ISSUE NO. 13, MARCH 29, 2007

NFA procurement program eases farmers' burden
By: Rachelle M. Nessia
March 28, 2007

The government's crop procurement program under the National Food Authority (NFA) has lightened the burden of farmers across Oriental Negros especially with the onset of the lean months.
A common burden among rice and corn farmers during the dry season is shortage of crop production, but with NFA's procurement program, farmers in the province have a lot to be thankful for.
Mrs. Ladiver Yllaña, who sits as manager of the Sta. Catalina Multi-Purpose Agricultural Cooperative (SCAMPACO), said that crop production of their farmer-members has dropped sharply due to the start of the hot season.
"Our production before is at 80 bags per hectare, but now it's only around 18," said Yllaña.
She said that thanks to NFA, the food agency's procurement program directly addresses this, with SCAMPACO's weekly procurement of 50 bags per week.
"In fact, our supply of 50 bags per week is not enough to address the demand here," added Yllaña.
The cooperative manager has already requested NFA to increase SCAMPACO's procurement to 100 bags per week.
The food agency's procurement program has been instrumental in the government's efforts to bring more basic goods within the reach of the masses,
According to Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo, under the Arroyo administration, the inflation rate average is the lowest in 20 years among four administrations.
Economic growth, he said is at its highest at 4.4 percent average while job creation is also a high water mark among four administrations at 900,000 annually.
Which is why more farmers are feeling the relief of a lesser burden, as the procurement program has also acted as a stabilizer of palay price, as attested by Rene Caballero, manager of the Bayawan Multi-Purpose Agricultural Kilusang Bayan (BEMAKB).
Caballero said that the procurement program has upped the procurement price, which has benefited the local farmers.
"Aside from this, if not for NFA's program, the commercial price of palay would be high. This program has stabilized the price of palay," he said.
Yllaña also recalls how it was for them before the program was implemented. "Back in 1998, we had to buy rice in Hinuba-an in Negros Occidental with a buying price of P20 to P22 per kilo. But now with NFA's procurement program, we were able to save because the price is much lower, only P18 per kilo," she said. (PIA/RMN)
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NFA procures more palay from farmers
By: Jennifer Catan-Tilos
March 28, 2007

The National Food Authority (NFA) here has been buying the palay produce of farmer cooperatives or individual farmers at P10.50/kilogram in line with NFA's Palay Procurement Program.
This support price, according to NFA Information Officer Rolando Lazalita has assisted more than 10,000 rice and corn farmers in the province with additional incentives under the Cooperative Development Incentive Funds (CDIF) of P.25/kg, P.15/kg for drying and P.10 for delivery fee.
Lazalita, however, said that the P.25 CDIF is held in trust to NFA to be used for post harvest facilities such as buying solar dryer, weighing scales, tarpaulins and even construction of bodegas that each 12 accredited farmer cooperatives here have saved.
With this, Lazalita said, NFA's support price have improved farmer cooperatives business condition, however private traders for a time have also contributed the farmers by buying higher price.
Meantime, Information Officer Lazalita, said they would intensify its palay and corn procurement during the next harvest season that is expected to begin later this month.
Lazalita said they have allocated sufficient funds for their procurement program in preparation for the foreseen lean months during the second quarter of the year.
As part of government's anti-poverty and hunger mitigation program, the Arroyo administration has been implementing the food-for-school program which provides rice to poor families through their children in Grade 1, pre-schools and day care centers.
The government is also expanding the implementation of the "Tindahan Natin" program along with the establishment of more barangay food terminals where the poor can buy cheap food and basic commodities.
"While the economy surges ahead, the President is determined to see to it that no one is left behind; and that every Filipino in dire need will receive a dividend from growth," Secretary Ignacio Bunye said.
"We are aware that there are no quick-fixes to the challenges of hunger and poverty but we shall follow the fastest and shortest path to bring relief to the most affected. The Cabinet has been put on notice by the Chief Executive and the train of programs is already rolling at good speed," he stressed.
Bunye had said earlier that "the President's signing into law of this year's budget (of P1.126 trillion) will increase the flow of social returns to the people in terms of adequate food on the table, decent jobs and broader access to basic social services." (PIA/JCT)
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Diocesan Electoral Board seeks poll watch volunteers
By: Rachelle Nessia
March 29, 2007

The Diocesan Electoral Board is calling on vigilant, non-partisan individuals in the province to pitch in their share towards a clean, honest, accurate, meaningful and peaceful election by volunteering to become an electoral board poll watcher.
Fr. Julius Heruela, convenor of the Diocesan Electoral Board here, said they are currently in need of poll watchers and encoders who will volunteer during the election period.
Fr. Heruela, in a recent Kapihan forum of the Philippine Information Agency here, said that the electoral board’s parish and municipal coordinators have started scouting for possible poll watchers in the voting center level in the barangays.
Training for poll watchers will start after the observation of Holy Week, he said.
The board will likewise hold a separate training for poll watchers hired by political candidates.
In the past elections, “poll watcher-snatching” has been a common problem for the electoral board as politicians tend to hire the poll watchers trained by the Diocesan.
To solve this, Fr. Heruela said they intend to hold a separate seminar for the poll watchers recruited by the politicians.
This way, the diocesan electoral board is assured that they will have trained poll watchers in each of the voting precinct in the province.
“We really need encoders and poll watchers at this time. We hope that barangay captains can help us sign up poll watchers,” he said.
“Mga sakop ninyo diha sa barangay nga wala’y politico nga gidapigan, we hope they can volunteer as poll watchers,” Fr. Heruela told the barangay captains in the Kapihan forum.
Interested volunteers can sign up with their local parish coordinator and get their assignments. “Our advise for poll watchers is to poll watch the precinct where they will cast their vote,” said Heruela.
The Dioecesan Electoral Board is composed of Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), Social Action, Philippine Information Agency, Philippine National Police, Comelec and inter-faith groups with the aim of working for a clean, honest, accurate, meaningful and peaceful polls.
Fr. Heruela explained that the electoral board’s aim will be carried out through what they call the Philippine Voters’ Academy covering three topics, dubbed as Pilipinas Game Ka Na Ba, Kababayan Laban o Bawi and Halalan Idol.
The topics will touch on the current economic and political situation of the country, the Church’s role in the coming elections and the qualifications of an ideal candidate.
“We hope to educate the voters and make them aware of their role and their responsibilities, and guide them in voting for the ideal candidates in the elections,” said Fr. Heruela.
The board will hold two vote countings in the coming elections. “PPCRV will be holding its own counting during the elections called parallel counting. But this will not be released to the local media as we are not allowed. Only NAMFREL’s Operation Quick Count has been authorized to release their counting to the media,” he said.
Malacañang has earlier stressed that all government institutions, with Comelec at the lead, are working closely together to ensure clean and peaceful elections.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said lawlessness or fraud will not be allowed to disrupt the government’s heard earned political stability and the gains of the economy.
With this, Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Manuel Advincula, in the same forum, urged barangay captains to exhort their constituents to vote wisely and not to sell their votes.
“Please advise the constituents in your barangays not to sell their votes, which is akin to selling the country’s future,” said Advincula in vernacular during the forum.
He also warned barangay chieftains to stay non-partisan and refrain from openly campaigning for any political candidate, which is prohibited by Comelec.
He discouraged the barangay captains and officials as well from loitering around the precincts during election day. (PIA/RMN)
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NegOr avian flu task force set on conducting bird flu awareness drive
By: Rachelle Nessia
March 29, 2007

Despite the bird flu-free status of the province and as well as the Philippines, there still is a need to inform the public on the preventive measures against bird flu, said Dr. Antonio Mutia, provincial veterinary officer here.
Mutia’s concern is shared by national agriculture and health officials who believe that although the Philippines remains free from the deadly avian flu virus, the threat of infection, however, continues to loom over the country.
Based on a report from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), the Philippines is literally surrounded by countries already infected by the virus that has already left in its trail a total of 273 human deaths while poultry losses is pegged at $95.754M as of February 2007.
In the Asian region, only Brunei, Singapore and the Philippines remain free from the clutches of the deadly virus, according to Dr. Rose Antegro of the Bureau of Animal Industry in Manila.
Antegro said it is no mere luck that the Philippines is bird flu-free as the concerted efforts of government agencies and various stakeholders to prevent the incursion of the disease here have played a key role in keeping the killer virus H5N1- the most dangerous strain of influenza A virus – off the Philippine shores.
On February 5, 2004, Executive Order 280 was issued, creating the Avian Influenza Protection Program (AIPP) and the National Avian Influenza Task Force (NAITF) that paved the way for the implementation of stringent anti-bird flu measures in the country.
Under the AIPP, a ban on importation of all poultry products from infected countries have been imposed while laboratory equipment for AI diagnosis has been upgraded and all technical staff have been trained on routine AI diagnosis.
A total of 14,046 blood samples and 2,514 cloacal swabs from native/game fowls, chickens, ducks from 16 regions, 54 provinces, 158 towns, 19 cities and 286 barangays across the country have been collected as of December 31, 2006.
All samples were tested and results showed that they were negative for AI.

Staggering
The Bureau of Animal Industry said a bird flu outbreak in the country would cause a huge financial dent to the poultry industry with losses pegged to reach a staggering P116B.
The ensuing consumer panic will lead to a sharp drop in consumption of chicken and eggs and a loss of growing export market, added BAI in a report.
This scenario is simply unacceptable, just when the country is enjoying the longest period of uninterrupted GDP growth in a quarter-century as a result of more than six years of government programs, infrastructure projects and economic expansion under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Thus, the government’s safety net has not relaxed as constant monitoring and blood sampling is being done particularly in the 20 identified hotspots in the country or areas where there transient migratory birds exist or with highly concentrated domestic duck/chicken population.
The areas are, namely: Zamboanga del Norte; Zamboanga del Sur; Zamboanga City; Zambonga Sibugay; Palawan near Quezon and Narra towns; Pampanga-Candaba swamp; Ilocos Norte-Pagudpud; Cagayan-Aparri; Cebu-Olanggo Island; Negros Occidental-Himamaylan; Isabela-Magat Dam; Agusan del Sur; Agusan del Norte; Surigao del Norte-Lake Mainit; Surigao del Sur; Panay Island-Roxas, Capiz; Sorsogon-Bulan and Matnog; General Santos City; Mindoro Oriental-Naujan; and Cotabato-Liguasan Marsh.

Bird flu campaign in OrNeg
Even though Oriental Negros is not identified as a bird flu hotspot, Mutia nevertheless is determined to pull the net a bit tighter, as he plans to conduct a stepped up avian flu information drive in the three districts in the province in the following months.
“The campaign will be done by district and our target audience will be our key players in the towns and cities, who will be responsible for disseminating the information down to the barangay levels,” he said.
Mutia disclosed that he has initially conducted an information campaign in selected areas in the province such as Tanjay City and Bais City.
The said cities are among the areas in the province where there are wetlands, which attract migratory birds and thus, put them at risk of an avian flu infection.
Trained fieldmen of the Provincial Veterinary Office also continue to conduct blood sampling here, he added.
As a preventive measure, Mutia urged homeowners not to place chicken, ducks and pigs together in one area, cage or pen, which is a common practice among local residents.
He also advised the public to immediately report to their local agriculture officer if they notice unusual symptoms among their chickens and other birds.
The national government is resolute in its efforts to pull out all stops to keep the country bird flu-free since once the infection invades the country, the consequences on human health and the country’s economy can be staggering, according to authorities. (PIA/RMN)
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GK Bayani Summit slated
By: Jennifer Catan-Tilos
March 29, 2007

Gawad Kalinga partners who donated decent houses to some 342 poor families in seven (7) Gawad Kalinga in Oriental Negros will be awarded during the GK Bayani Summit on April 1, 2007 at Bethel Guesthouse, this city.
The awarding is in recognition to GK partners from government, non-government organizations, and private individuals who have been instrumental in establishing the seven GK villages in Dumaguete City, Bayawan City, Mabinay and Bais City and Sta. Catalina in Oriental Negros.
During the summit, GK Ambassador Tony Meloto and GK executive director Luis Oquiñena will also award to more than 20 donors who willingly give out wholeheartedly their talents, time and resources which include one house, road right of way, NOreco electric meters, and some construction materials.
For this year, according to Carlo Borromeo, Oriental Negros GK Head, another 277 families will be granted homes under it GK program.
GK is an alternative solution to poverty problem in the Philippines which provide land and homes, dignity and peace for the poor. While there are about 1,000 GK sites all over the country, GK is more than about building houses for the poor but provide a decent home with values formation in the community, Borromeo said.
At the same time, the administration remains committed to pursue projects aimed at alleviating hunger and poverty and providing Filipinos with the social payback of the economic gains. This, as the government steps up its drive for more revenues, mount a crackdown on tax cheats and maintain the integrity of the management of tax collections.
With the spirit of volunteerism and bayanihan efforts from GK partners, GK will acknowledge their heroism who are actively participating in the work of helping the poor rebuild their lives.
In the same occasion, all mayors and congressmen of the province are invited to witness the awarding and see for themselves how GK partnership can accelerate LGU’s on their poverty alleviation in their respective areas.
The government and business community also foster closer cooperation to meet vital issues such as infrastructure development, labor-related concerns and drumming up the optimistic outlook of economic zones. (PIA/JCT)
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SIQUIJOR NEWS

ENTREPINOY Feature

'It's no longer a man's world,' says Siquijor Gawad Saka nominee
March 29, 2007

The Filipino people have more than enough reasons to be optimistic as the administration continues to improve incomes through jobs and enterprises and bring more basic goods within the reach of the poor.
Fedelita Dagumo of Barangay Tagmanokan, Lazi of the province of Siquijor , a provincial nominee for Gawad Saka Search for Outstanding Corn Farmer in Region 7, is a testimony.
She and her husband Domeng started farming in 2002. Corn is grown in her 1.25 has. farm as primary crop. She believes that gone are the days when only man could farm and run the plow on the field.
Because of the high cost of living, she believes that a wife's role does not end on domestic work like rearing children, but more than ever, to become a partner in pursuing livelihood for the family and assuring food in the table everyday.
Fedelita has always worked full time in the farm together with her children during weekends. Afterall farming has always been the family's source of income. Her interest in farming had stirred her desire to learn more skills and technologies to improve her farming system and to avail of technical assistance and farm from the government institutions.
This desire led her to attend various seminars and training's on crops, livestock, vegetables, capability building, records keeping, cooperatives, and other leadership training that would enhance her knowledge to become a successful farmer entrepreneur.
In 2004, she was the recipient of the Outstanding Farmer Scientist adopting the FSTP (Farmer-Scientist Technology Program) methodology on Corn given by the Provincial Government of Siquijor during its Celebration of the Araw Ng Siquijor. She adopted the new technology she learned from Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) and FSTP Corn training in her own farm by growing monocorn using the hybrid corn seed in the first cropping and intercrop corn with peanut, cassava, ubi and legumes during the second cropping. With her 1 hectare area she was able to harvest 8 tons of corn.
In 2005 the Department of Science and Technology also declared her as "Magsasaka Siyentista" as she teaches other farmers the technology and shares in the community her skills of doing things such as vermiculture.
With full government backing, she learned about Lakatan banana, which is a high market outside the province. All other varieties of banana grown in the island thrive well. Knowing the market potential of lakatan she convert most of her other banana to lakatan after she had a training on Banana Lakatan culture.
Extension workers from the local government unit of Lazi and from the Provincial Agriculturist Office works hand in hand with Fedelita and has been grooming her to excel in corn farming, that kept her updated on the latest technologies, which she really adopts.
She has also been an active participant in the Ceramics making sponsored by the Department of Agrarian Reform and an active member of LA VEGA (Lazi Vegetable Growers Association) which is a pet project of Congressman Orlando "Shane" Fua. The solon has initiated vegetable production in his Bangkoro Farm to showcase the technology and to form into vegetable association in unity and in strength.
The lady farmer sees to it that no space in her farm ever goes to waste. She has cultured vermi so that its wastes can be use for compost to fertilize her corn and for her cut flowers. She has cows used in the farm since she can't afford the cost of hand tractor. She also raised native chicken, kaber and goats to supply the organic fertilizer requirements of her farm with their manure.
Fedelita sees to it that her farm is well maintained. She also practices crop rotation and intercropping so as not to deplete the soil's nutrients. She keeps proper recording of her harvests and earnings.
Her record in 2005 and in 2006 from all her produce including livestock, crops and high value commercial crops reveals that she has an earnings of Php310,630.00. Out of these earnings it is no longer hard for the couple to send their children to school and meet their daily needs.
A very enterprising and hardworking lady, Mrs. Fedelita Dagumo when asked if she doesn't mind being the bread winner, she just smile and leaps a shoulder and said, it's not anymore a man's world where men dominate and say that they are the only one's that could till the soil. Farming is for everyone! Women could prove that it is not just for men. Fedelita's farm becomes a showcase of how a farmland can be maximized in order to increase one's income. For her, being gender sensitive advocate, it is an act of women empowerment.
It is good to note that while the economy surges ahead, the President is determined to remain focused on improving the lives of the poor and meeting the "challenges of hunger and poverty".
"She is determined to see to it that no one is left behind; and that every Filipino in dire need will receive a dividend from growth," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said in his weekly column, "The View from the Palace," which comes out Monday.
" President Arroyo is keenly focused on bearing down on the incidence of poverty and hunger through a multi-pronged campaign that cuts deeply into vulnerable areas and sectors," Bunye said. (Pilar P. Macalino with reports from PIA/Rizalie A. Calibo)
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Siquijor PNAO hopes anti-hunger fund to reach real recipients
March 27, 2007

Following President Macapagal-Arroyo's order to release P1 billion for the government's hunger mitigation program, Siquijor Provincial Nutrition Action Officer earlier expressed hope for the fund to get to its real beneficiaries to ensure the success of the program.
Alcoran, who is also the Provincial Health Officer, said this amidst issues on the allegedly failure of the Administration to bring down the effects of the government's economic recovery to the poor and the hungry.
"Athough Siquijor is not one of those priority provinces, we still hope that it will really reach the real recipients," Dr. Alcoran said.
The province still continues with its nutrition improvement efforts citing among others, Operation Timbang with emphasis on rehabilitation of malnourished children, supplemental feeding, micronutrient supplementation, deworming and other nutrition-related activities as revealed during the Provincial Nutrition Committees meeting yesterday at the Siquijor Provincial Hospital Conference Room.
As part of its anti-poverty and hunger mitigation program, the Arroyo administration has been implementing the food-for-school program, which provides rice to poor families through their children in Grade 1, pre-schools and day care centers.
The government is also expanding the implementation of the "Tindahan Natin" program along with the establishment of more barangay food terminals where the poor can buy cheap food and basic commodities.
"The government is doing this under the stewardship of President Arroyo and we are already making a dent on poverty although we realize that a long road lies ahead," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said in a statement.
"There are no quick fixes for poverty and hunger," Bunye said stressing that the Administration would follow the fastest and shortest path to bring relief to the most affected.
He explained that the President's signing into law of this year's budget will increase the flow of social returns to the people in terms of adequate food on the table, decent jobs and broader access to basic social services.
Bunye pointed out that the approved budget would shore up confidence and investments and give the government the wherewithal to modernize the economy through broader digital and physical infrastructure "that will open more jobs and windows of opportunity to leverage the spirit of enterprise, excellence and productivity of the Filipino."
President Arroyo signed yesterday Republic Act No. 9401, or the 2007 National Budget allocating P1.126-trillion "as social payback to the people for the fiscal turnaround of their government." (PIA/RAC)
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