...the Recto vision

Batangas focuses on agri development The Philippine Star February 06, 2011

MANILA, Philippines –  The enhancement of agriculture is at the top of the list of priorities in a comprehensive plan for the development of Batangas province. The plan was drawn up during an Executive Legislative Agenda Alliance Building (ELA) cum Provincial Development Plans meeting attended by representatives from various national government bureaus and local chief executives in Batangas recently.

The goal of the program is to organize teamwork and alliance among different government agencies to avoid overlapping and double programming.

Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto who was the progam convenor said the agricultural activities include the establishment of a one-stop trading post with post-harvest facilities, fish trading centers, provision for high-value crops, animal dispersal and dairy farm production and a campaign for the establishment of more cooperatives in the province.

Based on several international studies, cooperatives do improve the chances of its members to uplift their lives.

Also incorporated in the program is a housing development plan that will be equipped with a data banking system to easily determine government-owned lands that can be utilized for housing under the Community Land Acquisition Support Program (CLASP).

The provincial government is set to issue an order that will advise all city and municipal mayors to use the Community Based Monitoring Survey as basis for planning and solving the problem of poverty in their areas of jurisdiction.

...the hybreeder

Phl's hybrid capital in the making By Sanny Galvez The Philippine Star   February 06, 2011

MANILA, Philippines –  Nueva Ecija may soon become the hybrid rice capital of the country as more and more farmers in the province are now planting the hybrid rice variety and using an integrated farming scheme “which has maximized their rice yield and income.”

Dr. Noel G. Mamicpic and Cathy Galura, vice-presidents for quality control and for operations, respectively, of SL Agritech Corp., made this observation following a visit last week to several rice farms in the province where they talked with hybrid rice farmers whom they described as “extremely happy because of the big harvest they are now having by using modern farm methods and technologies.”

“Hamak laki na ang kanilang inaaning palay ngayon than before when they were planting the traditional rice variety and were not working as a group. But now, under a cluster system, their harvest has not only increased tremendously but their income as well,” Dr. Mamicpic said.

The clustering approach is a system of maximizing productivity through proximity and common sharing of resources. The clustering of rice farms was first implemented in 2005 by the Department of Agriculture on selected hybrid rice farms covering a contiguous area of 100 to 200 hectares.

Galura said the Bagong Buhay Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BBMPC) in Mabini in Sto. Domingo in Nueva Ecija, a cluster of 200 hectares, “is one example where working together as a group or common sharing of resources, will have tremendous effect especially as regards food production.”

Farmer-members of BBMPC, according to Galura, have been posting an average harvest of 230 cavans per hectare using the SL-8H hybrid rice variety.

Galura and Mamicpic, who are currently visiting hybrid rice farms all over the country with SL Agritech farm technicians, commended the members of the BBMPC, the Nagkakaisang Magsasaka Agricultural Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative (NMAPMC) in Talavera, also in Nueva Ecija, and other farmers’ groups practicing the clustering approach “for being receptive in adopting modern farm technologies and practices.”

“While we are all aware of the important role played by technology in our massive food production efforts, there is the apparent need for all of us to keep abreast with the various technological approaches and to continuously be in search of new and better systems towards increased productivity,” they said.  

...the newspaper

The Philippines to be featured in French newspaper

 

Manila Bulletin

February 5, 2011

 

MANILA, Philippines — Two French communications experts are in Manila to produce a special economic report on the Philippines which will be published in Le Figaro, the leading French daily newspaper.

“In our report, we will focus on the changes brought about since the election of Benigno S. Aquino III to President of the Republic of The Philippines and the economic and political agendas he wishes to implement during his tenure.As such, the report shall also focus on key sectors of the economy in order to encourage foreign investors to invest in the Republic of the Philippines by showing the numerous qualities and opportunities that the country has to offer,” said Jean-Michel Metthey.

Joachim Lanthier, on the other hand, said the Philippine government’s efforts towards improving Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and promoting efficiency and transparency in government’s project approval process “will most definitely go a long way towards inspiring greater confidence among foreign investors”.

Le Figaro has a readership of 2.5- million daily consisting mainly of the upper class and decision-makers in the economic and political arenas in France.

“Our aim in the Philippines is to produce the best possible report and remain positive,” Metthey added.
France holds the key strategic role in the European Union and currently holds the presidency of the G20.

France has maintained its ranking as the fifth largest economic power, largely through its foreign investments.
Metthey said that with this project, “it seems clear that not only are French readers interested in having more information about the Philippines, but with the recent elections and the ensuing French and European goodwill, it seems even more appropriate and imperative to follow up on some good notes between the two countries and mention the opportunities that the Philippines really represents whilst stressing that, as President Aquino declared, ‘the Philippines is once again open for business’”.

He said Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and other officials and concerned individuals have been very helpful in providing materials and facilitating the process to better cover the key sectors of interest for this special report on the Philippines.

...the hopeful wonder

Noy backs Palawan '7 Wonders' bid The Philippine Star  February 05, 2011

MANILA, Philippines - The nationwide campaign to have the Puerto Princesa Underground River included in the new Seven Wonders of Nature got a major boost this week after President Aquino asked Filipinos to cast their votes by text to ensure that the Philippines’ famous natural attraction becomes part of the prestigious list.

Aquino said with the huge number of cell phone users in the country, text votes of Filipinos would surely make the site one of the new Seven Wonders of Nature.

“We need your text votes so the Palawan Underground River (would be included in the new Seven Wonders of Nature)… there will be more tourists in the country and the economy will grow with just your text votes,” Aquino said in Filipino.

The President got updates on the campaign from Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn during a meeting in Malacañang on Tuesday.

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is the official nominee of the Philippines and finalist to the search for the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

It was declared one of the 28 finalists from over 441 participants. It has also been cited as an example of best practices for biodiversity conservation and sustainable tourism.

The 8.2-kilometer underground river is competing against the Dead Sea, Mt. Kilimanjaro, the Maldives, the Grand Canyon, Jeju Island, Bay of Fundy, Black Forest, Iguazu Falls, Angel Falls, Yushan, Uluru, Galapagos, Milford Sound, Bu Tinah Island, The Great Barrier Reef, Halong Bay, Komodo Park, the Amazon, Vesuvius, Table Mountain, and Masurian Lake District.

It has been declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) as a World Heritage Site and one of the most bio-diverse conservation areas in the world. It is the world’s longest subterranean river.

The river includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several large chambers. At the mouth of the cave, a clear lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right at the water’s edge. Monkeys, large monitor lizards, and squirrels live on a beach near the cave.

Text votes could be cast online at www.new7wonders.com/n7w <http://www.new7wonders.com/n7w> or by texting PPUR, PPUR7 or PPUR15 to 2861.

 

...the city landfill

SJDM touts world-class landfill

By FREDDIE C. VELEZ

Manila Bulletin

February 4, 2011

SAN JOSE DEL MONTE CITY, Bulacan — Good news for the province of Bulacan.
Two years after the establishment of the Bulacan Engineered Sanitary Landfill by the VGP group of companies, this city was recently declared one of the cleanest cities in the Philippines.

San Jose del Monte (SJDM) City was listed as one of the top 10 finalists in the Nationwide Search by the Zero Waste Challenge for LGUs of the National Solid Waste Management Commission and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Mayor Reynaldo San Pedro said yesterday the city could not have been included in the list without the efforts taken by Raymond Puyat, president of the engineered landfill, who answered the call for resolving the nation’s garbage problems without harming the environment.

San Pedro said the landfill is a world-class and technically-compliant engineered sanitary landfill -- the first of its kind in the country.

He said the facility operates under specific measures and guidelines set by the DENR.
He said the VGP Bulacan Engineered Sanitary Landfill is their partner in the city's clean and green program.

“Many have been impressed by the quality of the project. This is part of the World Bank and Land Bank of the Philippines’ Mechanism Project in compliance with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)," San Pedro said in Filipino.

“This seeks to address global warming and respond to the dangers posed by climate change. We trust that our engineered sanitary landfill will help greatly in protecting the health and security not only of residents in San Jose del Monte but of all people in the province as well,” the mayor added.

Meanwhile, Puyat said their landfill is different to the open and controlled dumpsites which are strictly prohibited.

...the other Spring paradise

Boracay, Cebu top destinations for Chinese spring fest tourists

GMANews.tv
02/04/2011

Cebu and Boracay top the list of favorite destinations for Chinese tourists celebrating the Spring Festival Week in the Philippines, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Friday.

Citing figures from its offices in China and from tour operators in the Philippines, the DOT said some 3,500 Chinese nationals are trooping to the Philippines for the spring festival, with the wave of tourist arrivals expected within the first week of February.

“Among the top-selling Philippine destinations this year are Boracay and Cebu, with the new available chartered flights to Kalibo direct from Shanghai and Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China," the DOT said in a news release posted on the government portal.

Arrivals from China posted a 20.9-percent increase in 2010, while arrivals from Hong Kong and Taiwan posted 8.9 percent and 39.29 percent increases, respectively, the DOT said.

It said the uptrend signifies renewed confidence among visitors from these regions, which comprised more than 13 percent of total tourist arrivals in the Philippines in 2010.

"This market is anticipated to push continued growth as activities are undertaken to reposition the country as a safe and secure tourist destination," it said.

As a gesture of goodwill for the tour groups, the DOT said it is providing tourist assistance services for their stay in the country.

The DOT added that Philippine consular and tourism offices in China remain open despite the long Spring Festival holiday there because of continued bookings and applications for visa issuances for travel to the Philippines.

Coinciding with their Spring Festival, the Chinese celebrate the Chunyun period (Spring Festival Transportation Rush), dubbed the world's largest yearly human migration, 15 days before the Chinese New Year. This year's Chunyun started on January 19 and will last for 40 days.

Passenger journeys within China during Chunyun shoot up to as many as two billion, as the period has become an opportunity for family reunions, posing problems on the country's transportation systems.

With more opportunities to travel abroad and visit their overseas kin, Chinese nationals also take advantage of the Chunyun holidays to travel to neighboring countries, including the Philippines.

Last year, Philippine tourism suffered a blow after a dismissed police officer hijacked a bus full of Hong Kong tourists and eventually killed eight of the hostages.

The August 23 hostage tragedy prompted Hong Kong to issue a "black" travel warning discouraging travel to the Philippines.—With Jerrie M. Abella/JV, GMANews.TV

...the hungry young poet

UP student bags top prize in intl poetry contest

CARMELA LAPEÑA
GMANews.TV

02/04/2011

A student of the University of the Philippines (UP) won the top prize in a poetry contest for Filipino students held by the Embassy of Chile and UP.

The "unlikely" winner, Rene Calunsag, an Industrial Engineering student of UP, can perhaps relate to what Chilean poet Pablo Neruda's once wrote: "Poetry arrived in search of me."

"I really love Math, but I started writing in third grade, and after that was a cascade of writing," said Rene Calunsag, who was awarded the first prize of 1000 US dollars for his poem entitled "The 34th Miner."

"I realized that when there were 33 miners, there was supposed to be a 34th because at the time that the 33 miners were freed, the rest of Chile will also be freed. So the 34th miner is the rest of Chile," explained Calunsag.

His poem begins:

"This cold, dark mine; its silent noise
The piercing fear from Death’s grim toys
The hard, course ground I slumber in
They strangle me—I cannot win"

Villarante's "Kiss of Sunrise" places Chile in the bigger picture.

"The earth opens up for thirty-three,
Chile rises
And an entire world grows,
Life without death to this story."

Calunsag, an honor student, admitted that he had hoped to win the prize.

Asked if he thought he would win, he answered "Yes, honestly. I also wanted to get the prize money. First I'm going to pay off our family debt so we can be free of them finally."

Celebration of miners' rescue

The contest was held in commemoration of the Bicentenary of Independence of the Republic of Chile, and in celebration of the rescue of 33 Chilean miners in San Jose.

Over 100 students from all over the Philippines sent in their entries but only six were chosen by the panel of judges headed by H.E. Ambassador of the Republic of Chile Professor Dr. Roberto Mayorga.

Also on the board of judges was Consul Luis Alberto Palma, Philippine National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose, University Professor Emeritus Gemino Henson Abad, former Vice President for Academic Affairs, UP System Professor Emeritus Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, and UP Vice President for Public Affairs System Professor Isabelita Orlina Reyes.

"It is the first time in the history that young people from one country write poems aimed to another country. It is a truly way to create solid cultural and spiritual bridges among countries," said Ambassador Mayorga.

Second Prize went to Therese Marie Villarante of Cebu Normal University for her poem "Kiss of Sunrise."

The Third Prize was given to Marie Celine Anastasia Socrates of UP Diliman for her poem "Scarred Land."

Mariejo Maris Sawal Ramos of UP Diliman won Fourth Prize for "Chile: Hope is in the Heart."

The Fifth Prize was given to both David John Descalzo Ubera of Nueva Vizcaya State University for his poem "Chile in the land where the earth ends" and Mirava Yuson of UP Diliman for "Immured."

Ramos, the fourth prize winner, said she was surprised that she won.

A Journalism major, she said this is her first time to write a poem. "I just tried it. I adored the Chilean miners because of their bravery," she said.

Yuson, a Creative Writing major said that the recognition encourages her to write more poetry, which is not her preferred genre.

"It's beginner's luck I think, because I'm better at non-fiction than fiction and poetry," she said.

The contest specified that the poems must be on or about the Republic of Chile—its bicentenary, people, scenery, culture and/or society and/or the emotions of the poet regarding the successful rescue operations involving 33 Chilean miners in San Jose.

Touching tributes

While the winners had different approaches, all were recognized as touching tributes to the country

Socrates' "Scarred Land" is heavy with meaning, with lines like "Forgetting, after all, is not a matter of time, but of desire." and "When gunshots cease, there will be echoes."

Ramos' poem ends with
"La esperanza está en el corazon
Never falter, Chile, for hope is in the heart."

Ubera addresses Chile in his poem:

"You are strong and resilient
Earthquakes may shake your tunnels
But not the foundations of your freedom."

Yuson paints a rich picture with "Immured," ending thus:

"All that glitters
Remains hidden
Beyond fathom
When one entombed
Faces blinding walls
Of copper
And prison bars
Of gold."

The winning poems will be published in three languages: English, Spanish and Filipino in an anthology that will be launched in Chile and in the Philippines. – VVP, GMANews.TV