Friday, November 22, 2024

Category: News

DA-NorMin, seed companies prep for upcoming wet cropping corn derby

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To give farmers an informed basis on their preferred varieties towards attaining increased yield and income, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) convened with the representatives from the private seed companies on April 27 for this year’s conduct of a series of corn derby highlighting hybrid yellow and white corn cultivars for this upcoming wet cropping season in mid-May

Implemented by the Field Operations and Research divisions, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado remarked that the conduct of corn derbies remains relevant, as the department constantly seeks to achieve food and feed self-sufficiency.

Reinforcing the importance of said activity, the agri chief executive added that the results of the derby may play a significant influence in the selection of performing cultivars by corn farmers across varied agronomic conditions.

Which, eyed location sites for the showcase are the agency’s research complex (Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex) in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, and its research centers in Barongcot, Dangcagan, Bukidnon (Research Center for Upland Development) and in Lanise, Claveria, Misamis Oriental (Research Center for Hillyland Development).

Dir. Collado furthered that the corn derbies will also help in determining the promising corn varieties, as it is one of the department’s bases in the procurement of corn seeds with a current year allocation of Php265.2-million for hybrid yellow corn alone.

Committing to engage in such exhibits and in attendance are from Syngenta Philippines, Inc., Bayer, Bioseed Research Philippines, Corteva Agriscience, Asian Hybrid Seed Tech, Inc., Vigour Seeds Dev., Inc., and RJR Agro-Industrial Enterprises.

While the participating seed companies have signified to pour their efforts to feature their exceptional corn varieties in different topographies, DA-10 Regional Corn focal person Richan D. Lacanaria enjoined for an intensified coordination between their team and the agri department, in the hopes of properly keeping and tracking records of the performance of all corn variety entries.

On the other hand, the research division assured by providing the outcome of the derbies in the near future, especially so that cost and return analysis plays a large role in evaluating a particular corn cultivar.

As agreed, a total of 15 hybrid yellow corn varieties and 2 hybrid white corn cultivars are set to be planted in both NMACLRC and RCUD, while targeted in RCHD are 14 hybrid yellow corn varieties and 1 hybrid white corn cultivar. (JLO/DA RFO-10)

3 boxers from Mindanao assured of bronzes in 32nd SEA Games

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MALAYBALAY CITY – Three boxers from Mindanao are now assured of bronze medals in the ongoing 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia on May 8, 2023

Tokyo Olympics silver medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio outclassed their opponents to advance to the semifinals.

Paalam, of Cagayan de Oro City, won via a unanimous decision against Malaysia’s Daeloniel McDelon Bong, 5-0, in the bantamweight (54kg) division.

Petecio, of Sta. Cruz town in Davao del Sur, won after the referee stopped the fight after giving her opponent, Laos’ Minavanh Oupaxa, a third standing 8-count in the first round of their women’s 57kg bout.

Paul Julyfer Bascon, of Davao del Norte, beat Vietnamese Thanh Dat Vu via a split decision, 3-2, and will face Touch Davit of Cambodia in the light welterweight semifinals. (H. Marcos C. Mordeno / MindaNews)

MinDA, French group ink partnership on energy investments

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DAVAO CITY – The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and a French energy firm signed a partnership on Friday for the Olutanga Hydrogen Renewstable power plant project, the first of its kind in the Philippines and Southeast Asia

Hydrogène de France (HDF) Energy, the provider of Renewstable energy systems, vowed to produce entirely non-intermittent, firm, and clean electricity both in Zamboanga Sibugay province and Pagadian City.

In a press briefing here, HDF Energy Head of Asia Business Development Mathieu Geze said the project combines an intermittent renewable source and mass, long-term storage of energy through a hydrogen chain.

He described the initiative as the “green alternative” to a classic diesel fuel power plant as it only uses solar energy and water to produce stable electricity, thereby avoiding greenhouse emissions, noise, and air pollution.

Expected to be operational in two years, he said the project can provide as much as 45-megawatt power depending on the requirement of the area.

The project would position the towns of Olutanga, Talusan, and Mabuhay (OLTAMA) as pilot sites for green energy sources.

As a remote island, Olutanga town in Zamboanga Sibugay is lacking stable electricity supply.

Renewstable’s unique feature is its ability to serve baseload power, which is powered thoroughly by renewable energy,” Geze said.

With more than US$50 million in project cost, he said it would surely help in terms of job generation in the area.

“There is no negative impact on the environment,” Geze assured.

Power crisis

As a project counterpart, Zamboanga Sibugay Governor Dulce Ann Hofer said they are allocating a 40-hectare of land for the venture.

She also expressed optimism that the project would help OLTAMA solve its current power woes.

“OLTAMA is suffering in terms of energy. All their appliances cannot withstand the fluctuating power because we are far from the grid,” Hofer said.

She said that being chosen for the project is a “game changer” for the province.

Power sources

Meanwhile, MinDA Chairperson Secretary Maria Belen Acosta noted that Mindanao’s current energy sources are from fossil fuel (70 percent) and renewable or green energy (30 percent).

“We are trying our best to hit the target of a 50/50 mix of energy up to 2023. So far, we might hit not just 50/50 [more than that] because of this development,” she said.

Acosta bared that HDF is targeting 10 more sites in Mindanao for renewable energy projects. (Che Palicte/PNA)

 

DOH-10 intensifies immunization vs measles, rubella, polio

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MISAMIS ORIENTAL (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH)-10 aims to further increase the immunization status of children in Northern Mindanao with the conduct of a month-long immunization campaign against measles, rubella, and polio this May

According to the health department, immunization coverage for children aged 0–59 months had lowered during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a pool of populations that are susceptible to measles infection. It was also noted that this year, an increase in suspected cases of measles was recorded.

“Nakita namo nga adunay 18% increase sa suspected cases of measles sa rehiyon karon (We have seen that there is an 18% increase in suspected cases of measles in the region today),” DOH-10 Local Health Support Division Chief David Mendoza said.

Mendoza explained that in the same period last year, they only recorded 69 suspected measles cases compared to this year’s 82. There were also no laboratory-confirmed cases last year compared to this year’s three laboratory-confirmed cases: one for measles and two for rubella.

The DOH-10 hopes that the supplemental immunization activity they are conducting against measles, rubella, and polio can help beef up the immunization coverage of the region and prevent a possible outbreak of such vaccine-preventable diseases.

Mendoza added that to strengthen the immunization campaign, fixed sites, and house-to-house initiatives are done throughout the region to make sure that all eligible individuals will be vaccinated and no children will be left behind.

In the vaccination sites, regardless of the vaccination status, oral polio immunization is available for children aged 0–59 months, while measles-rubella immunization can be availed of by children aged 9–59 months.

As the government extends its efforts to protect the children, the health department admits that their efforts together with the various agencies and local government units are futile without the support and participation of the public, especially the parents and guardians and that to combat the possible spread or outbreak of measles, rubella, and polio, it will take a whole-of-society approach.

DOH-10 urges parents and guardians to allow their children to get immunizations for added protection. Protecting children against any vaccine-preventable disease should be a priority for each parent and guardian. (JAKA/PIA-10)

Mindanawon marathon runners bag silver, bronze in 32nd SEA Games

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MALAYBALAY CITY — Mindanawon marathon runners from Tupi, South Cotabato, and Malaybalay City bagged the silver and bronze medals on May 6, 2023, in the men’s and women’s marathon in the ongoing 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Cambodia

Arlan Arbois Jr. of Tupi, South Cotabato bagged the silver medal in the men’s marathon in his first appearance in the games while Malaybalay City’s Christine Organiza-Hallasgo, who won the gold medal in the 2019 SEA Games and silver in the 2022 edition of the games in Vietnam, settled for a bronze medal in the women’s marathon.

The marathon races for both the men and women categories took place on Saturday morning in Siem Reap with the Angkor Wat serving as background along the 42-kilometer route.

Hallasgo clocked 02:50:27, tailing Indonesia’s Odekta Elvina Naibaho (02:48:14), and Vietnam’s Thi Tuyet Le (02:49:21).

Arbois clocked 02:33:27 behind Indonesia’s Agus Prayogo (02:32:59). Vietnam’s Nguyen Thanh Hoang placed third with a time of 02:35:49.

Like Hallsgo, Arbois Jr. is being trained by Eduardo Buenavista, the national record holder in the marathon.

The 31st SEA Games, a biennial event, was supposed to be held in 2021 but was rescheduled to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hallasgo’s third-place finish frustrated her bid to reclaim the championship, which she won before her compatriots in 2019. The Philippines hosted the SEA Games in 2019.

Nonetheless, she received congratulatory messages from fellow members of Malaybalay Runners. (H. Marcos C. Mordeno / MindaNews)

Hedcor completes P1.3-M water system for Higaonons in Bukidnon

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MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon – Hedcor, one of the leading renewable energy operators in the Philippines and a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corp. (AboitizPower), collaborated with this municipality for a P1.3-million water system project meant to bring clean and potable water to Higaonon families living in Barangays Maluko and Guilang-Guilang

Representatives from Hedcor and Barangays Maluko and Guilang-Guilang in Bukidnon inspect the pipes that help provide access to clean water to communities.

During the turnover ceremony, Maluko Barangay Captain Ramir Linohon thanked Hedcor for its dedication to helping finish the water system project which addresses a long-standing problem in the community.

“I hope other companies follow Hedcor’s example in working hand-in-hand with the community on programs that leave a positive impact for present and future generations,” Linohon said.

According to Water.org, a global nonprofit organization that advocates access to water and sanitation, 57 million Filipinos, or more than half of the country’s population, lack access to reliable, safely managed sources of water. At the same time, 43 million people, or 39 percent of Filipinos, lack access to safely managed household sanitation facilities.

By eliminating the need to fetch water from a well, which is often a laborious and arduous task assigned to women and children, families in these barangays can have direct access to running water, experience better hygiene, and improve health. They will also be able to use the saved time, effort, and money for other productive activities, like studying or tending to their livelihoods.

The project includes the rehabilitation of the existing water system in Barangay Maluko and the construction of a new one in Barangay Guilang-Guilang. Work on the former will help reduce the incidence of water shortages and ensure the long-term sustainability of the community’s water supply while the latter, when completed, will address the area’s clean water supply shortage for the convenience of around 1,500 individuals.

Hedcor President and Chief Operating Officer Rolando G. Pacquiao said that the project responds to the needs of the community and contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 6 which is universal access to clean water and sanitation for all.

“We are happy for the opportunity to help deliver this vital resource to the Higaonons living here as the project will most certainly improve their quality of life,” Pacquiao said.

“We could not have done this without the support and cooperation of the local government and the community,” Pacquiao added. “Our success is their success, and we look forward to continuing to work with them to support the development of the communities where we operate.” (Manila Bulletin)

DPWH to build temporary lane beside Iligan-Bukidnon road’s collapsed portion

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ILIGAN CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has started work on a temporary road beside the collapsed portion of the Iligan-Bukidnon highway in Barangay Besigan, in the hinterlands of Cagayan de Oro City, so it can soon accommodate vehicular traffic

Engr. Maria David, DPWH district engineer for Iligan City, said the temporary lane that they will build is designed to handle only light vehicles.

On May 5, 2023, morning, DPWH personnel lifted the 10-wheeler truck that fell into the pit created when the road collapsed on April 30.

The truck was fully loaded with falcata logs.

David said they are still awaiting the budget to do full-blown repair work on the damaged road, adding that for 2023, the Iligan City engineering district only had P13 million for road maintenance.

The Iligan-Bukidnon road had been a convenient route for travelers from Lanao del Norte and the Zamboanga Peninsula toward Bukidnon and on to Davao, bypassing the coastal highway leading to Cagayan de Oro City.

However, it is often affected by landslides and road slips. (Richel V. Umel/Inquirer.net)

CDO, Bukidnon farmers now directly sell corn to SMC

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Farmers in this city and Bukidnon province are among the 13 areas in the country to become direct sellers for a giant food company

In a statement on May 9, 2023, the San Miguel Corporation (SMC), through its nutrition division San Miguel Foods (SMF), bared they have been directly buying from the two areas since 2020.

Since then, SMF said it has accumulated 1.3 million metric tons of corn amounting to PHP23.9 billion from the farmers.

SMC president and chief executive Ramon S. Ang said buying directly from this city, Bukidnon province, and 11 other areas was part of its corporate project to help local farmers.

“We are assured of local corn supply for our food business while our local farmers are guaranteed a steady market and fair prices for their crops. Buying directly from them boosts their income and keeps their livelihood,” he was quoted in the statement as saying.

At the height of the pandemic in 2020, SMF purchased over 500,000 metric tons or 500 million kilos of corn to help farmers in various provinces affected by quarantine protocols and supply chain disruptions that saw their produce going to waste.

In Sumilao, Bukidnon, SMC has provided over PHP2 million worth of scholarships to underprivileged youth in partnership with Gawad Kalinga’s School for Experiential and Entrepreneurial Development.

Farmer scientists

Meanwhile, the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center Region 10 (ATI-10) through its Career Development and Management Services (CDMS) has trained 24 farmers from Kitaotao, Bukidnon, who mostly grow corn, to become farmer scientist trainers.

Corn Focal Person Noriel Kris Santillan, who also oversees the ATI-CDMS, said the trainers will run the third phase of the Farmer Scientist Training Program.

He said the refresher training course intends to capacitate its participants by providing them with a training course on farming techniques and value development. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

NGCP energizes P52-B Mindanao-Visayas interconnection

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Transmission firm National Grid Corporation of the Philippines has energized the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP) —an initiative aimed to improve power stability and reliability across the country

In a statement, the NGCP said an initial load of 22.5 megawatts (MW) was carried by the high-voltage submarine and overhead lines from Mindanao to Visayas during the project’s energization on April 30.

The NGCP said the MVIP is comprised of a 184 circuit-kilometer (ckm) High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) submarine transmission line connecting the power grids of Mindanao and Visayas with a transfer capacity of 450 MW expandable to as much as 900 MW.

“We expect to gradually increase the MVIP’s transfer capacity to 50MW by mid-May, and 112MW by the end of the month, before energizing to its full transfer capacity of 450MW by the third quarter of this year,” the grid operator said.

The company said the project also includes converter stations in both regions and more than 500 km of overhead lines to facilitate the flow of electricity.

The MVIP will benefit consumers by providing them with a more reliable and sustainable power transmission service that will lessen the instances of power interruptions, according to the NGCP.

It will also promote energy resource sharing, as excess power generated in one region can now be transmitted to the other, the grid operator said.

“The completion of the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project is a significant achievement for us and the Philippines as a whole. This will not only improve the reliability of our transmission services but will lead to efficient energy utilization as one Philippine grid,” the NGCP said.

The company said parts of the MVIP were completed in 2022, such as the Lala-Aurora 138kV Transmission Line, the 350kV Submarine Cable, and Cable Terminal Stations in Santander, Cebu, and Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte.

“NGCP is committed to providing the Filipino people with a reliable transmission network which is the backbone of the nation’s development. The completion of the MVIP is a significant step towards achieving that goal,” the NGCP said. (Ted Cordero/GMA News)

Mindanao economy posts 7.2% GRDP growth in 2022

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DAVAO CITY – Mindanao has once more demonstrated its worth as a key contributor to the country’s economic growth by posting 7.2 percent Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) last year

In a statement on May 03, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) pointed to the “much-improved peace and order” situation in Mindanao in recent years as one of the main contributing factors to the island region’s economic growth.

Despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, MinDA pointed out that Mindanao has shown resilience and adaptability in its economic activities, thereby attracting more investors and tourists to the area.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), in a separate statement Tuesday, noted Mindanao’s remarkable economic standing in 2022 as only slightly lower than the national GDP of 7.6 percent.

Among the regions in Mindanao, the PSA said Davao Region led the pack with an impressive 8.15 percent growth rate, while Caraga trailed behind at 5.9 percent.

The other expenses in Mindanao—Regions 9, 10, 12, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)—also recorded positive growth rates ranging from 6.59 percent to 7.5 percent.

Still, MinDA chair Maria Belen Acosta said there is still much work to be done to sustain and further accelerate Mindanao’s growth trajectory.

Acosta cited the continued growth of the agriculture and fisheries sectors, the development of the infrastructure and tourism industries, and increasing investments in the region remains as crucial factors for progress in the area.

“Overall, the strong economic performance of Mindanao in 2022 is a promising sign for the region’s future, and it is hoped that this growth will continue in the years to come,” she said. (Che Palicte/PNA)