Agri-Pinoy Integrated and Diversified Program

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, together with private and government partners, signed on December 12, a memorandum of agreement on the Agri-Pinoy Integrated and Diversified Program for the Development of the Ormoc-Kananga (OK) Upland Range.

Straight from Las Navas, Northern Samar for the national launching of the Agrikulturang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino, Secretary Alcala proceeded via chopper to Tacloban City to lead the signing of the MOA which stipulated the pooling of efforts and resources to develop the OK Upland Range.

The program fosters a public-private partnership which endeavors to analyze the supply chains for the priority high value crops and livestock in Ormoc City and Kananga, Leyte upland range.

It also aims to improve the production and postproduction systems with emphasis on organic farming and good agricultural practices, establish consolidation centers to ensure product quality and market linkage, and enhance the capacity of stakeholders in managing competitive supply chains.

This will mean that the OK Upland Range, composed of the upland communities within the Leyte Geothermal Production Field, will become the center of attention for agricultural developments not only of one but of several service oriented agencies and organizations, Francis Rosaroso, DA-8 chief information officer, said.

The site is in the mountains of Tongonan between the municipality of Kananga and Ormoc City. It is considered the vegetable bowl of Ormoc and the place where the Energy Development Corporation's Leyte Geothermal Production Field (EDC-LGPF) is nestled. Interestingly, EDC-LGPF is the country's largest producer of geothermal energy covering a total of 107,625-hectares with a stored power capacity of more than 700 MW.

Samar municipalities absorbed in fishing and aqua marine resources

Allies of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) are batting for the bureau to evolve into a department.

This was the idea offered by San Sebastian Mayor and SMB chairman Arnold Abalos of the South Maqueda Bay Fisheries Network (SMB FishNet) during its consultative meeting with national government agencies today at the BFAR provincial office.

"The Philippines has a very vast coastline and it is but necessary that a department must manage this," Abalos said.

According to records, the Philippines ranks 4th in the world in the length of its coastal area, as Canada is first.

Similarly, BFAR allies said that fishery is one big income contributor to the economy although the group failed to quantify this contribution.

To become a department stemmed from the recent visit of director Asis Perez in the municipality of Daram where he met mayors of Samar municipalities absorbed in fishing and aqua marine resources.

According to Abalos, Perez said that BFAR will support projects related to fishery and the more it can support if it becomes a department with more funds to be able to help the fishery sector.

Armed Forces of the Philippines on Christmas

The 5th Civil Relations Group (CRG) of the Civil Relations Service-Armed Forces of the Philippines (CRSAFP) extended its assistance to impoverished students in Pangantucan town in the province of Bukidnon, this Yuletide season.

"Every one of us is ecstatic about Christmas, we love to share and give gifts to our loved ones, family and friends. Christmas is sharing and sharing gives joy," said Col. Leopoldo R. Galon, Jr., Commanding General, 5th CRG, CRSAFP.

And to share that joy, various personnel of the 5th CRG, CSRAFP traveled 164 kilometers all the way from Davao City to Pangantucan, Bukidnon to conduct Bayanihan gift-giving which benefited 250 less affluent students of Pangantucan Central Elementary School, December 12.

The Bayanihan gift-giving event aims to extend happiness to the students this Christmas and with the strong partnership between the Eastern Mindanao Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines and its partner stakeholders: Operation Blessing Foundation Incorporated; Kiwanis International; regional Emergency Assistance Communications Team (REACT)-Panabo; Bikers Association of Pangantucan, Bukidnon; Ricardo Grijaldo and other civilian volunteers distributed 250 pieces ballpens, pencils, erasers, rulers, toothbrushes and toothpastes; 100 notebooks; 150 story books; 250 fresh ripe papaya fruits; and 20 "Youth for Peace" t-shirts and cash gifts.

Chicken arozcaldo with boiled eggs and papaya fruits were also served where both children and their parents enjoyed.

The army's 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion, meanwhile, offered free haircut to the boys of the said school where almost 100 students got their free haircut at the end of the day.

Iron fortified rice in the Philippines

A government agency promoting iron fortified rice held a feeding program for 550 kids last December at Don Venancio Alba Memorial School (DVAMS) in Barangay Bolo here.

Apart from children three to five years old, the activity dubbed "NFA – UNICEF I-Rice Feeding" also catered to malnourished pupils of DVAMS, pregnant women and lactating mothers.

Participants to the activity were also made aware of prevailing price of I-Rice, and where these are being sold.

I-Rice, which is part of the government's program to fight malnutrition and vitamin deficiency, currently retails at P27 per kilo in various NFA accredited sellers provincewide.

Capiz Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) member Jaime Magbanua who authored a resolution "Encouraging the Utilization of Iron-Fortified Rice as a staple grains in the Province of Capiz" attended the activity along with other local and barangay officials.

The SP resolution was in accordance with Republic Act 8976, otherwise known as Food Fortification Act of 2000.

Recently, NFA has tied up with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to encourage communities and schools to use I-Rice in their daily consumptions.

Donating Blood in the Philippines

For the Provincial Blood Council, there is no deeper meaning of Christmas than sharing one's life to save other's lives through blood donation.

Provincial Health Officer Romulo Gaerlan, Co-chair of the Council, explained that human blood is indispensable and it cannot be bought at any store, except through willing hearts of individuals who care for the lives of other people.

Instead of the usual fun and merry making for Christmas, Gaerlan said they will have another activity that supports life under the mandate of the council.

Established with the prime objective to coordinate efforts for blood donation, the council enjoins all potential blood donors to the whole day in-house blood letting on Dec. 15 at the Kalinga Provincial Hospital conference hall.

The project would add to the blood services of the province which used to answer blood needs especially during emergencies.

Invited as major blood donors are enlisted men of the Philippine Army and police personnel in the province.

Blood units to be collected shall be kept at the provincial hospital blood station after undergoing the usual blood tests at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center in Tuguegarao, Cagayan.

Proper ways of raising swine

Recipients who will receive 80 high breed swine underwent an orientation.

Conducted by the City Agriculture Office and the Committee on Agriculture and Food of the council, this city, the orientation aimed to guide the beneficiaries on the proper ways of raising swine and what to do when the animals get sick or die.

The orientation was led by City Councilor Pisyong Larrazabal, Chairman of the concerned committee and City Agriculturist Octavius Molo.

It was also clarified to the beneficiaries during the orientation to raise the swine and breed them as their alternative source of livelihood.

Further, the beneficiaries were directed to share two piglets to the city once these become productive. This is done so that swine could also be distributed to others.

Civil Service Exam Successful Passers

Only 329 out of 3,839 examinees passed the Civil Service Examinations held on October 16, 2011.

This was contained in a press release given by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) today to PIA-Samar.

Three hundred one passed the Professional Level while 28 others passed the sub-professional level, chief of the Examination Service Rosalie Taon said.

The passers, according to regional director David Cabanag Jr will be conferred the Career Service Eligibility in fitting rites after the Orientation on Government Personnel recruitment and Selection (OGPRS) and Verification and Identification Process (VIP) scheduled on December 28, 2011 at the Leyte Normal University Student Center in Tacloban City.

Schedule for Maasin City will be announced later. After the conferment, the new eligibles will be permanently appointed to positions in the government not covered by the Bar, Board, or other special laws, provided they meet the other requirement required of the position, said Cabanag.

Cabanag added that the new eligibles are required to bring one passport size colored picture with name tag (computer generated and digitally enhanced pictures are not accepted) and one valid identification card.

They are also advised to wear appropriate attire.

As to the new schedule of CSC exams, Cabanag said that the first day of filing of application is on February 27, 2012 and the last day is April 12, 2012 for the exams on May 27, 2012.

Meanwhile, applicants for examinations scheduled on October 21, 2012 may file their applications from May 28, 2012 to September 6, 2012.

Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ)

Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ) intensified its security in far-flung schools in the city after the foiled kidnapping of three teachers of Limaong Elementary School, east of the city, last week.

Task Force Chief Col. Buenaventura Pascual said they have added more troops to prevent another kidnapping attempt on teachers assigned in the city's outskirts and island barangays.

Pascual revealed that it was the second attempt to kidnap teachers of the said school.

"Actually, it was the second attempt on the teachers of that school", he said, adding that the first attempt was just three months ago.

"Last September 15, alert CAFGU and CVO members seized the suspects pump boats but they were able to escape using another boat", Pascual furthered.

Earlier, Zamboanga City Division Schools Superintendent Pedro Melchor Natividad suspended classes in the said school until security measures are put in place.

Col. Pascual immediately met with Natividad and informed him of the actions taken to ensure the safety of the teachers.

Task Force Zamboanga is still investigating the incident to pinpoint the suspects. Pascual, however, believes the suspects may be from the area.

"We are still trying to investigate and identify who are these abductors. I believe they are residents of the area as they cover their faces with bonnets to avoid being identified", Pascual pointed.

Col. Pascual also informed Superintendent Natividad of the intensified security measures in the islands of Pangapuyan, Sacol and Manalipa, all vulnerable to kidnappers and bandits.

Fire Incident in Zamboanga, Philippines

25 family-victims of fire incidents that occurred in October and November received their cash aid from the city Monday.

"The city government released on Monday the total amount of P90,500.00 in cash assistance to 25 families whose houses and other personal belongings had been razed by fires that broke out in the different barangays of this city in the months of October and November, this year," said Vic Larato of the City Information Office.

Larato said the cash incentives were personally handed to the victims by Mayor Celso Lobregat himself in a simple ceremony held at the City Hall conference room.

Larato said the mayor distributed "cash assistance at P5,000 for each owner of totally damaged houses, P3,000 for each owner of partially damaged houses, P3,000 for each house sharer and renter, and P1,500 for each boarder."

"Of the total recipients, 13 families received P5,000 each for a total of P65,000; 9 received P3,000 each for a total of P27,000 and 3 received P1,500 each for a total of P4,500," Larato specified.

It can be recalled, a fire broke out on October 18 in Barangay Tetuan (Lustre), leaving 5 families homeless. Two of them had their houses totally damaged, 1 partially damaged and 2 boarders.

Larato narrated "on October 23, another fire incident was reported in Camino Nuevo with three families affected. The following day, a house was gutted down by fire in Upper Calarian. And still a day later, Ocober. 25, a fire engulfed 11 closely-knit houses in Canelar: 6 totally damaged, 2 partially damaged with 3 boarders."

PAG-IBIG Fund Office in Pagadian City

by Alma L. Tingcang

PAGADIAN CITY, Dec. 14 (PIA) -- Aptly describing the name for which it stands, the theme for Pag-ibig Fund's 31st Anniversary celebration symbolizes the epitome of quality service through the years - - "Makabuluhan, Matatag at Maaasahan."

In a press conference held at the Roxan Hotel yesterday, Mr. Ibrahim N. Lajarato, Branch Manager of the Home Development Mutual Fund, Pagadian Branch enlightened the media by saying, "Makabuluhan because we have made ourselves relevant to members who availed of our housing loan program. We made their dreams come true and now they own a house. At the same time, we made savings an important part of any worker's life. Savings are important especially for future use. That is why Pag-ibig Fund is called a provident fund, it is a provision for the future."

Matatag in the sense that they have been meeting a lot of challenges and threats in its 31 years of existence, implementing crucial strategies and hitting the P300 billion asset mark to date. "So Pag-ibig Fund is now a P300B company," Lajarato modestly explained.

Maaasahan because in times of calamities, through difficult times of our lives Pag-ibig is there to cushion the impact of devastation by providing short term benefits to its members. At the height of the typhoons that hit Metro Manila and the rest of the country, Lajarato said, "while other offices were closed, we were open to serve our members. So we made ourselves reliable when you need some money for your expenses, always there ready to serve you."

Briefly citing the notable accomplishments of Pagadian Branch, Lajarato said that as of November, 2011, membership level stood at 69,000 reaching a collection of P1.082 billion broken down into the following : Members' contribution – P194.46M; STL collections getting the bulk at P663.96M and housing loan collections - P223.93M.

On the other hand, total fund disbursements amounted to P1.011.98B: housing loans – P328.84M; STL - P608.14M and claims - P74.98M.

The excess of over P70 million goes to show that Pagadian branch can sustain its operations by just collecting and at the same time disbursing its funds, without necessarily needing any funds from head office.