Friday, September 16, 2011

Public consultation para sa Mt. Bulusan exploration project isasagawa


Ni: Bennie A. Recebido

Lungsod ng Sorsogon, September 16 (PIA) – Dalawang araw na public consultation kasama ang mga kasapi ng Sangguniang Bayan ng Bulusan, Irosin at Juban ang nakatakdang gawin sa Lunes at Martes, September 19-20, 2011, ng SKI Construction Group Inc. para sa iminumungkahing exploration project sa Mt. Bulusan at sa paligid nito alinsunod sa nakapaloob sa work program ng Department of Energy (DOE) Geothermal Resource Energy Service Contract (GRESCO) No. 2010-01-015.

Ayon kay Albert D. Altura, president at CEO ng SKI Construction Group, Inc., layunin ng konsultasyon na paigtingin ang kanilang Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign upang maipaliwanang ng maayos ang exploration project  at mabigyang halaga din ang karapatan ng mga lokal na pamahalaan at kanilang mga nasasakupan, gayundin ang iba pang concerned groups sa pamamagitan ng pagbigay ng kaalaman ukol sa proyekto at mga benepisyo nito, gayundin ang oportunidad para sa bukas na komunikasyon sa pagitan ng SKI at ng mga komunidad bilang “co-existent” sa iisang lokalidad.

Maliban sa pagdinig sa pulso ng publiko ukol sa proyekto, ipiprisinta din sa public consultation ang mga mahahalagang datos ukol sa proyekto, iskedyul ng mga aktibidad, lugar na maaapektuhan o masasakop ng gagawing geo-scientific study at ang environmental compliance ng SKI sa pagpapatupad ng kanilang proyekto.

Tiniyak din ng SKI na walang dapat na ikabahala ang publiko dahil nasa exploration stage pa lamang sila at wala pa sa development phase ng proyekto, kung kaya’t napakahalaga umanong magkaroon muna ng mga konsultasyon ukol dito.

Kailangan umanong magkaroon muna ng pagtaya (assessment) at suriin ang mga kaukulang hakbang na dapat gawin upang maiwasan ang posibleng panganib na idudulot nito sa kalikasan at sa buhay ng mga tao.

Ayon pa sa SKI, habang nasa pre-development stage pa lamang ang proyekto ay magsasagawa muna sila ng data review, geochemical sampling, geophysical investigation, data evaluation, resource assessment at exploration drilling. (PIA Sorsogon)

Mga proyekto ng DPWH-S2DEO ininspeksyon


Ni: Bennie A. Recebido

Lungsod ng Sorsogon, September 16 (PIA) – Responsable sa pagsubaybay sa mga proyektong ipinatutupad ng kanyang tanggapan, ininspeksyon ni Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) Sorsogon 2nd District Engineer Jake Alamar ang mga proyektong kasalukuyang ginagawa at malapit nang matapos sa sakop niyang distrito.

Ayon kay DE Alamar, ginawa niyang personal na debosyon at patakaran ang regular na pag-iinspekyon ng mga nagawa at kasalukuyang ginagawang mga proyekto ng DPWH Sorsogon 2nd District Engineering Office (S2DEO) upang makita ang kalagayan ng trabaho at tiyaking hindi nasasayang ang pera ng bayan.

Kamakailan lamang ay personal diumano niyang binisita ang proyektong Ariman Junction-BUlusan Lake Road Concreting project malapit sa Bulusan Lake Natural Park.

Ang nasabing proyekto ay pinondohan ng DPWH ng aabot sa P29-M sa ilalim ng DPWH regular infrastructure fund.

Inaasahang matatapos nang tuluyan ang proyektong ito bago magtapos ang ikaapat na kwarter ngayong taon.

Kasama ni Engr. Alamar sa pag-inspeksyon ang iba pang mga tauhan ng DPWH S2DEO na sina Chief Maintenance Engineer Jose G. Gigantone, Planning and Design Section Chief nancy D. Doloiras, Construction Section Chief Carlos B. Sulit, Soil and materials Quality Control Section Chief Jessie D. Baluyot, mga inhenyero at technical staff ng tanggapan. (HPDeri-DPWHS2DEO/PIA Sorsogon)

Thursday, September 15, 2011

WHY STUDENTS SHOULD/SHOULD NOT STUDY AGRICULTURE


By: Higino Alindogan Ables Jr.

Dwindling enrollment

            Why do less college students nowadays enroll in agriculture?

College and university executives have asked me what to do in the face of smaller enrollments in agriculture, fisheries and forestry.

            I always tell them (1) not to despair as this is a universal trend in higher education, experienced earlier by advanced economies, and (2) this presents an opportunity for such colleges to change gears and do something more useful. 

In American universities, the college of agriculture has tremendously shrunk in size and has given way to newer colleges.

            One good example is the Michigan Agricultural College (established in 1855) which has grown into a multiversity, the Michigan State University. Its college of agriculture is one of the smallest on campus.

            In Canada, the Ontario Agricultural College has become the nucleus of the University of Guelph, and its agriculture departments have been transformed into new units.

In England, the Wye College has been closed down. 

In Malaysia, what used to be the Agricultural University of Malaysia (Universiti Pertanian Malaysia) is now called Universiti Putra Malaysia, and its emphasis redirected towards information sciences and computer technology.

Projected unemployment

            In the Philippines, two reasons are cited as having caused lower enrollments: scarcity of government jobs in agriculture, and board exams regulating the practice of agriculture, fisheries and forestry (The Forestry board came much earlier than the other two.). 

But no data is available to prove that board exams affected enrollment.

That the downtrend is here to stay was shown by a very recent nationwide study of agriculture graduates released in 2011.  

            The study was sponsored by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) and coordinated by the Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS).

The major conclusion is that the rate of unemployment of agriculture (including forestry and fisheries) graduates are expected to rise and will go up to 30% by the year 2020.

            This confirms a UPLB study conducted in the 1960s that made the same conclusion: that from thereon demand for agriculture graduates was bound to decline.  This has been corroborated by still another UPLB study done in the 1980s.

            The previous studies prompted the DECS (before the CHED was established) to institute in the 1980s a ladder-type course to develop farmers (self-employed graduates)  in scientific agriculture: a two-year diploma course and a bachelor’s degree program  in agricultural technology (DAT-BAT).

            However, the products of the DAT-BAT program did not fulfill the purpose for which they were trained.  

Most of the graduates did not work on the farm as intended because they did not have any land to farm, and if they did, they would have displaced the farm workers already there. 

            Where did they go? Generally, the DAT-BAT graduates got employed but not in farming. 

            So unlike the situation in the 1950s when graduates of UP Los Baños pioneered in the agricultural  development of Mindanao and became prosperous entrepreneurs.

Options for ag colleges 

1. Joint programs
            The question remains: what can colleges of agriculture, forestry and fisheries do?

            One alternative is for these colleges to link up with other colleges within the university to offer joint interdisciplinary programs.

            Examples of such programs are: agricultural chemistry, agribusiness management, agricultural engineering and technology, agricultural journalism, and landscape architecture.

2. Extension work

            Another alternative is for these colleges to devote more time to extension/training activities.

            The agriculture teachers can be assigned to do training and extension work to backstop the technicians hired by the local government units.

            This can be done in partnership with the agricultural extension personnel of the local government units. 

            Short courses of the non-degree type can be conducted by agricultural schools probably with sponsorship by LGUs using the development fund.

            By doing these, the agricultural schools and colleges in the provinces can help improve farm practices and consequently boost farm production, and bring about rural development.

            How can we best counsel students intending to pursue degree programs in agriculture, forestry and fisheries?

            This is a question for the LGUs. 

            Since the agricultural services of government have been devolved to them, the LGUs should be in a position to determine how many graduates they as well as local industries can expect to hire in their respective localities.            

            Needless to say, LGUs can be an effective partner of the CHED, the TESDA and the DepEd in manpower development.

Need for researchers

            But there is yet another brand of agriculture graduates that this country needs.

            Right now, there is a lack of agricultural scientists who can replace those who retire, die or move out.

Scientists are needed in the various disciplines that make up agriculture, notably in chemistry, plant pathology, entomology, food technology, horticulture, genetics and biotechnology, and parallel disciplines in fisheries, animal sciences and forestry.

            The list of study areas in the agricultural sciences is so extensive and the need for scientists in any of these fields is still great. 

Our neighboring countries are beefing up their strength in the sciences by sending thousands of scholars abroad, to Europe and the United States.  

This demonstrates that these countries consider science worthy of government attention, as it scientific and technological strength determines economic power in this highly competitive world. 

 But here in the Philippines, we see that U.P. Los Baños is losing its scientists faster than it can hire replacements.

The situation needs intervention and we are hopeful that this will come soon.

Because research is intellectually demanding, our high schools should realize that they have the responsibility of streaming the best and the brightest students into careers in the scientific and technological fields.

And where should such students who are academically prepared and are so inclined go to study if they are interested in the agricultural sciences?  

The premier research institution for the sciences related to agriculture, forestry is UPLB.   

Either UP Visayas in Iloilo or the Marine Science Institute in UP Diliman would be top choices for fisheries.

Three other agricultural research universities were developed and strengthened in the 1980s with funds coming from a World Bank loan. 

These are: Central Mindanao University (Musuan, Bukidnon), Visayas State University (Baybay, Leyte), and Central Luzon State University (Muñoz, Nueva Ecija).  CLSU has a strong program in aquaculture too.

Summing up

            In this discussion, we have shown the universal trend of dwindling enrollments and rising unemployment in agriculture, fisheries and forestry, and posed the need for technicians and extension training at the local level. 

As options for ag colleges, we have suggested  interdisciplinary programs, and  partnerships in extension work with local government units.

            We have also recommended encouraging the talented students to pursue research careers in agricultural sciences as they are our best hopes for bringing about discoveries and inventions in science and technology.

            To keep that food coming to the dining table to feed a growing population, agriculture (including forestry and fisheries) should get the attention and support it deserves.#

Dr. Ables, a former dean of the BUCAF in Guinobatan, and ex-vice-chancellor for academic affairs of UPLB, now resides in Sorsogon City. Email: sosogon@yahoo.com

(Also published in Sorsogon Today 17 August 2011.)

Intervida turns over community center to Sorsogon Prov'l. Government for management


by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITy,SEPTEMBER 13 (PIA).... In a simple ceremony held here this month at the Sorsogon Community Center, Country Delegate of Intervida, Restituto Ramos, formally turned over the management of this edifice to the provincial government  represented by former governor Sally Ante-Lee.

The Sorsogon Community Center was the extension of the old Sorsogon Provincial Hospital which has been unoccupied for so long  that Intervida through the initiative of former Board Member Rosario"Cherry"  Diaz  was renovated , refurbished and made as a skills and development center catering to grassroots communities and have been managed by the Intervida staff for almost 5 years.

"Now that Intervida is focusing more of its programs and projects in the municipalities of Castilla, Donsol and Pilar specifically along education and nutrition, we have made agreements  with the provincial government of Sorsogon to formally turn over the management of the Sorsogon community Center to them ", Ramos explained in his message during the turn over ceremony rites.

Receiving the key of responsibility from  Ramos , Lee explained that the center will be a training ground for culture and arts development which she believes should be an extension of the enrichment and enhancement activity of the Sorsogon Provincial Heritage Museum.

She explained that the provincial government has already provided the center with musical instruments, like guitars, electric organs , drums, percussion instruments, books and other materials  that can be accessed by students or those interested individuals who would like to hone their skills in music, poetry , drama and the like.

The center according to Lee  will be under the direct supervision of the provincial government with the assistance of the Department of Education, provincial schools division and counter-parting in the overseeing of the daily activities will be the Bukawel Performing Group Community Based Theater Group (CBTG) under the supervision of Dan Razo.

A special dance number was performed by the CBTG to provide entertainment in the ceremony called "Alay" which according to Razo is a dance that expresses gratitude specially offered to the Intervida  to show  appreciation for the assistance they have extended to the province of Sorsogon.

Meanwhile, Lee also expressed during the turn over ceremony that she hopes to see more culturally inclined individuals pursue their artistic inclinations through this center.

"Those who are willing to access the services of the center will just schedule their time to use the center and its  basic amenities with the current management", Lee explained.

She also said that arrangements will be done to have skilled mentors in the center who can share their expertise and will also provide the center their spare time especially those retired teachers and other individuals willing to voluntarily share their time and knowledge in contributing to the popularization and enhancement of local songs, music and  dances truly Sorsoganon or reflective of the Sorsoganon's culture and arts.

Department of Education assistant schools division superintendent, Danilo Despi who graced the occasion for and in behalf of Dr. Marilen Dimaano, provincial school division superintendent  who is on official  leave, said that the DepEd provincial office will also coordinate with the Sorsogon City DepEd so that both can access programs provided by the center and at the same time contribute to its sustainable development.

Despi had also expressed appreciation  to Intervida for the feeding programs provided to school children in their three pilot municipalities, Castilla, Donsol and Pilar which is under the provincial schools division areas.

With special participation, Lee also requested the Philippine Information Agency office here, together with the Kapisanan ng mga Broadcasters sa Pilipinas, Sorsogon Chapter, represented by its president Andy Espinar  to assist in training kids to do broadcast and other individuals who also like to undergo the same training.

Lee said that communication is the best form of art to better understanding and a culture that should be instilled in everyone to attain the culture of peace.

"In a positive note let us also provide the people of Sorsogon, the media mileage of the positive traits of the people of Sorsogon both in broadcast and in print', she said.

Present during the formal turn-over were members of the print and broadcast media in the province, DepEd personnel, staff from Intervida in Legaspi City and the head and staff of the Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Council.
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Agnes Nan-Habla, Intervida Field Officer closed the ceremony by saying that ,"As adults teach children all about life and children should teach their elders what life is all about". (PIA-SORSOGON)

LGU, malaki ang papel sa pagsusulong ng kursong agrikultura sa bansa


Ni: Bennie A. Recebido

Lungsod ng Sorsogon, September 15 (PIA) – Sa pagbaba ng bilang ng mga mag-aaral ngayon na nagkakahilig sa kursong agrikultura, malaking tanong ngayon kung paanong mahihikayat ang mga magulang at mag-aaral na kumuha ng mga kursong may kaugnayan sa agrikultura maging sa pangisdaan at forestry.

Ayon kay Dr. Higino Ables, Jr., dating dekano ng Bicol University College of Agriculture and Forestry (BUCAF) sa Guinobatan, Albay at dating Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs ng University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB), ang katanungang ito ay mas higit na masasagutan ng mga Local Government Unit (LGU) dahilan sa ibinigay na sa kanila ang mga serbisyong pang-agrikultura ng pamahalaang nasyunal.

Ang mga LGU diumano ang nasa tamang posisyon ngayon upang tukuyin kung ilang mga magsisipagtapos ang kakailanganin nila at maging ng mga lokal na industriya sa kani-kanilang mga lugar.

Nasa mga LGU na aniya ang pagtukoy kung talaga bang kailangang ipagpatuloy pa ang pagbubukas ng mga kursong may kaugnayan sa agrikultura, pangisdaan at forestry.

Ayon pa kay Dr. Ables higit na magiging epektibo ding katuwang ng Commission on Higher Education (CHED) at Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) ang mga LGU.

Sinabi pa nitong ang pagbaba ng enrolment at pagtaas ng unemployment sa larangan ng agrikultura, pangisdaan at forestry ay naghuhudyat ng pangangailangan ng mga technician at extension training sa lokal na lebel.

Kung kaya’t mungkahi ni Dr. Ables ang pagkakaroon ng ugnayan at pagiging magkatuwang ng mga agri-college at LGU pagdating sa larangan ng pagsasanay at extension work.

Mas mainam din daw na mahikayat ang mga matatalinong mag-aaral na ipagpatuloy ang karera sa pananaliksik sa mga agham pang-agrikultura dahilan sa ito ang natatanging pag-asa upang magkaroon pa ng mga bagong imbensyon para sa siyensya at teknolohiya. (PIA Sorsogon)