Antique, Philippines

by PS Mabaquiao

San Jose, Antique (26 May) — The Polytechnic State College of Antique-Hamtic Campus supports government’s campaign to increase agricultural production, said Ma. Josephine M. Mercado, OIC-College Administrator.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo encouraged the Commission on Higher Education, state colleges and universities to come up with programs to intensify the training and increase the number of agricultural technicians and workers as well as encourage students to enroll in agriculture based courses.

“One of the reasons why we have a problem in food supply is the lack of agricultural technicians and workers”, PGMA said. The President further encouraged the enrollment of students in agri-based courses and the government will provide scholarship to agriculture studies.

PSCA Hamtic campus formerly known Antique College of Agriculture is one of the 110 state colleges and universities in the country offering courses that will produce agricultural technicians and workers that play a vital role to attain agricultural productivity, technology enhancement and environmental sustainability, said Asst. Professor and Curriculum Coordinator Glenda B. Mabaquiao.

In fact, “the course offering of our school is in response to the demand of the province and the country in general for more teachers in agriculture, agriculturist, technicians and extension workers. Many graduates are occupying positions in government’s agriculture office especially of the local government units and some are in agri-business venture” said Mercado.

For school year 2008-2009, PSCA- Hamtic Campus offers courses namely: Bachelor of Agricultural Technology, Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, BS Forestry, BS Food Technology, Diploma in Agricultural Technology and Bachelor of Dairy Technology. Other courses include Bachelor of Secondary Education and BS Computer Education.

Bachelor of Dairy Technology is the new course offering of the school in response to the growing need of dairy products particularly meeting the needs of malnourished children through the milk feeding program. The course takes a practical-based approach from establishment and maintenance of dairy herd to raw milk reception then delivery of the packaged milk product to the consumers.

The school also offers scholarships like entrance scholarships for valedictorian and salutatorian, study grant for barangay officials and their legitimate dependents, Pres. Diosdado Macapagal Agrarian Scholarship Program, Provincial Government Scholarship for Agri-based courses, special study grants programs for congressional districts, scholarship from alliance of volunteer educators, scholarship from Science Education Institute, DOST and Schools BOT resolution no. 119 series of 2006 offering free tuition for BS Agriculture, BS Forestry and BS Food Technology.

With the support of the concerned agencies, Dept of Agriculture, local government units, communities and other sectors, we hope to achieve our vision as lead player of the agriculture sector, empowering communities towards agricultural productivity and sustainability, Mercado concluded. (PIA)

by EA Abasquez

San Jose, Antique (26 May) — Recent report of bank robberies and other criminal acts committed by rouge elements has strengthened the drive of the Municipal Police Station here in San Jose headed by PSI Gilbert T. Gorero to implement without let up the “No-plate-no-travel” policy among motorist.

The measure is vital to prevent the occurrence of bank robberies among the 13 banking institutions, both government and commercial banks here.

Also the PNP constantly conducts police visibility on foot and mobile patrols increasing its force-multiplier such as the Citizens Crime Watch and Salam Police (with equivalent function of barangay Tanods) on selected communities.

In addition to the above safety nets is the installation of high tech security devices like bank cameras and alarm systems, so that the PNP could easily respond and extend assistance when the need arises, Gorero said.

Just like the Boy Scout Motto “Laging Handa”, SInsp Gorero said the PNP implements continuous dry-run on bank robbery scenarios in coordination with the security agency and bank managers.

Because of the series of criminal activities occurring in Manila, PNP Chief Director Avelino Razon Jr. ordered all police unit commanders to personally supervise police visibility and patrol operations in the streets to guard against criminal elements.

Razon said “it is not enough that police personnel are downloaded from the headquarters to the police stations, they must be properly deployed and supervised’. (PIA)

by EA Abasquez

San Jose, Antique (22 May) — The Provincial Agrarian Reform Office here had distributed 92 has. of land to 51 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries for the first quarter of this year.

Jose Diogenes Gomez, head of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit of DAR said that if compared to targets of 92 has. and 45 target beneficiaries, the office has an accomplishment of 100 percent and 113 percent respectively.

Since the enactment of R.A. 6657, the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) on June 10, 1988 DAR, Antique has an overall accomplishment of 50,391 has. of land distributed out of 50,540 has. CARPable lands equivalent to 99 percent, Gomez said.

The implementation of CARP has contributed to improve the life of ARBs, from tillers to land owners. Moreover, under the new law, the land titles issued to the farmers could be used as collaterals for loans with Land Bank of the Philippines.

The local DAR office is a strong advocate of Gender Sensitivity for in the issuance of land titles, it is now in the name of both spouses, unlike before that it was in the name of the husband, Gomez pointed out.

In line with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s directive to give land to the poor, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) would distribute on June 12 some 17,000 land ownership.

entitlements that include free patents, certificate of entitlement lot allocation (CELA) and special patent to farmers and qualified occupants nationwide.

DENR Secretary Jose Lito Atienza has announced that the distribution program will be carried out in the 14 regions including the National Capital Region (NCR) as the nation celebrates its independence on June12.

“This program that will benefit some 17,000 farmers is in line with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s commitment and directive to give the poor people easier access to landownership,” Atienza said.

Land ownership for the poor is one of the commitments of the present administration, Atienza said, adding that the DENR is now reviewing big land cases and status of huge chunks of idle lands with the end view of making them productive. (PIA)

by EA Abasquez

San Jose, Antique (22 May) — The National Food Authority (NFA) here has started positioning of buffer stocks as the office braces for the lean months anticipated to take place this June up to August.

NFA’s Information Officer Gladdys Gallano said that NFA anticipates of unloading a greater volume of 9,000 bags of rice to consumers starting next month.

The current daily average palay procurement of 170 bags is viewed to boost NFA’s Food Security preparations, back up by sufficient funding. As of May 21 NFA has a balance of P2.869 million for the purchase of the staple crop. NFA central office replenishes the budget regularly as the need arises, Gallano explained.

So as to serve a greater number of consumers and to preempt unscrupulous practices, NFA strictly implements policy of selling 3 kilos per costumer at P18.25 a kilo. Strict monitoring is carried out daily among Tindahan Natin, Bigasan ni Gloria sa Palengke and Bigasan sa Parokya outlets.

The strict enforcement of laws and related issuances would strengthen NFA’s resolve as ” Kabalikat Laban sa Kahirapan,” Gallano stated.

In related development, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo pointed out that her administration’s response to the global problem of rice shortage is based on three fundamental needs: 1) To ensure supply of rice, 2) To make sure that the distribution of rice gets to the people who need it most efficiently and cost effectively and 3). to be vigilant that unscrupulous vendors do not divert subsidized rice and sell it as commercial rice. (PIA)