TRENDS (28 June 2010)

PDEA-ARMM commemorates Int’l Day against Drug Abuse

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) conducted a one-day inter-high school basketball tournament and series of lectures in observance of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (IDADAIT).

The IDADAIT is being celebrated every June 26. This year’s theme is “Think Health Not Drugs.”

Being the lead agency in the anti-drug campaign, we have the moral obligation to inspire the people and mobilize support for drug prevention through activities that provide the public, particularly the young people with the information, skills and opportunities they need to make healthy choices, including the choice to avoid using harmful drugs, PDEA-ARMM Acting Regional Director Bryan B. Babang said.

Babang also encouraged the youth to stay healthy and take part on the battle against illegal drugs.

The fight against illegal drugs is everybody’s concern, especially the youth, the hope of our nation, he stressed.

PDEA-ARMM covers the provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur as well as the cities of Cotabato and Marawi. (PDEA-ARMM / PIA-Marawi)


More than 100 racers flocked to Lanao del Norte for Philippine Motocross Challenge

Tubod, Lanao del Norte—133 racers from all the country arrived in the motocross capital of the Philippines – Tubod, Lanao del Norte for the opening ceremony held last June 26, 2010 at the Mindanao Civic Center racetrack.

The racing competition is the second motocross event to be held in the capital town this year. Two more motocross contest are scheduled on the months of October and December before SEL-J Sports will declare the coveted Rider of the Year title.

This latest motocross competition here in the province is the 2nd leg in the Enersel Motocross Championships in the on-going SEL-J Sports Philippine Motocross Championships.

“We are again seeing a good-size crowd of national and local riders participating in the latest motocross challenge here in Lanao del Norte. This further strengthens our claim on the title as the motocross capital of the Philippines,” remarked Information Officer Lyndon Calica.

Among the teams set to see action are Quick Flight, Team Pacquiao, KTM Access Plus. FastLane, Therasil SEL-J, and several teams in Mindanao led by Team SND (Sultan Naga Dimaporo).

Riders participating in the two-day competition came from the National Capital Region, Ilo-ilo, Dumaguete, Cebu, Puerto Prinsesa, Tuguegarao, Davao, Nueva Ecija, Cavite, Ozamiz and Sultan Naga Dimaporo.

“As we build on our experience in handling national motocross competitions, we now set our eyes in hosting an international motocross event by next year,” declared Gov. Khalid Dimaporo. (VNL/PIO-LDN)


NOMCARRD gears for Technomart

A vacuum-packed gouda cheese, calamansi and carrot powder … with appropriate labeling and nutrition facts, sold not only in the local supermarkets but in the world market as well…

A grand vision it may sound, but this is the new approach of doing agri-business being initiated by the Philippine Council for Agriculture Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), through its regional research consortia.

And pretty soon, the Technomart would hit Region 10! Preparations are underway and products to be featured and promoted have been identified.

This is what Techno Gabay Program (TGP) Coordinator for Region 10, Virgilio Fuertes, revealed during the “Taho sa NOMCARRD” radio program over DXIM-Radyo ng Bayan.

Fuertes said that with the implementation of the TGP, products in the farms will not remain in the farms; they will be given added value based on the market needs to enhance their competitive advantage. One of the ways of giving added value to these farmers’ products, Fuertes added, is through processing according to industry and market standards and with appropriate packaging and labeling, including nutritional facts.

“Technomart is one of the three major components under PCARRD’s Tekno Gabay Program which is envisioned to be fully implemented in the regions starting 2011. This modality aims to develop the entrepreneurship culture among the farmers,” Fuertes stated.

For Region 10, identified products for the Technomart are the Gouda cheese from El Salvador, Misamis Oriental; carrot juice from Lantapan, Bukidnon; and Honeymansi from Lala, Lanao del Norte.

Gouda cheese is from fresh milk, the focused commodity of the Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in the Agricultural Training Institute, El Salvador, Misamis Oriental, of which the Magsasakang Siyentista (MS) is Cresencio Barros, Jr., the national president of the Magsasakang Siyentista ng Pilipinas. Gouda cheese has initially been put in the market, especially hotels and restaurants, for market testing. Result of the testing proved very promising.

Carrot juice is from the processed free fresh carrots of FITS-Lantapan, Bukidnon. Henry Binahon, who is into high-value, chemical and pesticide-free vegetable farming, is the Magsasakang Siyentista of the area.

Lala, Lanao del Norte boasts of abundant fresh calamansi produce. As the focused commodity of the FITS Center in Lala, fresh calamansi is processed into concentrated juice. To give it added value, honey is used to the juice concentrate, instead of sugar. Noted calamansi producer, Rogelio Navales is the MS.

Fuertes stressed that under this modality, the MS of the identified FITS Center has to convince at least 35 of his fellow farmers in their area to adopt the science and technology interventions on the farm practices of focused commodity. This way, they will be able to respond to volume of the market demand once the valued-added farm products are commercialized.

“This is one way of ‘clustering’ to ensure the sustainability of the raw material of the product,” Fuertes closed.

Here in Region 10, the Northern Mindanao Consortium for Agriculture Resources Research and Development (NOMCARRD) spearheads the holding of the regional Technomart. Preparations are on-going to finalize the date and the venue.

As one of the banner programs of PCARRD, Tekno Gabay is an effective technology promotion strategy being implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). (Tess Superioridad Baluyos / DOST-10)


CNU benchmarks technological education at MUST

Cebu Normal University, known for its hallmark in education, visited Mindanao University of Science and Technology to benchmark on the latter’s offering on science and technology June 25 this year.

Dr. Marcelo T. Lopez, president of CNU, and his team noted on MUST’s massive construction of buildings in support to the academic offerings, and the procurement of state-of-the-art facilities for information and communication technology (ICT), like the software used in classrooms and the system used for enrolment.

They were particularly amazed to know the good management practices, and the low costs incurred for huge construction of buildings, especially the three-storey Administration Building which amounted to only about php14 M.

They also saw the renowned mechatronics facility that is known to be the only one in Visayas and Mindanao. The automation control facility combines electronic, electrical and mechanical engineering and costs more than php12 M.

Among other things they discussed were their income-generating projects to defray other school expenses. CNU was very impressed on the strategic location of MUST in Cagayan de Oro City, and hinted on its potential to create commercial outlets in front of its entire main campus.

The president was with his team: Dr. Merlea Cabalquinto, vice-president for academic affairs; Dr. Glen Pesole, faculty regent; Dr. Rosalina B. Domaboc, director for income-generating project; and Dr. Leodinito Canete, board secretary, who were all from the 2010 PASUC Mid-Year Conference held in Davao on June 21-23, 2010. (MUST Press Release)


Feature: Reaching out to people through radio

For most government workers, a Saturday is something they look forward to. They don’t have to wake up early and report for work. They can lazy in bed, have late breakfast, spend time with their family members, do household chores or simply relax.

I am not a typical worker, because my typical Saturday is waking up earlier than my usual work-day, and rush to DXIM for my 7:00am “Taho sa NOMCARRD” radio program.

For others, the extra job could be revolting, especially since there is no overtime pay attached to it. But then again, perhaps for others, they may not be able to relate with it, because there is an adrenalin rush flowing, connecting to ‘faceless’ listeners who are there waiting, and connecting back with you, the broadcaster. It could be a thankless effort, but for me, as a development broadcaster, the psychological fulfillment is priceless, something money cannot buy.

Starting this month, one segment was introduced to the radio program: the trivia. The segment calls on a response from listeners, either by phone, text messages or emails. A main topic is discussed, and before the program winds up, the host asked a trivia, related to the main topic.

The first time the trivia was introduced, the main topic was about the common diseases in banana. The response from the listeners was surprisingly pleasant. All those who sent in their answers got it right. One even included the scientific name of BUGTOK (the scientific name was spelled out during the program proper). A small token, in the form of office/school supplies, along with the photocopy of the technology pamphlet on “Kasagarang Sakit sa Saging” are given out to the winners.

I know that a lot of people listen to “Taho sa NOMCARRD” based on feedbacks from the listeners. I have realized, right after the trivia segment, that listeners come from as far as Leyte, Ormoc, Bohol, Tagbilaran, Cebu, Zamboanga del Sur, Dipolog City, Agusan del Sur, Misamis Occidental and yes, from other areas in Region 10. Most of the listeners are from Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte and Misamis Oriental.

The good feedback inspires me to all the more find ways to reach out to more people because I know that out there, so many, especially those in the rural areas, don’t have TV or newspapers, but they have access to radio, as their ready companion to get information.

The “Taho sa NOMCARRD” radio program, which is aired, live, every Saturday over DXIM-Radyo ng Bayan (AM 936 khz) is the brain-child of the Regional Applied Communication Group (RACG).

RACG is the communication arm of the Regional Consortium for Agriculture Research and Development (NOMCARD). The program, which started about five years ago, aims to enhance the dissemination of science and technology information in the area of agriculture, fisheries and natural resources that are ready for adoption.

Initially, hosting the radio program was alternately assigned to all RACG representatives of the member-agencies of NOMCARRD. Inasmuch as not everyone of the group has the flair for broadcasting, the alternate hosting was not sustained, and eventually, the program hibernated. It was revived in January 2009, after DOST commit to extend the regular host for the program. It has been running smoothly since then.

Topics discussed in the “Taho sa NOMCARRD” are research results generated in the region, along with the programs and activities of the Philippine Council for Agriculture Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), through its research consortia, the NOMCARRD. Commodities of the various Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) centers are the priority-topics.

Mostly, topics are culled out from the pamphlets/brochures produced by the RACG group and also those sent from the other research consortia and yes, from PCARRD.

Radio listeners are encouraged to text in their reaction/comment or to share their own experience about the topic being discussed. They are also urged to suggest a topic which they think is what they need. There are times when listeners would request for a specific information or technology. When the requested information is not readily available, the referral system comes in.

For example, when the topic on the propagation of ‘Kawayang Tinik’ was discussed, one listener asked where he could get or buy seedlings. His request was immediately forwarded to the RACG representative of DENR.

One listener also requested that the topic on organic farming, specifically, the Natural Farming Technology Systems (NFTS) be discussed. Knowing that one Magsasakang Siyentista from Jimenez in Misamis Occidental is a model in organic farming, he was especially requested to guest in the “Taho sa NOMCARRD.” The guesting of MS Severino Ambag led to expanded networking. The radio listener got Ambag’s contact number as he was to be a resource person for the farmers’ training to be organized by that radio listener from Upper Nangka, Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.

Another request was about the Korean technology of swine raising. Since there was no ‘expert—farmer’ from region 10 to talk about the topic, it was forwarded to the PCARRD’s Message Board, asking people subscribed to the discussion group for additional information about the technology. The response, along with the name of the person from Davao, was relayed to the listener, during the radio program.

Also, one listener asked if DOST gives out good quality squash seeds. He was then referred to the Department of Agriculture’s office.

Radio has been proven to be a potent tool in disseminating information, be it developmental, political or entertainment. For those who are given the opportunity to use their work and their talent to touch lives, broadcasting is such a fulfilling job.

I believe that God has given me this gift of sharing part of me to people who I commit to serve, and sharing part of my Saturday is my way of reaching out to more people, and hopefully, make a difference in their lives. (Tess Superioridad Baluyos / DOST 10)


Aguilar dominates Lanao del Norte motocross

He still got it! The multiple Philippine Motocross Rider of the Year awardee and 2003 Asian Motocross champion is still on top of his game.

Glenn Aguilar has consistently dominated every race his competed in and once again he showed his winning form in the 2nd Leg of Enersel Motocross Championships in the on-going SEL-J Sports Philippine Motocross Challenge.

Aguilar grabbed the top spot in the Pro Open category with Hall-of-famer Jovy Saulog and last year’s Rider of the Year Donark Yuson securing the 2nd place and 3rd place respectively.

“I already retired from the sport after winning 11 championships, but now I’m after making a comeback I’m enjoying again. Hindi pa pala tayo laos and can still dominate the races,” Aguilar said.

Other riders who emerged victorious after the two-day competition were Ted Conde (Intermediate category), McLain Aguilar (65cc & 85cc categories), Sam Dimaporo (Novice Prod B category), Jessie Salceda (Beginner Local Open Enduro category), Baby Dimaporo (Ladies category), Jacob Orbe (Beginner Open Prod), Bill Pepito Jr. (50cc category), Jovy Saulog (Pro-Lites category), James Salceda (Executive A category), Jeven Lagrada (Novice Open Prod), Felmark Gaid (Underbone), Dexter Bacabac (Executive B Veterans Category), John Michael Almerino (Novice Local Open Enduro category), and Jay Lacnit (Executive C category).

“The race track is fantastic by local and international standards. Very technical yet very safe. Definitely, Lanao del Norte is home to the best motocross track in the Philippines today,” declared Race Director Bobby Orbe.

Lanao del Norte is scheduled to host two more motocross competitions on October and December this year, further strengthening its claim on the title as the Motocross Capital of the Philippines.

Another exciting development being envisioned by the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte for year 2011 is the hosting of its first-ever international motocross competition. (VNL/PIO-LDN)