Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

Critical Collaboration In The Capitol

According to Mr. Odon S. Bandiola, secretary to the Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan, there is a critical collaboration between the office of the Governor of Aklan and Office of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan being presided by Vice Gov. Gabrielle V. Calizo-Quimpo.

Mr. Bandiola did not elaborate what he means by critical collaboration as used in his report. However, Vice Gov. Calizo-Quimpo claimed the Aklan SP “has adequately supported our Provincial Governor under her two terms as regular presiding officer of the SP from term 2007 – 2013 by correspondingly passing support legislations to pursue the noble programs and projects of the Provincial Chief Executive. Your SP for sure is not remised in its obligation to collaborate with Gov. Marquez, at times fiscalizing his provincial governance”, she said. 

“In 2012, your SP has conducted a total of 44 regular sessions, three special sessions, 271 committee hearings and two public hearings. This chamber has enacted a total of 341 resolutions, five general ordinances, 22 special ordinances and six appropriation ordinances highlighted by the passage of the SP of the P1.19 billion Annual General Fund and EEDD budgets of the Provincial government of Aklan”, according to Mr. Bandiola. 

Among these enactments, 97 are support legislations which the SP has acted upon the request of Gov. Carlito S. Marquez”, reported Vice Gov. Quimpo.

Sin Tax Law

The Sin Tax bill is signed into law and it took effect last January 1, 2013. Pres. Benigno Aquino III signed the Sin Tax Bill into law, saying it was an early Christmas gift for millions of Filipinos. 

How can the Sin Tax Law be a gift to Filipinos? For those who smoke and drink to get drunk means additional expenses for them.

The Sin Tax Law diminishes the capacity of the consumers to purchase both liquor and tobacco because of increased taxes, hence higher prices.

They either spend more to maintain their regular consumption or spend less for less quantity and enjoy less overdose of their vices.

The taxes collected under the sin tax law will be spent for the government health care program. “Health benefits will be made available for all regardless of wealth”, declared Aquino.

Therefore, more smokers and liquor drinkers means more money for health care. Pray their number and volume of consumption to increase for more money for health program. 

221 Igbaras Farmers 

According to James Earl E. Ogatis’ report, a total of 221 rice farmers of Igbaras, Iloilo finished the 16 weeks training on PalayCheck System conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA) 6, Iloilo provincial agriculture office and local government unit of Igbaras recently.

Dr. Antonino Alacapa, ATI First District Training coordinator said that PalayCheck is a system wherein farmers review every step of farming practices from seed selection, land preparation, water and fertilizer management, pest and diseases up to post harvest practices to ensure increase production.

He emphasized that there should be no high and low areas in the field for farmers to maximize water utilization as well as manage fertilizer and weeds effectively.

Meanwhile, Elias Sandig, Iloilo assistant provincial agriculturist encouraged farmers to produce organic black rice because of its high market demand and good price.

 Igbaras is already producing organic rice but still needs to be developed for the farmers to use appropriate technology and increase their produce, said Sandeg.

 The farmer-graduates were briefed on the national year of rice (NYR) celebration with the key message of Sapat na Bigas, Kaya ng Pinas. This is in anticipation of achieving DA’s goal of rice self-sufficiency this year and beyond.

Part of the NYR campaign focus on consumption of alternative staple foods such as cassava, sweet potato, banana (saba), gabi, white corn and adlai. Also reducing rice wastage among consumers and consumption of brown rice or pinawa.

 Mayor Vicente Escorpion expresses his full support to farmers and agricultural stakeholders in the municipality and to the advocacies of the NYR celebration. 

Wire Thieves

The public is warned of wire thieves. Some wirings in Numancia Municipal Cemetery was stolen last week.  /MP