EDITORIAL

2011-2020 As National Decade
On Biodiversity

President Benigno Aquino III　has declared 2011 to 2020 the National Decade on Biodiversity to promote the importance of　protecting natural resources　toward a healthy environment and a sustainable development.

Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Tuesday that Proclamation No. 178, signed by the President on May 25, recognizes the vulnerability of the country’s biodiversity, touted as one of the richest in the world, and the need to coordinate actions at various levels in the government.

"Our country is one of the top 18 mega-diverse countries in the world, but we are also a biodiversity hotspot or one of the most endangered areas in the world largely due to　deforestation. Our biodiversity faces continuous threats of degradation and the government needs the cooperation of everybody to reverse the situation," Ochoa said.

Proclamation No. 178 directs the　Department of Environment and Natural Resources　(DENR) to coordinate activities and create a　national task force　that will plan and implement activities for the National Decade on Biodiversity. The task force shall submit annual accomplishment reports to the Office of the President and a final report three months after the culmination of the decade-long event.

The presidential issuance likewise enjoins all branches and agencies of the government, including state universities and colleges and government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), in cooperation with the private sector, community organizations and　civil society groups, to initiate activities to promote the National Decade on Biodiversity.

"Correspondingly with the United Nations (UN) Decade on Biodiversity, we consider this event an excellent opportunity to deepen awareness of the public on the significance of biodiversity, including the social, economic, environmental and cultural impacts of losing biodiversity," the Executive Secretary said.

The Philippines is a founding member of the UN and a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity　(CBD), an　international treaty signed by 150 government leaders aiming to preserve the biological diversity around the world.

On Monday,　President Aquino　launched the UN Decade on Biodiversity for Southeast Asia at the Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace.

During the launching, DENR Secretary Ramon Paje handed over a copy of Presidential Proclamation No. 178 to　UN Assistant Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the CBD, Dr. Ahmed Djoghlaf.

Can any person participate in the compliance of this Proclamation No. 178? Yes, in hundred simple ways. Plant trees, instead of cutting. Clean your surroundings, do not litter. Allow water to pass on the creek, not block, and many other ways.

DA/DepEd Agri-Pinoy On The Air

Ms. Ella Mae Salibio reported the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 6 launched the Agri-Pinoy on the Air as support to the Adopt-A-School Gulayan sa Paaralan program at Donato M. Pison Sr. Memorial School at San Rafael, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

The Agri- Pinoy on the Air aimed to supplement vegetable production and sustainable farming technology transfer to parents, teachers and pupils through regular daily radio farm program aired over DYRI-RMN 774 at 4:00 to 4:30 in the morning.

Mrs. Angelita T. Ragodo, Asst. Schools Division Superintendent and Chairman of the Adopt-A-School Program stressed that it is important for the pupils to eat nutritious foods such as vegetables and fruits before going to school so that they can listen attentively and participate well in the class discussions.

She said that the parents and out-of-school-youth should participate and take part in the Alternative Learning System programs of the government and Agri-Pinoy on-the-Air is an example of an Alternative Learning System program which has a goal to teach new farm technologies not only to the farmers but also to urban housewives through the use of radio.

James Earl Ogatis of the RAFID 6 explains the process and mechanics of the School-on-the-Air, registration and how graduation is being held. He stated that School-on-the-Air (SOA) is a special segment of the daily program Agri-Pinoy Radio Farm Program.

Agri- Pinoy banner program focal persons or SOA professors will be discussing specific technologies such as vegetable production, organic fertilizer, pest management among others. Mr. Ogatis said that the SOA on sustainable agriculture will start on the middle of June this year.

Mr. Raymond Peter Tolentino, MSIE, the school principal said that all Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P’s) beneficiaries should be listeners to the Agri-Pinoy on Air.

The launching was a corroborative undertaking of the DA-RAFID 6, Agri-Pinoy High value Crops Development Program, Iloilo City Agriculture Office and Donato M. Pison Sr. Memorial School.

This join project between DepEd and DA Iloilo is worthy of emulation. How about that Aklan? /MP