Agri office starts livestock procurement for free dispersal to farmers

by Rachelle M. Nessia

DUMAGUETE CITY, June 29 (PIA) --- The Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) in Negros Oriental has started purchasing native farm animals to be dispersed to farmers in the province for free. 

This after the provincial government has alloted P500,000 last month to procure native animals such as chickens, goats, pigs and cows under its livelihood program, said Capitol Information Officer Adrian Sedillo in an interview. 

The farm animals are available for farmers who wish to grow farm livestock for livelihood, said Sedillo. 

Although the animals will be given to farmers for free, they are required to turn over to the provincial agriculture office two female baby chicks once the chickens hatch, he said. 

This, he added, is to ensure the sustainability of the livelihood program, which is one of three core programs being implemented by Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo in the province. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)

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NegOr Gov lauds rice subsidy program

by Rachelle M. Nessia

DUMAGUETE CITY, June 28 (PIA) --- A high-ranking government official in Negros Oriental has lauded the Rice Subsidy Program now being implemented for selected farmers and fisherfolks in the province. 

Speaking during the recently-held cash pay-out for said program's selected beneficiaries in the town of Dauin, Gov. Roel Degamo said the government's move to directly provide the cash subsidy to the farmers and fisherfolks is a big boost to the agricultural sector in the midst of trying times. 

The national government, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), earlier implemented the Rice Subsidy Program, a short-term cash-for-training and cash-for-work assistance for small-scale farmers and fisherfolks to see them through the lean season. 

DSWD started implementing said program in Negros Oriental just this month, with Dauin's beneficiaries the first to receive their cash grant as of this writing. 

A total of 18 local government units across the province are slated to benefit from the program. 

According to Capitol Information Officer Adrian Sedillo, the governor in his speech stressed to the beneficiaries in Dauin to use the cash subsidy from the national government wisely. 

Sedillo, in a statement, qouted the governor as saying: "You must not waste the help you are receiving from the government. Don't spend it on vices."

He added that Gov. Degamo is fully supporting the program as it also bolsters his efforts to develop the agriculture sector in the province. 

Early this year, the governor has allocated funds amounting to P5 million for the purchase of seed inoculant that will reduce the need for fertilizers, thereby cutting down costs for farmers. 

Sedillo added that aside from this, the governor poured in P4.6 million as counterpart funds to procure 6 tractors for farmers to use in tilling their lands for free. 

The provincial government also alloted P1 million for the purcahse of certified seeds, P.5 million for the breeding of native animals and another P.5 million for the establishment of bagsakan centers for organic products, said Sedillo. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)

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Army’s disaster rescue team conducts capability demo in Amlan
by Jennifer Catan-Tilos

DUMAGUETE CITY, June 28 (PIA) The disaster relief and rescue team of the Army’s 302 Brigade conducted Saturday a capability demonstration on life saving techniques during calamities in Amlan municipality.

According to Information Officer, Major Sonny Gonzales of the army the initiative helps the barangay residents during the occurrence of disasters and calamities with the use of improvised floatation devices and first aid.

The devices made up of empty plastic bottles, which the rescue team demonstrated to barangay-participants as necessary preparations and techniques needed during an occurrence of disasters and calamities, said Maj. Gonzales.

The demonstration and techniques in saving lives in land and water including first aid conducted by the Army’s disaster team encourages participation, support and cooperation among the local populace in the community, concern government agencies, local government units and socio-civic groups, the military officer said.

During the training, the rescue team also briefed the residents on Army’s involvement in non-traditional activities in pursuit of peace, security and development in Negros Island.

Gonzales said the municipality of Amlan now uses the alternative equipment by with empty plastic bottles and other materials available locally. 

The activity was attended by Deborah Tarusa, member of the Municipal Peace and Order Council; SFOI Michael Cariño of Amlan Fire Department; Robert Dalunan, Philippine Red Cross Rescue Volunteer; Leonedas Munar, president of Senior Citizens Association, Tandayag Chapter; Cynthia Erames, teacher of Tandayag Elem School and more or less 60 local residents of Barangay Tandayag. (PIA NegOr/JCT)

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Army holds 2nd ‘Run for Peace’ 
by Jennifer Catan-Tilos

DUMAGUETE CITY, June 28 (PIA) A second round of “Run for Peace” of the 11th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army held Sunday for the Lapu-Lapu Educational Assistance Program (LEAP) scholars of Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) in Guihulngan.

Dubbed as “Bayanihan: Lakad at Takbo para sa Kapayapaan, Tungo sa Kaunlaran” participated in by representatives of Dumaguete Press Club (DPC), React Group- Guihulngan City Chapter, Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity, Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine National Police (PNP), and residents of Guihulngan City. 

The ten LEAP scholar students of NORSU also joined the Lapu- Lapu Run for Peace and Fun Walk.

A five-kilometer ‘bayanihan walk’ started at 5:30 a.m. from the 11IB’s headquarters in Brgy. Mckinley, and ended at the Public Plaza of Guihulngan City. 

This, followed by a peace run consisted of three events: the 3km run for male and female aged 12 years old and below; 5km for male and female aged 17 years old below; and the 10km open category. 

Winners of the run for category A ( 3km male and female ages 12 years old and below), Jay-r Pionela (Dumaguete City), and Reyshel Queding (Valencia), 1st place; Jonel Dumaplin (Guihulngan City), 2nd place; and Ian Lagahit (Valencia), 3rd place.

For Category B (5Km category) Erlicito Pionela (Dumaguete City) and Ronalyn Jeligan (Calatrava), 1st place; Shalni Fe Antosada (Dumaguete City) and Jun Rey Salde (Canlaon City, 2nd place; John Quintana(Calatrava); and John Quintana (Calatrava), 3rd place.

For Category C (10km open) Greg Canumay (Guihulngan), Mark John Calimot (Guihulngan) and Arwin Jabunod (Calatrava) 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, respectively.

1LT Von Ryan Gomez of 11thIB of the army said special awards were also given to five-year old Joash Canumay for being the youngest runner, and 60- year old Lita General, for being the oldest among the 110 runners.

The first place winners received P 3,000 in cash and medal while the 2nd and 3rd place received P2,000 and P1,000 and medals respectively. The special awardees and the top seven runners were also given P 500 each as consolation prize, said Gomez.

Gomez said the peace run promotes not only physical fitness among the people, but also encourages to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the government’s campaign to achieve peace, security and development in the community. (PIA NegOr/JCT)

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POPCOM inks agreement for Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries
by Jennifer Catan-Tilos

DUMAGUETE CITY, June 28 (PIA) PopCom signed a memorandum of agreement with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Friday for family development sessions (FDS) of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries. 

The agreement focuses on PopCom taking a major role in the integration of Responsible Parenthood, said DSWD Information Officer Aileen Lariba.  

Under module 5, the PopCom manages the Pantawid Pamilya’s family development sessions, which emphasize the responsible parenting. 

The sessions and capability trainings will be assisted by DSWD’s Provincial and Municipal staff assigned to the program.

According to PopCom Regional Director Atty. Bruce Ragas, the move enhances Module 5 of Pantawid Pamilya’s FDS which will have a significant impact on social development aspect on the beneficiaries as they would be educated on the importance and value of responsible parenthood and different options of family planning.

DSWD’s Regional Director Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre emphasized that the Pantawid Pamilya program is for the poorest of the poor and part of the program’s design is to educate the beneficiaries and empower them. 

FDS educate the grantees, inculcating values essential for improving attitudes and creating a stable family environment taking up various topics, one of which is Responsible Parenthood, said Dir. Macapobre.

The partnership of the two agencies supports the national government’s call on social protection and poverty reduction strategies, of which the conduct of responsible parenting seminars continuous to provide proper information on Family Planning method.

Lariba said Pantawid Pamilya will now have proper first hand information on the correct and responsible parenting from the experts. (PIA NegOr/JCT)