It takes a woman to do a man’s job: The MBA-WIDA story

Photo by DAR-8

TACLOBAN CITY --- The women of Magbinuligon Bayanihan Association – Women In Development Association (MBA-WIDA) formerly the Opong MPC are proof that women can indeed bring change and make things happen.

Formed from the defunct Opong MPC, the MBA was organized with the help of DAR in 2009.

According to DAR Agrarian Reform Program Officer I (ARPO I) Ma. Milagrosa Noveda, she spearheaded the reorganization effort of what is now the MBA, and has 379 members, 197 of which are females and 182 are males. It is a federation or network organization, with WIDA as its affiliate member.

The organization has a one (1) hectare communal farm planted to high yielding vegetable varieties, in addition to a less than a hectare tilapia fish pond. It is also engaged in rice production.

But the women of MBA-WIDA, have walked the extra mile. They may look comely, shy and pretty; but mind you, some of them are certified welders with NC II certificates from TESDA.

Some have also received training in carpentry and masonry, and gentlemen, take a bow, these ladies constructed their warehouse from scratch.  ARPO I Noveda says that these women actually built their warehouse, and it was a sight to see them holding hammers, welding tools and do construction work. Welding, carpentry and masonry, are traditionally the preserve of men.

It is not every day that we find women in a rural community break the gender barriers, and the women of MBA-WIDA, have shown they can indeed make a difference.

In a rural community, the traditional occupational roles are very much emphasized between sexes.

However, things were to change when super typhoon Yolanda came. It brought change at a rapid pace.

Several international non-government organizations, private agencies and donors, and government agencies poured assistance to calamity-stricken areas,  Tolosa, included.

There was also a serious shortage of skilled labor particularly for carpenters, masons, plumbers, electricians and the like. Soon, government agencies and civic-minded organizations started training those interested in these skilled occupations that were in short supply.

These trainings included both men and women, and the members of MBA-WIDA. Together, they were a force in the rehabilitation and development of their community.  After Yolanda, it opened several opportunities for livelihood and entrepreneurship.

But they did not stop there. They were able to access ILO funding worth P2M, more or less, for the construction of their building with provisions for an office and storage area. It was here that the women showed their carpentry, masonry and welding skills, and did traditional chores that used to be the preserve of men, a few years back.

Yes, there were males who helped them along the way, but this was something new and it signalled a new chapter in the life of empowerment of women in local life.

They were also a beneficiary under the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP), ARPO I Noveda said. They also availed of the on-site training provided by DAR and from partners.

Today, they are engaged in addition to their vegetable production where they produce bell peppers, they are in vermi-cast production, an organic fertilizer derived from African Night Crawlers earthworms with technology provided by the DAR.

They produce green charcoal briquettes. They have also engaged in the production of red rice organically, which is in high demand for the wellness and health conscious market, particularly the diabetics.

They have diversified their interests: meat processing, and catering business. In line with this, they underwent trainings in food preparation and food handling, table skirting. They have also produced nuggets from vegetables. Their latest venture is the production of organic dishwashing liquid, which they started marketing in their area.

The MBA-WIDA is an epitome of empowerment, breaking traditional stereotypes. They have also learned to think of their future, access and mobilize resources to effect their plans. They may have to deal with challenges along the way. But after the storm, they have charted their lives in their hands, and blazed new trails. (DAR-8)

DA CARRIED OUT PEST MANAGEMENT ACTION, BLB INFESTATION INCIDENT

Tacloban City --- Due to bacterial leaf blight (BLB) incident in Palapag, Northern Samar, the Department of Agriculture 8 (DA-RFO 8) has been validating and monitoring the uncontrollable widespread damage on the 244 hectare rice area.

According to Ms. Veronica J. Berenguer, DA Chief regional crop protection center of integrated laboratory division, that the disease on rice in Palapag was observed after flooding due to heavy rainfall in the area for 3 days last Dec. 2016 and was followed by frequent strong winds until the month of Feb. 2017.

She added that the BLB stopper which is copper-based fungicide is no longer applicable because the GSP are already mature and some are already harvested. The rice was burned to kill some pathogens in the affected areas.

Because of the incident, DA has encouraged DA-LGUs to conduct regular or weekly pest monitoring activity to keep on guard of any sudden pest incidence.

"The monitoring will serve as an observation so that immediate management actions should be done to suppress and mitigate the pest at the very earliest time," she stated.

Moreover, it has been observed that the hybrid rice variety, an SL-8H is susceptible to bacteria than inbred rice variety because of its wide leaf blades which can be easily injured during strong winds and heavy rains where injured plants served as the entry point of the bacterium.

“We recommended to change the rice variety for the next planting season preferably resistant variety like inbred rice,” Berenguer said.

BLB infestation has also affected the areas of Victoria and Las Navas, Northern Samar and immediate spraying has been supplied since the rice areas are on the flowering stage and still could be prevented to contain severity.

Series of information drives and farmers’ meetings will be carried out in Palapag and other affected areas before the planting season through the coordination and participation of DA-RFO8, PLGU, and MLGUs. (DA-8)

DA-8 STATIONS AND FACILITIES REHAB BEGINS

(Photos by DA-8)

Tacloban City --- Three years after the Yolanda tragedy where infrastructures and facilities, including the DA-8’s experiment stations and facilities, were destroyed, the office is now prepping up for rehabilitation of these facilities under the Yolanda Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program (YRRP) 2016.

A total of P173,883,078.56, was allocated to the DA-RFO 8 to restore the office and its experiment stations, namely: Abuyog Experiment Station, Babatngon Experiment Station, Salcedo Crops and Livestock Experiment Station, San Jorge Experiment Station, and San Miguel Experiment Station. 

The bulk of the allocated fund for each station will be used in rehabbing its complex building and training halls, perimeter fences and gates, staff houses, irrigation systems, including the stations’ road networks that are deemed necessary because of the detriments it may cause especially during rainy season.

As of press time, said stations already started its rehabilitation work. Likewise, the office’s rehabilitation and improvement of its office building is now on the roll, as well as the Animal and Plant Quarantine Services Building and the office’s guesthouse. The total project cost reached P42, 871,467.49.

Meanwhile, the budget of the YRRP was not only divided and allocated for infrastructure rehabilitation, funds were also provided for procuring various farm inputs such as seeds and fertilizers, as well as machineries for corn and cassava, floating tillers, hand tractors, and UV films.

Just recently, a team composed of engineers, architects, and information staff from the DA-RFO8, have visited the said stations to conduct ocular inspections, pre-validations, and documentations of all the facilities under rehab. (DA-8)

DA 8 Assures Help to Samareño Farmers hit by Pest Infestation

Tacloban City---The Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 8 has deployed a team of regional technical staff to provide farmers any possible assistance including the conduct of capability enhancement training of technicians on pest management as reports of crop diseases and pest infestations keep coming every now and then.

In the latest report of pest infestation and crop diseases reaching the DA regional office, Dr. Carlos S. de la Cruz, head of DA-8’s Quick Response Team said more or less 4,000 hectares of rice crops have been affected by the Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB) and Brown Plant hopper (BPH) in the provinces of Northern and Eastern Samar, respectively. 

It may be recalled that said pest infestation was first observed and reported by an Agricultural Technician from Palapag, Nothern Samar on January 5, 2017 or roughly more than two months ago. 

Instantaneously, rice experts from the region gave technical advice to the LGU-based technicians to closely monitor the affected rice fields and exercise precautionary measures which include the immediate draining of paddies, application of muriate of potash or bactericide and to report any development to the Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC).

 

Subsequently, similar incidents occurred in Victoria and Las Navas, also in Northern Samar which later on stretched out further to some more areas in the said province. 

On the other hand, reports of BPH infestation in Eastern Samar started off on February 28, 2017 which was first reported by the Municipal Agriculture Office of San Julian, Eastern Samar. Almost simultaneously six more municipalities reported similar incidents in their rice fields enough to raise some alarm signals to the agriculture officials in the DA Regional Office.

Plant pest and disease experts from the Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC), the Regulatory Division and information officers from the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section (RAFIS) were immediately sent out to the different affected municipalities in Northern Samar from February 15-20, 2017 and Eastern Samar on March 7-9, 2017 or a week after reports of such infestation incidents happened. 

As of press time, there were nine (9) municipalities of Northern Samar (Palapag, Las Navas, Lao-ang, Victoria, Allen, Lavezares, Rosario, San Jose and Catarman), and seven (7) in Eastern Samar (namely: San Julian, Sulat, Taft, Dolores, Oras, Arteche and Jipapad) have already submitted their respective damage reports and the total estimated loss value is still undergoing further verification and assessment by the DA’s Rice Program Management Unit (RPMU).

Meanwhile, the DA-RFO8 is now seeking the help of the municipal agriculture officers as well as the farmers themselves to adopt some mitigating measures or pest management practices such as: continuous monitoring of rice fields; immediate harvesting of remaining matured crops still unaffected by pests and diseases; light trapping; metarhizium spray, judicious use of nitrogen fertilizers, among others. 

An information and training of LGU-based technicians and farmers involved in the surveillance and monitoring activities has been undertaken in Northern Samar from February 15 todate and in Eastern Samar starting today up to Friday (March 17, 2017). All these are being done in a bid to minimize the effects of the infestation and, at the same time, prevent the spread of the disease to areas not yet affected by the pests to ensure that the same pest problem will not resurge in the next cropping season.

“The DA will train the farmers how to program their planting and harvest schedule," Dr. de la Cruz said. “We also will conduct light trapping in the affected rice fields and distribute biocon agents such as metarhizium to control the infestation."

Based on previous studies conducted by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the BLB stopper, a copper-based fungicide is no longer applicable because the rice crops are already mature and to suppress and mitigate the disease, it is recommended that burning the affected rice straws and stubbles will largely help to kill the pathogens that are present in the areas. In the case of BPH infestation, same process of burning is likewise encouraged in order to prevent the spread of the pest and eliminate source of inoculum for grassy and ragged stunt virus disease.

Accordingly, BLB and BPH developed due to ANY of the following factors: 

1. High humidity (>90%) with temperature of 25-32 degrees Celsius as what actually happened in these areas since the outset of the new year

2. Excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizer (more than what is recommended)

3. Closer crop canopy

4. Indiscriminate use of pesticide especially at the early stage of the crop which kill their natural enemies

In his report to OIC-RED U-Nichols A. Manalo, Director Andrew Orais, Assistant Regional Director for Operations, disclosed that the DA-RFO 8 is now coordinating closely with the provincial and municipal local government units and advised farmers to immediately harvest areas with already matured crops and report immediately any observance of sudden surge of pest and disease infection.

The DA has also urged LGUs to produce their own biocon agents to cater the needs of the farmers in their respective areas of jurisdiction. (DA)

Senate Unanimously Concurs in Accession to the Paris Agreement

The Philippine Senate on Tuesday unanimously concurred in the President’s accession to the Paris Agreement, said Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change who sponsored the Committee Report on the accord.

Twenty-two senators voted to approve the resolution seeking the Senate’s concurrence in the Paris Agreement.

“I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to my colleagues’ unanimous support on this historic day of the Senate’s concurrence in the accession to the Paris Agreement. I thank the President for signing the Instrument of Accession, the Cabinet Members for heeding the call for urgent climate action, and everyone who fought hard for this Agreement, including the individuals and organizations who have been fighting for climate justice and religiously taking part in the climate negotiations,” said Legarda, a UN Global Champion for Resilience.

The Senator explained the importance of the Agreement especially to a vulnerable nation like the Philippines.

“The Paris Agreement is a testament of solidarity and a call for global climate action. It shows that developing nations and the developed countries could pursue climate action and uphold climate justice together,” she said.

“This accord is a manifesto for climate justice. It also allows our country access to international climate finance mechanisms and to acquire support from developed countries for adaptation, mitigation, technology development and transfer, and capacity building,” she added.

Legarda explained that access to international funds could help finance the development and roll out of early warning systems, comprehensive risk assessment and management tools, and other capacity-building projects and programs that would make local communities more resilient to climate change.

The country’s accession to the Paris Agreement likewise strengthens its role in climate talks, which means that it can exercise governance, oversight, leadership, and decision-making in the implementation of the Agreement.

“The Paris Agreement is an embodiment of a legacy. This will go down in history as one of our shining achievements. The 17th Congress, under the Duterte Administration, can be regarded as the legislative assembly that championed climate action, environmental protection, and sustainable development,” Legarda concluded.

From the day the Paris Agreement was signed by more than a hundred countries on April 22, 2016 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York where Legarda was present, the Senator has called on the Philippines and all nations to immediately ratify the Agreement.

Legarda, principal author of the Climate Change Law and Chair of the Senate Committees on Finance and Climate Change, has been working behind the scenes in pushing for the Philippines’ ratification, explaining the Agreement to Cabinet members, including the President’s economic team, as well as to local government units, while also coordinating with various climate organizations on the way forward. (PR)

DA-RFO 8 EYES FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF RICE INDUSTRY IN EV

TACLOBAN CITY --- Even with the deluge of various food type, rice remains to be the number one staple food in Eastern Visayas, thus, there is a need to further boost the production of said commodity in the region. Aside from the implementation of different interventions under the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office-8’s Rice Program, one of the strategies undertaken is the continuous coordination with key partners at the Local Government Units.

A Consultation/Meeting was then conducted by the DA-RFO 8’s Rice Program together with Provincial/City/Municipal Agriculturists in the six provinces of the region, aimed at orienting key partners about the latest directives and programs in the development of the rice industry. Batch 1 was held on February 21-24, 2017 for the provinces of Samar, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar while batch 2 & 3 was on March 2-3, 2017 for the provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte and Biliran.

Ms Ma. Remedios M. Ambida, DA-RFO 8’s Rice Program Action Officer cited the need to help farmers in the region especially that there will be no more quantitative restriction for rice. Economic borders are knocked down making it easier for rice products from other countries to enter the Philippine market scene. “Let us together face this challenge and take the hands of the younger generation in developing our rice industry,” Ms Ambida averred.

Based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, the region was able to produce 954,844 metric tons of rice in 2016 with an average yield of 3.56 mt/ha. This may be attributed to the various rice-related interventions implemented for the year. Program direction for 2017 will still focus on the utilization of high quality seeds, adoption of high-yielding technology, bufferstocking, farm mechanization, irrigation network services and extension support.

The High Quality Seeds for Adverse Ecosystem is a strategy that promotes quality seeds utilization particularly among farmers planting in rainfed or adverse ecosystem such areas prone to flood, saline and drought, among others. The High Yielding Technology Adoption (HYTA) Roll-Over Scheme, on the other hand, serves to raise farmers’ yield through hybrid rice production technology.

Salient features in the revised guidelines for the provision of agricultural production, postharvest and processing machinery and equipment were also presented stressing the instruction of DA Secretary Emmanuel ‘Manny’ F. Piñol to make available these items as grant to farmer’s associations, however, recipients may provide in-kind equity in the form of shed, land and labor, among others. Irrigation support will still be a major component of the Rice Program through the establishment of Small Scale Irrigation projects such as Small Water Impounding Project, Small Farm Reservoir, small water pumps and solar pumps.

Key partners were likewise oriented about the Rice Crop Manager, an ICT tool developed to provide farmers with fertilizer management practices. Updates on the Gawad Saka Search and Rice Achievers Awards were also laid out. (DA-8)

AGGIE STUDENTS FINISHED OJT

(Photo By: Francis Rosaroso)

Abuyog, Leyte --- At least 27 fourth year students of Bachelor of Agricultural Technology (BAT) completed their 90-day “On-the-Job Training/ Occupational Internship Program” at the Abuyog Experiment Station (AES), Balinsasayao, Abuyog, Leyte.

No less than the DA-8 Chief, OIC Regional Executive Director U-Nichols A. Manalo conferred them as graduates of the said internship program in a simple culmination rites held on Friday, March 3, 2017 at the AES Grounds which was graced also by the different OJT coordinators from the Northwest Samar State University (Calbayog City) Mark V. Abela; Eastern Visayas State University – Burauen Campus Dr. Petronila D. Tilaon; and, Southern Leyte State University – Bontoc Campus Administrator Eugene P. Baclayon.

In his message, AES Superintendent, Engr. Jose Jimmy C. Palma commended the interns for choosing the DA station in Abuyog as their training ground and venue to further hone their skills and in applying to practice all the theories they have learned from their respective schools.

OIC – RED Manalo for his part, urged the young students to continue and not waver in engaging their chosen profession, especially now that they have gained additional hands-on knowledge in terms of new agricultural technologies that were taught to them during their entire OJT period.

Director Manalo likewise thanked the parents and relatives who witnessed the event, for encouraging their children to pursue agricultural courses which is deemed to be a rare practice among young students nowadays.

The 27 student-interns took their internship program under the auspices of Ms. Brenda A. Almeroda, the OJT Coordinator of AES – Abuyog. (DA-8)

DA PROJECT TO SUPPORT YOLANDA AFFECTED TOWN

PRESS RELEASE

(Photo by: Francis Rosaroso)

Anahawan, Southern Leyte --- The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 8 recently launched a project that would provide livelihood rehabilitation assistance to Yolanda-affected municipalities in the region.

In a simple ceremony held at Anahawan, Southern Leyte on February 27, 2017, the office, together with the Local Government Unit of Anahawan and farmer-beneficiaries, led the launching of Yolanda Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program (YRRP) for the said municipality.

Accordingly, the YRRP project aims to restore farming livelihoods in areas/ municipalities which were heavily affected by Supertyphoon Yolanda. It will also assist local governments and communities to recover and build back better their agriculture-related economic activities; and, develop livelihood projects that can serve as a venue and mechanism of coordination and harmonization of the various assistance provided by People’s Organizations, and local and international Non-Governmental Organizations.

One of the highlights of the activity was the ceremonial turnover of check worth P11.5 million which was handed over by DA-RFO 8 OIC Regional Executive Director U-Nichols A. Manalo to Hon. Diego A. Loquinte, Municipal Mayor of Anahawan.

The amount replenishes the funding to the livelihood projects for farmers’ associations in the municipality, namely, goat raising integrated with banana, peanut, cassava and corn farming system to be undertaken by Anahawan Corn Farmers Association (ACFA); and, chicken and swine raising in rice and vegetable farming system by the Mahalo-Lewing Irrigators Association (MALEIA). The amount downloaded to the LGU shall be used in the procurement of inputs and goods.

Dir. Manalo commended the local officials and partner stakeholders because the municipality was the first Yolanda-affected area in the region that was able to comply the requirements.

Moreover, he emphasized the continued cooperative efforts of the local government, beneficiaries and national government agencies for the full realization of the project.

Mayor Loquinte extended his gratitude for the support of the national government which would be instrumental in improving the living conditions of the farmers, especially those affected by the supertyphoon.

Aside from the livelihood support, a Farmer's Multi-Purpose Shed cum Info Center and Bodega shall also be established in the municipality. (DA-8)

NMP Launches 6.09 Plus Training Module Video Clip

NMP Press Release

Tacloban City --- The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), the premier maritime training and research institute in the country has launched the 6.09 Plus (Value-adding the Training Course for Instructor, IMO Model Course 6.09) Video Clip during the Maritime Faculty Development Forum held on 21 February 2017 at Grand Men Seng Hotel, Magallanes Street, Davao City and 24 February 2017, at Best Western Plus Lex Cebu Hotel, Cebu City.

The 6.09 Plus project is designed to enhance the capabilities and competencies of faculty in maritime training institutions through enhancing the training interventions for them. Its key components are the conduct of the training needs analysis (TNA), the development of the training module manual based on the results of the TNA, the production of the training module into a video clip, its publication and posting online and the conduct of monitoring and evaluation to determine the effectiveness of training interventions.

The project picks out specific subject matter areas of the IMO MC 6.09 as ‘pieces of the course’ as well as topics not highlighted in the course, which instructors have identified for reinforcement lessons. These were translated into ‘bite size’ training video clips and published online as an open educational resource that can be viewed and downloaded by maritime instructors through the internet.

The online training video clips make training interventions accessible without necessarily enrolling in the 6.09 course from any maritime training provider. Instructors can learn at their own pace without time restrictions within the comfort of their places or even while on board ships. They can view and download fundamental topics in the lessons in specific areas where they need to improve on.

This initiative is NMP’s response to the issues identified by the instructors that hinder their training and professional development, as a result of the TNA. The foremost problems are the cost of training, schedule of training in conflict with workload and other priorities and lack of management support.

This attempt considers the recommendation of the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW on the use of e-Learning in maritime education and training. It also highlights the NMP’s role as a key player in the country’s maritime manpower development efforts of producing quality seafarers and upholding their position as the ‘seafarers of choice’ in the international labor market.

The video clip can be viewed and downloaded free of charge from the NMP website (www.nmp.gov.ph), NMP facebook page (facebook.com\nmptrainingcenter) and at the Youtube Channel through the use of 6.09 Plus as search keyword.

Meanwhile, the maritime faculty forum was organized by the NMP and International Mariners Management Association of Japan - Philippine-Japan Manning Consultative Council, Inc.  and was participated by maritime instructors from maritime higher education institutions in Mindanao and Visayas regions. Other stakeholders in attendance were officials from the Joint Manning Group, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (Class NK), Philippine Association of Maritime Instructors, Maritime Industry Authority and Commission on Higher Education.  

Meanwhile, the NMP continues to offer Basic Courses, Deck Courses, Engine Courses, Specialized Courses and Professional Development Courses. (NMP) 

NMP, IMMAJ-PJMCC Conclude Maritime Faculty Development Forum in Mindanao

NMP Press Release

Tacloban City --- The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) and International Mariners Management Association of Japan(IMMAJ) - Philippine-Japan Manning Consultative Council, Inc. (PJMCC) conducted a Maritime Faculty Development Forum (MFDF 2017) with the theme “Working Together in Enhancing the Competencies of Philippine Maritime Faculty”, at the Grand Men Seng Hotel, Davao City, on 21 February 2017.

The panel discussions and open forum centered on the initiatives of government and the private sector related to maritime faculty development vis-à-vis full implementation of the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW, challenges in the implementation of a Faculty Development Program and expectations of employers on competency-based outcomes of maritime higher education institutions (MHEIs) with further emphasis on the expectations of Japanese employers.

On the other hand, the conduct of workshops surfaced the challenges being faced by maritime instructors in the Mindanao region related to maritime faculty development in the light of the STCW Convention.

NMP Executive Director Romulo V. Bernardes in his message stressed the emergent need for collective actions among the country stakeholders in maritime education in responding to the requirements of the industry particularly on the qualifications of maritime faculty.

“This is a serious challenge, but there is much that we can do. I encourage you to take part in the discussions and propose reforms in government policies and suggest programs for consideration of employers and other applicable private organizations”, he added.

The purpose of the MFDF is to generate information on the training and development needs of maritime instructors in MHEIs. The output will serve as basis in the development of an Action Plan for a National Maritime Program for Faculty Development (NMPFD) towards upgrading their teaching competencies to the current approaches as specified by the 2010 Manila Amendments to the 1978 STCW Convention.

The day was concluded with the reading and signing of the Forum Resolution where participants pledged their full support in all initiatives and programs towards enhancing the competencies of the Philippine maritime faculty members and to continuously uphold and promote the production of quality, competent and globally competitive seafarers in the world market.

Resource persons were composed of Capt. Naoki Saito from Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (Class NK), Ms. Presca Lee B. Lugo, MSc from the Maritime Industry Authority STCW Office, Dr. Luis D. Perez from the Commission on Higher Education Region XI, Engr. Felix M. Oca from the Philippine Association of Maritime Institutions and Capt. Andres F. Alvaro from the Joint Manning Group.

The sixty-five (65) participants and four (4) observers were maritime faculty from the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology, Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College, Jose Rizal Memorial State University, Capitol University, Lyceum of Iligan Foundation, Agro Industrial  Foundation College of the Philippines, DMMA College of Southern Philippines, Holy Cross of Davao College, MATS College of Technology, Mindanao Polytechnic College, Regency Polytechnic College, St. Joseph Institute of Technology and Colegio de CARAGA. (NMP) 

NMP Turns Up Training Needs of Maritime Instructors

NMP Press Release

Tacloban City --- Results of a training needs analysis (TNA) conducted by the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) reveal specific subject areas in the Training Course for Instructors (IMO Model Course 6.09) needing further emphasis and strengthening as well as other industry recommended Knowledge, Skills and Attributes (KSAs) that maritime instructors need to have to reinforce learnings.

Training modules that may be developed under the IMO MC 6.09 are in the areas of Subject-related Lesson Plan, Course Design, Identifying/Determining and Writing Learning Outcomes, Overview of STCW Convention and Code Requirements for Competence-based Training and Evaluating Teaching and Learning.

On the other hand, training modules on other industry recommended KSAs include Communication and Presentation Skills, Leadership, Management and Cultural Awareness, Classroom Management Skills and Development of Instructional Materials.

It also recommended that topics on industry updates, latest development in maritime regulations, attributes of a Maritime Instructor should be priority discussions in professional meetings of maritime instructors in their respective schools or training centers.

The TNA is one of the key components of a recent initiative of NMP dubbed as “6.09 Plus (Value-adding the Training Course for Instructor, IMO Model Course 6.09)”. It is designed to boost the capabilities and competencies of faculty in maritime training institutions through enhancing the training interventions for them.

The IMO MC 6.09 is a basic teacher training for maritime instructors designed to equip the maritime instructors with the fundamental skills on instructional delivery.

Respondents of the TNA were maritime instructors from maritime higher education institutions (MHEIs) and maritime training institutions who have completed the said course.

This undertaking supplements the NMP’s ongoing study entitled Skills Gap Analysis of Maritime Faculty in Philippine Maritime Higher Education Institutions that is aimed at generating information on the training and development needs of maritime faculty of MHEIs, as basis in the development of an Action Plan for a National Maritime Program for Faculty Development.

The National Maritime Polytechnic, the sole government maritime training and research center in the country, conducts maritime studies to come up with policies for the improvement of the manpower sector of the industry. (NMP)

Cambatutay bay in Samar now negative of red tide

March 9  - Cambatutay bay in Samar is now negative for paralytic shellfish poison otherwise known as red tide toxin.

Shellfish advisory no. 08 series of 2017 dated March 6, 2017 released by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) disclosed that shellfish samples collected from said coastal waters yielded negative results for red tide per laboratory results that were obtained from three (3) consecutive weeks of sampling in the area.

Thus, shellfish samples harvested from Cambatutay bay in Samar are now safe for human consumption or can be gathered and eaten now by the public. However, the coastal waters in Eastern Visayas of Daram Island and Irong-irong bay in Samar; Matarinao bay in Eastern Samar;  Leyte in Leyte and the coastal waters of Biliran are still positive for red tide toxin.

BFAR Undersecretary for Fisheries Director Eduardo B. Gongona assured that BFAR and the local government units concerned are continuously monitoring the status of the coastal waters in Eastern Visayas to safeguard the health of the public and to protect shellfish industry. (PIA)

DOH reminds Samarnons to drink safe water to stop diarrhea

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, March 10 (PIA) - The Department of Health (DOH) through its provincial doctor, Dr. Antonio Tirazona, reminds Samarnons to drink safe water.

He urged them to boil water for at least 10 minutes to ensure that disease causing germs including cholera are killed.

Another process to disinfect water is through chlorination through the use of hypochlorite (chlorine granules), he added.

The public is also reminded to always store water in clean and covered storage containers to avid contamination with pathogens or microorganisms that cause diseases.

To date four Samar towns have been affected by diarrhea as reported by DOH. Tagapul-an, an island town has three cases, Gandara has 17 cases while Calbiga town has 12 cases.

Motiong town with 103 cases is considered to have an outbreak, added Tirazona.

His health teams have been deployed in the different areas to help residents and the rural health centers to abort the situation.

The DOH representative also urged Samarnons to immediately seek professional help when there is a suspected diarrhea case in their area. (PIA)

Samar group endorses appointment of Gina Lopez

(Photo by: Emy Calagos)


CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar -- The Samar Island Partnership for Peace and Development (SIPPAD) endorses the confirmation on the appointment of Secretary Gina Lopez of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). 

SIPPAD led by the three bishops of Samar passed resolution to congress to approve the appointment of Lopez. 

In a resolution signed by Bishops Isabelo Abarquez of Samar, Bishop Emmanuel Trance of Northern Samar and Crispin Varquez of Eastern Samar, they said that they find Lopez sympathetic to their cause, that she listens to the voice of the Samarnon seeking protection against mining and logging. 

That they find her stand on mining and logging relevant and parallel to the SIPPAD's 11 years of trying to protect Samar from mining and logging. 

SIPPAD has passed many resolutions for the passage of the Samar Island Natural Park and resolutions against logging and mining. SIPPAD is a group of non-political,sectoral organizations headed by three dioceses of Samar island. (PIA) 

Legarda Calls For More Investment In Green Technology

Press Release   

Senator Loren Legarda today underscored the important role climate finance institutions play in building low-carbon and sustainable infrastructure that will support the climate change mitigation targets of climate vulnerable nations such as the Philippines.

“Climate-vulnerable countries such as the Philippines fought to enshrine a 1.5 degrees Celsius global warming limit in the Paris Agreement not only to survive but also to thrive. We have to transition to clean energy-powered economies not just because it will save the climate but also because it will produce more jobs and pump prime the economy,” said Legarda.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committees on Climate Change and Finance, opened the V20 Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting hosted by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Cooperation of Ethiopia together with the Department of Finance, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance Program (DRFIP), which is a joint program of the World Bank Group and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Headquarters.

ADB projects that infrastructure needs in developing Asia and the Pacific will exceed 22.6 trillion dollars through 2030, or 1.5 trillion dollars per year, if the region is to maintain growth momentum. But the estimates rise to over 26 trillion dollars, or 1.7 trillion dollars per year, when climate change mitigation and adaptation costs are incorporated.

“Due to the increasingly dire threat posed by climate change, we need to upgrade everything including infrastructure, supply chains, urban services, logistics, food supply, and more. Here at ADB, we are reminded how crucial the international development system would be as we work to realize our vision of resilient, sustainable development,” the Senator stressed.

Legarda said that as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippines has a unique opportunity to work even more closely with multilateral development banks and the international community to increase investments that will allow all our economies to become more resilient, more efficient, more inclusive, and more sustainable.

“Colleagues, our nations bear the brunt of climate change even if we are among those who contributed the least to the crisis. We know if the V20 does not remain ahead of the curve, pulling the world along with us, we will have no chance of seeing our 1.5 vision realized, especially in the current geopolitical climate. We need not only survive but also to thrive, and keeping within the 1.5 degrees Celsius global temperature limit is critical.”

“Working closely with our development partners, and with boldness, we can more rapidly de-risk investments even as we rapidly increase incentives that pull in the right kind of private sector capital towards climate-resilient, sustainable and inclusive plans that likewise contribute to the fight to keep warming within the 1.5 degree threshold,” Legarda concluded.

The Philippine Government, during its chairmanship of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), has taken an active role in initiating the establishment of the Vulnerable Twenty Group of Ministers of Finance or V20, a high-level policy dialogue and action group that hopes to address the critical challenge of climate change more assertively through innovative financing and technology.

City Gov’t focuses on 6 development areas re Transfer of families to Tacloban North

Photo Credit - Tacloban CIO

TACLOBAN CITY– The City of Tacloban under Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez is focusing on six development areas in its efforts to transfer families living in danger zones to the Tacloban Resettlement sites.

During a recent public hearing of the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement chaired by Senator JV Ejercito, Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez presented a report which outlined City-led initiatives in the transfer of families focusing on the areas of  Housing & Transfer, Water and Power Supply, Health and Social Services, Livelihood, Education and Delivery of City Frontline Services.

In said hearing, Mayor Romualdez reported that some 6,580 families have already been transferred to resettlement sites with the help of other government agencies

Meanwhile, City Government-led initiatives in resettlement sites include daily water rationing — Daily delivery of 120 Tons of water  to Tacloban North resettlement sites by seven (7) Water Tankers from 2014 to 2017.

A DILG Bottom Up Budgeting project will soon provide a Level 3 Type Water Systems in two resettlement sites, as funds from the Interior Department have already been downloaded to the City and the  bidding process for the project has started.

The Local Government Unit (LGU) likewise  installed 190 street lights in resettlement sites and assisted 5,310 household applications for electrical connection.

Livelihood assistance in the form of  livestock dispersal and production, Capital Start-up Assistance, skills training, among others were availed of by 1,891 households since 2014 to 2016.

Concerning health, the report disclosed that a number of Health Centers and Birthing Facilities are serving the relocatees, namely Suhi District Health Center, Ridgeview Health Station GMA Kapuso Health Station and  Barangay Health Stations in  Brgy. Sto. Nino, Tagpuro, and  Cabalawan.  Regular primary care services (immunization,  pre – natal check-ups etc) are available in the health facilities.

Mobile Medical Outreach Programs of the Caring, Giving and Reaching (CGR) Out Barangayan Program and environment and health sanitation drives are also regularly conducted in resettlement sites.

Some 491 household beneficiaries have also benefitted from other livelihood projects initiated by the LGU with the help of Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and Development and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and other Government Agencies. -HENRY JAMES G. ROCA/CIO

1,950 senior citizens avail of Social Pension in Tacloban

(Photo credit - Tacloban CIO)

TACLOBAN CITY – One thousand nine hundred fifty (1,950) Senior Citizens of this City are set to receive their Social Pension as the City Government under Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez  through its City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) started  releasing the Government stipend last Friday, March 3.  The government stipend which is availed of by indigent elderly residents will be released until the last week of March.

According to CSWDO Chief Remedios Buna,  the pension pay-out covers the first and second quarters of 2016  amounting to 3,000 pesos each.

The  pay-out is currently being facilitated by the City Treasurer’s Office, while succeeding releases for this year will be coursed through the Veterans Bank, said Buna.

Social pensioners use the monthly stipend of 500 pesos to buy basic necessities such as food and medicines. Likewise, it was learned that the allowance keeps the elderly recipients motivated and active in any activity related to their sector.

Per the criteria set by Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 those who are qualified to avail of the pension program are: Filipino citizens, sickly, disabled, no income or any other means of livelihood, no pension from private and government pension bodies, and no regular support from relatives.

Indigent Senior Citizens  has to submit the following requirements to the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) or the CSWDO to avail of the social pension: Filled out Application Form (copies are available at the OSCA and CSWDO), Copy of Baptismal or Live Birth Certificates and Barangay Certification, stating the applicant is a bonafide resident of the Barangay.

Meanwhile, from 1,950 beneficiaries  in 2016 the number of social pensioners in Tacloban  has increased to 4,810 for 2017,  this is after the required age was lowered to 60 years old from 77 years old, disclosed Buna.

The welfare of Senior Citizens is a priority concern of Mayor Romualdez as manifested by the services available for the elderly residents of Tacloban at the CSWDO, among them the provision of financial assistance, medical assistance and  burial assistance.

The assessment of possible recipients is handled by the CSWDO while the pension applications are accepted at the OSCA. -HENRY JAMES G. ROCA/CIO