Rice hull no longer nuisance waste, benefits discovered on poultry, piggery and farming (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&nid=11&rid=251050)
By Danny O. Calleja

CASTILLA, Sorsogon, Jan. 6 (PNA) — Time was when rice hull locally called “ipa” was nothing but nuisance waste burned to ashes or just dumped on vacant lots and left to rot by rice millers who then considered it a big problem.

Now, this rice by-product is becoming increasingly popular in some rice producing areas of the Bicol region because of its various uses when processed into carbonized rice hull (CRH).

Sorsogon Vice Governor Renato Laurinaria who maintains a two-hectare integrated mini-farm here uses it as litter for the chick brooder that later becomes manure collector that is converted into organic fertilizer.

Being sterile, CRH minimizes disease contamination as it readily absorbs the moisture in the manure so the litter does not get moist and not attractive to flies, Laurinaria said.

When the litter is treated with an enzyme (Biosec) formulated by Dr. Rene Sumaoang, a microbiologist of the Novatech Group of Companies, the usual odor from the manure is eliminated, at the same time breaking down the nutrients found in the manure so that when brooding is over, the litter would become an organic fertilizer that is ready to use on crops.

In some recently published articles, Laurinaria said, Dr. Sumaoang explained that Biosec is a combination of live but immobilized beneficial microorganisms and digestive enzymes that once applied, the beneficial microorganisms multiply very rapidly, inhibiting the growth of disease-causing organisms like E. coli, salmonella and others.

“In the two years of my backyard poultry farm, I have observed that chicks grown on CRH litter grow faster and are more uniform in size. They are healthier because CRH does not allow the proliferation of harmful organisms that often cause respiratory diseases and diarrhea,” Laurinaria said.

Sumaoang in a statement said Magnolia has already given Novatech the go-signal to talk with its contract growers to use this new method, especially those who are using the tunnel vent production system, which is totally enclosed. Espino Farm in Sugallon, Pangasinan, owned by Rep. Amado Espino, is now all out in using Biosec-treated CRH after using it in just two grows in tunnel vent systems.

For brooding, 0.5 kilogram (kg) of Biosec is applied on seven to 1O bags of CRH, which is used as litter for 1,000 birds for 14 days. The waste of the birds is mixed with the litter.

Thereafter, the litter is collected and can be used later as bio-organic fertilizer, according to Dr. Sumaoang. However, the use of Biosec must still be continued.

After brooding until the broilers are harvested, Biosec (15 kg per 5,000 birds) is applied on the manure which falls on the ground. In a tunnel vent system, like those used by Magnolia and Tyson, 2 kg of Biosec is spread on the litter of every 1,000 birds after brooding. In egg production, 20 kg of Biosec is applied on the manure of every 5,000 birds every three months.

Normally, raw rice hull is used in chicken litter. However, this material is a poor absorbent material, as its silica content is still bound inside the hull. Without Biosec, the chicken manure emits dangerous sulfide and ammonia gases, which produce foul odor and trigger respiratory diseases in the birds.

Moreover, the litter becomes the host of deadly microbes and poses a continuing problem on its disposal as it cannot be used as organic fertilizer.

With Biosec on the litter, Sumaoang said, the emission of ammonia and sulfide gases as well as foul odor is minimized, thereby reducing mortality rate.

Biosec treatment of CRH results in better ability of the birds to produce meat or eggs, ensures total biosecurity, and makes CRH an effective bio-organic fertilizer. The feathers of the birds also do not become discolored. Death of birds is greatly reduced by 30 to 40 percent. Consequently, medication cost is also greatly reduced.

In layer production, reduced death rate is translated into higher income as more birds are laying in any given period.

In Bantayan Island, Cebu, the egg basket of the Visayas, Biosec treatment of CRH has resulted in one to five percent increase in egg-laying performance. With an increase of two percent, for instance, 5,000 birds would produce an additional 25,550 eggs a year. If each egg costs P3, the increase in production would be worth P76,650, Sumaoang noted.

On the other hand, if the increase in production is five percent, an additional 63,875 eggs worth P191,625 would be produced from 5,000 birds in one year.

Given 100,000 layers, the poultry owner would have an additional net income of P1.133 million or P3.4325 million with two percent or five percent increase in egg production, respectively. The annual cost of Biosec treatment is only P20,000 for 5,000 layers or P400,000 for 100,000 birds.

In broilers, a two percent increase in production from 26,000 birds would result in an additional 780 kg of meat worth P42,000. The cost of 200 kg of Biosec is only P6,000, resulting in an additional net gain of P36,000, Sumaoang added.

Laurinaria said he is also replicating the practice of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Nueva Ecija where a pigpen where carbonized rice hull, about one foot deep, serves as flooring instead of the usual cement floor is being showcased, he said.

In result, the pigpen does not have to be cleaned with water everyday as in fact, it does not get washed for the entire growing period of four months while the manure and urine of the pigs get buried in the carbonized rice hull.

The usual foul smell is practically eliminated and when the pigs attain market size and are sold, the litter is collected and used as organic fertilizer for vegetables, rice and other crops, Laurinaria said.

“We also found CRH very useful in rice farming,” the vice-governor said explaining that 20 bags of it combined with organic fertilizer or compost may be applied in one hectare. It could be plowed in during land preparation to make it more porous for better plant growth as it enables the soil to retain the moisture much longer.

“Thus, during prolonged dry spell, the rice plants will be able to survive the rainless period longer,” he said.

In this case, according to Sumaoang, rice grown in fields enriched with CRH also produces more profuse tillers. This will mean higher yield because there are more stems that will bear fruit.

CRH is also useful in seedbeds for producing rice seedlings. Seedlings grown in beds of CRH are much easier to pull out come transplanting time. The roots don’t get damaged, hence the seedlings get established in the field more readily, Sumaoang said.

Likewise, CRH can be very useful in growing high-value vegetables, including those grown in containers. Combined with compost or topsoil, the resulting growing medium is ideal for producing healthy crops. Radish grown in containers by his company produced sizeable roots, he said.

Moreover, the ornamental horticulture industry could benefit a lot from the use of CRH. Being sterile, the use of CRH will minimize fungal infection in various ornamental plants. CRH could be combined with compost for germinating expensive seeds. It will also make an ideal material for producing potted ornamentals.

Sumaoang, who is aggressively promoting CRH, explained that farmers themselves can easily produce it for their own use or for sale.

“The equipment can be fabricated by them, consisting of a halved steel drum with holes on the side, and a four-foot steel pipe that will serve as chimney. The half drum is turned upside down and the chimney is attached in the middle of the upper end. A few layers of hollow blocks could be installed several feet around the half drum that will contain the raw rice hull to be made into CRH,” he explained.

With a few pieces of dry wood, fire is started inside the drum and when stabilized so that the pieces of wood are burning, raw rice hull is placed inside the drum and then a big pile is placed all around and way above the drum.

The fire inside the drum will gradually burn the raw rice hull and when burning reaches the top of the pile, water is sprinkled to stop the burning so that the burnt rice hull will not turn into ash. Ash is not good for incorporating in the planting medium because it will behave like cement. It will not make the soil porous, Sumaoang said. (PNA)

Danggit provides group profitable new livelihood (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2010/jan7/xdan.html)
Text and Photos By Juan Escandor Jr.

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MARKET READY. Dried ‘danggit’ from Prieto Diaz, Sorsogan are packaged in double plastic bags and sold at P 500/kilo.

PRIETO DIAZ, Sorsogon ---‘Danggit”, commonly known as rabbit fish, gives new livelihood to a people’s organization here with promising dried fish production expanding three folds after two years.

Dried danggit, a product Cebu is famous for, is making its own brand in this coastal town southeast of Sorsogon province as it makes the rounds in trade fairs.

Joselito Domdom, chairman of Seamancor Ecodevelopers, Inc. or Seamancor, narrated they were organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in 1994 as part of coastal environment program.

Domdom said the DENR introduced different livelihood programs for them which included goat raising, nipa plantation, crab culture, and seaweed farming and swine dispersal.

But he said they did not succeed in their earlier attempts which made them venture in other business endeavors that continues to operate even until now, such as the National Food Authority’s rice trading, catering, mangrove propagules production and danggit processing venture.

Domdom revealed danggit processing accidentally came to them when the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) conducted livelihood training to a multisectoral group here two years ago.

“We were not recipients of the training but our organization provided the catering. I got interested with the subject so I joined the training in the second day where I learned the techniques of processing,” he said.

Domdom said he applied the knowledge he learned from the DTI and tried processing some 40 kilos of danggit which he said clicked with very satisfactory return of investment.

They expanded their danggit processing venture and consulted the DTI regarding the prospects of their business until they were invited to join the trade fair in Manila.

“Our product was sold briskly which encouraged us to improve more on our quality and packaging with the help of DTI,” Domdom enthused.

While attending training in Cebu, he discovered the processed danggit there to be boneless so he adopted it when he returned to his hometown.

In 2008, the Seamancor started producing boneless danggit which became hot item in a trade fair in Manila with 100 kilos sold on the second day of the five-day event. The same happened in 2009 even though they were able to sell all their dried danggit merchandise a day before the end of the five-day trade fair.

Domdom said the demand of their product has been increasing with several interested distributors from as far as Manila making orders on regular basis.

He bared they are now producing 100-150 kilos of dried danggit in one month to satisfy the demand which includes orders from government employees in Sorsogon province.

Domdom said strict quality control made their product apart from other dried danggit sold in the market which includes selection of fresh raw materials and processing technique that saves the product from fly infestation during drying process.

He identified the problem of drying the processed danggit during rainy days and now he said they are asking the help of the Department of Agriculture to obtain a mechanical dryer.

“With the abundance of danggit in our seas here, I am sure the opportunity to expand to bigger scale is always there,” he exclaimed.

Danggit (Siganus Sp.), which is called toros here, is endemic and abound in sea-grass beds around the coast that stretches from this town to the towns of Gubat, Barcelona, Bulusan and Sta. Magdalena.

Melchor B. Deramas, chief of extension and training of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), said danggit is also found near the vicinity of this town from the towns of Bacon in Sorsogon City to Albay province in the towns of Bacacay, Rapu-Rapu and San Miguel Island.

Deramas said the wide tidal flats of Prieto Diaz town where the sea-grass beds abundantly grow are ideal habitat of danggit.

is it true that zestair will resume its Masbate flights on Jan. 18. just saw at on wikipedia but no news yet on zest's website. sana matuloy na at sumunod na rin ang cebu pacific.

is it true that zestair will resume its Masbate flights on Jan. 18. just saw at on wikipedia but no news yet on zest's website. sana matuloy na at sumunod na rin ang cebu pacific.

Yup, it's true:)

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41 reach semis in search for Vice President’s scholars (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNation.htm?f=2010/january/18/nation6.isx&d=2010/january/18)

A TOTAL of 41 semifinalists have been chosen from among the thousands of deserving public high school students who joined the nationwide search for the 4th Vice President Noli de Castro Academic Excellence and Exemplary Leadership Awards, the search committee said.

This year’s semifinalists include a student leader from the Ilocos region who works as a parking-billiard-and-toilet attendant all at the same time to help her parents earn a living and support her studies.

The hardships notwithstanding, a young student from a public school managed to demonstrate exemplary leadership that inspired students her age to excel despite the many obstacles posed by poverty.

The young student’s achievements and similar inspiring accomplishments of graduating high school students are the centerpiece of this year’s awards, said lawyer Jesse H.T. Andres, head of the awards committee and chief-of-staff of the Vice President.

Starting this week, the search committee will screen semifinalists beginning with those from Mindanao. Among them are: Dayanara Kreza Vargas of Tupi National High School in Tupi, South Cotabato; Lawrence Wilmer P. Anatalio of Agusan National High School, in Butuan City; Michael Bonn Bonifacio of Valencia National High School in Bukidnon; Mark Efhraem Dalman of Tagum City National Comprehensive High School in Davao del Norte; Jerwin Jay Taping of Marber National High School in Digos City, Davao del Sur; and Anbert Jonathan C. Cayna of Agay National High School in Agusan del Norte, all for academic excellence.

Those vying for exemplary leadership awards include: Jun Perry Magno of Lupon Vocational High School in Davao Oriental; Fedelia Flor Mero of Agusan National High School in Butuan City; Elvis Brian Hilbero of Valencia National High School, Bukidnon; Ramdolf James Dongon of General Santos City High School; and Zaifel Jane Tabulao of Tabon M. Estrella National High School, Bislig City.

In the succeeding weeks, to be screened are semifinalists from the Visayas, Luzon and the National Capital Region.

The Visayas semifinalists for academic awards are: Carl Leonard Pradera of Sandingan High School in Loon, Bohol; Sonny Mie Gallo of Ramon Torres National High School in Bago City; Hyacinth Bangero of Barotac Viejo National High School, Iloilo; Kathy Lois Amores of Cebu City National Science High School; and Edcel Paul Tejare of Bacolod City National High School.

Those for exemplary leadership include: Bryan Eric Cerebo of Santa Barbara National Comprehensive High School, Iloilo; Joebert Valdez of Ramon Torres National High School, Bago City; Nyrmla Kate Grace Orcena of SPED High School, Cadiz City; Ivy Jane Crucero of Passi National High School, Iloilo; and Jessa Costelo of Bata National High school, Bacolod City.

From Luzon, the semifinalists for academics are: Monette Jane Vargas of Ligao National High School in Albay; Tessa Nickaela Noora of Camarines Sur National High School, Naga City; Jerome Taguba of Aparri School of Arts and Trades in Cagayan; Jessica Junio of Cauayan National High School in Cauayan City, Isabela; and Kristine Joy Iraola of Vinzons Pilot High School in Camarines Norte.

For exemplary leadership, they include: Glenda Singson of Ilocos Sur National High School; Lloyd Lavern Corpuz of Naguilian National Hgih School, La Union; Ace Ceremonia of La Union National High School, San Fernando City; Sailyn Guarin of Sorsogon National High School, Sorsogon City; and Lexter Nano of Calasiao Comprehensive National High School, Pangasinan.

For the National Capital Region, semifinalists for academics are: Jasper John Ortiz of Muntinlupa National High School; Julie Ann Arreza of San Antonio National High School, Makati; Jordan Santos of Rizal High School, Pasig City; Kristopher Jayson Bondoc of Marikina Science High School; and Alen Balbuena of Senator Renato Cayetano Memorial Science & Technology High School in Taguig.

Vying for exemplary leadership awards are: Kim Robert De Leon of Navotas National High School; Ni–a Manel Laurel of New Era High School in Quezon City; Michael Anjielo Tabuyan of Muntinlupa National High School; John Paulo Delas Nieves of the City of Mandaluyong Science High School; and Cesar Mansal of Cayetano Arellano High School in Manila.

Along with the Office of the Vice President, the Kabayan Foundation and the Department of Education, this year’s awards is under the auspices of the Rotary Club of Midtown Quezon City, the Rotary Club of Makati West and JobsDB.Com.

^^

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saw this in Phil Star today...Air Phil flying to Pagadian soon

:cheers:

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there's this old charm that is seen in this picture.. and i like it.. :)

there's this old charm that is seen in this picture.. and i like it.. :)

surely something worth keeping. hope our old towns like masbate preserve its unique character, this old charm even as all the signs and structures of progress set in.

first and last visited masbate in 2005. great view of the sea from the seminary on the hilltop. enjoyed the lazy walks in the breezy pier area.

saw also the ad that palexpress will also be flying soon to Masbate. got very excited. at long last, we'll have the option of real comfort in travelling, not relying to Legazpi airport.

Fund includes “pork”: Half of P81-M EDF set aside for infra projects (http://catanduanestribune.com/Headline/Detail.aspx?newsID=6419)

The provincial government has begun the procurement process covering projects funded by the 2010 20% Economic Development Fund of P81,036,529.03, nearly half of which has been allotted for various infrastructure projects this election year.

According to an official source, the final list of projects was recently approved after weeks of bargaining b between Governor Joseph C. Cua and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Vice Governor Alfred M. Aquino. Each of the provincial board members has been allotted P1-million in projects, although the source says other PBMs allied with the governor could get higher amounts.

The sticking point in the negotiations centered on the PBM’s share in the EDF infra projects and the governor’s allotments in the same fund and in the Maintenance and Other Operating Expense of P43 million set aside in the General Fund alone.

Of the P81-million for the 20% EDF this year, P5,614,925.00 has been allotted for General Services, including P2,564,925.00 for Institutional Development and P3,050,000.00 for Economic Development. A total of P1.18 million will go to the acquisition of equipment and other supplies for the tax information and advocacy campaign, mobile sound system, Data Digitization Project, and ICT equipments.

For Economic Services with an allotment of P52,554,078.00, the province will spend P6,899,078.00 for crops, fisheries and livestock development. This includes P750,000 for abaca development, P1-million for the Catanduanes Crab Center, P240,000 for four crab grow-out sites, P280,000 for the tilapia hatchery, P770,016.00 for the Panganiban demo fishpond, and P1.4 million for the dairy farm development project in Guinsaanan, Baras. Tourism development will get P2-M for the Catandungan Festival and P300,000 for the tourism info desks and travel café.

Aside from P1.85 million for quarry management and regulations, Capitol has set aside P1.5-M for its own Clean and Green project and P1.35-M for the Gawad Kalikasan award and solid waste management plan formulation.

The bulk of the 20% EDF goes to Infrastructure Development, with a total of P38,055,000.00, broken down into P10.7-M for various construction and repair works, P7-M for health facilities, and P20.3-M for project assistance to local government units. Among the big projects considered are rehabilitation of the PEO motorpool, construction of waste management facilities at EBMC, upgrading of Pandan district hospital, repair of PHO TSD building, second phase of the multi-purpose training center at the capitol compound, reconstruction of the Virac public market footbridge and the completion and rehabilitation of the 2-km Cabuyoan road in Panganiban.

Under Social Services, P5-M has been set aside for the provincial scholarship program while P9.75-M will be allocated for Philhealth indigent insurance. It likewise includes P600,000 for disaster management and P2-M for public security and safety, including support for the PNP crime laboratory. Slightly over P1-M will go to the 2010 operation plan of the Provincial Investment Plan for Health (PIPH) which seeks to implement major reforms in the health sector.

The 2010 Annual Investment Plan of the Cua administration proposes to spend for development projects a total of P678,725,684.19, sourced from the General Fund (P350,033,474.00), 20% Economic Development Fund (P81,036,529.03), and Grants and Loans from national agencies and financing institutions (P247,655,681.16).

Among the big-ticket items to be sources externally are: P81,233,381.16 from the Municipal Development Fund Office (MDFO) and the German development bank KfW for the repair and rehabilitation of eight (8) hospitals; P12,196,500.00 from the Department of Health and PDAF for the establishment of six (6) barangay health stations, upgrading of 23 other BHS, and procurement of equipment and supplies;

P42,225,800.00 from the Agencia Española para Cooperacion International Desarollo (AECID) and DOH for the conversion of six Rural Health Units to Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care Center (CEMOC) and one (1) BHS to Barangay Emergency Obstetric Care Center (BEMOC) equipped for medical equipment; P35-M from MDFO for the Real Property Tax Administration information system and rehabilitation of the Catanduanes Youth Center;

P25-M loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines for the construction of its branch building inside the capitol compound; and, P50-million loan from the Philippine National Bank for the procurement of heavy equipment.

Congratulations to Gubatnons, at last a state university was approved and signed into law by the President last Dec. 20, 2009.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9860
AN ACT INTEGRATING THE BICOL UNIVERSITY - GUBAT EXTENSION CAMPUS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF GUBAT, PROVINCE OF SORSOGON AS A REGULAR BRANCH OF THE BICOL UNIVERSITY IN LEGASPI CITY, PROVINCE OF ALBAY DEFINING ITS OBJECTIVES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Thanks to Senator Mar Roxas who sponsored the Bill

The new campus will be located in the former vacant Dairy Farm in Brgy. Buenavista. A new building is already being constructed for the said state university

Ask ko lang kung pano makapunta ng Masbate galing ng NCR via bus. Kung pede sama narin ang estimated time of departure from NCR and time of arrival in Sorsogon (pier).
Thanks.

Sorsogon Capitol
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by highlights.photo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/highlightsphoto/)

Subic Beach, Matnog

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I was told there's a Boracay-like white sand beach in Masbate. Anyone who knows about it? Pictures please.

i have read about a century-old mangrove tree that can be found in bongsanglay natural park in Batuan, Ticao Island, Masbate, Philippines. the article was written in 2006. does anybody have any info if it's still alive? thanks in advance, for your answers.

DAR backs 'pili' sweets industry of Sorsogon (http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Article_Features_22/DAR_backs_pili_sweets_industry_of_Sorsogon.shtml)

MANILA, Jan. 30 (PNA Features) –- The Bicol Region is known for its “pili” nuts. No one leaves the place without it.

Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) throughout the region are engaged in the industry in cooperation with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

“The supply of pili nuts have increased in the last two years with the establishment of 30 orchard farms in Sorsogon City Agrarian Reform Community (SCARC) in Sorsogon Province,” said Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman.

He said the project, in partnership among DAR, DTI, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Sorsogon helps more farmers earn additional income aside from rice farming and copra producing.

Pangandaman said DAR tapped the Salvacion Farmers’ Development Cooperative (SAFADECO) and Sarong Grupo para sa Kauswagan (SAGKA) for the pili production project.

“The plantation will cover 10 hectares of land and could initially benefit 40 agrarian reform beneficiaries. In 2009, the pili project was expanded in Barangay Salvacion, Sorsogon City,” Pangandaman said.

SAFADECO and DAR established a nursery for the “pili” plants in a five hectare nursery-working area which was developed by five agrarian reform cooperators who became agents of transferring the new technology to other beneficiaries.

“Pili," scientifically known as “canarium ovatum” is indigenous to Bicol Region. Sorsogon, known as the land of prosperity, welcomes its visitors with a huge landmark of this wooden fruit as they enter the province.

While pili nut was introduced in other countries, it is only in the Philippines where it is processed in commercial quantity.

Bicol, the major producer, has produced approximately 4,462.1 metric tons in 2005 with Sorsogon covering the highest production of 2,549 metric tons.

Pili is believed to have originated from the slopes of Bulusan Volcano. It has many uses: The hard thick shell from its fruit is used as fuel and material for handicraft. The fruit when soaked in hot water makes the outside edible pulp edible, while its kernel can be eaten fresh. (PNA Features)

CEB offers 50% off seat sale to all destinations (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=6&sid=&nid=6&rid=256908)
By Lily O. Ramos

MANILA, Feb. 4 (PNA)--The Philippines’ number one domestic flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB) offers a 50 percent discount starting Feb. 5 to 8 on any domestic and international destination for flights covering May 1-July 31, 2010.

“CEB encourages passengers to book early to avail of the lowest possible fares. We are reducing our trademark low fares by 50 percent as an invitation to business and leisure travelers, as well as first-time fliers and bus and ferry passengers, to fly with CEB for their travel needs,” said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution, Candice Iyog.

The 50 percent off seat sale is applicable to CEB’s 14 international destinations, including Hong Kong and Singapore (6-times daily services to both), Osaka, Incheon, Pusan (via Cebu), Taipei, Macau, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh and Jakarta.

“Those going on vacations this summer can also avail of up to 50 percent discounts on selected Fun Tours packages available at www.funtours.cebupacificair.com. This is in line with our commitment to offer high quality, great value travel products to our passengers,” Iyog added.

The Gokongwei-owned airline also currently flies to 32 domestic destinations such as Caticlan (Boracay), Dipolog, Cebu, Catarman and Calbayog in Samar, Tuguegarao and Cauayan in North Luzon, and Virac in Catanduanes.

Passengers on flights from Clark to Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok and Macau can also avail of the 30 kilos free baggage allowance promo until June 30, 2010.

Booking and inquiries could be logged to www.cebupacificair.com or call the reservation hotlines at (02) 7020-888 or (032) 230-8888.

Good news guys, Air Philippines will start flying to Masbate on March 19, 2010. :)

Ask ko lang kung pano makapunta ng Masbate galing ng NCR via bus. Kung pede sama narin ang estimated time of departure from NCR and time of arrival in Sorsogon (pier).
Thanks.

try RORO Bus in Araneta Center Terminal, Cubao.

Donsol Municipal Hall
February 1, 2010

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Butanding Interaction
Brgy. Dancalan
February 1, 2010

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The Office
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Dive Center
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Knowing Donsol and the Butanding

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February 1, 2010

Souvenir shops

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Briefing and film showing before the Interaction

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RoRo bus going to Masbate via Pilar, Sorsogon leaves Araneta Center every 2pm.

Masbate sheep raiser says there is money in this ruminant (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=11&sid=&nid=11&rid=257531)
By Danny O. Calleja

MASBATE City, Feb 8 (PNA) -- If insomniacs mentally count sheep to be able to fall asleep, former banker Nilo Casas literally do that in his farm here and in Cavite as he eyes profit.

For 23 years, Casas, who is also a commercial goat raiser has been convinced that there is money in sheep raising even as it is true that Filipinos generally do not eat lamb.

His market, the Arab and Muslim communities as well as returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who come from the Middle East all contribute to the continuous growing demand for mutton (sheep meat) in the Philippines.

“One time," the 54-year-old Casas recalls, “I was able to earn more than a million pesos for selling 275 heads of sheep alone. There was a politician who bought 200 heads and another rancher who bought the other 75 heads. I told myself, indeed there is money in here.”

How Casas stumbled into raising these woolly mammal species is an interesting story in itself. In 1984, right after he resigned as a liaison officer of a prestigious bank, Casas focused his energy on managing his five goat stores in Metro Manila.

One day, a farmer from Dumaguete offered him to buy a live sheep. “I told him, I don’t have any market for that. But the farmer insisted and I bought the sheep for P405.00. The next day, I was able to sell the sheep for P600.00,” Casas said.

The following day, he recalled, the Dumaguete farmer came again and sold more sheep. “That time, I was able to sell those for P1,000 each. That cycle repeated until I was able to sell 32 heads of sheep.”

After five months, Casas said he bought 22 heads from the same farmer but did not sell the ewes (female sheep). “I brought them to my mother’s farm in San Juan, Batangas where they were taken care of as breeders and in three years time, the number of heads multiplied by eight times. By 1987, I was already raising around 400 heads of sheep.”

Since sheep belong to the genus ovis and are part of the goat antelope sub-family, Casas said that raising sheep and goats does not differ.

In fact, he says, it is even easier to raise sheep because they do not succumb to the dreaded sore eyes and foot and mouth diseases which usually infect goats. Both ruminants, sheep and goats could also be raised together in the same farm and share the same food, which mostly consist of weeds and silage.

“The sheep has a higher survival rate than goats,” Casas explains. “One of the reasons for this is that sheep rarely give birth to twins and as such, don’t really compete in drinking from the milk of their mothers.”

Today, Casas maintains two sheep and goat farms, one of which in an 18-hectare farm here and the other, a smaller five-hectare in Kawit, Cavite where all his ruminants roam freely to pasture in verdant grasslands.

Through the years, he has tried to shepherd different sheep breeds from the fine-textured Suffolk to the hairy St. Croix and the exceptionally vigorous Damara.

The prices of these imported breeds range between P25,000 and P35,000 per head. They are raised primarily for their meat, unlike in other countries, where some sheeps are also raised for their good quality wool.

In three to five months after birth, Casas said, the sheep are sold live at prices ranging between P3,000 and P4,000. The ewes sell more for P5,000.

Through time, he said he has also learned the art of value-adding by grilling the lamb and selling the whole "lechon tupa" at P5,500. The price would include his version of the "tupang kilawin" and "papaitan."

“Imagine. Say you have 50 heads of sheep sold at P4,000 each for a total of P200,000. How much does a Filipino domestic helper in other countries earn? P35,000 a month or less? They might as well come back here and raise sheep.”

But then, the proverbial question that remains: Is there really a growing local market demand for mutton ? Casas says he doesn’t have the accurate figure to answer that question, although based on his experience, the demand is something close to 250 heads a month.

The demand peaks during Christmas and Muslim holidays and when the Arab communities in the Philippines have their own celebrations, Casas said adding that the Spanish-Filipinos or the mestizos also buy a lot of sheep from him.

For Arabs, Casas said they buy only live sheep from him and they want it complete with ears and tail. “They do not want parts of the sheep cut off.”

The growing number of overseas-based Filipino engineers who have already acquired the habit of cooking and eating mutton which they have acquired during the years they have stayed in various Arab countries is another market, he said.

To further expand his market, Casas makes his sheep visible in agri-trade shows like Agrilink, which he has already been his loyal patron for the past four years.

At the start of the year, he designs his own “Sheep Calendars” and distributes them to the different Middle East and Arab embassies in Makati. He said those calendars contain pictures of his sheep, his name and contact numbers and even maps of how to go to his farms.

He is also an active member of the Federation of Goat and Sheep Raisers of the Philippines through which he regularly exchanges notes and pointers with other sheep raisers on how to improve their enterprises.

For those who are interested to raise sheep, Casas shares this advice: “For a start, one can raise five to 10 heads of sheep. After eight months, the ewes can already be impregnated by the rams. In five months, they would already give birth.”

If the sheep reaches the weight of 18 kilograms, they can already be sold. “In my experience, raising one head of sheep entails the cost of P500 that includes the cost of the animal’s food, depreciation and labor costs.”

Sheep eat any kind of grass although Casas recommends napier, para grass, centrosema, malunggay and ipil-ipil. Sheep can also eat leftovers and food peeling and “if you want good quality meat, you could also feed them with growing mash, the one that you feed the pigs.”

It is also advisable for new raisers to contact others who are already in the enterprise so that they could learn from their own experiences. “We are growing in number. We have sheep farms in Bulacan, Antipolo and some other places.”

If they are worried about their market, Casas said, new sheep raisers can come to him because he also do not merely sell sheep as he also buy and outsource from other raisers in order to meet his volume requirement.

In the future, Nilo Casas said he aims to increase his sheep production from mere hundreds to around 3,500 heads.

He said he is looking for possible business partners who with whom he could forge an alliance with. “With the growing number of sheep enthusiasts and the continuous increase of well-traveled Filipinos who have already acquired the passion for lamb meat from abroad, time will come I would no longer be able to count the sheep in his farms.”

By that time, he added he would probably be paying it forward and teaching the new generation of Filipino shepherds how to earn more money by raising these well loved woolly farm animals. (PNA)

6 MPS, may brand new mobile car

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Virac, Catanduanes – Anim (6) na Municipal Police Stations (MPS) ang tumanggap kamakailan ng brand new, latest model Toyota Hi-Lux PNP Mobile mula sa Camp Crame sa Quezon City.

Ang nasabing grant na itinuturing na isang malaking gantimpala o pagpapala, ay bunga umano ng masigasig na pamumuno ni PNP Provincial Director Col. Rodegelio Gerero at sa pakikipagtulungan din ng pamahalaang local ng Catanduanesl at municipalities.

Si P/Insp Von Eric F. Gualberto, hepe ng Viga PNP, ang personal na tumanggap ng nasabing mga sasakyan mula sa Crame. At bilang isa sa mga recipient ang Viga MPS, hindi maitago ang kagalakan ni Gualberto.

“Ito na ang katuparan ng pangarap ng mga MPS na walang sariling mobile,” ayon sa kanya. “I could say this mobile is an additional force in addressing and strengthening PNP campaigns against criminality. Makakatulong din ito upang lalo pang masiguro ang katahimikan at kaayusan sa darating na halalan. Thanks for the people who were part of this blessings.”

Maliban sa Viga PNP na tumanggap ng isang unit #SIZ 845, nagkaroon din ang iba pang munisipyo katulad ng Gigmoto #SIZ 843, Bagamanoc #SIZ 841, Pandan #SIZ 844, Caramoran #SIZ 842, at PPSMC #SIZ 840.

Pilot Elem. School, tumanggap ng 20 computer notebooks

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Virac, Catanduanes – Ang Virac Pilot Elementary School (VPES) ang kaisa-isang paaralang elementarya sa buong rehiyong Bicol na tumanggap ng 20 computer notebooks.

Ito ay sa ilalim ng Adopt-A-School Program ng Department of Education (DepEd) at ng Intel Corporation.

Sa turnover ceremony na dinaluhan ng ilang DepEd officials mula sa DepEd Central Office na pinamumunuan nina Marie Paul Soriano, Director ng Adopt-A-School Program, at ni DepEd Central Legal Counsel na produkto din ng VPES Atty. Theresa Balagtas-Gupo, sinabi ng mga itong performance ng VPES ang dahilan umano kung kaya’t napiling recipient ito sa kabila ng sangkatutak na public elementary school sa Region V.

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Sa kanyang mensahe, binigyang-diin ng director na hindi kaaway ng growth and development ng mga bata ang kahalintulad na mga gadgets katulad ng umano’y claims ng marami na sumisira din sa kaisipan ng mga bata ang labis na exposure sa makabagong teknolohiya.

“Children now are born in a digital age,” ayon kay Soriano. “Para sa kanila, fish-in-a-pond ang ganitong mga gadgets kaya bakit natin ipagkakait sa kanila? Computer, internet and other gadgets are not children enemies. Nagiging kaaway lamang ito kung mawawala ang guidance mula sa magulang at sa mga teachers.”

Dagdag pa ng director, nasa iresponsableng paggamit umano ang ikapapahamak ng mga bata. Kaugnay nito, binigyan ni Soriano ng mandato ang mga gurong mamamahala sa pagtuturo ng computer at pag-explore ng mga bata sa internet.

“Do not let them surf in the internet unattended. In the internet, another world, a wide wide world will be opened for the children. Para hindi sila maligaw, huwag pabayaang nag-iisa,” dagdag pa ng opisyal.

Halos kamukha lamang ng sinabi ni Soriano ang naging laman ng pangungusap ni Atty. Gupo. Hinikayat niya ang mga batang gamitin sa mabuting dahilan ang computers gayundin ang internet.

Samantala, wala namang pagsidlan ang katuwaang ipinahayag ni Asst. Schools Division Superintendent Socorro dela Rosa sa tinamong biyaya ng premyadong elementary school ng lalawigan.

wow galing!!! dito nagaaral pamangkin ko...

more more more more pa.. para sa development ng lugar na yan...

SSC Bulan campus automates enrolment (http://pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=r05&y=&mo=&fi=p100211.htm&no=56)

by BA Recebido

Bulan, Sorsogon (11 February) -- Students of the Sorsogon State College (SSC) campus here can get rid of the long queue in the coming years after the same institution has since implemented the Automated Enrollment System (AES) the second semester of this school year.

IT instructors Santiago Santiago, Mark Anthony Dipad, and Eddie Boy Gracilla, initiated the innovative and modernized procedure leveling up the previous manual enrolment system into an electronic scheme.

SSC President Antonio Fuentes said that AES is the first module of the SSC Bulan campus automation program that is currently under development.

"This system comprises different modules or functions of the program operation," he said.

Among the modules applied are the Admission Module, producing the admission result to be presented by the freshmen for enrolment which includes their names, date of examination, course and major, and the rating in English Plus.

The Advising Module, meanwhile, produces advice slip from the lecturer's module indicating whether the students qualify for enrolment, while the Enrollment Module produces the registration form with the breakdown of required fees.

There is also a Cashiering Module which issues the official receipt of the payment made by the students.

The Timetable Module shows the classroom utilization, Teacher's Program and Class Program.

Lecturer Module shows the grade sheets while the Registrar Module shows official transcript of records and other certifications once students make a request supported by the official receipt and request form.

Fuentes bared that during the enrollment, seven sets of computer units are installed and are connected using the local area network at the Office of the Registrar, Cashier, Accounting, and at the Assessment Section.

The automated enrollment system used in Bulan Campus will also be put into operation at the Sorsogon City campus.

By the end of 2011, program developers and administrators of SSC envision the implementation of full automation system in all its campuses. (PIA Sorsogon with reports from HDemdam)

Will be here next month!!!!!!

Donsol, Sorsogon
February 1, 2010

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National Seaweed Technology Development Center
Cabid-an, Sorsogon City
February 12, 2010

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Sorsogon Dairy Farm and Processing Plant
Cabid-an, Sorsogon City
February 12, 2010

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San Benon Hot and Cold Spring Resort
February 12, 2010

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Bulusan Lake Natural Park
February 12, 2010

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You can go kayaking for a fee of 50 pesos...

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o di kaya'y mag-hiking sa trail which is 2.7 kilometers for a fee of 150 pesos.

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and this quarter, maglalagay ng water bikes. And a zipline will be put as another fun-filled activity na swak na swak sa masa.:banana:

thanks for sharing the pictures.
beautiful sorsogon. hope to visit its natural attractions this summer.
donsol with its whale sharks is a sure stop.

Dancalan Beach Resort
February 12, 2010

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thanks for sharing the pictures.
beautiful sorsogon. hope to visit its natural attractions this summer.
donsol with its whale sharks is a sure stop.

It's nice that Sorsogon is leveling up its tourism promotions. :cheers:

DAR inaugurates big irrigation system (http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/243096/dar-inaugurates-big-irrigation-system)


The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), through the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Project Phase II (ARISP II), has teamed up with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to turn over a P10.2-million communal irrigation system to the Banawang Irrigators’ Association in Casiguran, Sorsogon.

The ARISP II is funded by the government of Japan under the Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC) in support of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. It delivers useful support services for the agrarian reform communities nationwide to develop their lands.

ARISP II is one of the highly recognized projects under the agency’s Overseas Development Assistance (ODA), and has achieved a 96% accomplishment rate in its infrastructure development component. This represents 487 infrastructure subprojects which include 133 irrigation and drainage facilities, 184 farm-to-market roads, 82 rural water systems and 68 postharvest facilities such as solar dryers, warehouses and Agrarian Information and Marketing buildings.

The newly inaugurated irrigation system covers a total of 28 hectares of riceland in Brgys. Tigbao and Banawang, Casiguran.

The rice production in the area rose from 50 to 60 cavans per hectare to 80 to 90 cavans since the irrigation was completed, or an increase of 30 cavans per hectare.

“Our efforts to improve the small farmers’ level of productivity is paying off as we make you no longer dependent on the wet season as the only source of water for your farms. Furthermore, the responsibility for its maintenance is in your hands,” Regional Director for Region V Celestina Tam said during the turn over.

The farmer beneficiaries of the Casiguran ARC Cluster B accepted the facility, promising to utilize it for the benefit of everyone concerned. Over a hundred farmer beneficiaries benefit from it.

Salvador Hife, the association’s president said, “We have been waiting for this for years and we will be forever grateful to DAR and Japan for what they have given us.”

Ordinansa sa Eco-Enterprise ng EBMC, aprubado na

Virac, Catanduanes – Sa pamamagitan ng majority desisyon, naaprubahan na ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan ang Ordinansang nagsasalin sa Eastern Bicol Medical Center (EBMC) sa pagiging Economic Enterprise.

Bagaman hindi naka-kalendaryo sa agenda ng SP Regular Session ang usapin tungkol sa nasabing paksa, naipasok ito bilang inclusion sa privilege hour na hiningi ni PBM Ariel Molina.

Matatandaang kamakailan ay nagdaos ng Public Hearing ang working committee kung saan ang nasabing proposal para sa conversion ng EBMC sa pagiging eco-enterprise ay nag-ani ng iba’t-ibang batikos. Maraming indibidwal ang tumindig at nagpahayag ng mga katanungan.

Iba’t-ibang dokumento ang hinanap mula sa working committee ngunit alinman ay wala silang naibigay. Ang Feasibility Study na ayon sa dating bokal ay siyang pinakamahalagang papel na kailangang mabuksan sa publiko ay bigo ring maipresinta ng komite.

Sa panayam kay PBM Ariel Molina, sinabi niyang na-address na umano sa pulong ng komite ang mga katanungan at iba pang concerns na lumitaw sa nasabing pagdinig. Sa kabila ng nakasaad sa Budget Operations Manual kung saan sinasabing magkakaroon lamang ng saysay ang conversion kapag nakapagdaos na ng masugid at maraming public hearing at deliberasyon, matagumpay pa ring naganap ang pagkakapasa ng ordinansa.

Ayon kay Molina, “Law requires only one public hearing, and we already had one. And besides, nagkaroon na ng maraming meeting regarding this matter sa EBMC presided by the committee.”

Naniniwala rin ang bokal na maayos naman daw ang naging resulta ng public hearing noong Enero 25 kung saan nabigyang-pansin naman umano ng komite ang takot at sentimiyento ng ilan.

“Sa pagiging eco-enterprise ng EBMC, all patients stands on equal footing. Ibig sabihin, walang palakasan,” dagdag pa ni Molina.

Samantala, hindi nagbigay ng pagsang-ayon na maaprubahan ang ordinansa si PBM Shirley Abundo kaya nangyaring majority lamang ang naging approval sa ordinansa.

Sa kabilang dako, nagpahayag naman ng pananaw ang isang private medical practitioner at visiting consultant ng EBMC kaugnay sa pagkaka-apruba ng ordinansa. Ayon sa kanya, “It will even be an advantage for us because it will mean higher rates of our fees. But what I’m after is if it will really work in an advantage for the indigent patients

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They should actively push for this kind of activities...

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Diocesan Medical Hospital of San Antonio De Padua

Wow This is really a great development for Masbate...More Quality Medical facilities in Masbate...:cheers:

Masbate got it all..An tourism adventure destination in the Philippines.:cheers:

Masbate: Haven for manta rays and gentle giants

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Unspoiled beaches, rodeos, and stunning underwater creatures are proving a star draw for the province

Masbate province, a group of islands between the provinces of Bicol and Samar, is famous for its manta rays, unspoilt beaches, and cattle and horse breeding. Its Rodeo Masbateño festival is held in March and sees local cowboys show off their skills. The three major islands – Masbate, Ticao, and Burias – are largely undeveloped as a tourist destination, but this does not detract from its appeal. Accommodation is rather limited, but we’ve researched a few choices.

Stay
A good beachfront hotel in the city is the Baywalk Garden Hotel. The resort has air-conditioned rooms and hot and cold showers. The 18 rooms are not very fancy but clean and the service is good. Boulevard Extension, Masbate City, Tel: +6356/ 333 6648, +63939/ 430 1429. • The Rendezvous Beach Resort in Punta Nursery is recommended for larger groups as it has four dormitories that can accommodate 20 people in each room. Khokak Beach Resort in Cataingan at the south of Masbate City, owned by the Kho family of Masbate, has first class Italian-styled cabins overlooking a man-made beach. There are 10 two-storey guest houses and there are plans to build a hotel, a golf course, a wedding gazebo, shooting range, and club house. The resort, apart from its own patch of beach, has a forest for trekking, and offers visits to a ranch and an island trip to Sibugay and some small islets near it. In Ticao Island, visitors can check-in at the Ticao Island Resort in Tacdungan. For more details on Ticao Island Resort, contact +6352/ 480 2266 and 820 1483.

Dine
Cool breeze from the bay and the freshest catch from the sea are served side by side in Chill out at the Rendezvous Beach Resort, a favorite among travelers and tourists. For local specialties, grab a table at the nearby Amperez Bar and Grill. Amerez Bar and Grill, Punta Nursery; Tel: +6356/ 333 2331. • Joe’s Pizza in Zurbito Street is a good place to drop by if you’re looking for pizza in Masbate; while Winvels Restaurant and Port Zirteas Café in Mabini serve one of the best brews in town. Port Zirteas Café Tel: +63917/ 838 4979; Joe’s Pizza Tel: +6356/ 333 2166; Winvels Restaurant Tel: +6356/ 333 2532, +6356/ 333 5814. • If you want a different view of Masbate City, try the floating restaurant that cruises Masbate Bay that offers live music.

Dive
Ticao Pass recently became famous for its Manta Bowl, a shallow part of the pass where manta rays gather to feed and get cleaned by wrasses like remora fish from December to May. Mantas are the largest but most harmless rays in the world and are mostly found in tropical waters. They can grow up to nine meters (29.5 feet) wide and weigh around three tons (1,350kg).
The pass also attracts whalesharks, hammerheads, and thresher sharks, thanks to its proximity to Donsol in Sorsogon, a famous whaleshark diving site. Whalesharks visit the island as early as November but diving season starts from February to May. For dives, contact Marti Calleja at +6352/ 480 2266 of Dive Ticao.

SEE
Visit Bugsayon Marine Sanctuary in Brgy. B. Titong, a 50-hectare marine sanctuary, about 30 minutes by motorboat from Masbate City. A likewise nearby sanctuary is the 250-hectare Buntod Reef Sanctuary, a white sandbar in the waters of Brgy. Nursery and Brgy. Tugbo. • Birdwatchers should flock to Pawa Mangrove Ecosystem and Wildlife Park in Brgy. Pawa for bird sightings like the stripe-headed rhabdornises. The Matangtubig Spring in Montreal is also worth visiting as the water allegedly comes from three sources and comes out from a rock. For more information on how to visit these sites, contact the Masbate government office at +6356/ 333 5608.


Swim
Masbate also has numerous beaches in all three islands. In Aroroy alone, tourists can choose between Aroroy Beach, Cambatang Beach, and Cangyat Beach. The beaches are white-sand and good for afternoon strolls.
The fine white beach in San Isidro, Claveria stretches to four kilometers with views of coral reefs from the shore while the Ki-albay River and Beach, also in Claveria, has well-polished pebbles and a sandy bottom. Talisay Beach in Ticao Island and Cadulou Beach are good sights for swimming and sunbathing.
Explore. The Limestone Hills in Kalanay, Aroroy are famous ancient burial sites. The hills are believed to have been inhabited by the Kalanay people, an indigenous tribe in the province of Masbate. Another burial site is the Underwater Cave in Boca Engaño, where there are carved-out human caskets made from solid wood.
Three lighthouses dating back to the Spanish era can also be explored. These are the Colorado Lighthouse and Bugui Point Lighthouse in Aroroy and the Jintolo Lighthouse in Jintolo Island.

Trek
A trek to Catandayagan Falls in Ticao Island is also a must for adventure travelers. The water cascades from 60 feet to a lagoon where numerous species of fish thrive. The falls can be reached by motorboat. Two other falls worth mentioning are Kalanay Falls in Nabingig, a good spot for horseback riding, and Alta Vista Falls in San Fernando, Ticao Island, a unique waterfall that is about 45 feet high.

Island hop
Island hopping tours are also recommended, especially since Masbate is mostly composed of smaller islands. Drop by Sombreno Island in San Pascual, the Cagpating Island in Montreal for a panoramic view of Masbate Island, and Tinalisay Island in Burias for swimming and sunbathing.

The islands in Dimasalang – Veagan, Macaraget Hamorawan and Daguit-Daguit — are spots for scuba diving and windsurfing. The white-sand beaches in Mataba-Tinigban to Napayaun Islands in Aroroy and Puting Island in Claveria are also worth a look.

For more information on the Manta Ray Conservation Program in Masbate, contact Blue Zoo Heritage Society at +632/ 899 3648.

Looks like there is much to see in Masbate. I'm really glad more flights are being introduced. I might need to go there next month for a training. :)

Virac school gets notebook computers from Intel Philippines (http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Cities_And_Towns_23/Virac_school_gets_notebook_computers_from_Intel_Philippines.shtml)

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Feb. 18 (PNA) –- Intel Philippines, through the Adopt-A-School program of the Department of Education (DepEd), has donated 20 units of Classmate notebook computers to Virac Pilot Elementary School (VPES) here, the biggest public elementary school in the province.

Classmate is a portable, internet-ready and user-friendly information technology (IT) notebook for children that comes with Microsoft Office, a seven-inch screen and two-gigabyte flash memory.

Adopt-A-School, according to its program coordinator Mari Paul Soriano, is pursuant to Republic Act 8525 that seeks to generate resources by tapping private entities that are willing to assist public schools, whether elementary or secondary preferably located in any of the country’s 20 poorest provinces.

Under the program guidelines, a memorandum of agreement specifying the details of the adoption shall be entered into between the adopting entity and the head of the school, he added.

It is based on the principle of volunteerism and participation for education aimed at creating multiple partnerships with different business sector, NGOs, foundations, individuals and other private entities here and abroad.

The program is also in order to generate investments outside the funding mainstream and national budget by providing assistance on a short term or long term basis in the upgrading and modernization of public elementary and high schools, Soriano said.

This allows the private sector to adopt a public school of their choice anywhere in the country and provide necessary resources for the infrastructure, facilities support, teaching and skill development, monitoring and evaluation, learning support, equipments for computer and science laboratory as well as food and nutrition, he said.

In recognition of their goodwill, these private firms can avail of tax incentives of up to 150 percent, Soriano said.

Since it was launched in 1998, Adopt-A-School had already drawn more than 200 adopting private entities supporting basic education in 6,000 public schools nationwide through the program, generating P6 billion worth of support from the private sector.

In 2007 alone, it generated some P4.5 billion worth of intervention, donations and pledges representing more than a 900-percent in increase of supports.

Private sector assistance ranges from technology support to supplementary learning materials, from literacy programs to physical infrastructure and facilities to feeding programs. Companies and individuals may also extend direct assistance to public schoolchildren in the form of school supplies, Soriano added.

Adopt-A-School program finance officer Zeny Lastimoza said the Intel Phils. donations to the VPES is valued at P300,000 at P15,000 per unit and part of the 820 laptop computers committed to the program by the IT firm over a two-year period ending this year as part of the agreement with DepEd in pursuing the Gearing-up for Internet Literacy and Access for Students (GILAS) project.

GILAS is a government-private sector partnership towards advancing the quality of education in public schools by improving school children and teachers’ training in IT communication, Lastimoza said.

Education Sec. Jesli Lapuz, who graced the turn-over rites of the donations over the week, said the DepEd partnership with Intel is an effective tool in enhancing information and communication technology (ICT) aimed at turning every public school in the country into a space where teaching and learning outcomes are improved by technology.

Aside from Intel, Lapuz said, collaboration is also ongoing with Aralandesk.Net for the creation of the ICT Enhanced Elementary School Model. “Together with these partner institutions, DepEd ensures full utilization of ICT facilities to improve the teaching and learning process in public schools,” he added.

Under the DepEd-Intel partnership, the former takes care of the maintenance of the equipment while the later provide training of teachers on basic ICT literacy under its Intel Tech to the Future program along with technical and logistical support to the implementation.
Intel also provides technical and logistical support in developing the framework for program evaluation. GILAS on the other hand evaluates the readiness of the schools to implement the program and secure a one-year internet connection for public schools. (PNA)

SAC joins observance of National Arts Month (http://pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=r05&y=&mo=&fi=p100218.htm&no=35)

by JJJ Perez

Sorsogon City (18 February) -- One with the entire nation, the Sorsogon Arts Council (SAC) is lining up various activities in observance of the National Arts Month this February.

The council's ad-hoc committee/convenor's group will conduct a series of radio and TV guestings/interviews at the local radio and TV stations here to air updates regarding the council and the local arts scene in the province of Sorsogon , including issuance of press releases.

SAC will cap the celebration with the 20th anniversary program and general assembly slated in the afternoon of February 26, 2010 at the Sorsogon Museum and Heritage Center , Provincial Capitol Compound, here.

During the program and general assembly, the Community-based Theater Group (CBTG)-Bukawel Performing Arts, a member organization under the umbrella of SAC will fete the local artists, art patrons, local government officials and visitors with short performances and excerpts of some of the plays written by SAC founding chairman Reynaldo "Tootsie" Jamoralin as the highlight of the affair as disclosed by Ms. Becky Razo.

"We are expecting the participation of all local artists representing the different artistic fields/disciplines to assess and evaluate our work during the past 20 years and plan out programs, projects and activities for the next decades in our new millennium," Jane Gamil, incumbent secretary of SAC said.

The SAC has been at the forefront of advocating and promoting Sorsoganon, Bicolano and Filipino Arts and Culture in the province of Sorsogon since the late 1980s.

It has established partnerships with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and local organizations such as the Kasanggayahan Foundation, Inc., the Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Council, and the Sorsogon Museum and Heritage Center, Incorporated which the SAC is a member organization.

Sorsogon arts council reorganized (http://pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=r05&y=&mo=&fi=p100218.htm&no=34)

Sorsogon City -- The reorganization of the Sorsogon Arts Council (SAC) has re-affirmed and strengthened its role as advocate for indigenous, regional and Filipino artistic talents and the enhancement, development and promotion of Filipino culture, thus remarked long-time members of the local arts council.

SAC Ad-hoc member Joseph Perez said that the reorganization is necessary and urgent to sustain the initiatives and accomplishments that the council pursued in the past 20 years under our founding chairman, Reynaldo "Tootsie" Jamoralin including the redefinition of our future plans and objectives.

Founding member Isable Gile, on the other hand, said that the local arts council, known for being Sorsogon's vanguard for culture and the arts, is presently in the process of reconstructing its roster of membership, retrieving old records, renewing registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and linkages with Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and finally, establishing an office.

Another founding member, July Mendoza, is leading the efforts in communicating with the past members and possible new members for the added SAC general assembly and 20th foundation anniversary on February 26, 2010 at the Sorsogon Museum and Heritage Center here, coinciding with the celebration of the National Arts Month.

"Previous members and interested persons are very much welcomed to contact me at cp# 09298577417 or through my email alma_angela.gamil@yahoo.com for details," SAC Secretary Jane Gamil said.

Masbate governor seeks cloud seeding (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=260115)

MASBATE CITY, Feb. 21 (PNA) — Governor Olga Kho of this province has sought the Department of Agriculture (DA), through its provincial office, for immediate cloud seeding to induce rainfall because the island’s soil has started drying up and the supply of water has become scarce.

Kho has expressed that the effect of El Nino has already affected the island province of Masbate.

The Provincial Agriculturist Office here has been monitoring the situation particularly its main island because the supply of water in the area was dropping fast.

Kho said the provincial government through the provincial agriculture office and the El Nino Task Force will jointly implement measures to counter the effect of the phenomenon.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, in its El Niño advisories, said Masbate’s closest neighbors, including Capiz and Sorsogon, were already in drought as they suffered from lack of rainfall in the last few months of 2009.

“The rainfall deficiency and prolonged drought in this province will definitely affect farmers and livestocks,” Kho said.

The lady governor explained that the provincial government is doing its best to prevent severe damage of El Nino to crops, livelihood and even to lives of Masbatenos.

Most farms that are feeling the effects of El Niño are planted to rice and corn.

The provincial agriculture office reported that about 121,000 cavans of palay and 32,120 cavans of corn in expected crop harvest may be lost this year because of the drought caused by El Niño. (PNA)

Spanish govt grants financial aid to fight insurgency in Sorsogon (http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/regions/11995-spanish-govt-grants-financial-aid-to-fight-insurgency-in-sorsogon)

Monday, 22 February 2010 00:00
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The Spanish government is allocating P20-million grant to the Philippines to support a pilot project aimed at eradicating insurgency in the province of Sorsogon.

The project dubbed as the “Sorsogon Initiative” is a community-backed infrastructure projects, which is part of the government’s peace-building effort to eliminate armed rebellion in Sorsogan.

Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines Luis Arias-Romero said Spain is fully committed to the peaceful resolution to the long-drawn armed conflict in the Philippines.

Romero led the signing of the memorandum of agreement on the “Sorsogon Initiatives” with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) in Pasig City recently.

Main signatories were OPAPP Secretary Annabelle Abaya and Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, who was represented by DILF Undersecretary Melchor Rosales.

The project is part of the National Peace Agenda of the government, specifically in moving forward the peace process with the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front.

It is funded by the Spanish government through its Agencia Espanola de Cooperacion Interna-cional para el Desarrollo under the third phase of its Program on Strengthening the Local Governments in the Philippines with the local government academy.

Romero said the implementation of the project was “a result of hard work in the past few months through frank and open dialogue between OPAPP, the local government academy and the embassy of Spain.”

The Spanish envoy stressed the importance of peace because “without peace and stability there are no possibilities for development in any region.”
Angelo S. Samonte

DSWD, UNDP turn over core shelter project to Sorsogon beneficiaries (http://pia.gov.ph/?m=12&sec=reader&rp=1&fi=p100221.htm&no=2&date=)

Sorsogon Province (February 21) -- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Acting Secretary Celia Capadocia-Yangco today, will be joined by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Director Renaud Meyer and Sorsogon Governor Sally Lee in a turn-over ceremony for shelter beneficiaries in Barangay Guruyan, Juban in Sorsogon Province.

Mitchell P. Duran, UNDP Communications Officer disclosed that following the turn-over ceremony is ground-breaking rites for a multi-purpose facility in Juban, Sorsogon in the afternoon.

Duran said that the Core Shelter Assistance Program (CSAP) is part of the UNDP-funded "Recovery Program for Typhoon-Affected Provinces of the Bicol Region," which is being implemented by DSWD.

The Program seeks to respond to the ongoing recovery needs of the Bicol Region, which has continually experienced displacement and other disruptions in social and economic life due to several typhoons that hit the area every year.

"The Bicol Recovery Program includes gender-sensitive shelter and livelihood initiatives in the typhoon-affected areas in the Bicol Region. Under the Program, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with DSWD to conduct 10 skills training programs to beneficiaries in 15 resettlement sites," he said.

"At the same time, 172 beneficiaries from eight Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K) groups, and 40 out-of-school youths from two NGOs have been granted seed capital for their individual livelihood projects," Duran further added.

He explained that the program, likewise, implements disaster risk management interventions in partnership with Government, and UN Agencies; and establishes a tracking and coordination mechanism for the UNDP and other UN Agencies, and Government and NGOs, civil society organizations on early recovery efforts in the typhoon-affected areas for recent and future emergencies.

"It is consistent with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as with the UN Development Assistance Framework, which targets and prepares the poor and vulnerable groups to cope with the impacts of environment emergencies," he said.

Further, it is informed by the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (2004-2010), and the Medium-Term Regional Development Plan (2004-2010) of Region V. (UNDP/PIA Sorsogon)

PGMA, matiner nin 2 aldaw sa Bicol, pangenot na bibisitahon an Albay asin Sorsogon (http://www.bomboradyo.com/newsdetails1.asp?ID=134050)
2/22/2010 8:35:11 AM

LEGAZPI CITY - Haros duwang aldaw na matiner sa Bicol si Presidente Gloria Arroyo sa saiyang pagbisita puon ngonian na aldaw.

Pangenot na bibisitahon kan presidente an provincia kan Sorsogon asin Albay nganing personal na mahiling an kamugtakan kan mga proyektong isinasagibo kan gobierno sa rehiyon partikularmente na ngonian na nananalasa an El Nino phenomenon sa nasyon.

An banwaan kan Donsol kun haen an madudukayan an butanding interaction na nagiging destinasyon kan mga aturista sa panahon kan summer season an saro sa pangenot na ruta kan presidente.

Bibisitahon kani an sarong pigtitindog na eskwelahan sa banwaan kan Pilar, Sorsogon antes pa man mangenot sa sarong pagtiripon sa Albay atyan na banggi.

An programang pangturismo an pangenot na tatawan nin prayoridad kan gobierno bilang paglaban sa epektong dara kan tagtuyot partikularmente na sa sektor kan agrikultura sa nasyon.

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs452.ash1/24915_316933057103_137913407103_3597702_5477548_n.jpg
by Bikolandia (http://www.facebook.com/Bikolandia?ref=nf)

;52333569']http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs452.ash1/24915_316933057103_137913407103_3597702_5477548_n.jpg
by Bikolandia (http://www.facebook.com/Bikolandia?ref=nf)

high time for masbate to maximize its tourism potential. i can see there is much to see in the islands.

the increased number of flights and airlines serving the masbate route is a very good sign.

Bishops to DOH chief: Resign

Philstar.com - Monday, February 22

MANILA, Philippines – Bishops have called on Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral to resign from her post for her "immoral" way of addressing the population explosion in the country, which was by giving away free condoms to the public.

Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, vice chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, said Cabral has no place in public service with her kind of thinking.

"Napaka-imoral para sa nanunungkulan sa gobyerno na paigtingin ang pamamahagi ng condom na alam naman natin na hindi totoong mababawasan o mapipigilan nito ang pagdami ng HIV-AIDS. Nakakatakot dahil moralidad ng lipunan lalo na ng mga kabataan ang nakataya rito. Sana po magbago na siya (Cabral) dahil ang isang paa niya ay nasa impyerno na. Baka marami pa ang madamay," Arguelles told Church-run Radio Veritas.

Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes, chairman of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Biblical Apostolate, echoed Arguelles’ call for Cabral to vacate her post.

"Dapat talaga mag-resign na kaagad siya. Napaka-imoral ng mga ganitong programa ng pamahalaan," Bastes said. - By Dennis Carcamo (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)

Source (http://ph.news.yahoo.com/star/20100222/tph-bishops-doh-chief-resign-541dfb4.html)

PGMA kicks off Central Philippines Tourism Tour in Donsol (http://pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p100223.htm&no=31)

Manila (23 February) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo kicked off her tour of the Central Philippines Tourism super region yesterday (February 22, 2010) with a visit to the municipality of Donsol in Sorsogon that has been cashing in on the development of world-class tourist destinations in the Bicol Region.

Bicol is part of Tourism Central Philippines super region, one of five growth corridors identified in President Arroyo's super region development strategy that is known for its natural wonders and rich cultural heritage.

The tourism super region accounts for 50 percent of the country's tourism industry.

In 2008, foreign visitors to the country totaled 3.14 million.

Donsol, which used to be a sixth-class, sleepy, remote fishing village in the northwestern part of Sorsogon,is now a first-class municipality that derives the bulk of its revenues from eco-tourism.

Its major eco-tourism activity is whale shark watching and interaction that has made it the "Whale Shark Capital of the World."

Moreover, its whaleshark watching was featured as"Best Animal Encounter in Asia" by Time Magazine in 2004.

"The whale shark interaction has changed the lives of the people here," the President said.

The President met with Allan Amanse, one of the beneficiaries of the development of eco-tourism in the municipality. He used to earn a measly P100 a day as a fisherman and tricycle driver. Now, he earns ten times what he used to earn or about P1,000 a day by being a whale shark or butanding interaction guide.

Characterized by silvery polka dots all over its body, butanding is a big fish measuring between 15 feet and 40 feet.

The President also noted the increase in the number of beach resorts in the area.

"In Bicol, we have the biggest fish, which is the butanding, and the smallest fish--the sinasarapan?found in Lake Buhi in Camarines Sur," the President noted.

The President said government plans to build an international airport in Daraga, Albay so tourists need not come from Manila to visit Donsol. Instead, foreign tourists from Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, among others can fly directly to Albay.

There are four key eco-tourism destinations in Bicol identified in the list of key tour sites of the country: Mayon Volcano in Albay, Mt. Isarog in Camarines Sur, whaleshark interaction here in Donsol, and the Bulusan Lake in Bulusan in Sorsogon.

The President further said that with the rich natural wonders, long beaches and eco-tourism sites in Central Philippines, government's task is to provide more roads, airports, and bridges to make these destinations more readily accessible to tourists.

Despite the global economic slump, foreign and local tourists reached 5.2 million in the first nine months of 2009 year-on-year or 17 percent higher than the same period during the previous year.

Tourism growth could be traced in part to massive investments made by government in tourism-related infrastructure in the Central Philippines super regions since 2001 when the President assumed office. These included 42 airport projects costing P27.31 billion; 108 ports constructed by the Philippine Ports Authority costing P8.76 billion and 145 municipal ports costing P1.23 billion; 8,783 kilometers of roads and 18,741 meters of bridges costing P54.14 billion; and the P52.44-billion Southrail project.

This year, the Department of Tourism projects foreign tourist arrivals at 3.27 million, generating direct revenues of $3.31 billion and employment of 3.39 million.

As an industry, tourism is expected to generate revenues of $17 billion this year, which is equivalent to 13.6 percent of the national gross domestic product (GDP) or the total sum of goods and services produced in the country.

Donsol mayor appeals to PGMA for help in putting end to illegal trawling (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=260755)
By Mike dela Rama

LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 24 (PNA) – Mayor Gerome Alcantara of Donsol, Sorsogon has appealed for presidential intervention to stop the rampant illegal trawling within the territorial water jurisdiction of this whale shark capital as well as in Masbate area.

Alcantara told the Philippines News Agency that illegal trawling within the area continues to operate despite several attempts made by the Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Navy. “I am just wondering why they operate within the territories of Donsol and in Masbate but up to now, no single apprehension has been made by the Philippine Navy and Coast Guad.”

“I humbly urged President Gloria Arroyo during her recent visit here in Donsol to help us stop the operation of trawling in our territory,” Alcantara said.

Trawl is a large net dragged along the bottom of a fishing bank, locally known as “pangulong.”

The mayor strongly believed that there is conspiracy between the operators of trawling and law enforcers. “I said that because for so long our law enforcers have no single apprehension, and they can see by their own naked eyes the operation of illegal fishing,” he said.

“I already requested the highest authorities of PNP and Navy regarding the 'pangulong' but sad to say nothing happened. But this time I think President Arroyo is the ultimate recourse to stop the operation of illegal fishing here,” Alcantara said.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Bicol director Maria Ong Ravanilla also expressed alarm about the presence of “pangulong” in Donsol. “If we do nothing about it, then eventually, the whale shark capital will be affected,” she pointed out.

“We need to protect what we have here in Donsol and the Department is sharing the same sentiment with the mayor of Donsol,” Ravanilla said. (PNA)

At 85, inventor keeps creative mind active (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20100224-255167/At-85-inventor-keeps-creative-mind-active)

SORSOGON CITY, Philippines—Pablo D. Ayo Sr., who at 85 has survived two major strokes, is still inventing and designing devices that perform functions ordinary people would think impossible. One of these is a gadget that makes burnt out fluorescent bulbs light.

Ayo, who earned his doctorate in astrophysics at Princeton University in New Jersey and is a former student of world-renowned genius-scientist Albert Einstein in 1949, still possesses the scientific creativity to invent a gadget called the EAD or electro activator device, which virtually makes an electric bulb last even with its filament broken.

Half the size of the ballast of a fluorescent bulb, the EAD increases the voltage, allowing it to jump from end to end of the broken filament and make an unbroken bulb light again.

A patent holder, Ayo has invented several gadgets, including prototypes of a rocket, voice-activated phonograph, household mini hydro generators, solar panel, tidal electric generators and photon-run car.

He was born to a poor family from the former town of Bacon, Sorsogon (now a district of Sorsogon City).

Self-supported

His parents died when he was young so he supported himself to school until he earned a scholarship to study at Princeton.

He said he had read articles on electronics and automotive when he was a teenager and learned by himself the principles and laws that govern mechanical and electronic devices.

Ayo went to Manila when he was a teenager and landed a job in an engineering company at Port Area. This allowed him to continue his college education at Arellano University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, major in Physics.

While studying, he remembered that he had befriended a man who shared his interest in electronics and automotive. “In tandem, we won in a competition of flying miniature airplanes that we assembled. This became our ticket to study in the United States, which brought me to Princeton University in 1945,” Ayo said.

After he finished his doctorate, Ayo came home but went back to the United States to serve as a consultant of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the central civilian agency for direction of the US space exploration program established in 1958.

By late 1960s, he was back again in Sorsogon, married Raquel Diokino, a school teacher, and established his own business called Prama Electronic Center that provided electronic services and sold electronic and scientific gadgets and equipment.

Mini hydro plant

Ayo developed the first mini hydro plant in Bacon that produced 20 kilowatts of electricity.

He developed a rocket with a remote control that traveled 20 miles per hour.

Lawrence, the second eldest among Ayo’s five children, said he was amazed at how his father created in 1972 a phonograph that played music on voice command using the jukebox mechanism.

“That was before the information technology. What fascinated me was not only how he developed that phonograph but also how it responded when you say ‘Please,’” said Lawrence, a civil and electronic engineer.

Photo-run car

Ayo also developed a prototype car that runs on photon, an elementary particle that is the quantum of the electromagnetic field and basic unit of light.

The detailed design of the photon-run car shows a battery-like gadget that traps photons triggered by solar energy and produces electric power.

Ayo said a Japanese investor got interested with his invention but the deal did not push through because the latter would only pay him if he would go to Japan.

In 1982, Ayo developed his tidal electric generator but this did not push through on the issue of sharing even as he said the project could have been profitable using clean energy source from tidal water on Kalintaan Island in Matnog.

The $5-billion project can produce one gigawatt (GW) of electricity with 10 turbines producing 100 megawatts. It surpasses the combined power production of the Bacman geothermal plant at 150 MW and the Tiwi geothermal plant at 300 MW, according to Lawrence, who works as electronic engineer at the Bacman plant.

He said 1,000 MW is equivalent to 1 GW or one billion watts of electricity.

Ayo said his project could have made the country an exporter of electric power if it was implemented and replicated in other areas.

Six RP cities review counter-corruption reforms (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=261260)
By Gloria Jane Baylon

MANILA, Feb. 26 (PNA) -- Top officials of six Philippine cities met recently in Manila to review the gains achieved after a two-year implementation of their counter-corruption reforms under a project funded by the British Embassy in Manila.

The cities are Calapan (Mindoro Oriental), Iriga (Camarines Sur), Roxas (Capiz), Santiago (Isabela), Sorsogon (Sorsogon), and Tacloban (Leyte) which were assisted in the implementation by the Asia Foundation.

At the review meeting, the mayors and other officials also identified good practices they can propose to incoming city officials that would attract more investors to their cities.

By applying the recommended reforms, the embassy said Calapan City claimed to have increased its tax collection, with income from real property taxes at a record high.

Santiago City’s constituents are now finding it easier and faster to transact business because of the improved process flow and renovated physical facilities in the city.

Sorsogon’s public market is now the template that many local government units in the Bicol region would imitate because of its efficiency and increasing profitability.

Tacloban’s rationalization of its hiring process led to significant savings for the city government that meant more resources for other services.

British Ambassador Stephen Lillie congratulated the Asia Foundation for effectively implementing the project and the city mayors who took the necessary steps to improve their delivery of services.

Lillie encouraged them to continue finding ways to increase their system’s transparency. He stressed that addressing corruption should be a priority as the May elections draw nearer.

“It’s impossible to overstate the importance of tackling corruption, if the Philippines is to achieve its full potential in terms of economic growth and poverty reduction," he said.

”This is an issue that matters hugely to foreign investors, just as it does to ordinary citizens. So central government will need to continue to keep counter-corruption high on its policy agenda, before and after the elections,” the ambassador continued.

The cities participated in the eight-month Public Service Excellence, Ethics, and Accountability Program (PSEEAP), which promotes transparency in service delivery, strengthens the accountability of local bureaucrats, and encourages customer-oriented culture in the delivery of basic services.

Also at the conference, the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) and the Asia Foundation signed a Memorandum of Agreement to provide the LCP Secretariat with technical assistance in organizational development, financial management, program development, and policy advocacy to continue with the gains they achieved. (PNA)

Sorsogon official pushes bamboo production for vegetable (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=261192)

CASTILLA, Sorsogon, Feb. 26 (PNA) -– Sorsogon Vice Governor Renato Laurinaria is urging farmers and landowners in the province to grow bamboo because of its potential as a cash crop.

Its versatile qualities make bamboo not only a material for chopstick-making, poles, furniture, handicrafts, fishing gears and housing, among others but mainly a source of vegetable that would generate good income for growers due to its demand from both the domestic and international market, the vice-governor said on Friday.

Research and studies have it that bamboo shoots contain 18 amino acids and less carbohydrates, crude fat and crude fiber which make it an ideal vegetable for health conscious people, Laurinaria said.

The Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) has reported that bamboo’s main nutritive values seem to be associated with hematopoiesis or the regeneration of high-energy containing compounds and improvement of protein metabolism.

“I have initiated a bamboo planting program under our Community-Based Resource Management Project (CBRMP) along river banks and on hilly terrains here during my nine-year term as mayor of this town before I was elected provincial vice-governor and I have been pushing for a province-wide initiative for good,” he said.

Other farmers in the locality planted bamboo around their farms as fence or as windbreak that do not easily die or damaged by typhoons, drought and even by fire.

The Castilla plantation is now source of bamboo shoots that command a good price in the local market and considering that grated and boiled shoots sell at around P25 per kilo, Laurinaria said, the many shoots weighing over a kilo each that are harvested from a clump is already a good source of income.

Compared to other agricultural crops that are planted every year or even twice a year, bamboo is planted only once and dies only when it has flowered after 30 years making it more advantageous for farmers.

There no problem in planting materials because farmers can start with locally available varieties native in the locality like those that are locally called "botong", "kawayan", "oras" and "marurugue", all source of edible shoots.

“Since our climate is tropical, the Philippines had become bamboo’s natural home as it can be grown even near the residential areas and on any type of soil,” Laurinaria said.

The vice-governor said he had learned that in China, bamboo is extensively grown even in steep mountain ranges as it is one of China’s major economic crops and dollar earners. Majority of the shoots that Chinese farmers produce are processed into various products that include canned and soft packaged sour bamboo shoots and dried grated shoots.

The Chinese have also developed a technique of preserving the whole bamboo shoots. Bambusa beechayana, a variety that can be eaten raw is likewise being raised in Guangdong.

China has developed the mounding technique to enhance productivity and product quality. This technique is done by covering the base of clump with one foot high soil materials from fishponds during dredging. The mounded soil is removed once a year to expose the base of the culms for 20 days and this is usually done in January.

When harvesting, Chinese dig the shoot from the mounds before it comes out above the soil. They can indicate the location of the shoot through the cracking of the soil mound.

Shoots are harvested when they are already above the ground or when mound are fibrous.

Regulating the number of mother culms in a clump is another practice in China. Chinese farmers, in general, maintain only two to three or at most four culms per clump to enhance shoot productivity, he added. (PNA)

Cassava is Bicol’s valuable, drought-resistant, anti-climate change crop (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&nid=11&rid=261916)

CASTILLA, Sorsogon, March 2 (PNA) – Called in Bicol as "kamoteng-kahoy" or "balinghoy", the lowly cassava (Manihot escidenta) is one crop in the region that needs attention towards more production because of its importance as a cash crop that is resistant to drought and helpful against the impacts of climate change.

Mainly grown for its tubers which are a rich source of carbohydrates, cassava is also a good source of calcium and ascorbic acid. Its food uses include confectioneries, native pastries like "suman" and "bibingka", "sago", vegetables, food seasoning, noodles and flour.

Although not the staple of Filipinos, cassava feeds about 800 million people around the world, according to the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).

Another important product is cassava starch, known in the world trade as tapioca flour which is extracted from the tuber and used by a wide variety of industries – food, pharmaceutical, paper, adhesive, textile, mining and other manufacturing industries.

In the food industry alone, studies show that cassava flour can substitute for wheat flour in baked products as much as 10 percent in bread and higher in other baked products, studies show. It is utilized as thickener for soups, baby food, sauces and gravies.

Cassava flour is excellent filler that could supplement the solid contents of ice cream. It is also a good binder for sausages and other processed meat products to prevent these from drying up during cooking.

Its use as livestock feed in the country has also been investigated and studies at the University of the Philippines at Los Banos (UPLB) have shown that cassava meal can be used as a substitute for feed grains in compounded animal rations while cassava leaf meal contains at least 20 percent protein so that it is a good livestock feed not only for poultry but also for other livestock.

Cassava can also be a good solution to the problems of climate change and fuel shortage. In China, Thailand, and Brazil, cassava is becoming an important biofuel crop.

A feasibility study has found that cassava has a very high starch-to-sugar conversion ratio which means that a high percentage of sugar can be converted from it, and which, in turn, is needed to produce biofuel.

Cassava can also help control erosion. “Farmers can grow cassava and control – even prevent – hillside erosion by following simple methods,” Agribusiness Week, a regular internet publication quoted Dr. Mabrouke Elsharkawy, CIAT cassava physiologist as saying.

This can only be attained if farmers shift their method of farming to minimum or no tillage, “and protect the soil with live, permanent mulch like a forage legume while farmers can also fertilize cassava to make it grow faster, and to cover and protect the soil from rain,” he said as quoted.

Being an easy-to-grow crop, cassava grows well on poor soils found on eroded hillsides because it resists adverse conditions such as drought. When farmers can’t grow corn or beans in depleted soils, cassava is their only choice,” Elsharkawy added.

“Castilla, being a municipality known as leading producer in the Bicol region of this root crop, we are aware of those benefits that could be derived from it. The problem this time is market and the absence of technology for us to be able to maximize its uses,” Vice Mayor Alwin Talde told the Philippines News Agency over the weekend.

The municipality had around 20,000 hectares available for cassava plantations and in fact, Talde said, the municipal government under then mayor, Renato Laurinaria, now the provincial vice governor initiated about five years ago a plantation-scale production under its Cassava 20/20 program which significantly improved the productivity and earnings of farmers.

Under the program, the municipal government provided planting materials of hi-bred cassava varieties, acquired a farm tractor used for land preparations and contracted B-Meg Feeds of San Miguel Corporation as buyer of the crop used for livestock feed production.

“Unfortunately, the program was not pursued by the administration that replaced Laurinaria after the 2007 elections,” Talde said.

Laurinaria said cassava is best grown in deep soil with friable structure such as light sandy loams of medium fertility and successful use of almost all soil types is possible, provided that they are not waterlogged, shallow or stony.

Growing cassava, he said entails simple farm operations such as land preparation, planting, replanting, weeding, fertilization, irrigation, and harvesting. Plantation type of production needs 55 man-days per hectare to undertake all the necessary farm operations.

It will also be useful to follow the information bulletin jointly produced by The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development and UPLB’s Institute of Plant Breeding for a successful cassava production like what Cassava 20/20 has initially achieved, the vice-governor said.

The bulletin says that in land preparation, the field is plowed and harrowed once when using a tractor. However, when using an animal-drawn implement, the field is harrowed twice. Ridges are constructed at one meter apart. Fifty bags (good for one hectare) of compost or dried animal manure are incorporated to the soil during land preparation.

In planting, the bulletin says cassava stalks as planting materials should be less than eight months old and should be free from insect pests and diseases. Stalks stored in a cool shaded place can last up to three months, but for better germination, the cuttings should be planted as soon as possible.

During dry season, the cuttings are planted in furrows while on the ridges during rainy season. Missing hills should be replanted two weeks after planting.

It said six bags of complete fertilizer (14-14-14) are applied before planting and two months, after planting, the crops are side dressed with two bags of urea (46-0-0). The fertilizer is placed in band 15 centimeters away from the base of each plant.

Irrigation is also required to dissolve the fertilizer and it is highly recommended thereafter, during the first three months after planting during dry season. During the rainy season, irrigation is needed only when necessary.

Harvesting is eight months after planting, partial sampling is advised to determine if the roots are mature enough to be harvested. If they are, the roots are harvested manually if the soil is friable.

According to scientific researches, about 23 percent of total cassava harvest is lost due to fast deterioration. Bruises and cuts inflicted during harvesting contribute to this deterioration and this problem has sparked many possible solutions like appropriate packaging mediums and controlled conditioned but none of them has been completely successful.

Cassava is grown mostly in Central Visayas, Bicol, and Central Mindanao. They are also an important crop in Eastern and Western Visayas, Western and Southern Mindanao, and Southern Tagalog.

The Bureau of Agricultural Research said the provinces of Saranggani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Misamis Oriental, General Santos City, and Gambales are good sites for cassava production. Potential areas of plantations are Bukidnon, Negros, North Cotabato, and Davao. (PNA)

A better Abe needed for Juanma title bout – aide (http://catanduanestribune.com/Feb-24-2010/TopStory/Detail.aspx?newsID=6554)

Bernabe "The Real Deal" Concepcion would have to display more than what he did in his Feb. 14 title eliminator fight against Mario Santiago if he wants to snatch the WBO featherweight crown from Juan Manuel Lopez in June.

This was the assessment of friend and PR man Sean "Boyax" Lim, who were among those who met Concepcion when he arrived from the United States last Thursday (Feb. 18).

There was a definite improvement in Abe’s performance in the non-title bout against Puerto Rican Santiago, whom he knocked down in the 6th round. "But Abe’s punches still lacked timing, which he would need when he faces Lopez," Lim stressed.

He also noted that in the Santiago bout, Abe still had a tendency to punch after the bell, causing some fans to wonder if Concepcion had a hearing problem. In his last title fight for the featherweight crown, he went after Steven Luevano after the bell rang, knocking him out but resulting in the Catanduanes boxer’s disqualification.

Concepcion arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport some five hours behind schedule after PAL flight PR-105 suffered a technical glitch that forced it to go back to Guam. He was met by his brother-trainer, DOTC Assistant Secretary Cesar V. Sarmiento, Lim and members of the Jaro boxing gym, Tribune publisher Fernan Gianan, and boxing fans.

At the press conference that followed, Concepcion thanked the Filipino people for his victory, especially his kababayans in Catanduanes who have always fully supported him.

"Hindi naman ako nahirapan kay Santiago," he said, admitting that he got caught by a barrage of punches in the last round from Santiago after he agreed to his opponent’s dare to go all out.

He said he trained hard for the fight, with his routines supervised by none other than Manny Pacquiao’s trainer, Buboy Fernandez. "Nagtraining kami tatlong oras sa umaga at apat na oras sa hapon," Abe disclosed.

"Para sa laban kay Juanma, kailangan ko ng mas mabilis na footwork, mas maraming suntok at siyempre lakas at tibay," the Rizal, Viga-born boxer stressed. The title bout has been scheduled for June 20 but a contract has yet to be signed while the venue has yet to be determined, whether in Las Vegas or in Juanma’s Puerto Rico. Abe, however, said that he would leave for the United States in April to start training for the Juanma bout.

Queried as to his thoughts on the fate of Z Gorres, who still owes hundred of thousands of dollars to a US hospital for treatment of brain damage, Concepcion agreed that boxers need to have higher insurance, a matter which he said should be taken care of by promoters.

Concepcion, who now weighs 138 pounds just a week after his fight, said that he would probably fight in weight classes as high as 140 pounds but is not exactly sure as he is no longer growing, drawing laughter from Manila media and fans.

"Hindi ko pa alam kung kailan ako makakauwi sa Catanduanes," he said, as he needs to do some shopping at the Duty Free Philippines and rest for a while. A source, however, said it could be in the first two weeks of March, with his arrival to be marked by a parade around Virac poblacion and courtesy calls on Mayor Santos Zafe and Governor Joseph Cua, with an even warmer welcome in his native Viga.

Proposed Bay City Sorsogon (by LKY Development Corporation - developer of Metro Transport and Lifestyle Hub in Legazpi)

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/1143/baycitysorsogon.jpg

Source: ECMP Architects (http://ecmparchitects.com/)

Kontrobersyal na hanging bridge, pinasinayaan

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San Miguel, Catanduanes – Pormal nang pinasinayaan ang kinukuwestiyon ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) na hanging bridge sa barangay Tobrehon.

Noong nakaraang Feb. 15, bilang isa sa maraming highlights ng 3-day birthday celebration ni San Miguel Mayor Edna Bernal ang isinagawang pagpapasinaya na dinaluhan ng piling-piling panauhin ng alaklde. Ngunit bago ang okasyong ito ay pormal nang nagbigay ng pahayag si Bernal kaugnay sa isyu ng hanging bridge.

"Unang-una hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit maraming isyung ipinupukol sa akin," ayon sa alkalde. "Ang alam ko lang nagtatrabaho ako para sa development ng San Miguel. Pero hindi ako tinitigilan ng aking kalaban."

At dahil ditto inamin ng alkalde na wala umano siyang direktang partisipasyon sa naturang hanging bridge project.

"Contracted ang project na 'yan," ayon sa kanya. "Walang available na instant pondo ang San Miguel para i-finance ang konstruksiyon ng hanging bridge kaya ipina-kontrata namin."

Sa kabila ng maraming batikos, ipinahayag ni Bernal ang kasiyahan sa completion ng nasabing proyekto. Katunayan, naiiyak daw siya sa remarks na tinatanggap mula sa residente ng Caglatawan, ang isa sa may direktang pakinabang sa hanging bridge.

"Hindi matapos-tapos ang pasasalamat na naririnig ko mula sa kanila. Sinasabi nila na kahit pa magkaroon ng baha, matatawid nila ang ilog. Kahit pa magkaroon ng baha, hindi sila magugutom," ayon sa alkalde.

Samantala, sinagot din ni Bernal ang ilan pang isyu na ibinabato sa kanya. Katulad umano ng ilang unfinished or abandoned farm-to-market-road projects.

"I am certain na ang kalaban ko ang author ng lahat ng issues na ito sa akin," ayon kay Bernal. "Hinahamon ko siyang magpakalalaki at humarap sa akin. In almost three years ko bilang Mayor I have finished 20 projects na hindi niya nagawa. Ang farm-to-market-roads ay nagpa-function at nagagamit."

Ngunit sa isang ambush interview, hinamon din ni PBM Francisco Camano, Jr. ang mga mediamen na puntahan kung totoong nagagamit ang sinasabing farm-to-market-roads.

"Puntahan nyo ang tens of millions of pesos na farm-to-market-roads projects na binuksan niya at tingnan nyo kung talagang natapos at nagagamit. Hindi. Iniwan nyang nakatiwangwang ang isa na patungo mula sa San Marcos (Caryunggo) hanggang Pagsangajan. 'Yong 3KM, 30-M farm-to-market-road na dapat sana ay hanggang Sitio Lat-as pero more or less isang kilometro lang ang natapos. At kung bakit gumawa pa siya ng panibagong kalsada sa tuktok ng bundok papuntang Solong samantalang may maganda, matino at konkretong daan papunta ng Solong?" ayon kay Camano na kahit daw hindi na pangalanan ni Bernal ay siya ang tinutukoy nitong kalaban.

Police: Angry parents torch school in Philippines

AP - Tuesday, March 2

MANILA, Philippines – A group of parents torched a school in the central Philippines after complaining their children weren't given the food promised by a government program aimed at boosting school attendance, police said Tuesday.

The gutted walls were all that remained of the one-story Gaib Elementary School in Masbate island province, said provincial police chief Ed Benigay. No one was hurt because the school was empty when it burned down overnight, he said.

"It was done by some disgruntled parents who reportedly got mad at some teachers over perceived discrimination in the school's nourishment program," he said.

He said the parents accused the teachers of not giving their children enough rice. Under the government's "Food for School" program that seeks to encourage school attendance, each student in impoverished areas is supposed to be given 2.2 pounds (a kilogram) of rice every day.

The arson left nearly 150 students aged 5-10 without a classroom, Benigay said, adding that important records also were lost.

Police said no arrests have been made but they will file charges soon

Source (http://ph.news.yahoo.com/ap/20100302/tap-as-philippines-school-torched-fe2a5de.html)

;52804693']Proposed Bay City Sorsogon (by LKY Development Corporation - developer of Metro Transport and Lifestyle Hub in Legazpi)

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/1143/baycitysorsogon.jpg

Source: ECMP Architects (http://ecmparchitects.com/)

wow! san ito sa Sorsogon!? :)

^^Sorsogon City, i guess...

Outbreak ng tigdas kinatatakutan sa Masbate (http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/mar0410/luzon01.htm)
(Edwin Balasa)

Pinangangambahan na magkaroon ng outbreak ng sakit na tigdas ang lalawigan ng Masbate matapos na umabot na sa 57 katao ang mayroong nasabing sakit ayon sa Department of Health (DoH).

Sa panayam kay Dr. Aurora Daluro, head ng Bicol Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU), ang nasabing bilang ay simula pa noong buwan ng Enero ng taong ito subalit lumobo lang nitong magsimula ang sobrang init sanhi ng El Niño phenomenon ng nakaraang buwan.

Dahil sa pangamba na lalo pang kumalat ang nakahahawang sakit ay agad na nag-ikot ang mga health workers sa iba’t ibang barangay sa Masbate upang iniksyunan ng anti-measles vaccine ang mga batang nasa edad ng anim na buwan hanggang anim taong gulang upang hindi na mahawa sa nakamamatay na sakit.

Bukod sa pagtuturok ay namahagi rin ng mga vitamin A capsule sa matatanda ang DoH Bicol region at nagpakalat din ng mga babasahin upang paano maiwasan at kung ano ang gagawin sakaling magkaroon ng tigdas ang kani-kanilang anak.

Sa ngayon ay wala pa namang naiuulat na namatay sa nasabing sakit sa nasabing lalawigan ngayong taon.


* * * * * * *


Hindi lang tigdas ang uso ngayong tag init.
Pati na rin ang sore eyes, bungang araw, bulutong at iba pang nakaka-kati sa balat.
Ang mas matindi nito ay ang epekto ng init ng panahon sa mga matatanda o senior citizen. Dapat na may contigency plan ang bawat health center sa barangay upang tugunan ang mga heat stroke at ibapa na gawa ng init ng panahon.
Nuong nakaraang mga araw lang ay naitala ang pinaka mainit na temperatura(34.5 ~ 35.5).
Dun sa mga nagji-jeep ay napapansin ko ang init sa mismong mga nakakunot na mga nuo ng mga pasahero gawa na siguro ito ng init ng simoy ng hangin.
Huwag kalilimutan na magbaon parati ng tubig.

Hello po! Merong monumento po ba si Rizal sa Masbate? Kailangan ko po kasi para sa project namin sa PI100. Salamat po!

I think madami naman especially inside school campuses, the capitol grounds and the city hall premises. In my town Uson, we have it in front of the Municipal Hall.

Sto. Domingo River

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs436.snc3/25098_342462712599_185527077599_3554214_7919189_n.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs436.snc3/25098_342462717599_185527077599_3554215_2541676_n.jpg

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs416.snc3/25098_342462727599_185527077599_3554216_7146358_n.jpg

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs416.snc3/25098_342462737599_185527077599_3554217_2974985_n.jpg

Source (http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=185527077599)

Hi-quality camote developed by PhilRootcrops extensively grown in Bicol (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=11&sid=&nid=11&rid=263001)

SORSOGON CITY, March 8 (PNA) – A significant hybrid of sweet potato locally known as camote propagated by the Philippine Root Crop Research and Training Center (PhilRootcrops) is now being extensively grown in Bicol because of its nutritional and calamity-resistance properties.

Called NSIC SP25 or the LSU Purple, this variety is rich in antioxidants because of its marbled purple flesh produced by anthocyanin, a water-soluble pigment that produces blue, violet and red colors in plants.

All varieties of sweet potato being grown in most parts of the country, mostly in the Bicol and Visayas regions are important crops that serve as supplement to rice when the cereal is in short supply. Some families in rural areas cook rice with pared sliced camote.

However, according to Dr. Julieta Roa, head of the PhilRootcrops based at the Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay, Leyte, LSU Purple is more significant because it contains the highest dry matter of 36 percent, hence it is very tasty when boiled.

It is sweet as it has the highest sugar content of 4.07 percent compared to most varieties which only have two to three percent, Roa said in a statement circulated here by the office of Sorsogon provincial Vice Governor Renato Laurinaria.

The vice governor, himself a farmer is advocating in the province more involvement of local farmers in production of high-value indigenous crops that are less sensitive to abnormal weather conditions brought about by the prevailing climate change because of their importance as cash crops and food.

“We should adopt the latest technology being introduced by experts in rediscovering the importance of these indigenous crops that are available all around in farms, backyards and even in the wild for more profits and foods for every family,” Laurinaria said.

Like for example the lowly camote in which the PhilRootcrops has gone a long way in improving the productivity as well as its taste and qualities, “every farmer in the locality can easily produce food and reap profit from it when gven ample attention,” he added.

Farmers in the province, particularly in his hometown in Castilla, a key producer of rootcrops used to harvest an average of eight tons camote per hectare from their favorite varieties but today, the yield has increased to an average of 12 to 15 tons per hectare using the purple variety, the vice-governor said.

What is good about sweet potato, according to Roa in the statement is that it freely bears flowers so that it is easy for the plant breeders to cross different strains to produce hybrids. The plant breeders try to incorporate in the hybrids the desirable characteristics such as high yield as well as taste, suitability for processing and others.

At first, PhilRootcrops released VSPI, a high yielder sweet potato variety in 1983 but it was discarded for being susceptible to pests and diseases. “Worst of all, it has a low dry matter content of 26.6 percent. Roots with low dry matter content are not as tasty as those with higher content, Dr. Julie Tan, head of the Postharvest Division of the center in the same statement.

One hybrid produced by PhilRootcrops that has had a very big impact is VSP6 released in 1988. In the early 1990s, the camote plantings in Central ,Luzon, particularly in Tarlac and Pangasinan however were wiped out by the mottle virus disease, Tan said.

“We were able to come to the rescue of this variety and up to now, VSP6 is the main variety being planted commercially in many parts of Luzon. Besides giving an average yield of 21.02 tons per hectare, it has a high dry matter content of 32.90 percent. It has excellent taste as boiled camote, she added.

The most outstanding of high-yielder camote variety discovered in the calamity-prone Bicol region is the LSU Purple that matures in a relatively short period of 105 to 120 days after planting.

Tan said this variety is also usable in perfecting a sweet dessert wine with low alcohol content that is more of an energy drink.

Despite the discovery of camote varieties with high dry matter, the varieties with low dry matter and starch content still have their own uses just like an accession called RC2000 that is ideal for processing.

Tan said pickled camote made from this variety was a bestseller at P40 per small bottle during a recent garden show. Apart from making an attractive "atsara" because it has intense orange color similar to that of carrots, it is good as crunchy camote pickles and sweet camote bar.

Most of the 32 varieties released for commercial production, Tan said are products of the PhilRootcrops. A number, however, was released by UP Los Banos, Bureau of Plant Industry and the Northern Philippine Root Crop Research and Training Center based at the Benguet State University in La Trinidad.

Meanwhile, Tan said PhilRootcrops researcher Enrique Abogadie who does most of the breeding and propagation is producing about 60,000 seeds of different crosses a year but only 20,000 of these are grown and observed for their desirable or undesirable characteristics.

Some of the researches also focus on the control or prevention of pests and diseases. One of the most common problems is the infestation of the sweet potato weevil which renders the roots inedible when the infestation is serious, Tan said.

One prevention technique is to keep the soil moist so that there are no cracks in the soil for the weevil to reach the storage roots of the plants. The weevil lays its eggs on the roots rendering them unmarketable after the eggs hatch.

Meanwhile, Roa said her office is undertaking continued research for more varieties of cassava that could be use either in food or industry.

Roa said aside from researching new cassava planting materials they are also into breeding pest and disease-resistant high yielding varieties (HYV) for starch.

She said the mass propagation of HYVs and clean planting materials along with cassava seed system to improve cropping systems and cultural management to weaken gap for cassava in different agro-ecologies.

Mainly grown for its tubers which are a rich source of carbohydrates, cassava is a good source of calcium and ascorbic acid. Its food uses include confectioneries, native pastries like suman and bibingka, sago, vegetables, food seasoning, noodles and flour.

Although not the staple of Filipinos, cassava feeds about 800 million people around the world, according to the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).

Another important product is cassava starch, known in the world trade as tapioca flour which is extracted from the tuber and used by a wide variety of industries – food, pharmaceutical, paper, adhesive, textile, mining and other manufacturing industries.

In the food industry alone, studies show that cassava flour can substitute for wheat flour in baked products as much as 10 percent in bread and higher in other baked products, studies. It is utilized as thickener for soups, baby food, sauces and gravies.

Cassava flour is excellent filler that could supplement the solid contents of ice cream. It is also a good binder for sausages and other processed meat products to prevent these from drying up during cooking.

Its use as livestock feed in the country has also been investigated and studies at the University of the Philippines at Los Banos (UPLB) have shown that cassava meal can be used as a substitute for feed grains in compounded animal rations while cassava leaf meal contains at least 20 percent protein so that it is a good livestock feed not only for poultry but also for other livestock.

Cassava can also be a good solution to the problems of climate change and fuel shortage. In China, Thailand, and Brazil, cassava is becoming an important biofuel crop. A feasibility study has found that cassava has a very high starch-to-sugar conversion ratio which means that a high percentage of sugar can be converted from it, and which, in turn, is needed to produce biofuel. (PNA)

Subic Beach, Matnog, Sorsogon

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Pink sands of Subic Beach, Matnog
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2501/4243040677_65abbf8235_o.jpg

by aylaliberato (http://www.flickr.com/photos/literato/)

Rizal Beach, Gubat, Sorsogon
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2793/4401835369_982fc671bb_o.jpg
by arkiboxxx (http://www.flickr.com/photos/arkiboxxx/)

Puraran, Catanduanes

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2629/4228656022_316f3d9dd3_b.jpg
by Jian Alvarez (http://www.flickr.com/photos/naijalvarez/)

Twin Rock Beach, Catanduanes

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http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4239260293_8a99194387_b.jpg

by weiss88 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44431509@N04/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4261736352_ba18e7c459_b.jpg
by Raj Belleza (http://www.flickr.com/photos/raj2105/)

Bituon Sandbar, Masbate City

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4187102498_c03af938ce_o.jpgbby titus577 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44591034@N04/)

4Ps stirs Masbate communities’ participation towards welfare of children (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=263307)

CLAVERIA, Masbate, March 9 (PNA) – Time was when the shortage of school classrooms was not a problem in this remote, coastal town of about 39,000 population. Enrollments were scarce.

It was because parents, particularly those of the poorest of the poor families that comprised about 60 percent of the over 7,700 households of the entire municipality were either uninterested or cannot afford to send their children to school.

This municipality, classified as fourth class is one of the two poor towns within the island of Burias that is separated by the vast Burias Pass from the Bicol mainland. The other town is San Pascual and majority of families in both rely mainly on fishing and agriculture for livelihood.

That situation today however is already the reverse of the past as according to Mayor Eduardo Andueza, “the communities are now working really hard to send their children to school and I never thought before that the parents would later be conscious on providing education to their children.”

In the recent launching here of the Poder y Prosperidad dela Comunidad Project (Empowerment and Development of Communities), Andueza said the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) starting last year brought forth the abrupt change.

PODER is special project implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with funding assistance from Agencia Española de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarollo (AECID).

It adopts the community-driven development (CDD) processes and principles of the Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan (KALAHI) framework and strategies and covers 162 poorest barangays in the entire country.

“I am aware that because of 4Ps, the number of enrollees in elementary schools has doubled,” he said.

4Ps is a poverty alleviation measure implemented by the administration of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo through the DSWD.

A qualified family receives a maximum of P1,400 monthly as a subsidy for education, health and nutrition of children aged 0-14 years old.

“The program entered our municipality in 2009. During its initial implementation, the people were curious. Some of the people were doubtful on the motives of the program. They thought that the beneficiaries are politically affiliated in my administration,” Andueza said.

“But as time passed, people were made to understand that 4Ps is not just a program given to the communities. People were surprised. They were made to participate, they were involved. Barangay assemblies were held regularly to orient the people on the components of the program and on its implementation,” he added.

Everyone was convinced that they have a very important role for the community and because of the 4Ps conditionalities, people were conscious of their duties- especially for providing proper health care and nutrition for the family and better education for their children, the mayor said.

Before, Andueza recalled, parents cannot afford to send their children to school because of financial constraints but because of 4Ps, parents can now have money for their children’s school fees. “I can’t help but feel a sense of pride. Aside from the knowledge that children can gain, parents are now aware of their obligations.”

But implementing the program was not as simple as we thought it would be considering that the number of enrollees increased, two grade levels would occupy the same room, he narrated.

“The DSWD did not just stop there and we are so lucky because PODER has answered our prayers. It erased our worries over the shortage of classrooms this special program came to assist us and the communities to meet the basic facilities required for 4Ps. School buildings and health stations will soon rise in our municipality through PODER,” he explained.

“The national government has not only granted us with projects like 4Ps and PODER but through this program, we were awakened and became aware of our duties and responsibilities for our community and most important, for our family,” Andueza added.

PODER empowers local communities as the poorest barangays are given access to and control of key development decisions, and resources through intensive social preparation and community mobilization techniques. It believes in the inherent capacity of the people to answer their own needs and control their resources, according to Andueza.

The AECID-funded program also enhances local governance through setting highly transparent mechanisms in the development process and facilitating the criteria-based prioritization of projects, the investment of the local government in pro-poor programs and the convergence of all efforts from all stakeholders, he said.

At the same time, PODER reduces poverty by way of funding barangay-level infrastructures and common service facilities to improve access to basic services and increase productivity, the mayor added.

The components of the program are social preparation, capacity building and implementation support to ensure that communities are trained and involved in the whole project cycle such as participatory situation analysis, sub-project (SP) planning, procurement, finance, implementation, monitoring, operation and maintenance.

It is designed to provide continuous learning and adjustment of its approach, and involves community, internal and independent monitoring. (PNA)

Sectoral groups hold "Walk for HOPE" in Masbate (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=263328)

MANILA, March 9 (PNA) –- Various representatives from major stakeholders in the upcoming May elections, like civil society and religious organizations, police, military, youth and government sectors, held a unity walk in support of honest, orderly and peaceful elections (HOPE) in Masbate province.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina said that some 4,000 representatives from participating sectors joined the Masbate Walk for HOPE 2010 held in Masbate City on Tuesday organized by the Diocese of Masbate Social Action Foundation Inc (DIMASAFI).

Among the prominent personalities who attended the multi-sectoral Masbate Walk for HOPE 2010 include Fr. Leo Casas, DIMASAFI Executive Director; Comelec Commissioner Lucenito Tagle, Ambassador Henrietta De Villa, National Chair of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV); Lawyer Hamil Almoguera, Regional Director of the Commission on Human Rights in Bicol Region; Ramon Casiple, National Chairman of the Consortium for Electoral Reform.

Also present were Police Director Andres Caro II, PNP Director for Operations; Director Eric Javier, PNP Director for Integrated Police Operations in Southern Luzon (DIPO-SL), and Chief Supt. Cecilio Calleja Jr., PNP Regional Director for Bicol Region, and Lt. Gen. Roland Detabali, commanding general of the military’s Southern Luzon Command.

The Masbate Walk for HOPE 2010 culminated in an Indignation Rally to condemn all violent incidents in the province that have marred the otherwise peaceful and orderly conduct elections.

The PNP is in the thick of law enforcement operations in Masbate against communist insurgents, criminal elements and Partisan Armed Groups that pose a threat to the holding of free and clean elections in May 2010.

A sizable contingent of police commandos from the elite Special Action Force is deployed in Masbate alongside tactical units from the Regional and Provincial Mobile Groups and AFP Units that compose the Joint Special Task Force Masbate that is the lead unit in operations against communist insurgents, criminal elements and partisan armed groups in the province.

Earlier, PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa declared Masbate as one of the PNP’s areas of concern in connection with the upcoming elections following a number of killings of local officials in the province early this year. (PNA)

DAR rushes Masbate water impounding projects in time for El Niño onslaught (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&nid=11&rid=263248)

MANILA, March 9 (PNA) - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said on Tuesday two small water impounding projects (SWIP) that cover a total of 130 hectares of lands will soon be completed in Masbate in time for the onslaught of El Nino.

DAR officials said the project was expected to meet the urgent need of water facility in the areas by March 31, 2010.

The water project is funded under the Second Agrarian Reform Communities Development Project (ARCDP2)of the World Bank.

ARCDP2 aims to improve the lives of 100,000 households in 86 agrarian reform communities nationwide.

Agrarian Reform Undersecretary Narciso Nieto of the Finance, Management and Administrative Office, also said that by the end of June 2010, all remaining infrastructure projects of the ARCDP2 would be completed.

Nieto, who is also Project Implementing Officer of ARCDP2, directed his personnel to get all things done.

Catanduanes rice lands drying up due to drought (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&nid=11&rid=263433)

VIRAC, Catanduanes, March 10 (PNA) – Over 1,650 hectares of rice lands in six of the 11 towns of Catanduanes have dried up due to the El Niño phenomenon, damaging about P8.5 million worth of palay, the local agriculture office said.

Provincial Agriculturist Herbert Evangelista in a report to Governor Joseph Cua placed the losses in the island province’s rice production at 1,976 metric tons and expected this to rise when assessments of the drought effects in the five other towns covering 4,000 hectares of rice fields are completed.

The municipalities covered by the initial report were Bato, Gigmoto, Panganiban, San Andres, Caramoran and Pandan.

The drought has affected 1,656 hectares of standing rice crops tilled by 1,443 farmers in the six towns. Majority of the crops were in the reproductive stage and of the total, 567 hectares have been assessed as having no chance of recovery, Evangelista said.

The lack of rainfall starting in September 2009 has led to the drying up of rice paddies in the areas covered by the report. These farms are either rain-fed or having insufficient irrigation system.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has predicted that the drought will last up to May this year, although rains could fall as early as the second half of March.

Records at the PAGASA Virac Synoptic Station shows that rainfall for the four-month period from November 2009 to February 2010 fell by an average of 67.5 percent compared to the same period one year ago.

In December 2009 alone, the weather bureau recorded only 97.8 millimeters of rainfall, just a fraction of the 596.7mm in December 2008. On the other hand, the January 2010 precipitation was slightly better at 217.5mm but it was still 60 percent less than the 544mm recorded in January 2009.

PAGASA weather specialist Jun Pantino said that this February alone, it has rained in only eight of the 28 days, with a total volume of 46.5mm, far from the 279.3mm recorded a year ago. The last time rain fell in this capital town was last Feb. 17.

He said that while there have been clouds, precipitation is hindered by strong winds and the effects of global warming. Daytime temperatures hover at just over 30 degrees Centigrade, with morning temperatures cool at about 19 degrees, while humidity is in the high 80’s, he said.

Meanwhile, the Virac Water District (Viwad) has warned that it may resort to rationing if water distribution from its three water sources whose capacity is continuously dropping.

Viwad general manager Virgilio Arcilla said that its total water production has fallen by 50 percent from the normal 102 liters per second to about 54 liters per second, forcing the water firm to undertake sandbagging at the water sources to maximize intake of water into its reservoirs.

In the meantime, the water firm advised its 5,800 household-consumers to conserve water by shutting off faucets when not in use, re-using water, and putting off indiscriminate use of hoses in watering plants and cars.

Arcilla also appealed to consumers to report leakages along its transmission and distribution lines and even in house connections so that repairs are promptly undertaken. "Right now, the extra water we can use is being wasted in leaks," he stressed.

In Sorsogon on the other hand, reports reaching the Philippines News Agency have it that intermittent rainfall and showers have been taking place in the province daily since Friday last week, lowering the risk for the area from the effects of the prolonged dry spell being experienced in some parts of the country.

Easterly wind bringing in rainclouds had been prevailing in the province maintaining temperature at normal levels, local weathermen said. (PNA)

Masbate leaders forge peace covenant (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=263493)

MASBATE CITY, March 10 (PNA) - Candidates vying for local elective positions and leaders of contending political parties in Masbate vowed to shun violence and vicious political rivalry as they forged a covenant of peace for honest and credible national elections in May.

The signing of the peace covenant was the highlight of a multi-sectoral mobilization of civil society organizations in Masbate on Tuesday dubbed “A Walk for MY HOME” (Masbate Yearning for Honest, Orderly and Meaningful Election) where some 4,00 participants representing sectoral organizations, Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), government institutions, clergy, youth, and non-government organizations converged at the Magallanes Coliseum in Masbate City for the signing of the historic peace covenant among political leaders in this island province that has long been considered among perennial election hotspots due to a long history of intense political rivalry, politically-motivated violence, aggravated by the local communist insurgency, and presence of partisan armed groups (PAGs).

In a rare occasion, stalwarts from contending political parties in Masbate gathered to forge an agreement to denounce violence and commit themselves to promote advocacy and support all efforts for the holding of honest, orderly and peaceful elections in May 2010.

Signatories to the Peace Covenant include Rep. Rizalina S. Lanete of the 3rd district and candidate for governor; Vince Revil, re-electionist candidate for vice-governor; and Gen. Darius M. Tuason (Ret), 2nd District Representative candidate; Mabel Bartolabac, candidate for mayor of Masbate City, and 18 other political leader vying for various elective positions in the provincial and municipal local government units.

Police Director Andres G. Caro II, PNP Director for Operations who witnessed the signing of the PEACE Covenant as representative of PNP Chief, Director General Jesus A. Verzosa, said the PNP leadership welcomes this gesture of peace by the political leaders of Masbate to once and for all eliminate violence from the political landscape of the island province.

The PNP listed Masbate among nine provinces considered as election areas of concern (EAC) due to the presence threat groups, history of election-related violent incidents in previous elections, and activities of Partisan Armed Groups.

The communist New People’s Army has established three Guerrilla Fronts in Masbate with 93 active members armed with an estimated 113 firearms.

The presence of the CPP/NPA has added another dimension to the volatile situation in Masbate with some insurgents being utilized as hired goons by local politicians.

A sizable contingent of police commandos from the elite Special Action Force is deployed in Masbate alongside tactical units from the Regional and Provincial Mobile Groups and AFP Units that compose the Joint Special Task Force Masbate that is the lead unit in operations against communist insurgents, criminal elements and Partisan Armed Groups in the province. (PNA)

Sorsogon exec hails bamboo as a cash crop
(http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22893:sorsogon-exec-hails-bamboo-as-a-cash-crop&catid=53:agri-commodities)
Agri-Commodities
Written by Danny O. Calleja / Correspondent
Friday, 12 March 2010 19:36

CASTILLA, Sorsogon—Vice Gov. Renato Laurinaria of Sorsogon is urging farmers and landowners in the province to grow bamboo because of its potential as a cash crop.

Its versatile qualities make bamboo not only a material for chopstick-making, poles, furniture, handicrafts, fishing gears and housing, among others, but mainly a source vegetable that would generate good income for growers due to its demand from both the domestic and international market, the vice governor said on Monday.

Research and studies show that bamboo shoots contain 18 amino acids and less carbohydrates, crude fat and crude fiber which make it an ideal vegetable for health-conscious people, Laurinaria said.

The Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau has reported that bamboo’s main nutritive values seem to be associated with hematopoiesis, or the regeneration of high-energy containing compounds and improvement of protein metabolism.

“I have initiated a bamboo-planting program under our community-based Resource Management Project along riverbanks and on hilly terrains here during my nine-year term as mayor of this town. That was before I was elected provincial vice governor. I have since been pushing for a province-wide initiative,” he said.

Other farmers in the locality have planted bamboo around their farms as fence or as windbreak that do not easily die or get damaged by typhoons, drought and even by fire.

The Castilla plantation is now a source of bamboo shoots that command a good price in the local market. Considering that grated and boiled shoots sell at around P25 per kilo, Laurinaria said, the many shoots weighing over a kilo each that are harvested from a clump is already a good source of income.

Compared with other agricultural crops that are planted every year or even twice a year, bamboo is planted only once and dies only when it has flowered after 30 years, making it more advantageous for farmers.

There are no problems in planting materials because farmers can start with native varieties, locally called botong, kawayan, oras and marurugue, all source of edible shoots.

“Since our climate is tropical, the Philippines had become bamboo’s natural home as it can be grown even near the residential areas and on any type of soil,” Laurinaria said.

Citing a publication of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), he said planting bamboo for shoot production entails digging a hole of 2x 2x1 meter in dimension, which must be filled with soil and composts.

Planting materials either in the form of cuttings or prerooted cuttings preferably, should come from one-year-old culms rather than from older ones, although they could be used.

The cuttings with one whole internode and two nodes are the best. Internodes which are not hollow should not be used. The recommended distance of planting is 8x6 meters, he said.

The PCARRD publication, Laurinaria said, also reported the two ways of planting cuttings, which are not prerooted, prior to setting them in the field. These are the horizontal and the vertical systems.

For the horizontal, the cuttings are laid horizontally in the hole with the eyes at the sides then covered with two-thirds layer of soil.

The vertical system is done by burying the lower node 5 centimeters below the surface of the node with the soil covering and reaching the upper half of the next internode.

;53128947']Rizal Beach, Gubat, Sorsogon
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2793/4401835369_982fc671bb_o.jpg
by arkiboxxx (http://www.flickr.com/photos/arkiboxxx/)

this pic made me remember those good ole days of childhood when we get here each summer to have fun! ^_^!

http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/photos-mar2010/ph11-031210.jpg
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo delivers a statement during her visit for the 'Education for All’ program in Monreal National High School, Ticao Island in Masbate Friday (March 12). ((Rey S. Baniquet/OPS-NIB Photo)

http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/photos-mar2010/ph10-031210.jpg
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo delivers a statement during her visit for the 'Education fort All program in Monreal National High School, Ticao Island in Masbate Friday (March 12). (Rey S. Baniquet/OPS-NIB Photo)

http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/photos-mar2010/ph9-031210.jpg
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo inspects the computer room of Monreal National High School during her visit Friday (March 12) for the 'Education for All" program in Monreal, Ticao, Island in Masbate. (Rey S. Baniquet/OPS-NIB Photo)

Source (http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/photo.htm)

1 rebelde patay, sa sagupaan ng AFP at NPA sa Catanduanes
3/15/2010 9:56:57 AM
LEGAZPI CITY - Patay ang isang kasapi ng New People's Army (NPA) sa naganap na sagupaan sa pagitan ng tropa ng militar at bandidong rebelde sa Catanduanes.

Sa impormasyong nakalap ng Bombo Radyo Legazpi, nakasagupa ng tropa ng 83rd Infantry Battalion Philippine Army (PA) na pinamumunuan ni 2Lt. Omandan ang humigit-kumulang nasa 30 komunista sa Barangay Buenavista, Caramoran.

Tumagal ng 45 minuto ang palitan ng putok ng magkabilang panig.

Walang casualties sa militar subalit patay ang hindi pa nakikilalang kasapi ng rebelde.

Agad namang tumakas patungong Hilagang-Silangang bahagi ng naturang lugar ang mga kalaban.

Narekover sa lugar ng pinangyarihan ng sagupaan ang anim na matataas na kalibre ng armas kabilang ang tatlong M16 armalite rifle; dalawang M14 at isang carbine rifle.

Rebel slain in clash, six high-powered firearms recovered in Catanduanes (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=264371)

LEGAZPI CITY, March 15 (PNA) - A communist rebel was slain in an encounter with Army soldiers on Monday in Caramoran town in Catanduanes, reports reaching Camp Simeon Ola said.

The soldiers also recovered several high powered assault rifles during the clash in a hinterland village.

The slain rebel's body is in the custody of the Army soldiers from the 83 Infantry Battalion based in Catanduanes for identification and proper disposition.

Recovered from the battle scene were three M16 rifles, two M14 rifles and a carbine rifle left by New People's Army (NPA) guerrillas as they fled the area.

The report said an Army patrol on internal security operation (ISO) encountered a 30-man NPA band around 8 a.m. Monday in Barangay Buenavista in Caramoran town in Catanduanes.

The Army troopers engaged the rebels in a 45-minute running gun battle that led to the killing of a still unidentified rebel and the recovery of six high-powered firearms left by the rebels who scampered to neighboring villages.

Col. Romeo Basco, commanding officer of the 83rd IB, said he sent a patrol team to that area after his command received an information about the presence of communist rebels extorting money from businessmen and civilians in said village.

Army troopers are tracking down the fleeing rebels as of press time.

Basco said communist rebels belong to the Islacom Pusa Guerilla Front operating in the island province of Catanduanes. (PNA)

Killings surge in Masbate despite signing of peace covenant
PILI, Camarines Sur, March 16 (PNA) – Incidences of killing continue happen in the island province of Masbate despite the signing of a peace covenant among opposing political leaders here as two supporters of poll candidates were gunned down in the past two days, a military report said.

Major Harold Cabunoc, chief of the 9ID Public Affairs Office, quoting the report from Special Task Force Masbate, said that Ireneo Lumahog, 51, a resident of Barangay Tubog, Pio V. Corpuz town, was shot dead by two heavily armed men around 1:30 p.m. on Monday.

Last Sunday, March 14, at around 10 p.m., Jose Frias y Sambajon of Barangay Busing, San Pascual, Masbate was shot dead by at least three heavily armed men who were carrying M-16 Rifles.

Frias was said to be a political leader of incumbent Mayor Zacarina Lazaro of said municipality.

The series of election-related violent incidents (ERVI) occurred despite the efforts of STF Masbate and all stakeholders to forge a peace covenant and advocacy for an honest, orderly and peaceful elections (HOPE) in the province.

Last February 17, a multi-sectoral forum for HOPE was conducted in the province, facilitated by Fr. Leo Casas of the religious sector.

During that event, five prominent political personalities attended the forum including Rep. Rizalina Lanete who is running for governor; Rep. Narciso Bravo Jr. and Rep. Antonio Kho who are seeking reelection; Gov. Elisa Kho and Retired General Darius Tuason who are running for a congressional post in their respective district. (PNA)
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=264671

Aquaculture improves lives of fisher folks in Catanduanes
VIRAC, Catanduanes, March 16 (PNA) – Aquaculture projects introduced by local government units and enjoying all-out support from the provincial administration in this island province are proving successful in improving the lives of fisher folks.

These were started by the provincial government with the establishment of small aquasilvi or “Mudcrabs in Mangroves” projects in the municipalities of Bagamanoc and Panganiban over six months ago, Ely Peña, head of the Provincial Agriculture Support Office (PASO) said here over the week.

Just recently, according to Peña, one of the polyculture farms established under the project and manned by an association of fisher folks in these two towns yielded more than 75 kilograms of fully-grown mud crabs locally known as alimango, a delectable crustacean, during a test harvest.

The fisher groups also culture tilapia and bangus in the same farms.

Aquaculture projects are also booming in other parts of the province with the raising of groupers (lapu-lapu) in Barangay Palumbanes showing as the most successful when one of its cages yielded last week more than 50 fishes averaging 800 grams each.

“We are, however delaying the harvest due to the low buying prices of the fish in the Bicol mainland particularly in the region’s nearest port that is Tabaco City. This fish species command a price of about P2,400 per kilo in Metro Manila but middlemen from Tabaco wanted to pay only about half of that price for our deliveries,” Peña said.

In this capital town, Municipal Agriculturist Jessie Urbano on Tuesday said they are preparing for the launching of their second aquasilvi project for 45 fisherfolk-cooperators in Barangay Magnesia del Sur following an approval from Mayor Santos Zafe.

“Our fisherfolks have already realized the potentials of raising mud crabs in an environmentally-friendly manner as major source of income that is why we are continuously expanding the reach of this project,” Urbano said.

The first “Mud Crabs in Mangroves” project here was established in the same coastal village about a month ago with provincial Gov. Joseph Cua gracing its inauguration rites and reiterating his desire to reinstall Catanduanes as the “crab capital of the country”, a little it lost to Negros about three decades ago.

These projects are being implemented by the Virac Municipal Agriculture Office in coordination with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the barangay council and managed by the Association of Small Fishermen of Magnesia del Sur composed of 34 members.

The duration of each project, from stocking of crablets to harvest, is six months after which, the association with its members already familiar with the mud crab culture technology would be on their own in running the project, Urbano said.

The total cost of the project was about P150,000 with the municipal government providing some P59,000, around P44,000 from the OPAg, P15,000 from the BFAR and over P31,000 provided by the fishermen association.

The provincial government also provided 1,000 crablets to the project from its Catanduanes Crab Center (CCC), a vast crab culture farm it has been maintaining here since last year as part of Cua’s commitment to rehabilitate and preserve the province’s crab industry.

CCC, with its nursery in Barangay Palnab here serves as buying station for crablets gathered by residents from all over the province mostly from the municipalities of Bagamanoc, Panganiban and Viga, all crab-rich towns where most coastal residents are engaged in crablet gathering.

In 2006, the province of Camarines Norte first gained popularity when an organized group of crab growers started marketing crabmeat to other parts of the country. It was discovered later that the province derived it supply of raw materials from these three Catanduanes towns, Cua said.

“We see to it now that all crablets gathered from all our producing areas go to the CCC that the provincial government buys at prices higher than those offered by unscrupulous traders illegally exporting them outside the province,” he said.

While these traders pay P6 for a crablet, the governor said the province buys them at P8 to P10, providing the gatherers a collective income of over P5 million since the start of the operation of the CCC as “bagsakan” barely a year ago.

“We are now in control of the flow of crablets out of the province giving local crab growers all the opportunities not only to engage in fattening but also in raising high quality crablets for the provincial government that facilitates its marketing to other provinces or regions,” Cua stressed.

In its function as marketing arm of crablets for growers and aquaculture operators outside the province, he said CCC was able to generate over P1 million last year, an amount set aside for the expansion of its operations and fund assistance to other crab production ventures in the province both local governments or private entrepreneurs.

“We are also in close coordination with various government agencies in our efforts to regain our lost glory of being the crab center of the country. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has provided fund grant to the Panganiban town crab center as part of our join undertaking of creating more jobs out of our crab industry,” he said.

DOLE last year gave P120,000 which was used in the purchase of equipments now being used in the modernization of the crab production facility, the governor said.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on the other hand had its Crab Fattening Program in the province that facilitates the transfer of technology on the method and techniques in crab management and feeding, crab cage construction and efficient handling and packaging of fattened crabs for marketing. Crabs produced under this technology command higher prices, he said.

The provincial government on the other hand is allocating funds for the purchase of three backhoes to be used in developing fishponds not only for growing crabs but also for the polyculture of bangus and tilapia, which he said substitute for deep sea fishes in times of rough seas and inclement weather.

The governor, he said he encourages Catandunganons to engage in crab business which ultimately will prove to be a much better and bigger revenue producer than the abaca industry that is currently the main money earner for the province.

In aquasilvi culture, also known as mangrove aquaculture on the other hand, no part of the mangrove area is destroyed as only a portion is enclosed with nets laid on bamboo slat framing. The enclosed area is seeded with crablets of 10 to 50 grams each at a maximum stocking rate of one piece per square meter, Urbano said.

The crablets are then fed with chopped fresh fish, cooked animal entrails, mussels or snails, at a feeding rate of 10 percent of the average body weight reduced by 1 percent monthly until the end of the six-month culture period.

Partial harvesting can be done through handpicking once the crabs reach the marketable weight of 300 grams or above, with total harvesting done at the 6th or 7th month, he added. (PNA)
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&nid=11&rid=264670

El Niño’s P8-B farm damage seen to rise (http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22871:el-ninos-p8-b-farm-damage-seen-to-rise&catid=23:topnews&Itemid=58)


AFTER conducting an evaluation of the actual damage caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon, the Department of Agriculture (DA) confirmed on Wednesday that the drought’s damage to the farm sector had reached P8 billion as of March 2.

Agriculture Secretary Bernie Fondevilla, however, said the department continues to receive reports of more damage from affected provinces.

“Actually, we’re receiving reports of . [But] at this point, we’re most confident [crop damage] is at P8 billion,” Fondevilla told reporters at the sidelines of a ceremony where former agriculture secretary Arthur Yap formally turned over the reins of the department to him.
The DA chief said that of the P8 billion, damage to rice and corn accounted for half of the amount, or P4 billion.

Fondevilla said the figures were culled from 14 affected provinces, namely, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino in Northern Luzon; Bulacan and Nueva Ecija in Central Luzon; Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque and Romblon in the Mimaropa region; [B]Masbate in Bicol; and Antique, Guimaras and Negros Occidental in Western Visayas.

The DA, however, could not give a breakdown of the total farmlands affected or the volume of the crops that were already destroyed by the drought.

Fondevilla estimated that more than 200,000 metric tons (MT) of paddy rice have been destroyed by El Niño.

A report prepared by the DA Central Action Center placed total damage at P11.2 billion, with the damage in paddy-rice production already nearing 300,000 MT.

Despite the damage incurred by the rice subsector, Fondevilla said the DA is holding on to its estimate that the country could still produce 7.2 million metric tons (MMT) of palay in January to June this year. The Philippines is importing as much as 2.4 MMT of milled rice, mostly from Vietnam, to fill the possible gap in production as well as the damage caused by two strong typhoons in the latter part of 2009 and the El Niño weather phenomenon.
In Photo: Red and fresh Farmers in La Trinidad, Benguet, rush the harvesting of their strawberries in time for the celebration of Strawberry Festival in the province. The strawberries now cost anywhere from P80 to P100 a kilo depending on size, and farmers in recent weeks have started fretting over the creeping impact of El Niño on their yield. (Mauricio Victa)

Drought hits Catanduanes hard (http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22958:drought-hits-catanduanes-hard&catid=53:agri-commodities)

VIRAC, Catanduanes—Even in the island-province of Catanduanes, known as a typhoon path and past scene of heavy rains, over 5,650 hectares of rice land in all of its 11 towns have dried up due to the El Niño phenomenon, according to the local agriculture office.

In a report to Gov. Joseph Cua, provincial agriculturist Herbert Evangelista placed the partial losses in the province’s rice production at 1,976 metric tons worth over P8.5 million. The municipalities covered by the initial report were Bato, Gigmoto, Panganiban, San Andres, Caramoran and Pandan.

The figures are expected to rise when assessment of the drought effects in five other towns covering 4,000 hectares of rice fields is completed, Evangelista said.

The drought has affected 1,656 hectares of standing rice crops tilled by 1,443 farmers in these six towns. Majority of the crops were in the reproductive stage and of the total, 567 hectares have been assessed as having no chance of recovery, Evangelista said.

The lack of rainfall starting in September 2009 has led to the drying up of rice paddies in the areas covered by the report. These farms are either rain-fed or having insufficient irrigation system.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has predicted that the drought will last up to May this year, although rains could fall as early as the second half of March.

Records at the Pagasa Virac Synoptic Station show that rainfall from November 2009 to February 2010 fell by an average of 67.5 percent compared with the same period one year ago.

In December 2009 alone, the weather bureau recorded only 97.8 millimeters (mm) of rainfall, just a fraction of the 596.7 mm in December 2008. Precipitation in January 2010 was slightly better at 217.5 mm, but was still 60 percent less than the 544 mm recorded in January 2009.

Pagasa weather specialist Jun Pantino said that this February alone, it has rained in only eight of the 28 days, with a total volume of 46.5 mm, far from the 279.3 mm recorded a year ago. The last time rain fell in this capital town was on February 17.

Pantino said that while there have been clouds, precipitation is hindered by strong winds and the effects of global warming. Daytime temperatures hover at just over 30 degrees centigrade, with morning temperatures cool at about 19 degrees, while humidity is in the high 80s, he said.

Meanwhile, the Virac Water District (Viwad) has warned that it may resort to rationing if water distribution from its three water sources continuously drops.

Viwad general manager Virgilio Arcilla said that its total water production has fallen by 50 percent from the normal 102 liters per second to about 54 liters per second, forcing the water firm to undertake sandbagging at the water sources to maximize intake of water into its reservoirs.

The water firm advised its 5,800 household consumers to conserve water by shutting off faucets when not in use, reusing water and putting off indiscriminate use of hoses in watering plants and cars.

Arcilla also appealed to consumers to report leakages along its transmission and distribution lines and even in house connections so that repairs are promptly undertaken.

“Right now, the extra water we can use is being wasted in leaks,” he said.

In Sorsogon, reports reaching the BusinessMirror said that intermittent rainfall and showers have been taking place in the province daily since Friday last week, lowering the risk for the area from the effects of the prolonged dry spell being experienced in some parts of the country.

Easterly winds bringing in rainclouds had been prevailing in the province maintaining temperatures at normal levels, local weathermen said.

Local asin foreign tourists, nagruso sa Donsol, Sorsogon para sa Butanding interaction
LEGAZPI CITY - Nagruso ngonian an mga nagbibisitang mga turista sa Donsol, Sorsogon nganing personal na manutaran asin mahiling an mga Butanding o whalesharks.

Sa impormasyong naguno kan Bombo Radyo Legazpi, bako sana local tourists kundi magin mga turista na gikan sa manlaen-laen na parte kan nasyon sa kinaban an nanunutaran ngonian na panahon nin summer sa naunambitan ng banwaan.

Nakikipagkawat an mga kaakian na kairiba kan mga ini sa mga butanding na pigkukunsiderar man na harmless.

Puon bulan kan Pebrero sundo Mayo manunutaran an mga butanding sa kadagatan kan Donsol.

Napag-araman na an mga turistang naggigikan pa sa ibang nasyon an nagkapirang vez ng paburubwelta sa Sorsogon nganing mahiling sana man an mga butanding.

Nagkapira sa mga ini an gikan pa sa Poland, Switzerland asin Amerika.
http://bomboradyo.com/newsdetails1.asp?ID=138117

1 day to go!

PAL goes back to Masbate.:banana:

Thank you Air Philippines.

Masbate may halangkaw na casong tipdas sa Bicol
Ciudad nin Legaspi – An provincia nin Masbate iyo an may halangkaw na caso nin tipdas sa Bicol. sa periodo poon Enero 1 asta Marzo 13, 2010 alagad piglinaw kan Departamento de Salud na bako pa ining nakaka-alarma huli ta naghuros ngani si caso kun icocomparar kan nagtalikod na taon.

An oficina ni Regional Director Nestor Santiago nagpaluwas na kan report na sa 104 suspechado sa casong tipdas sa Bicol an 27 digdi pigpahayag na confirmado asin an 26 hali sa Masbate. An 16 na caso gikan sa banwaan nin Mobo asin 9 sa Ciudad nin Masbate, parejong sakop kan provincia nin Masbate.

Saro sana an hali sa Camarines Sur asin an paciente gikan sa banwaan nin Calabanga. Sagcod kasuodma mayong report an DOH Bicol na binawian na paciente huli sa casong tipdas.

Sa record kan DOH Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit sa total na 104ng suspechado sa sinambit na helang an 23 digdi hali sa Camarines Sur, 3 sa Catanduanes, 66 sa Masbate asin 12 sa Sorsogon.

Sa kaparejong caso kan nagtalikod na taon, kan bulan nin Enero igwang 35ng caso, Pebrero – 29ng caso asin Marzo – 10ng caso asin igwang total na 74, sabi pa sa report kan agencia.

An oficina central kan DOH nagpaluwas nin directiva sa mga regional director na magka-igwa nin higot na pag-monitor kan casong tipdas huli ta saro ini sa mga helang sa kaakian naglalakop ngonian na panahon nin tag-init.

Mientras tanto, sa pinakahuring report sa City Health Office kan local na gobierno kan Ciudad nin Naga, duwa na an confirmadong caso sagcod kasuodmang Marzo 17.
http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2010/mar18/xna.html

1 day to go!

PAL goes back to Masbate.:banana:

Thank you Air Philippines.

Hindi ko makita masbate airport thread

:cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer:

CONGRATULATIONS AIR PHILIPPINES started fying yesterday, it is a big boost for Masbatenion, and the entire Masbate province.

BFAR opens Bicol mariculture zones to investors
SORSOGON CITY, March 18 (PNA) – There are vast offshore areas considered as municipal waters across Bicol developed by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) into mariculture zones that offer favorable investment climate for fin fishes sea cage culture ventures and its ancillary industries in municipalities.

“We now have six mariculture zones in the region—three in Sorsogon, two in Camarines Sur and one in Masbate that cover a total area of 1,705 hectares and open to investors, corporations, cooperatives and individuals who are into the highly profitable fish cage culture,” BFAR regional director for Bicol Dennis del Socorro said in a statement released here Thursday.

Those in Sorsogon are the 500-hectare Bacon Mariculture Zone Development and Management Project in Sogod Bay of Sorsogon City; 300-hectare Magallanes Mariculture Zone Project surrounding the Bagatao and Tinacos Islands in Magallanes town and the 100-hectare Matnog Mariculture Park in the municipality of Matnog covering five sites, Del Socorro said.

In Camarines Sur are the 500-hectare Sagñay Mariculture Zone and Aqua-Tourism Development Project off Barangay Bongalon, Sagñay town and the 105-hectare Camarines Sur Mariculture Park in the municipality of Ragay, he said.

The lone mariculture zone in Masbate is a 200-hectare portion of Masbate Bay covered by Masbate City, the provincial capital, Del Socorro said.

The declaration of these municipal waters into mariculture zones and parks provide for its protection and development into marine product production sites designed to produce in cages fin fishes like bangus, siganids, groupers, calan, pompano, apahap, saline and red tilapia and red snappers, among others.

They were also suited to seaweeds farming, aquasilviculture, mussel culture, sea ranching of lobsters and sea horses in coral reefs and sea grass areas and some more production initiatives that may be developed through continuing research and development program of the BFAR and other institutions, he said.

These zones and parks, the BFAR regional chief said are community-based marina type project in municipal waters with the involvement of local fisherfolks and their organization within the duly designated fishery areas.

Mariculture parks are chosen for their diverse and productive environment suitable for commercial mariculture development; access to existing infrastructure supports, ice plants, and BFAR facilities and; accessibility to input supply and markets, Del Socorro said.

The objectives of these projects are to promote mariculture as a major livelihood venture for coastal fishermen that would result in the acceleration of socio-economic growth and food security by way of providing for infrastructure, equipment and support services that allow fisherfolk to operate cost-effectively under a secured environment.

For the fishermen to be more effective, Del Socorro said, they are developed into skilled and technically capable industry hands as the projects aims to stimulate a favorable investment climate for those who wish to venture into the mariculture industry and its ancillary industries in the locally.

The projects provide for multi-product offshore warehouse, cold storage and ice plant facilities, sufficient navigational lanes and communal mooring system, internal and external security provided by the local government, BFAR assisted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

The availability of seeds and feed suppliers, cage fabricators and manpower services are also guaranteed for these investors, he added.

For investors, these projects offer reasonable locator lease rate, well-defined sites for investment categories such as small, medium and large scales, financial assistance from private and government lending institutions, marketing assistance and technical support from BFAR, local government units and non-government organizations, Del Socorro said.

Corporations, cooperatives and individuals who are into fish cage culture are acceptable as investors with locators classified as municipal fisheries that could avail of one fully-developed site with pre-installed cages, small who are entitled to semi-developed areas with mooring facilities and big players assigned with bare areas with maximum of 200 mooring places.

Fingerlings holding and conditioning cages are also provided and located considering factors such as moderate water current, free from runoff water during rain, secured not disturbed by other activities and with good navigational lanes to facilitate movement during stocking.

One significant feature of mariculture zones, according to Del Socorro is that its utilization of mangrove areas strictly follows the provisions of Republic Act 8550 that provides for the development, management and conservation of the countries fisheries and aquatic resources.

It recognizes that mangrove areas play a very vital role in the viability and sustainability of the mariculture zone, as it provides protection of runoff water from agricultural land, filters soil particles and other pollutants from the land.

Mangroves comprise one of the most diverse communities in the coastal zone, providing habitat that serves as reservoirs, refuges, feeding and nursery grounds for many small and useful organisms such as crabs, shrimps and juvenile stages of commercial fish species so that its preservation is very important as a livelihood source of fisherfolks of communities surrounding the mariculture zones, Del Socorro said.

For the protection of the zones from garbage, investors are required to provide waste disposal system in any operating unit such as cages, floating flat forms, harvesters and other assets, he added. (PNA) http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=11&sid=&nid=11&rid=265271

Hindi ko makita masbate airport thread

Because there isn't a Masbate Airport thread.

Because there isn't a Masbate Airport thread.


Thank you Kiretoce, you are such wonderful person and kind to everyone, I like'd your pics posting in SCTEX THREAD thank you very much. Avid fan mo ako Sir,

2P observes passenger traffic situation in masbate airport for 3 months, since their opening date. once the passenger traffic rapid increases, the masbate flight frequency will be adjust into a daily flight. Let's wait what happening in less than or more than 3 months from now. According to congressman in masbate, most of the riches and famous people in masbate, their prefered carrier are Air Phil or PAL. For safety and convenience reason, you can trust 2P coz all pilot hired are hardly trained and professional.taking care passenger especially during take-off and smooth landing. Walang kaba-kaba. Choose airlines wisely. eka nga!!!!



http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af321/jeffphilippines/1268715134ads.jpg

1 day to go!

PAL goes back to Masbate.:banana:

Thank you Air Philippines.



Hi najih22,

I kept my promised to visit your Masbate Thread. Good Luck sa inyong tanan. Pag-ayu ayu nalang mo dinha!!!!!

[B]PAL still reigns with 43% market share
By Joefel Ortega Banzon Updated March 13, 2010 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines - Despite discount rates offered by main rivals in the industry, Philippine Airlines continues to dominate the various air routes in the country retaining a lion’s share of 43% of the total passenger traffic led by its Cebu operations, which accounts for the highest share of 42% of the total market.

And as the country’s premiere flag carrier celebrates it 70th year in March 2011, PAL country manager Genaro “Bong” Velasquez said they want to make it big and share the airline’s milestone to the customers by commencing the year-long celebration with a series of promotional events.

Velasquez yesterday announced during a press briefing held at Laguna Garden Café that 70,000 free seats will be given away through a series of promo initiatives including a grand seat raffle, a “Philippines Free” international campaign, a major discounted promo, and a loyalty program targeting the youth market dubbed as the Y Flyers.
The promotions will be formally announced during the 69th anniversary celebration of PAL on March 15, 2010 at the Century Park Hotel.

The Grand Seat Raffle covers all PAL revenue tickets purchased in the Philippines and through PAL’s website. Travel period must be between March 16 and December 31, 2010.

The raffle draws will span for nine months wherein 16,000 winners will be chosen to win free tickets equivalent to those purchased and flown. And on the day of the 70th anniversary of PAL, 3,000 passengers will have the chance to travel for free.

Meanwhile, the “Anniversary Fare Special” fares promo will offer discounted rates on all domestic routes served by PAL. One-way flights from Manila to any point in Luzon or Visayas will be pegged at a flat rate of P700, while flights to and from Mindanao will be offered at P1,700.

Moreover, the “Philippines Free” campaign will offer free travel to the Philippines from 18 international destinations. The sale period is between March 15 and April 7, 2010.

And those who will be celebrating their 70th birthday between March 15 and April 15, 2010 will receive a free domestic ticket, provided that a companion purchases a ticket for travel on the same route and date. Travel date must be within May 15 and August 20, 2010.

PAL likewise initiated a promo for the younger flyers dubbed as the Mabuhay Miles “Y Flyer” which will start on March 15, 2010.

The “Y Flyer” promo gives 10% discount off published fares to passengers between the ages two and 21 years. Current members of Mabuhay Miles are automatically qualified as Y Flyers.

Y Flyers will also get a chance to grab a ticket to the “Changing Lives: Timbaland Shock Value II” concert on March 27 in Manila which will feature Justin Timberlake and Jojo., PAL will be giving away 50 concert tickets.

Cebu Pacific eyes 20 more Airbus planes
Cebu Pacific eyes 20 more Airbus planes03/10/2010 | 11:06 AM



More Share Gokongwei-led Cebu Air, Inc. will use the bulk of funds to be raised from a share sale to buy up to 20 more aircraft within five years, an executive of the budget airline’s parent said on Tuesday.

Cebu Air, which operates budget carrier Cebu Pacific, has yet to set the date for its first-time listing on the stock exchange, from which it plans to raise P12 billion. It has obtained clearance from regulators.

“It’s going to be for capital expenditures for purchasing airplanes. We have a purchase order from Airbus for 15 Airbus A320 in the period of 2010 to 2015 and an option to buy five more," said Bach Johann M. Sebastian, senior vice-president for corporate planning of listed JG Summit Holdings Philippines, Inc.

Documents showed the carrier needed to make P9 billion in advanced payments to increase its fleet to 49 by 2014.

Sebastian said going public is only one option, and that the company could also borrow from export credit agencies. Cebu Pacific can also tap the lease market, he said.

The airline is planning to list 125.3 million new common shares with a par value of a peso each, to be offered to big investors for up to P95 apiece. A total of 110.3 million secondary shares will be listed at the same price.

JG Summit will also list 35.3 million shares it owns. About 18.4 million more shares will be listed as part of an employee stock option plan.

The company originally planned to go public in 2008 but postponed the listing due to difficult market conditions.

Cebu Air turned around last year by posting a net income of P3.184 billion, from a net loss of P3.259 billion in 2008. Operating income almost doubled to P3.164 billion from P1.727 billion in 2008.

Shares of JG Summit closed 60 centavos higher at P8 apiece on Tuesday. — Emilia Narni J. David and Neil Jerome C. Morales More Share Other Business stories

Air Philippines to buy six Airbus planes


AIR Philippines, the low-cost partner of Philippine Airlines (PAL), is expanding its fleet this year with the planned acquisition of six Airbus units.

PAL president Jaime Bautista said this is part of the working plan of Air Philippines which is 99-percent owned by the Tan Group of Companies controlled by Lucio Tan.

“That is the plan but let’s just wait for the final announcement [which may happen] hopefully this year,” he said.

Initially, the plan is for Air Philippines to lease six Airbus A320s, added the PAL president.

He also said the Airbus planes will service the airlines’ existing routes.

Both PAL and Air Philippines are looking to strengthen operations with modest fleet and route network buildups. This, despite predictions by the International Air Transport Association of a dip in industry earnings due to higher fuel prices.

The two airlines have had close complementation in their flight operations, feeding passengers into each other’s networks and ensuring connections via their joint hubs at the Naia Centennial Terminal 2 in Manila and Mactan International Airport in Cebu.

Air Philippines earlier announced a new management team appointed to implement the airline’s new business model.

David Lim, president, and Cesar Chiong, executive vice president and chief operating officer, were tasked to fast track the airline’s conversion to a low-cost business model using a leaner workforce.

It said in a statement last year that the new business model involves the lease of Bombardier turboprop aircraft from PAL. The turboprop fleet flies to 19 towns and cities, operating out of two hubs—Manila and Cebu. From Manila, the airline flies to Tuguegarao, San Jose (Mindoro Occidental), Naga, Virac, Busuanga, Catarman, Calbayog, Ormoc and Surigao. From Cebu, it will service Kalibo, Iloilo, Bacolod, Tacloban, Butuan, Ozamiz, Cagayan de Oro, Gen. Santos, Zamboanga and from Zamboanga to Davao.

The following flights are being operated by Air Philippines, as code shared with PAL with the latter as the marketing carrier. Tickets issued by PAL will be accepted for carriage.

PAL is set to announce tomorrow details of its new aircraft and new destinations.

PAL, said Bautista in an earlier interview, will resume flights to India after an absence for so many years. The flag carrier is appealing to the Philippine government to help negotiate landing rights so it can service the Manila-Bangkok-Bombay route.

“We want to fly back to India in Bombay. But the problem is the landing rights. We are talking to the government to negotiate for landing rights because Bangkok won’t permit us to pick up passengers there,” he said.

PAL ceased operating this route for commercial reasons. Now, Bautista said it is time for the flag carrier to resume flights on the back of strong demand. “There are many Indians flying to Manila but not so much the other way around. Even Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said there is a strong demand and the number of Indians that visited the country last year reached thousands and thousands.”

The PAL president is hoping that negotiations for landing rights will be successful so the airline can resume service as soon as possible.

source
__________________
CARPE DIEM
in this kaleidoscope world

:banana::banana:[

1 day to go!

PAL goes back to Masbate.:banana:

Thank you Air Philippines.

Good news!:cheers:

A New Livery Is Born Airphil Express
Airphil Express Expands Domestic Ruotes Utilizing Airbus A-320



http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af321/jeffphilippines/Advertisement_A320-1.jpg



This is part of thier initial refleeting program. The old plane will retire soon.

Originally posted by Blueleo

Air Philippines to give Cebu Pacific 'serious competition'
By Lenie Lectura, Business Mirror | 03/22/2010 12:18 AM



MANILA, Philippines - Air Philippines, the low-cost partner of Philippine Airlines (PAL), will purchase 4 more Airbus aircraft next year on top of the 6 planes that were previously ordered.

“There will be four more Airbus A320s that Air Philippines will lease next year.  So, it’s a total of 10 A320s,” said an official of the airline who asked not to be identified. All aircraft will be purchased on a lease-to-own basis.

Air Philippines is going to use 2 of the 6 Airbus A320s that had been ordered. The aircraft will arrive in September and another on is due in October. Air Philippines will take delivery of the remaining two A320s in November and December this year.

“We will start operating the Airbus A320 by the end of March because during the start of the summer season. The aircraft will fly to bigger routes such as Puerto Princesa, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod and Iloilo,” added the official.

Air Philippines posted on its website that it will service the 4 routes twice daily.  It is introducing a year-round promo fare for the said routes. Manila to Cagayan de Oro-Manila fare costs P1,864; Manila-Puerto Princesa-Manila, P1,418; Manila-Bacolod-Manila, P1,060; and P882 for Manila-Iloilo-Manila.

The airline currently flies to routes that are also being served by rival Cebu Pacific. The official said Air Philippines will make sure that it “will give our competitor a hard time” once it relaunches the airline as Air Philippines Express.

“Air Philippines will give Cebu Pacific a serious competition. Air Philippines will pretty much capture the market being served by Cebu Pacific. It may even go regional this year,” added the official.

Both PAL and Air Philippines are looking to strengthen their operations with modest fleet and route-network buildups despite predictions by the International Air Transport Association of a dip in industry earnings due to higher fuel prices.

The 2 airlines have had close complementation in their flight operations, feeding passengers into each other’s networks and ensuring seamless connections via their joint hubs at NAIA Centennial Terminal 2 in Manila and Mactan International Airport in Cebu.

Air Philippines earlier announced a new management team appointed to implement the airline’s new business model. David Lim, Air Philippines’ new president, and Cesar Chiong, chief operating officer, were tasked to fast track the airline’s conversion to a low-cost business model using a leaner workforce.

The official said Air Philippines will not compete with PAL Express which is a brand of PAL that serves a specific market.

“Air Philippines will be a different airline. PAL Express is just a brand and not a company. Air Philippines would like to have its own brand. It can be called Air Philippines Express,” added the official.

Air Philippines is 99% owned by the Lucio Tan Group. PAL, meantime, is 95% owned by Tan.

The new business model also involved the lease of Bombardier turboprop aircraft from PAL. The turbo-prop fleet flies to 19 towns and cities, operating out of two hubs—Manila and Cebu. From Manila, the airline flies to Tuguegarao, San Jose (Mindoro Occidental), Naga, Virac, Busuanga, Catar-man, Calbayog, Ormoc and Surigao. From Cebu, it will service Kalibo, Iloilo, Bacolod, Tacloban, Butuan, Ozamiz, Cagayan de Oro, Gen. Santos, Zamboanga and from Zamboanga to Davao. 

The following flights are being operated by Air Philippines, as code shared with PAL with the latter as the marketing carrier. Tickets issued by PAL will be accepted for carriage.

Masbate should be given priority by the national government in order to unlock its potential as a tourism haven..:)

Sorsogon Bay declared free from red tide toxin
SORSOGON CITY, March 23 (PNA)--For more than three years now, shellfish enthusiasts who have avoided different kinds of shellfish particularly green mussel (locally known as tahong) harvested from Sorsogon Bay, now have a reason to party following release of laboratory results that the bay is finally free from the deadly red tide toxin.

Latest laboratory results of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) say shellfish collected at Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon City, Sorsogon province, is now free from the toxic red tide organism.

The BFAR regional office in Bicol in a bulletin declared the negative results obtained from the water and shellfish meat samples at Mandaon and Milagros waters in Masbate, Juag Lagoon in Matnog, Sorsogon, of harmful algal bloom or red tide.

However, the public is still reminded to remain on guard and advised to buy only fresh marine products and to wash (them) thoroughly, removing internal organs before cooking.

Particularly now that the country is currently suffering from the brunt of El Niño phenomenon, there is a high possibility of re-occurrence of harmful algal bloom or red tide in previously contaminated coastal waters, so the public has to take necessary precautions and be kept updated of the latest results of BFAR's regular monitoring activities.

Significantly, coastal waters in some 19 provinces in the country are free from said toxin. However, shellfish collected at Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Bislig Bay in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur and Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.

"Furthermore, Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar is now positive for red tide toxin," the BFAR Bulletin said.

With the lifting of the shellfish ban in Sorsogon Bay, locals here expect a remarkable recovery of the shellfish industry which was hurt for quite a long time as thousands of the populace are dependent on this industry. (PNA) http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=265924

Sorsogon Bay declared free from red tide toxin


This is a good news, at least pwedi na ulit kumain nang tahong.