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
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
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.--
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