by the hazardous method used lowland farmers using mechanized farm implements such as tractors, thrashers among others,” he said.
“If you have noticed and go around the mountainous areas here all upland farmers opted to use bonkol because this is the best way to plant the Dinorado and our very own contribution to government’s campaign to preserve the environment by adapting the primitive or old practiced of our ancestors,” Tata Tinoy told The Manila Times.
The bonkol or hasok type is a primitive way practiced by upland farmers here despite the modern techniques, which contribute carbon gas emissions, that cause global warming. The bonkol tools also serve as instrument to communicate with people living across long distances specifically in hazard prone areas.
Bonkol planting is fun and attracts people from all walks of life here when the farmers pound off the ground. The bonkol way of farming became popular when Mayor Linda Gonzalez started the Dinorado Planting Festival last year on top of Kawa-Kawa Hill.-- Rhaydz B. Barcia
Manila Times29 April 2009 12:10 AM
'RP-US friendship will last forever'-Kenney
By Rhaydz B. Barcia
Pio Duran, Albay: The controversial case of US Marine Cpl. Daniel Smith might be arduous and unforgettable, but United States Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney said the United States and Philippines will remain “friends for life and forever” in spite of the said incident that happened barely three years ago.
“The case of Daniel Smith is closely three years but we’re going to move on. We’re friends for life. This is a sober nation. We will continue our missions as a strong ally of the Philippines and pour in more aid and conduct humanitarian missions under the Balikatan exercises across the country to help out the Filipino people,” Ambassador Kenney told The Manila Times.
Kenney was in Albay province on Tuesday to personally turnover the three-kilometer engineering (encap) project in an outskirt village of Malidong in the municipality of Pioduran Albay to Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda.
“I keep coming back to the Bicol region not only because I am an adopted daughter of Albay province through Governor Salceda but because of a great friendship and extraordinary hospitality,” she said.
“I admire the Bicolanos particularly the people of Albay who are very resilient after going through several tragic disasters,” Kenney continued.
Kenney vowed that humanitarian missions would continue to be done in the Philippines to assist and uplift the lives of the poor stricken communities living in the countryside.
The joint RP-US Balikatan exercises is an annual military humanitarian assistance and training activity, however Kenney said that this year’s activities have a special emphasis on humanitarian assistance to several communities in the Bicol region.
The Balikatan 2009 includes 28 humanitarian civic action projects with direct cost of $428,000 for materials, medication and supplies. The engineering projects consist of two water wells, two-classroom and two road projects. The medical missions expect to have treated over 17,000 patients by the time Balikatan 2009 is completed here.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Joey Salceda expressed profound gratitude to the United States government through Amb. Kenney.
“This is a very laudable effort. The US Armed Forces have left a remarkable and lasting development among the people of Albay. On behalf of the Albayanos, we would like to convey our profound gratitude to all the members of the US Armed Forces participating in these humanitarian missions,” Salceda said.
The municipal council of Pio Duran, Albay even passed a resolution expressing its deep gratitude for laudable and meritorious actions of the US forces, which will be sent to US Pres. Barrack Obama, Salceda said.
While National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro who also witnessed the turnover ceremony said that the projects will bring in development and peace to the grassroots, as it will alleviate the way of life of the people living in far-flung areas here.
Gen. Delfin Bangit, Southern Luzon chief for his part, also said the Armed Forces of the United States have shown equal opportunity to education, health and a decent and comfortable way of life.
According to Bangit, cooperation has been the primary objective of the Ballikatan exercise through the joint civil military activities conducted by the two forces.-- Rhaydz B. Barcia
'RP-US friendship will last forever'-Kenney
By Rhaydz B. Barcia
Pio Duran, Albay: The controversial case of US Marine Cpl. Daniel Smith might be arduous and unforgettable, but United States Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney said the United States and Philippines will remain “friends for life and forever” in spite of the said incident that happened barely three years ago.
“The case of Daniel Smith is closely three years but we’re going to move on. We’re friends for life. This is a sober nation. We will continue our missions as a strong ally of the Philippines and pour in more aid and conduct humanitarian missions under the Balikatan exercises across the country to help out the Filipino people,” Ambassador Kenney told The Manila Times.
Kenney was in Albay province on Tuesday to personally turnover the three-kilometer engineering (encap) project in an outskirt village of Malidong in the municipality of Pioduran Albay to Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda.
“I keep coming back to the Bicol region not only because I am an adopted daughter of Albay province through Governor Salceda but because of a great friendship and extraordinary hospitality,” she said.
“I admire the Bicolanos particularly the people of Albay who are very resilient after going through several tragic disasters,” Kenney continued.
Kenney vowed that humanitarian missions would continue to be done in the Philippines to assist and uplift the lives of the poor stricken communities living in the countryside.
The joint RP-US Balikatan exercises is an annual military humanitarian assistance and training activity, however Kenney said that this year’s activities have a special emphasis on humanitarian assistance to several communities in the Bicol region.
The Balikatan 2009 includes 28 humanitarian civic action projects with direct cost of $428,000 for materials, medication and supplies. The engineering projects consist of two water wells, two-classroom and two road projects. The medical missions expect to have treated over 17,000 patients by the time Balikatan 2009 is completed here.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Joey Salceda expressed profound gratitude to the United States government through Amb. Kenney.
“This is a very laudable effort. The US Armed Forces have left a remarkable and lasting development among the people of Albay. On behalf of the Albayanos, we would like to convey our profound gratitude to all the members of the US Armed Forces participating in these humanitarian missions,” Salceda said.
The municipal council of Pio Duran, Albay even passed a resolution expressing its deep gratitude for laudable and meritorious actions of the US forces, which will be sent to US Pres. Barrack Obama, Salceda said.
While National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro who also witnessed the turnover ceremony said that the projects will bring in development and peace to the grassroots, as it will alleviate the way of life of the people living in far-flung areas here.
Gen. Delfin Bangit, Southern Luzon chief for his part, also said the Armed Forces of the United States have shown equal opportunity to education, health and a decent and comfortable way of life.
According to Bangit, cooperation has been the primary objective of the Ballikatan exercise through the joint civil military activities conducted by the two forces.-- Rhaydz B. Barcia
Corn Industry in the Philippines is on the verge of demise
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Dying of corn industry will cause high prices of commodities
By Rhaydz B. Barcia
LEGAZPI CITY: The corn industry in the country is on the verge of demise.
This gloomy scenario will trigger soaring prices of poultry, meat products and other prime commodities in the country if the government will not take action immediately, said engineer Roger Navarro, the president of PhilMaize Federation Inc.
“The corn industry throughout the country is dying because of lack of support from the government for corn growers,” Navarro added.
Corn is the primary feed for livestock and poultry.
Unfortunately, according to Navarro, the government neglected the livestock and poultry industry.
The alleged lack of government financial support for corn growers was one of the critical issues discussed in the recently concluded 6th Philippine National Corn Congress in Albay.
“The government allocated very small amounts for corn production. This is the primary reason why we are importing corn, because of lack of supply since last year. If the Asean Free Trade Agreement will be fully implemented by 2010, our corn industry will be adversely affected,” Navarro pointed out.
He said that corn production is also affected by climate change.
“The ongoing climatic change also affects corn production in the country because the corn growers could no longer predict the weather patterns as to the best time to plant corn. Planting pattern affects production,” he said.
Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero told The Manila Times that the government should allocate P30 billion for corn production to bridge the gap.
Also unfortunately, according to Escudero, President Gloria Arroyo failed to implement safety measures to protect corn growers from the damaging effects of trade liberalization.
Gov. Joey Salceda of Albay, the host of the congress and an economic adviser of President Arroyo, said that he would push for additional financial assistance to address funding discrepancies in the rice and corn budgets of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Salceda pointed out that while the country produces 10.5 million metric tons of rice a year and gets P42-billion funding, the corn sector yields 7.5 million metric tons a year with a measly P600-million budget.
Navarro said that the discrepancy issues have also been discussed to come up with a “win-win” solution to address the corn-production deficit in the country.
The National Corn Congress discussed the current state of corn industry, identified and evaluated policies that could contribute to increased productivity and sufficiency, assesed impacts of global warming on the industry and formulated policies and programs for the industry.
The congress also tackled climate change, production strategies, trade and global trends, business, research and development, biotechnology, biofuel, transportation and aflatoxin management.
Maize or corn as a crop has multiple uses but is chiefly grown for human and livestock consumption. The seeds and the cobs are used as basic raw material in various industries. The seeds are processed and converted into needed preparations, flakes, grits and pops for human consumption.
Studies of the Department of Science and Technology Research in Albay show that maize contains 60 percent to 68 percent starch and 7 percent to 15 percent protein.
The corn embryo, which forms about 12 percent of the whole grain is a source of protein, fats and sugars. Yellow maize is the richest source of Vitamin A.
Maize has more riboflavin than wheat or rice and is rich in phosphorous and potash. Maize contains 1.2 percent to 5.7 percent edible oil.Maize oil is widely used as a cooking medium and for manufacturing of hydrogenated oil. The oil reduces cholesterol in the human blood. Its fat content is about 80 percent.
Corn is also used in the manufacture of starch, syrup, dextrose, oil, gelatinand lactic acid and corn flour is used as a thickening agent in the preparation of soups, sauces and custard powder.--
Dying of corn industry will cause high prices of commodities
By Rhaydz B. Barcia
LEGAZPI CITY: The corn industry in the country is on the verge of demise.
This gloomy scenario will trigger soaring prices of poultry, meat products and other prime commodities in the country if the government will not take action immediately, said engineer Roger Navarro, the president of PhilMaize Federation Inc.
“The corn industry throughout the country is dying because of lack of support from the government for corn growers,” Navarro added.
Corn is the primary feed for livestock and poultry.
Unfortunately, according to Navarro, the government neglected the livestock and poultry industry.
The alleged lack of government financial support for corn growers was one of the critical issues discussed in the recently concluded 6th Philippine National Corn Congress in Albay.
“The government allocated very small amounts for corn production. This is the primary reason why we are importing corn, because of lack of supply since last year. If the Asean Free Trade Agreement will be fully implemented by 2010, our corn industry will be adversely affected,” Navarro pointed out.
He said that corn production is also affected by climate change.
“The ongoing climatic change also affects corn production in the country because the corn growers could no longer predict the weather patterns as to the best time to plant corn. Planting pattern affects production,” he said.
Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero told The Manila Times that the government should allocate P30 billion for corn production to bridge the gap.
Also unfortunately, according to Escudero, President Gloria Arroyo failed to implement safety measures to protect corn growers from the damaging effects of trade liberalization.
Gov. Joey Salceda of Albay, the host of the congress and an economic adviser of President Arroyo, said that he would push for additional financial assistance to address funding discrepancies in the rice and corn budgets of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Salceda pointed out that while the country produces 10.5 million metric tons of rice a year and gets P42-billion funding, the corn sector yields 7.5 million metric tons a year with a measly P600-million budget.
Navarro said that the discrepancy issues have also been discussed to come up with a “win-win” solution to address the corn-production deficit in the country.
The National Corn Congress discussed the current state of corn industry, identified and evaluated policies that could contribute to increased productivity and sufficiency, assesed impacts of global warming on the industry and formulated policies and programs for the industry.
The congress also tackled climate change, production strategies, trade and global trends, business, research and development, biotechnology, biofuel, transportation and aflatoxin management.
Maize or corn as a crop has multiple uses but is chiefly grown for human and livestock consumption. The seeds and the cobs are used as basic raw material in various industries. The seeds are processed and converted into needed preparations, flakes, grits and pops for human consumption.
Studies of the Department of Science and Technology Research in Albay show that maize contains 60 percent to 68 percent starch and 7 percent to 15 percent protein.
The corn embryo, which forms about 12 percent of the whole grain is a source of protein, fats and sugars. Yellow maize is the richest source of Vitamin A.
Maize has more riboflavin than wheat or rice and is rich in phosphorous and potash. Maize contains 1.2 percent to 5.7 percent edible oil.Maize oil is widely used as a cooking medium and for manufacturing of hydrogenated oil. The oil reduces cholesterol in the human blood. Its fat content is about 80 percent.
Corn is also used in the manufacture of starch, syrup, dextrose, oil, gelatinand lactic acid and corn flour is used as a thickening agent in the preparation of soups, sauces and custard powder.--
Monday, November 10, 2008
Albay farmers use "bunkol" in dinorado rice planting
Sunday, June 01, 2008
‘Bunkol’ for the best ‘dinorado’ rice
By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent
LIGAO CITY, Albay: On top of Kawa-Kawa hill in this city, upland farmers use bunkol in planting seedlings of dinorado, a variety of palay (unhusked rice) that produces aromatic and expensive rice usually eaten by wealthy families in the Bicol Region.
Bunkol, a long, perforated and slotted bamboo tube, when used to pound the ground produces a sound similar to that made by a drum.
Kawa-Kawa hill is about 236 meters above sea level and offers a good view of Tuburan barangay (village) in Ligao City. Atop is an eight-hectare farmland.
Downhill are the Carmelite Sisters convent and the resettlement houses for those who had been dislocated by rumblings of Mayon Volcano and typhoons.
The upland farmers still practice bunkol, primitive farming and after which the bamboo tube was named. Also known as hasok, bunkol, apparently, has defied modern farming methods.
As the farmers pound the soil with the bunkol, women from Tuburan place seeds on holes made through the pounding, in a seeming ritual called bubod.
“The bunkol way of dinorado rice planting was practiced by our ancestors. We want to continue with it and show it to the younger generation as an effective farming method,” former Albay governor Fernando Gonzalez told The Manila Times.
Gonzalez said bunkol the bamboo tube also serves as a means of communication especially among those living in potentially hazardous areas.
Albay farmers use ‘bunkol’ in rice planting
By Rhaydz B. Barcia
LIGAO CITY --- On top of Kawa-Kawa hill in this city, upland rice farmers use “bunkol” tools in planting Dinorado seedlings, a variety of rice that produces first class and very aromatic grains favored by wealthy families in Bicol.
Bunkol is a long bamboo tube with knifelike shape on the lower portion to perforate the dregs, having a slot running its length.
As it pounds the ground, it produces a sound that reverberates far and wide like a talking drum. The Kawa-Kawa Hill has about 236-meter elevation from the ground that provides a panoramic view of the city and beyond.
The hill looks like a giant frying pan overlooking the city. Downhill is the Carmelite Sisters and a resettlement area where typhoon victims and those displaced by the the most recent flashfloods from Mt. Mayon are now safely housed.
Several upland farmers, with their women carrying Dinorado seedlings, were en sowing in the ‘bunkol’ or ‘hasok’ manner which is primitive way of farming still being practiced by upland farmers here despite the modern techniques being employed by most farmers in the lowland.
The upland farmers work faster with their “bunkol tools” creating a humming sound while the women make “bubod” (inseminating) of the seeds on the holed grounds. Former Albay Gov. Fernando Gonzalez said the bunkol type of farming is Dinorado rice planting introduced by the upland farmers’ ancestors.
He said ‘bunkol’ is traditionally used as an instrument to communicate with fellow settlers who are situated in distant villages, especially those in hazard prone areas.
‘Bunkol’ for the best ‘dinorado’ rice
By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent
LIGAO CITY, Albay: On top of Kawa-Kawa hill in this city, upland farmers use bunkol in planting seedlings of dinorado, a variety of palay (unhusked rice) that produces aromatic and expensive rice usually eaten by wealthy families in the Bicol Region.
Bunkol, a long, perforated and slotted bamboo tube, when used to pound the ground produces a sound similar to that made by a drum.
Kawa-Kawa hill is about 236 meters above sea level and offers a good view of Tuburan barangay (village) in Ligao City. Atop is an eight-hectare farmland.
Downhill are the Carmelite Sisters convent and the resettlement houses for those who had been dislocated by rumblings of Mayon Volcano and typhoons.
The upland farmers still practice bunkol, primitive farming and after which the bamboo tube was named. Also known as hasok, bunkol, apparently, has defied modern farming methods.
As the farmers pound the soil with the bunkol, women from Tuburan place seeds on holes made through the pounding, in a seeming ritual called bubod.
“The bunkol way of dinorado rice planting was practiced by our ancestors. We want to continue with it and show it to the younger generation as an effective farming method,” former Albay governor Fernando Gonzalez told The Manila Times.
Gonzalez said bunkol the bamboo tube also serves as a means of communication especially among those living in potentially hazardous areas.
Albay farmers use ‘bunkol’ in rice planting
By Rhaydz B. Barcia
LIGAO CITY --- On top of Kawa-Kawa hill in this city, upland rice farmers use “bunkol” tools in planting Dinorado seedlings, a variety of rice that produces first class and very aromatic grains favored by wealthy families in Bicol.
Bunkol is a long bamboo tube with knifelike shape on the lower portion to perforate the dregs, having a slot running its length.
As it pounds the ground, it produces a sound that reverberates far and wide like a talking drum. The Kawa-Kawa Hill has about 236-meter elevation from the ground that provides a panoramic view of the city and beyond.
The hill looks like a giant frying pan overlooking the city. Downhill is the Carmelite Sisters and a resettlement area where typhoon victims and those displaced by the the most recent flashfloods from Mt. Mayon are now safely housed.
Several upland farmers, with their women carrying Dinorado seedlings, were en sowing in the ‘bunkol’ or ‘hasok’ manner which is primitive way of farming still being practiced by upland farmers here despite the modern techniques being employed by most farmers in the lowland.
The upland farmers work faster with their “bunkol tools” creating a humming sound while the women make “bubod” (inseminating) of the seeds on the holed grounds. Former Albay Gov. Fernando Gonzalez said the bunkol type of farming is Dinorado rice planting introduced by the upland farmers’ ancestors.
He said ‘bunkol’ is traditionally used as an instrument to communicate with fellow settlers who are situated in distant villages, especially those in hazard prone areas.
BUNKOL FARMING. Up the Kawa-Kawa hill in Ligao City, upland farmers use the Bamboo tools during the planting of Dinorado rice variety. RHAYDZ B. BARCIA
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