Entrepreneurial Farmer

By Ambrosio R. Villorente


Money Is Not A Problem In Hydro Power Project

Aklan province and even the whole island of Panay will have enough electric power supply if water resources of the three barangays of Libacao is harnessed into a hydro power project. This is the common conclusion of people who attended the presentation of findings of Engr. Raymond E. Cunningham of his studies regarding the proposed hydro power project. These three barangays referred to are Dalagsaan, Uyang and Mamba all in Libacao.
Cunningham is a Business Development Executive of CAL ENERGY International owned by mid American Ltd. Cunningham is in the Philippines for the last nine years engage in electric power development. According to Cunningham, CAL ENERGY is in electric power which annual volume of business averages at US $12 billions. He has been getting full support in the conduct of his studies from the local government units of Libacao and Aklan.
With the previous data gathered before and made available to him, Cunningham concluded the supply of water has been consistent, it is plenty and can sustain the project for 50 years. He presented four (4) schemes of dam constructions with its respective cost of construction and power generation. "Any scheme is feasible, it is a matter of selection which is most advantageous," Cunningham stressed.
He will recommend the conduct of detailed studies immediately so that project construction can start before the 2007 christmas. "Money is not a problem for the project construction and operation. The challenge is the market," he pointed out.
Perhaps, Cunningham refers to the EPPA between AKELCO and MIRANT. Vice Governor Ronquillo C. Tolentino explained that the EPPA is only 40 percent of the present requirement. The EPPA maybe rescinded because of some few defects in the said contract.
Cunningham cited some gray areas as to how will his company be able to get the contract to construct the project. Congressman Joeben T. Miraflores was on hand to assure Engr. Cunningham his help solve his problems.
The presentation ended in a lunch and high hopes to pursue the project that will enhance development and liberate Aklanons of poverty.
Gov. Piñol: Scrap "Bahay Kubo,
Sari-Sari" Mentality In Agriculture
North Cotabato Governor Manny F. Piñol has urged Filipinos to discard their ‘bahay kubo and Sari-Sari" mentality. He urged them to go bigtime in initiatives and endeavors aimed at improving their lives.
Piñol said this during the recent Aklan Media Summit organized by the Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI) in cooperation with the province of Aklan. He also challenged media to help magnify the call for the government to refocus the thrust of Philippine agriculture.
Held in Kalibo on October 26 – 29, 2006, the Aklan Media Summit had for its theme, "The Role Of The Press In Spotlighting Investment Opportunities In Aklan."
Piñol said the romantic image of "bahay kubo" or nipa hut surrounded by a menagerie of vegetables planted, "will never give Filipinos the prosperity they long for."
The formula for success via agricultural enterprises is to carefully choose just a few crops with a strong global market demands and produce them commercially.
He cited the case of Malaysia which has only two major crops –palm oil and rubber – but has earned tremendous return from them because they have global demand.
"Our own experience in North Cotabato proved that a market oriented agricultural development program is a potent tool in combating poverty in the countryside," he stressed. Noting that from the fifth poorest province in 1997, North Cotabato is now the 30th most progressive province with the least poverty incidence.
Piñol’s claims are validated by records of the National Statistics Office which listed North Cotabato as the 30th most progressive province in the country – next to Pangasinan and one notch above South Cotabato with its booming commercial fishing and tourism industries.
"Our focus on market oriented agriculture has improved the economic situation of our people. And this means only one thing – that we are on the right path in our efforts to improve the lives of our people in North Cotabato," Gov. Piñol enthused. He gives priority attention to high-value crops with global market demand like coconut, palm oil and rubber. One hectare rubber crop earns a farmer P100,000.00 net income annually.
A former journalist himself before he entered politics, Piñol said, "media can do much in popularizing agricultural reform advocacy and in showing Filipinos there is hope for them in agriculture." /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com