by magnolia_eic | Feb 24, 2010 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita, National News
POTENTIAL losses of the agriculture sector from a prolonged dry spell are expected to increase in the coming months, according to the Department of Agriculture. Agriculture Undersecretary Jesus Emmanuel Paras over the weekend said that a “mild” El Niño the Philippines has been experiencing could cost the sector at least P15 billion. Initial projection put the damage at P9 billion at most.
Losses from a tame El Niño, according to the Agriculture department, could reach P8 billion to P9 billion or 264, 940 metric tons of rice worth almost P4 billion and 174, 224 metric tons of corn valued at P2.26 billion.
Paras said his department is projecting bigger losses as the country has yet to reach the dry season, which will start in March and last until May.
A “severe” dry spell, Paras said, could lead to P20.46 billion in losses to agriculture.
The El Niño phenomenon is expected to last until July this year. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Feb 17, 2010 | Announcements, Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita, National News
Manila, Philippines — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has affixed her signature Tuesday, to the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 (ESCA), or Republic Act No. 994. This is a law that would benefit some five million elderly Filipinos in the form of discounts on certain goods and services.
“The President has signed the bill,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Charito Planas. The official copy of the measure arrived in Malacanang on Monday night.
The law allows senior citzens to avail themselves of the full 20-percent discount they are supposed to enjoy. The discount was reduced to 8 percent with the imposition of the 12-percent value-added tax on certain goods and services in 2005.
Click here for full article from Inquirer.net
by magnolia_eic | Feb 12, 2010 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
Buenavista, Bohol — Headed by Municipal Mayor Elsa Tirol, LGU officials and staff, the town of Buenavista launched its Eco-tourism Business Center last February 11, 2010, in line with their foundation day celebration. The building, located on top of a hill in Barangay Dait, provides a scenic view of the town.
LGU officials say that this project will help develop tourism in Buenavista. The building will serve as a receiving area for tourists who want to visit the Cambuhat River. It will also serve as a display area for products made by members of the Great Women Project, and other residents who would like to showcase their goods. The building, officials added, once completed, can also be used as an office and as function rooms for social gatherings.
Among those who attended the program were Governor Erico B. Aumentado, Vice governor Julius Herrera and representatives from DOST, DENR, DOLE, BIPC, and NDA. The agencies each promised help to the people of Buenavista.
Aside from the launching, Buenavista also celebrated its Talaba Festival.
by magnolia_eic | Feb 11, 2010 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
Bohol Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera presses for alternative crops and family managed patches while government technology can be easily had this time to dampen the felt dry spell.
The top legislator, who also sits as the SP Agriculture Chair said he learned that the government is ready to palay farmers who want to momentarily shift to corn and that it can provide hybrid seeds.
Herrera, who with Governor Erico Aumentado has been distributing seeds and subsidies to raise Bohol’s rice sufficiency rating now eyes vegetables and root crops varieties which may be drought tolerant.
On the idle lots in the backyards, Herrera pointed out that high value commercial crops or vegetables the family can use can help on family finances.
He added that every town has government farm technicians who can help and whom people can consult for possible intervention measures. (PIA)
by magnolia_eic | Feb 8, 2010 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
Tacloban City (February 7) –The Department of Africulture in Central Visayas has adopted measures in order to sustain food production in Region & despite the expected El Nino that is soon to affect cropping in the first semester of 2010.
DA7 Regional Technical Director Angel C. Enriquez said, the province of Bohol and some parts of Negros Oriental in Central Visayas are included in the 24 areas in the country identified as “moderately vulnerable” to the El Nino phenomenon.
An estimated 3,788 hectares of rice lands, mostly in Bohol, is expected to be affected by drought brought about by El Nino.
DA7 is set to mitigate damage on rice production in Central Visayas through the GMA Rice program; the establishment of 844 units of shallow tube wells and pump irrigation system open-source (PISOS); restoration or rehabilitation of seven existing irrigation systems and distribution of drought-resistant varieties such as PSB Rc 68 intended for 125 hectares of affected rice areas.
Furthermore, DA7, through the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is also intensifying its efforts to promote the Water-Saving Technology (Alternate Wet and Dry) in rice areas serviced by national and communal irrigation systems in the region.
These are only few of the preventive measures that the DA is taking to ensure that Region 7 can get through the drought with less damage.
Click here for full article from www.pia.gov.ph
by magnolia_eic | Feb 7, 2010 | Entertainment, Local News / Bohol Balita, Sports
Held last January 30 -31 at the K of C Recreation Center, the Bohol Table Tennis open was participated by almost a hundred table tennis enthusiasts from around Bohol. The participants ranged from gradeschool to highschool students, and college students to professionals.
The tournament had 6 categories with three winners for each one. It was culminated by an amazing display of talent and skill during the Class A championship game played between trainer Victor “Bitoy” Causin and his student, Ivan Cagas.
The following are the participants who brought home the bacon:
A. Elementary Girls
1st placer: Jean Trisha Epe
2nd placer: Christine Malayao
3rd placer: Eunice Naomi Lubiano
B. Elementary Boys
1st placer: Ralph Christian Ociones
2nd placer: Nel Evander Bingcol
3rd placer: Rey Carlos Culpa
C. High School Girls
1st placer: Mikeejo Sires
2nd placer: Jacklyn Lantaca
3rd placer: Sweet Mae Pabe
D. High School Boys
1st placer: James Perlas
2nd placer: Maurello Petalcorin Jr.
3rd placer: Waldner Causin
E. Class B
1st placer: Geneson Balbin
2nd placer: Lowella Tirol
3rd placer: Inting Macalam
F. Class A
1st placer: Victor “Bitoy” Causin
2nd placer: Ivan Cagas
3rs placer: Reuel “Opong” Causin
=========================
The Bohol Table Tennis Club and K of C Recreation Center would like to thank the following sponsors for the Bohol Table Tennis Open:
Ms. Alice Andan
Mr. and Mrs. Precious Andan
Ms. Jennylyn Balbin
Mr. Deo Butawan
Mr. Ivan Cagas
Capt. Renato Cagulada
Mr. Philippe Chew
PAT Salon
Mr. Julian Muir-Hardingue
Mr. Peter Namata
Mr. Allan Pernia
Engr. Roger Petalcorin
Dr. and Dra. Gideon Robillos
Mr. John Geesnell “Baba” Yap
