2011 Search for Outstanding Volunteers

The Regional Selection Committee (RSC) recently picked the Balanga City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (CFARMC) of Bataan as Central Luzon's sole bet to the 2011 Search for Outstanding Volunteers.

RSC chair Greg Pineda of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said "Balanga CFARMC was chosen because of its active involvement in the protection and rehabilitation of the environment."

The group, which has around 500 fishermen members, has been a vital partner of the city government in apprehending violators of section 88 of Republic Act 8550 otherwise known as the Philippine Fisheries Code.

Such section of the law prohibits fishing using explosives, noxious or poisonous substances, and electricity.

The CFARMC likewise assists in the enforcement of City Ordinance No.133,Series of 2004 which mandates the registration of all fishing vessels operating within the water jurisdiction of Balanga.

Moreover, the group conducts clean up drives along the coastal barangays at least twice a week.

Balanga CFARMC is also responsible for the establishment of the mangrove nursery which currently serves as the seed bank for mangrove species that are needed for the rehabilitation of the coastal area. To date, 57 hectares had been planted with mangrove seedlings.

Pineda explained "Search for Outstanding Volunteers is an annual contest organized by the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency, an attached agency of NEDA, which aims to highlight and recognize the exemplary performance and dedication to service of Filipino volunteers in building strong communities across the country through volunteerism."

Officials of the Nueva Vizcaya State University

Officials of the Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) will be conducting a fun-shoot competition for executives of the State Colleges and Universities (SUCs) in the region on December 14 to 15.

Dr. Leodevico Fronda, NVSU officer-in-charge and chair of the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA), presidents and vice presidents of SUCs in the region will participate in the shooting competition.

"We will be expecting around more than 20 participants from SUCs in the provinces of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan and Batanes," he said.

The fun-shoot will be held at the Vizcaya Gun Club (VGC) firing range in Brgy. Almaguer North in Bambang town in the afternoon of December 14.

According to Fronda, the competition will be composed of two stages. It aims to promote NVSU, its unique culture and people.

Flooding and Heavy Rain in Cagayan, Philippines

Flooding caused by the continuous heavy rains has left one dead and 1,503 families affected in the three municipalities in Cagayan.

DSWD Region 2 information officer Angely Lubo reported that 39 barangays of the municipalities of Abulug, Camalaniugan and Ballesteros were flooded and 7,084 persons were affected.

Pedro Oliva of Abulug town drowned as he attempted to save his carabao which was carried away by the overflowing river.

"We could give financial aid to the bereaved family of the casualty if they come to our office," Lubo said.

Meanwhile, the affected residents were immediately brought to evacuation centers.

Residents of Aurora and Nueva Ecija, Philippines

Residents of Aurora and Nueva Ecija, be ready for power interruption tomorrow, Thursday.

The power failure will be tomorrow, December 15 from 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. as the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) serves notice of the scheduled shutdown of some of its transmission facilities in the provinces of Aurora and Nueva Ecija.

According to NGCP, the cause of power interruption is due to the repair and maintenance along Cabanatuan-Talavera-Baler 69-kV line. Affected distribution utility are the Nueva Ecija Electric Cooperative, Inc (NEECO II Area I), Nueva Ecija II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (NEECO II Area II, and Aurora Electric Cooperative (AURELCO).

Normal operations will immediately resume after work completion. Customers of NGCP and the general public are advised to take the necessary preparations and precautions for this scheduled interruption.

NGCP said specific cities and municipalities to be affected by the power interruption are determined by the abovementioned distribution utility (DU), unless the activity affects the entire franchise area. The DU allots the available power within its franchise area and implements the power interruption schedule among the end-users.

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.