Entrepreneurial Farmer

By Ambrosio R. Villorente

MKWD Excavation

Metro Kalibo Water District (MKWD) has turned itself into a destroyer. For the last two months, it has been digging the streets of Poblacion, Kalibo. Until today, MKWD has not restored any portion of the diggings to its original state.
MKWD waited until some repairs and asphalt overlays were completed and then started its own operation. Excellent if after excavating the streets and its purpose of digging are accomplished, it also restored back the road to its original state. A street badly destroyed is XIX Martyrs Street, Poblacion.
For The Sake of Abaca
Dr. Emil Javier who is now the President, Philippine Academy of Sciences visited Libacao, Aklan for the sake of abaca’s and the producers’ welfare. Dr. Javier is a distinguished scientist in the field of Agriculture. He was the chancellor of UP Los Baños, president of the UP System and Director General of the Food and Agriculture organization (FAO) of the United Nations based in Bangkok, Thailand.
Dr. Javier is working for the preparation of the "2020 Agricultural Development Program" as commissioned by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Arthur Yap. Abaca is one of the high value crops included in the 2020 DA program. Libacao, Aklan is known nationwide for its high quality abaca that brought Dr. Javier to Libacao. He was the guest of Libacaonons and Mayor Charito Navarosa in Libacao.
Dr. Javier was in Libacao since Friday, August 10 and went back to Manila in the afternoon of Tuesday, August 14.
But before his flight to Manila, Dr. Javier held an exit evaluation and interview with Gov. Carlito S. Marquez and the members of the Aklan media.
He discussed the existence in Libacao of "Maganhup", a soft woody stem tree existing only in Aklan specifically in Libacao. Maganhup grows with abaca as shade tree. But Dr. Javier pointed out, "Maganhup is a leguminous tree which leaves when decayed produce humus and nitrogen. It has root nodules that serve as fertilizer when decomposed."
Maganhup’s leaves look like that of Ipil-Ipil and bears pods. Maganhup remains obscure, as there is no study done about it and therefore no literature available. Javier recommends the planting of Maganhup as shade tree and as feed to ruminant animals. According to him, Maganhup contains "Mimosin" which is bad for poultry and swine but good for large cattle.
"Libacao has great potential," Javier concluded. It has vast virgin agricultural land with favorable weather condition. What it needs are willing hands to till the soil. Labor is a constraint," stressed Javier.
To increase fiber yield per hectare, Dr. Javier recommends fertilizer studies on abaca. At present, farmers produce 300 – 400 kilograms per hectare per year. Fertilizer will increase the yield up to 1000 kilograms per hectare per year, Javier projected. Aklan abaca is virus free such as bunchy top and mosaic.
In addition to farm to market road, Dr. Javier recommends the use of horses to haul abaca from the farm to the roadsides. He also recommends the use of machine in stripping abaca to increase fiber conversion.
The DA projects to raise abaca on 175,000 hectares. However, there are only 76,000 hectares now planted to abaca in the Philippines. There is a lack of 99,000 hectares. This program is in response to the increasing demand of abaca in the world market which increases at the rate of 3 to 4 percent annually.
Moreover, Dr. Javier is really excited of the extent and growth of bamboos in Aklan. He encourages Governor Marquez to improve the processing of bamboos into furniture.
Congratulations Mayor Rebaldo!
Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo of Kalibo, Aklan is now the president of the Cluster Island of Visayas in the League of the Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP). He was elected in an election held at 10 a.m. on 13 August 2007 at the Manila Hotel.
The LMP President himself, Dr. Ramon Guico of Binalonan, Pangasinan who was re-elected LMP National President, nominated Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo. This prestigious position has been continuously occupied by the Cebuanos.
Rebaldo triumphed over Bohol LMP President, Exuperio Lloren, and another mayor from the island province of Siquijor.
Rebaldo, as the new President of the Cluster Island of the Visayas, is now in charge of Regions 6, 7 and 8 member municipalities of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines.
The new officers and members of the League of the Municipalities of the Philippines took their Oath of Office before Mrs. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the Manila Hotel at 2:00 PM, August 13. /MP