TRENDS (09 June 2010)

DA Usec Rudinas stresses water security in dialogue

Cagayan de Oro City (6/9/10)—Undersecretary Joel Rudinas of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has called on all stakeholders to work together in achieving “water security.”

“Without water security, poverty reduction, economic growth and global competitiveness will not be sustainable,” he stressed at the end of a 2-day conference on “Charting Our Water Future: A Multi-Stakeholder Policy and Program Dialogue,” held in the city, recently.

Water security means harnessing the water potential so that every person has enough safe, affordable water to lead a clean, healthy and productive life, while at the same time, protecting the natural environment and ecosystems, as well, as their biodiversity.

He also said water is a cross cutting critical factor which is inextricably linked to all aspects of life and the key development challenges our country faces today.

Focus on achieving water security is also part of the national adaptation strategy to build a climate resilient agricultural and fisheries sector – enabling it to anticipate, effectively prepare for, reduce vulnerabilities and manage effects of intense climate occurrences, contributing to poverty reduction and sustainable agriculture and rural development.

Among these climatic occurrences are droughts, floods, landslides, erosion, and other natural disasters and ecological threats.

Meanwhile, the activity served as a venue for building a shared understanding of the water-related challenges and constraints facing the agriculture and fisheries sector and impacting on food security, productivity and market competitiveness.

It was also aimed at encouraging stakeholders to adapt Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) practices and initiatives, especially in the areas of water use efficiency demand management and watershed protection, as well, as recommend policies and innovate instruments to govern the water security relevant dimensions of agriculture and fisheries.

The first in a series of five (5) dialogues to be held in other parts of the country and organized by DA through the National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC) and the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the dialogue was attended by stakeholders from region 9 in Western Mindanao, region 10 in Northern Mindanao, and region 13 in Caraga. (Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob, Philippine Information Agency, Region 10)


DAR awards CLOA to Sumilao farmers

Cagayan de Oro—Everyone was all smiles during the distribution of the Certificates of Land Ownership Award to the members of the PANAW MPC of Sumilao, Bukidnon on June 5.

This brings to a total area of 83 hectares that have already been awarded to the farmers out of the 94 hectares committed by San Miguel Foods Inc.

The unacquired portions that include the roads, rocky areas and those with 18% slope comprise the remaining balance of more or less 10 hectares.

SMFI however is determined to look for comparable areas to complete the balance soonest.

Regional Director Felix Aguhob of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in region 10, assisted by Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO) Julio Celestiano of Bukidnon, handed over the CLOAs to PANAW MPC Chairman Yoyong Merida amid cheers from other coop members during a simple rites at the Freedom Hall in San Vicente, Sumilao, Bukidnon.

Witnessing the event was Bishop Honesto Pacana, SJ of Malaybalay who, together with Rev. Fr. Danilo Paciente of Kisolon, earlier celebrated a Holy Mass at the start of the program.

Also present were Randy Dominguez of SMFI, Atty. Jan Eugenio of Balaod Mindanao, as well as DAR regional and provincial officials, among others. (Editha R. Salvador)


NAFC spearheads dialogue on water concerns and challenges

Cagayan de Oro City—The National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC), the consultative arm of the Department of Agriculture, led the conduct of an area-wide conference entitled “Charting Our Water Future: A Multi-Stakeholder Policy and Program Dialogue” at the Harbor Lights Hotel and Restaurant at Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City.

In partnership with other national government agencies like Bureau of Soils and Water Management, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, National Water Resources Board and the National Anti-Poverty Commission, the NAFC gathered various stakeholders to draw out discussions on water and water-related policy issues and concerns from the different regions in Mindanao consisting of Regions IX, X and Caraga.

This is also co-sponsored by the SN|Aboitiz Power Group, one of the leading companies that has stake on water-related concerns.

This activity is actually the first leg of a series of area-wide forums which seeks to draw together inputs from various stakeholders nationwide for the development of a platform of action or agenda to achieve water security specifically for the agriculture and fisheries sector.

This series of activity will also serve as venue for building a shared understanding of the water-related challenges and constraints facing the agriculture and fisheries sector and impacting on food security, productivity and market competitiveness.

In addition, it seeks to encourage stakeholders to adapt Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) practices and initiatives especially in the areas of water use efficiency, demand management and watershed protection as well as recommend policies and innovative instruments to govern the water security relevant dimensions of agriculture and fisheries.

Other legs of this series of dialogues will be conducted on June 10-11, 2010 also in Cagayan de Oro City for Regions XI, XII and ARMM; June 15-16 and 17-18, 2010 in Pampanga for the Luzon cluster of regions and June 22-23, 2010 in Bohol for the Visayas regions.

These multi-stakeholder dialogues are participated in by representatives of local government units, civil society organizations, state universities and colleges, private sector-led agricultural and fishery councils, media and regional offices of national government agencies like the DA, DAR, DENR, NEDA, DPWH, DILG, DOST, DOH and the NDCC.

Other national and local agencies or organizations invited to participate are Climate Change Commission, Environment Management Bureau, National Irrigation Administration, Philippine Animal Welfare Bureau, and others.

In this dialogue, various activities are carried out including a presentation on the country’s current water resources situationer which spelled out its general dismal state that needs to be addressed immediately.

This is followed by a lecture discussion on Integrated Water Resources Management or IWRM for agriculture and fisheries.

Based on the Philippine IWRM Framework Plan, IWRM is a systematic, adaptive process conducted in collaboration with stakeholders for the sustainable development and management of water and related sources in the context of social equity, economic and environmental objectives.

It essentially consists of a set of principles on the proper utilization and management of water resources as a strategy to adapt to climate change and develop climate change resiliency.

For the agriculture and fisheries sector, achieving water security is an adaptation strategy to build a climate resilient agricultural and fisheries sector to anticipate, effectively prepare for, reduce vulnerabilities and manage effects of intense climatic occurrences and contribute to poverty reduction and sustain rural development.

Other sessions include lectures on Climate Change Impacts: Risk Assessment and Vulnerability Mapping, and the National Framework Strategy on Climate Change Focusing on Water, Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

To come up with the desired action agenda to be pursued in this part of the country, various presentations, experience sharing sessions and workshops covering specific themes are also conducted. These themes include Pathways to Ecosystem Health, Biodiversity and Water Security (Clean, Safe and Healthy Water for All); Promoting Water Stewardship and Increasing Water Use Efficiency in Agriculture (Demand-side and Supply-side Water Management); and Climate Change Compliant Fishery and Aquatic Resources Management. Regional cluster group workshops followed which resulted in the development of regional action agenda.

This will be consolidated with the expected outputs of the other area-wide dialogues to be conducted in Luzon and Visayas. All these will be processed and the consolidated recommendations will be presented to the next administration. (DA-NAFC)


Good weather condition opens MUST classes for June 2010-2011

MAIN CAMPUS, CDO – Good weather condition has paved a smooth class opening in Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST) on June 9.

About 6,500 students were in the registration list of MUST Main Campus, but its count is still expected to continue until its last day of enrolment on June 19.

Including its three external campuses in Jasaan of Misamis Oriental, and Oroquieta and Panaon of Misamis Occidental, MUST registers highest for information technology.

It likewise maintains strong enrolment figures for engineering and architecture, industrial technology, environmental science, technology communication management, education and public administration.

Earlier, Dr. Ricardo E. Rotoras, president of the university, outlined the necessary preparations for the school opening of SY 2010-2011.

Part of it was meeting all his management team and personnel in a Mid-Year General Assembly which discussed among other major concerns their massive construction of school buildings and facilities, mitigation measures that allay climate change, personnel welfare, instruction and research.

MUST is known for its 55 baccalaureate and graduate degrees specializing in science and technology, math, and engineering. Alongside, it offers non-traditional courses through its newly developed Institute of Continuing Education and Training.

Soon, it will also accommodate within its premises the Northern Mindanao Entrepreneurship Academy (NMEA) that will offer modular entrepreneurship courses.

NMEA is actually a brain child of a soon to be established non-stock and non-profit foundation called the Entrepreneurship Development Foundation of Northern Mindanao (EDFNM).

It aims to support the development of existing entrepreneurs and assist prospective ones to plan and organize their business ventures.

MUST was one of the signatories of a multi-party agreement executed during the Negosyo Seminar held at the Grand Caprice on May 19, 2010. The agreement stipulated the creation of the EDFNM. Other collaborators were the Department of Trade and Industry, Regional Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Council, Department of Science and Technology and Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce. (MUST)


Lanao Norte employees undergo earthquake preparedness orientation

Tubod, Lanao del Norte - To ensure safety during earthquakes, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) in coordination with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), region 10 and PHIVOLCS Seismic Station conducted an earthquake preparedness orientation on June 9 to all employee is the province.

The orientation was designed to equip the employees with the basic knowledge on how to best react during calamities such as earthquakes and train them to follow safety guidelines to minimize injuries and damage to properties.

The activity is a preparatory event of the provincial LGU in joining nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill on June 18.

The provincial government has been pursuing various initiatives to strengthen its capability in emergency mitigation and preparedness, including earthquake and fire drills in public schools and other establishments in Lanao del Norte.

When interviewed by the PIO news team on the inputs of said activity, OCD Regional Director Carmelito Lupo answered, “The activity includes: (1) how to react during earthquake (2) lecture on why we have earthquakes? (3) organize a special group to respond in case of earthquake; and (4) participate in the nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill.”

Earthquakes are unpredictable events of nature that can cause the death of hundreds. The earthquake orientation of the provincial government is a pro-active step towards the prevention of loss of lives and properties. (ARMS/PIO-LDN)


Tubod celebrates “Ginanggang Festival”

Tubod, Lanao del Norte – Almost 4,000 kilos of cardava banana were grilled by local residents here in celebration of Brgy. Poblacion’s “Ginanggang Festival.”

One of the main highlights of the festivities was the simultaneously grilling of the more than 20 thousand bananas on sticks which formed a 400-meter long line of charcoal grills along the municipal road.

The festival held every 2nd day of May is celebrated in honor of Brgy. Poblacion’s patron saint, San Isidro Labrador.

This year’s annual fiesta also served as the formal launching of its official barangay hymn entitled, “Isang Barangay” composed by Harold Clavite.

The “Isang Barangay” tagalog lyrics vividly paint a picture of the daily life in Brgy. Poblacion and narrate of the aspirations and admirable traits of its people.

Another highly anticipated highlight of the festival is the “Laro ng Lahi” or playing of traditional games. The objective of the activity is to revive the interest of the local population in traditional Filipino games.

“I had so much fun walking in the “kadang-kadang” (wooden stilts) and playing “sungka.” It brings back fond memories from my childhood days. I’m truly grateful to our barangay leaders headed by our beloved Barangay Chairman Vicmar Aguilar,” said Danilo Patilano, one of the kadang-kadang contestant.

Pablio Benitez, Jr. of DILG Region 10 was the guest of honour during the opening program held at Tubod People’s Park. In his speech, Benitez lauded the barangay officials of Poblacion for their excellence in public service.

Recently, Brgy. Poblacion, Tubod was adjudged as the Most Outstanding GABAY awardee in Region 10 and also placed 2nd runner up in the Lupong Tagapamayapa Award.

“I would be the first to admit that I couldn’t do this alone, these achievements are the result of our concerted effort to deliver quality and timely service to our constituents,” said Brgy. Poblacion Chairman Aguilar.

The event was fully supported by the provincial government, with Governor Khalid Dimaporo personally joining the festivities.

Witnessing also the highlights of the activity were Representative-Elect Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo (1st Congressional District) and Representative-Elect Fatima Aliah Dimaporo (2nd Congressional District).

With the solid partnership of Barangay Poblacion and the provincial government, residents in the area can expect more projects and improved social programs in the near future. (VNL/PIO-LDN)