Thursday, September 12, 2013

Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

Worms From PDAF

Out of the 17 million pesos Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), some 2,000 farmers of the Second District, Zamboanga City got one kilogram each of worms. This worms are to be used in the composting project. This PDAF was channeled to an NGO called “BLT Touch” by former Congressman Basilio Fabian, 2nd District, Zamboanga City. 

The 2,000 farmer first attended a daylong seminar on Organic Farming. The City Agriculturist, Mr. Diosdado Palacat arranged the holding of the seminar. The farmers, before they went home got their one kilogram of worms.

If the worms cost P1,000 per kilo, only P2 million was spent. If the daylong seminar cost P500 per participant, they only spent P1 million for training or a total of P3 million. 

Where is the other P14 million? Moreover, it is doubtful if there was a supply of 2,000 kilograms of worms just after the training!

Victorino M. Mapa

Hon. Emmanuel Soviet Russia A. Dela Cruz is sponsoring a provincial ordinance “naming the Municipal Trial Court of Kalibo In The Municipality of Kalibo, Province of Aklan, The Justice Victorino M. Mapa Municipal Hall of Justice.” 

Why not? Naming that Municipal Trial Court along D. Maagma Street, Kalibo to Victorino M. Mapa Hall of Justice is highly commendable. This will make Aklanons especially the young and future generations more loving and loyal to the Province of Aklan. It will enhance our sense of belongingness and further appreciate Aklanon’s cultural heritage. 

Victorino M. Mapa was born in Kalibo, Aklan in a site where Glowmoon Hotel now stands, along Martelino Street. 

Mapa was the first Filipino Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

However, can the Province of Aklan rename it to Victorino M. Mapa Municipal Hall of Justice?

Not really, much as I like to name it such. The lot where the building now stands is donated by the LGU Aklan to the Supreme Court of the Philippines. The construction of the building was financed out of the Supreme Court money. Hence, both house and lot are owned by the Supreme Court.
Can the LGU Aklan name or do something for a piece of property it does not own? Again, a real no. 

The best that Hon. Emmanuel Soviet Russia Dela Cruz can do is work for the approval of an Aklan SP resolution requesting the Supreme of the Philippines to name the Municipal Trial Court building in Kalibo to “Justice Victorino M. Mapa Municipal Hall of Justice”. Other offices and non-government organization can also approve a similar resolution addressed to the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

Alyansa Kontra Gutom

The Alyansa Kontra Gutom has requested the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan to “appear and appeal to provide the information needed to trigger the legislative actions to address the hunger situation”.

What legislation does the Alyansa need? There are more laws, rules, ordinances in farm productivity now in the Philippines. But sad to say, only a very limited number of farmers implement these laws, ordinances and rules. Agricultural offices charged to assist farmers in farm productivity are shy in providing agricultural technical assistance.  

A good example is the anti burning or rice straw to conserve soil fertility, and reduce warming. Sorry to say cremation of rice straw is continuing. Our farmer, most of them are weekend farmers. They visit their farm projects during weekend. How can they provide plant care like water and control weeds?

In poultry and livestock, only few follow recommended method of raising. They disregard proper sanitation, so the project pollutes the environment. Our local officials recommend closure of the project, the easiest but poorest solution. The best is to compel project owners to practice scientific method of farming. 

Today, Aklan imports most of its food requirements like, eggs and chicken meat, vegetables, fruits and others. The best to address hunger is more and extensive production of agricultural products. The consumers must recognize the works of the farmers by buying their products at a reasonable profit. /MP

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