Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

Power Plant To Use Biomass

"An electricity generating plant will be put up in Banga", announced Gov. Carlito S. Marquez last Wednesday afternoon, October 28 as he distributed the Community Based Composting Facility (CBCF) to the officers and members of the Farmers Association of Aklan. The CBCF came from the Department of Agriculture (DA).

According to Marquez, a 12 megawatt capacity electric power plant will be constructed, operated, and maintained in Banga using biomass. The electric power plant will use agricultural waste material like rice straw that are being burned by farmers to ease land preparation for the rice crop season to follow.

However, burning today is prohibited as it contributes to global warming. It is also hazardous as its fumes reduce visibility on the road and airports.
"Your rice straws will be purchased", said Marquez to the farmers. He also encouraged the farmers present to plant fast growing trees like Ipil-Ipil and Madre de Cacao to supply the power plant with its fuel needs.

In his short message, Marquez urged the farmers to apply the recommended best practices in food production to increase their harvest and net income. He recommended the use of hybrid seeds in rice production.

The CBCF is geared to produce vermicast or organic fertilizer the farmers themselves will produce in their respective farms. Agricultural farm waste such as rice straw, cow and chicken dung, banana stocks and grasses will be mixed and feed to the worms using the African Night Crawler breed. In a month or two, vermicast is produced. This is a safe, cheap fertilizer suitable for rice, corn, vegetables, and fruits growing and production. Vermicast will also enhance the growth of plankton in the fishfarm for fish feed like milk fish, prawn, and shrimp.

Rice, corn, vegetables, fruits, and fishes products are free of toxic materials and therefore palatable and healthful to eat.

Slapping In The KIA

Due to extreme heat in that Kalibo International Airport (KIA) pre departure area there were two slapping incidents which occurred last week. The first was the slapping that happened last week between the two "balikbayans. The other incident was between a Chinese woman and a "Pinay" wife of a Japanese national.

According to Mr. Jun Rabe, Branch Manager of Cebu Pacific Airways, the embarrassing incidents happened because of the over congestion in the departure area of the KIA. This is aggravated with the malfunctioning air conditioning units. Last week, only one aircon was functioning which could not reduce the temperature in the area.

Moreover, the comfort room is out of order at the back of the terminal building which is being used by airline personnel and other airport workers so that only one CR is used by both males and females.

According to Mr. Victor Reyes, branch manager, Philippine Airlines, there were leaking roofs and cleanliness and sanitation in the airport premises are not properly maintained. However, the leaking roofs were temporarily repaired by the airlines personnel.

Increasing KIA Terminal Fee

The terminal fee at KIA has increased from P20 to P40. Why increase the terminal fee when the airport management has not improved its facilities? It even deteriorates. Air conditioning units are not functioning normally. Comfort rooms are out of order. There is congestion in the pre departure area. The present condition in the airport is something to be ashamed of. Is this KIA facility world class? The Civil Aeronautics Administration of the Philippines (CAAP) must do something to improve the condition in the KIA.

To ease congestion, shops in the pre departure area should be removed. It can be return after enough space is available for them. CAAP must also revert to the collection of terminal fee at P20 only. Efforts must be exerted to improve cleanliness and sanitation in the KIA premises.

With the number of plane arrivals and departures in KIA, CAAP must have enough money to improve the facility in the KIA. /MP