Saturday, May 30, 2009

Farmer Awards in Iloilo, Philippines

The Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit 6 (DA-RFU 6) on Thursday. gave recognition to outstanding individuals and farmer's cooperatives in Western Visayas whose efforts have contributed much in the high agriculture production of this region.

Ten individuals and three farmer's cooperatives were honored during the regional Gawad Saka ceremony.

Two of the awardees will compete for the 2009 national Gawad Saka Award of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Tomas Hautea, an outstanding fisherman in fish culture category, was one of the two awardees who qualified to the national search.

He is an undergraduate mechanical engineer and was into jeep conversion enterprise before he ventured into fishing.

Hautea started by leasing fishponds before he decided to purchase his own in Dumangas, Iloilo.

He now owns Retcem Bangus – Fish Farm and Hatchery which provides milkfish fries to farmers in Panay and Negros Occidental.

He is also an advocate of Coastal Resource Management (CRM) campaigning for the protection of mangroves that serve as dikes support and habitat for various fish species. 

Jobs in Mindanao, Philippines

PNA - The government's Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) has generated at least 20,522 jobs in Northern Mindanao, this was learned on Friday.

This figure came out during the 82nd Regional Development Council (RDC) 2nd quarter meeting at Camiguin Convention Center here.

But, Presidential Assistant for Northern Mindanao (PANM) Pacifico T. Pupos, Jr. saw the figure as "quite short of target."

Pupos said there was a need to intensify the CLEEP project in Northern Mindanao.

In response to his call, the council members enjoined all agencies of the government and local government units (LGU's) to extend their full and all-out support to the scheduled series of jobs and livelihood fair on June 11 to 14, simultaneously with the 2009 Independence Day celebration.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Northern Mindanao will lead the big jobs and livelihood fair on the said dates.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo put up the CLEEP project to provide employment and livelihood to laid off workers, both Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and domestic workers due to global economic clampdown. 

Philsaga Mining Corporation Donates to Filipino Farmers

The Philsaga Mining Corp. here has launched a P5.5-million rubber and banana plantation to help farmers augment their income from this land-lock province.

The local government unit and tribal leaders lauded the environmental and livelihood concerns of PMC management under its president Retired Army Col. Samuel G. Afdal.

The P2.78-million rubber plantation project, which covers about 150 hectares, requires the planting of at 500 budded rubber per hectare by about 1,000 indigenous people (IP).

Initially, at least 10,000 budded rubber RRIM 600 variety are currently stored at the company's nursery area ready for planting.

Agricultural experts recommended the RRIM 600, with a cost of P1.88 million, as the suitable species for Agusan lands.

Land preparation is now on going while the firm's P420,000 technology training program has also been set anytime next month.

Land preparation, planting and maintenance cost amounted to P2.3 million. - PNA

Scholarship in Cagayan Valley, Philippines

Cagayanos intending to hone their technical skills are invited to be part of President Gloria Scholarship Program (PGSP).

According to TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) Assistant Regional Director Belinda Labutong, there are still many slots available for those who may want to enroll short-term courses with institutions accredited by the agency.

She said for this program, Cagayan was granted 3,320 scholarship slots, 1,800 of which have already been filled up as of this month.

The list of scholars is expected to reach 2,140 next month, Labutong said as she urged the public to visit her office or the TESDA-accredited institutions if they wish to get trained for free.

Under the program, grantees, who must be residents of the province, jobless or not, are entitled to receive a training support fund which includes P60 pesos daily allowance and matriculation fee.

PGSP recipients, who, according to Labutong, are regularly monitored by TESDA personnel, may choose from the following pool of courses; automotive servicing, building wiring installation, consumer electronics servicing, commercial cooking, food and beverage service, housekeeping, front office service, bookkeeping, security service, computer hardware servicing, computer programming and call center technology. 

Davao City Ready to Fight Swine Flu on School Opening

The Department of Education (DepEd) here has assured that all schools are prepared and on guard against the A (H1N1) Influenza virus in time for the opening of classes on June 1.

DepEd regional director Susana Teresa Estigoy said the department released on May 6 a memorandum laying down measures against the novel virus.

The memorandum directs all public elementary and high schools to strictly follow the measures, Estigoy said.

The memorandum also directs all school officials to mobilize teachers, health and nutrition personnel, and alternative learning system coordinators to disseminate information about the A (H1N1) flu.

The information includes signs and symptoms of the virus, its mode of transmission, how it can be avoided, and national and sub-national referral centers.

Estigoy said although personal hygiene has been taught in schools for years, this will be stepped up in light of the virus scare. 

Philippine Army Helping Philippine Education

Don't look now, but soldiers from the Philippine Army's 19th Infantry Battalion based here have demonstrated that aside from fighting the rebels, they can also be utilized in worthwhile community activities like repainting and repairing school buildings in time for the opening of classes next month.

The soldiers, led by their commanding officer, Lt. Col. Roberto S. Capulong, have joined the "Brigada Eskwela," a program initiated by the Department of Education (DepEd) to undertake repainting and repairing old or damaged schoolhouses.

The launching of "Brigada Eskwela" was held at the Kananga Central School here last week.

The 19th IB soldiers repaired some damaged buildings of the Kananga Elementary School which they selected under the "Adopt-a-School" project. They also undertook repainting work and cleaned the school premises in preparation for the opening of classes next week.

Capulong said that through this undertaking, soldiers are contributing their share for a conducive and peaceful community. - PNA