Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Four Maasin Mediamen Win Barangay Posts



Four Maasin Mediamen Win Barangay Posts

By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.

Maasin City, Southern Leyte-Four media practitioners here: three broadcast media and one print media have won in the recently concluded Barangay-SK elections without spending money to buy votes.

This was the essence of an interview during a gathering of some media practitioners held in one of the beach resorts in barangay Pugaling.

Frank Mendoza Bandibas, Jr, 46, married, a first timer who ran for the position of Barangay Councilor, has emerged as the number one Councilor in brgy. Asuncion.

The Asuncion-born guy confided that he’s being a radio broadcaster in a local radio station, as lay minister in Asuncion and as President of Alumni Association of Asuncion Elementary School were the contributing factors of his overwhelming winning streak.

However, at the start of the campaign period a protest was lodged against Bandibas by somebody for moving to brgy.Mantahan where his mother-in-law was residing.

He said he explained to the protesters about the reason why he moved to another barangay.That is his wife’s mother wanted them to live with her so that she can have some companions.

Most probably, he said, they (protesters) and the COMELEC might have given more weight to his being a lay minister in barangay Asuncion where he was born and grew up into an adult. His being the President of the Asuncion Elementary School Alumni Association has also boosted his legitimacy to run for such a position he aspired for.

One of the reasons why he don’t have to spend money to buy votes unlike some of those who ran for the same position, was that during his campaign period, aside from promising to be the voice of the people in his barangay,he said, he also would be proposing some resolutions for the development of barangay Asuncion.

Besides, he also quoted some biblical verses that would enlightened the local voters not to be greedy on getting money by selling their votes particularly during elections, but to be contented of the blessings and grace that they’ve received from the Almighty Lord.

He said he only spent P500 plus for his leaflets, while other leaflets he has had were from some of his friends and relatives.

PDI Correspondent Jani Carbonilla Arnaiz, also a newcomer posted as number four Councilor in brgy.Mambajao in his bid for the position. Earlier he had lost for his first and second straight run while still residing in brgy.Mantahan.But now he’s already a resident of brgy.Mambajao in his third try.

As a beginner Arnaiz,who is also a GMA stringer, will in his initial efforts as new Councilor, will only focus on one platform, that would butt for the creation of livelihood projects for the Mambajao folks. For the upgrading also of the already existing livelihood organizations in his area of responsibility, he said.

Ramon Amora Buyser, 50, married, Field Reporter and radio Commentator, emerged as the number four Councilor now in his second term. But in his first term, he said, he was number two.

Buyser like Bandibas also attributed his being in the broadcast media which led to his re-election bid.However,he also credited his project in brgy.Mambajao of materializing his proposed ordinance that help in the controlling of flood occurring in sitio Acacia by digging a drainage canal.

He said aside from it, he also initiated for the cementing of a pathway which would turned muddy during heavily rains. He also stressed that in his current re-election win he will be doing similar move for sitio Mabugo, NACOCO which is perennially frequented with floods during rainy days.

Another broadcast media practitioner who still won in the recent Barangay-SK elections for the third time is Nick Lanugon, 51, married, of brgy. Rizal. He disclosed he won landslide in both sitios Monte Cueva and Basak, but is number two in the overall results.

Lanugon also informed he did not spend money to buy votes just to win.He divulged his projects were constructing bridges in sitios, installation of water system in the area, the arresting of people involved in the “tigbakay”(a Cebuano term referring to illegal cockfighting done outside the designated dates of festivity like a fiesta)that were strongly carried out with the help of some barangay officials, he said. He also initiated for the strict imposition of curfew hours in brgy.Rizal for both young and adults.

He said the curfew hours in his place are from 10:00 p.m. up to 4:00a.m.for the teenagers and from 12:00pm. up to 4:00 p.m. for adults. He intimated that many young people have opposed but the parents were happy and have supported his move because it would make their children safe.

The third termer mediaman further confided he also initiated for the construction of a public toilet at Monte Cueva for the arriving pilgrimage coming from faraway places that have to answer the call of nature.

Regular Garbage collections in his area have likewise achieved 95% with the services of the city’s garbage truck that always include his barangay on schedule basis, he said. To aid in the proper collection of garbage and wastes in his vicinity, he said, he requested Congressman Roger Mercado for five huge bins, two of which were placed in Monte Cueva and three in sitio Basak.

Furthermore, he implied that the imposition of curfew hours for both young and adults will continue in his term. He hope that this project will be retained and those projects that he has accomplished during his terms will also be maintained by the incoming officials when he is no longer in the position.

Lanugon moreover emphasized that if a barangay official is near with the administration, it would be easier for him/her to ask for assistance for important projects beneficial to the barrio folks.

Also present during the media gathering were: Sportswriter/ reporteronline columnist Mayor Maloney Samaco,Southern Leyte Times Editor-In-Chief Antonio Mendoza Reyes and encoder Angelina Book, Marcelo “Bong” Pedalino with wife Elvira and Loloy Salazar of Philippine Information Agency,Vitaliano Orais and his young wife, environmentalist Arthur Siga and his wife Minching,DYDM Program Director/newscaster Jade Nombrado,DYDM Station Manager Rev. Amil Borromeo,Ruel Mercedez, Joel Barte,DYSL newscaster (now a councilor in Bontoc)Fe Villareal-Cañon and local guest singer Carmelo Mendoza.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)

Monday, November 22, 2010

Be The Master Of Your Own Canoe-Rasheed



Be The Master Of Your Own Canoe-Rasheed

By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr

Maasin City, Southern Leyte-Be the master of your own canoe, stressed Abdullah Rasheed, Regional Director, Asia-Pacific region, who was the guest speaker during the opening of the recent 7th National Rover Moot held at Camp Danao, Malapoc Norte, here in this 10-year old city.

However, before any person can possibly acquire this kind of mastery, the guest of honor urged the senior scouts to join the scouting movement where they could learn to build character and develop the virtue of self-discipline. which is good for both the youth and adults.

He claimed the scouting activities would make a person’s body and mind healthy. “And being healthy the rover should be active and ready to serve the community and his fellowmen”‘, he declared.

He also encouraged each scout girl and boy to recruit one more rover each to join their ranks in order to reach its membership in the country to at least 35,000 or even more.

Rasheed further mentioned that hundreds and hundreds of rovers offered their voluntary services to one of devastated villages in Indonesia .It was badly hit by the past tsunami where hundreds of inhabitants have perished. The rovers helped rebuilt the village and its people back to normal life, he revealed.

For more understanding about the nature of scouting or rovering, the Asia-Pacific Scout Regional Director, moreover, recommended a particular book on scouting to read by all of the senior and junior scouts.

Mayor Maloney Samaco, Camp Head, and Dr. Pedro Escobarte, Jr., BSP Council Chairman welcomed the 1,274 rover moot (senior scouts) who represented the different provinces of the country. Like the provinces of Leyte,Davao,Agusan,Zamboanga,Camiguin,Surigao,Lanao,Bohol,Iloiilo,South Cotabato,General Santos City,Camarines Sur,Parañaque City,Tuguegarao,Misamis Oriental and Occidental.

On the other hand, because of the prevailing presence of bats in the vicinity of Camp Danao,Malapoc Norte, Mayor Samaco chose the flying creatures as the official mascot of the place, applicable in any event that would take place in Camp Danao.

On the background, the mascot with maroon-colored attire personified by a barrio folk named “Quaki” clumsily fluffed its wings while the opening program was going on stage.”We have chosen bat as the official mascot because of its prevailing presence here”, he told the crowd of rover moot.”Later this afternoon you could see hundreds of bats flying in this place”.

True enough, at past three in the afternoon hundreds and hundreds of large bats came out from their respective dwelling caves and trees flying over the eastern horizon of the hinterland barangay.

Reforestation Project

Formerly Camp Danao was a reforestation project of the Department Of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).It was planted with agoho, mahogany, G-melina, Acacia mangium, narra and other forest trees. The 485-hectare lot Administration project was turned over to the City Government of Maasin several years ago. The ceremony occurred during the leadership of former Mayor Damian Mercado, now the Governor of Southern Leyte. Its name was then changed to City Forest Park.

Under Mercado’s administration, the area was developed. It has now a big concrete building, widely huge playground, a stage, some CRs, accessable road connections, a cottage amidst a pond .Faucets were also installed which distribute potable water in strategic corners within the area.

A 100-meter high hill now called Damian’s peak with a winding road that spiraled towards the peak was improved. A small resthouse was also built that doubled as observer’s and guard’s post. At the peak, one can have a breathtaking view of the entire surrounding area.A telescope would be appropriate for a viewer to bring along with him for a clearer and bigger view of the vegetative environs. On the other hand, during the holding of the recent jamboree, its name was further changed officially by Mayor Samaco to Camp Danao. The camp site, considered by some people as also a tourist attraction, is less or about 15 kilometers away from the city proper.

Community Emersion

Simultaneous with the holding of the rover moot (senior scouts), was also the one Visayas Regional jamborette comprising the junior scouts. However, both scouts did not arrived in succession due to the occurrence of Typhoon. Some have come 2 or three days after the opening day of the jamboree.

Cebu delegates who were much nearer to Maasin did not come. But Iloilo and Antique contingents who resided much farther from Camp Danao were able to come, though late.Nevertheless, one of the high school teachers who led a group of jamborette stationed at the City Hall waiting for a bus to fetch them emphatically expressed:”Better late than never”.

Additionally, there was no exact figure of the participating junior scouts. There was also no list of activities that they were doing during their camping. Even the BSP Southern Leyte Council office has no record to show to this correspondent. On the other hand, based on experienced by this reporter, grand campfire or night camfire, parlor games, socials, talent show and some learning skills were taught during the duration of the activities.

The rover delegates were assigned in eleven barangay schools in the city for their community emersion. This involved the following schools: 1)Brgy.Malapoc Norte-school head Victoriano Pia,Brgy.Captain David Maldo, and project coordinator Jesus Meris; 2)Brgy.Malapoc Sur-school head Valentina Mullet,Brgy.Captain Jimmy Padecio,project coordinator Teofilo Pana; 3)Brgy.Manhilo-school head E. Queñones,Brgy.Captain Josefina Cortel,project coordinator Leonindes Rivera; 4)B rgy.Badiang-school head Romeo Roa,Brgy.Captain Doroteo Almacin,Sr.,project coordinator Juanito Nombrado; 5)Brgy.Reyms-school head Consolacion Kangleon,Brgy.Captain Felix Verrano,project coordinator Roy Garbonera; 6)Brgy.Maasin Central-head school Adela Paloma,Brgy.Captain Rodrigo Panilo,project coordinator Arthur Grino; 7) Brgy.TOPS-school head Mario Orais,Brgy.Captain Lina Llido,project coordinator Ephraim Moring; 8)Brgy.Asuncion-school head Evangeline Galos, Brgy.Captain Narciso Montalbo,project coordinator Arlen Estillori ; 9)Brgy.Ibarra-school head Alejandra Salas,Brgy.Captain Josefina Binongo,project coordinator Josefina Gumato; 10)Brgy.San Rafael-school head Herminigilda Magat,Brgy.Captain Danilo Dueñas,project coordinator Ariel Sayre; 11)Brgy.Bagtikan-school Ponciana Greda,project coordinator John Tobeza.

The projects that the rovers were doing during their community emersions within their respective areas of assignment, according to Eagle Scout Karl Pete Francisco Carayo of the office of Boy Scout of the Philippines, Southern Leyte Council, were landscaping, beautification of the school area, fencing, repair or painting of classrooms.

Other activities that the senior scouts were doing during their 7-day stay were fellowship and welcome socials,fellowhip campfire, grand campfire at the main camp arena, field demonstrations, arts and cultural shows, concert at the park.

Earlier, a mass was held officiated by Rev. Manny Bansi.It was attended by the sub-camps contingents and some BSP officials. Right after, the various scouting groups representing each contingent marched up the stage as they were called and faced the crowd as each banner unfolded.

Other officials who were also present were J. Rizal C. Pangilinan, BSP Secretary General; PNP provincial personnel led by Pepito M. Placada and PNP Maasin led by Hector Flores Enage,Alfredo Roa,SLBSP Council head, Rogelio Villa,Jr.,Eastern Visayas BSP Regional Chairman, Albert Esclamado(representing the Governor) and some press people.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)

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Friday, November 12, 2010

PCA Urges Coco Farmers To Combat Brontispa Infestation


PCA Urges Coco Farmers To Combat Brontispa Infestation

By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.

Maasin City, Southern Leyte-The Philippine Coconut Authority(PCA)has found solutions both biological and chemical means to help coco farmers in the province to combat the destructive infestation of Bron- tispa pests.

This was the essence of an interview with LSDE by PCA-Maasin Head Manuel Sembrano at his office located at the provincial capitol here.

He disclosed that PCA provincial office has now conducted massive information drive against the dreadful effects of the Brontispa infestation in all municipalities of the whole province to coconut farmers, Barangay Captains, Mayors, Vice-Mayors and other concerned LGU officials with the involvement of the Office of the Municipal Agricultural Services (OMAS) staff.

Sembrano hinted that if their conduct of the massive information drive against the pestering pests will go smoothly, with the cooperation and participation of concerned farmers, the said activity could be finished within the duration of one month.

The PCA head informed that his office and that of the OMAS in every municipality has informed in advance the coco farmers and all other high LGU officials and stakeholders concerning PCA’s intention to come to their places for such an important activity against this particular pests, whose mission is to wipe out the coconut industry of the Philippines, known as “the tree of life” because of its many beneficial and useful parts.

He informed that during their info drive that were attended by hundreds more or less, PCA personnel have taught the participants how to detect the Brontispa’s presence on young coconuts in their farms and the signs of their infestation. They also taught them, he said, how to kill the pests by chemical and biological ways.

Above all the coconut farmers and the other attendees were also instructed to report immediately to the PCA main office or to the Office of the Municipal Agriculture Service (OMAS) in their respective municipality any sign of the infestation so that it can be addressed right away.

Earlier, this correspondent was invited by the PCA head prior to the completion of the interview to go with him to brgy. Combado to see for myself also the physical appearance of the Brontispa pests. We rode on his motorcycle until we reached an area, not very far from where he lives. He pulled up and we got off and walked towards several two–year-old coconuts planted along the highway.

He pointed to the infested leaves of young coconuts and went near it. We scoured the folded leaves of young coconut fronds and found some Brontispa longissima crawling upon it now turned-brownish as sign of its infestation.”The brownish colored leaves is an indication of the presence of many pupae”, the third stage in the development of Brontispa,”he said.

He caught one Brontispa and passed it on to me. The small insects’ appearance is somewhat harmless to look at. But actually they are deadly to the growth of young coconuts. I examined its form and it has nothing to be feared about.Nonetheless, its appearance alone is not enough measure to judge its destructiveness. It’s how the totality of their unchecked destructive clandestine work would result that measure the true nature of its existential mission.

Asked where these harmful insects come from. He revealed that the short-flying pests have come from Vietnam thru rice importation done by the government.”They would ride on vehicles and other means to get to other places,” he said.

Furthermore, PCA Administrator Oscar G. Garin divulged that Brontispa infestation is spreading fast and that infested-coconuts will die within a year if not treated immediately. He strongly enjoined the coconut farmers in all affected regions of the country to help save the coconut industry by relentlessly joining the war against Brontispa.

Aside from the Philippines, the Brontispa infestation has also affected much earlier other five countries and five territories. Namely,Indonesia,South Vietnam,Thailand,China,Australia;Western Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Marianas Island,Guam,Tahiti.

Effective Strategies

The PCA has pointed two effective strategies on how to combat the Brontispa infestation: 1) For the biological approach his office has utilized two friendly insects that would help minimize, if not to wipe out the presence of Brontispa pests in some areas here. These are the parasitoid specie scientifically known as tetrastichus and the earwigs, euphemistically described as black knight terminators in shining armor by the PCA bigwigs.

The latter insects, Sembrano said, commonly habituate among bananas’ dried leaves and hide in matured coconuts fronds and it can be cultured inside the cages.”Earwigs should be feed with Brontispa to accustom themselves of the appearance and the taste of the pests”, he said, “an important step to be taken so that when they are released they would be seeking the Brontispa pests for their food”.

He said that these helpful insects also eat other pests in the farms so that the “accustomization” inside the cages would help them to devour first the Brontispa before eating other insects.

2) For the chemical means is to use PCA’s prescribed chemical spray in liquid form. To get the effective result ,the ratio is 3 tablespoonful for every 16 liters of water to make it effective in killing the brontispa, but still harmless to the plants. There’s also another chemical in powder form, which could be used only if the infestation is so devastating. “This chemical powder is only use as the last resort if there’s a vast unstoppable Brontispa infestation in a coconut farm”, Sembrano said.

However, Sembrano explained that the use of the two friendly insects is only applicable if the infestation is still in small area or is minimal. But in big infestation, chemical use is the best approach to combat and quickly prevent the spread of the destruction of young coconut plants.

Moreover, he said that there’s another way which is simple farm technology to kill the brontispa, other bugs and harmful insects in the farms. The following are the important ingredients for a mixture:

a)two kilos of madre de cacao leaves; b)two kilos of cassava leaves; c)one half kilo of panyawan leaves; d)one gallon of coconut vinegar. Pound very well with an alho (long hardwood pestle) inside the lusong (big , thick hardwood mortar) the madre de cacao, cassava and panyawan leaves until it turns into bits and pieces. Extract the sap by squeezing it very well inside a container and mix it with one gallon of coconut vinegar.

Allow for 7 days to ferment. To apply in the plants add 8 liters of water to the one half liter of mixture and spray on the infected coco plants and in other plants infested with harmful insects.

Still other chemical-free means of spraying/killing the farm pests, he said, are pepper and garlic mix with water. Consult the municipal agriculturist in your place for proper and correct ratio between water and the garlic-pepper concoction to make it effective in killing the pests.

He claimed that the abovementioned blends are money-saving tips because it is cheap, safe for the environment and the human health. It is also proven very effective.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)

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Thursday, November 11, 2010

Andalucia:Merchant's Ship Replica Reminiscence Of Spain's Maritime Might


Feature

Andalucía: Merchant Ship’s Replica Reminiscence Of Spanish Maritime Might And Colonization

By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.

Maasin City, Southern Leyte-The docking at Maasin Pier of Andalucía, which is a replica of a merchant ship used in the Galleon Trade by Spain on her business activities with the Latin America, Asia and the Philippines, is an opportune time for historians and students of history to take time to look back of the past by embarking aboard for some glimpses of how it was during the period of Spanish colonization and its maritime might.

The newly-finished seven sails boat now folded as it approached Maasin anchored at the big harbor at past 4:00p.m., November 1, 2010 from Bohol after a 10-day visit of the latter’s place.

People from all walks of life continued to come in droves after hearing the earlier announcement of the boat’s arrival by DYDM’s Jade Nombrado.Some rode on cars, single motorcycles motorcabs.While others came by walking towards the pier.

The boat with a width of 10 meters and 50 meters in length was welcome by Governor Damian G. Mercado and Macrohon Mayor Fe Gaviola -Edillo who led a dance troupe, winner of the Macrohon’s Maghaon Festival whose members were selected students of the Macrohon Institute.

The young group of MACI high school students performed their winning Maghaon dance piece with zeal and gusto under the beat of drums and bugles before the arriving Spanish sailors as the people watched at a distance. As Andalucía touched the sides of the harbor after the berthing maneuver, the energetic young dancers were the first to enter aboard. They were followed by some curious people nearby who wanted to have the first in-look of the boat.

Mobile and modern dancing equipments/gadgets with colorful dancing lights were installed at the pier in preparation for the welcome party (bienvenida) scheduled the following night. It was sponsored by the provincial government led by Governor Damian Mercado and also attended by some capitol officials. For the six-day stay of the boat, a daily schedule of visiting hours were distributed to the media during a press briefing at Kinamot Sa Abgao Restaurant located close to the windy sea.

The MACI dance winner repeated their performance aboard and some of the crew joined in dancing with them by imitating their actions. While other boat’s crew took some shoots as they positioned under the towering masts. The scattered crowd at the pier moved closer to have a closer view of Andalucía and the dark-blue uniformed sailors. The onlookers watched with delight while Governor Mercado moved at the distance viewing the entire scene.

Ship’s Descriptions

The 28-crew boat including 2 women is 10 meters width and 50 meters length. Weighing 600 tons and backed –up by 760 horsepower from 2 diesel engines, it has 6 big and small decks. A huge lamp replica called in Spanish fanal was positioned atop the back of the boat’s upper deck. Several large bright bulbs installed on the ship’s sides have provided the bird’s eye view of the ancient ship’s two towering masts and sails during the night.

“WE mainly use the seven sails with a total of 1,000 square meters in length on our trip”, journalist on-board Miguel Talegon Zaera informed.”The 2 engines are used for departing and arriving”.

The Galleon ship’s replica utilized in the 17th up to the 19th century is entirely made of hardwood-pine and iroco (oak tree).”Pine was taken from a certain place in Portugal, while the iroco was taken from Finland, Africa and Brazil”,he said.”The construction of Andalucía, named after a place in Southern region of Spain, took 1 year and one half to finish”.

The two big rounded-masts in juxtaposition believed by a police officer to be made of steel due to its hardness and strength is actually of hardwoods. “In Spain it is prohibited to cut a very tall tree”, Enrique Torres Barragan of the Dept.of Logistics explained.”Blocks of hardwood trees were glued together until it reached the desired height. It’s not made of steel. The ship is covered with hardwoods”.

Galleon’s Replica

The journalist on-board also clarified that “Andalucía is a replica of the merchant ship Galleon, but not of the Victoria as stated by a Manila-based national broadsheet. It is larger than that of the Victoria. The NAO Victoria, the only ship out of 5-ship fleet under the command of Ferdinand Magellan in his circumnavigation around the world (1519-1522), was the only one able to return to Spain. It was led by Captain Juan Sebastian Elcano.Its replica construction initiated by the NAO Victoria Foundation was funded solely by the government of Spain. Victoria made its first journey around the world only in 2004 up to 2006”.

Zaera continued to narrate:”On the other hand, Andalucia, which took one and a half years to finish, has made its first journey just recently. It departed from Sevilla, also a place in the Southern region of Spain, sometime in March 2010.It reached in Manila, Philippines during the second week of October of the current year. The funds utilized in the Andalucía construction came from both the government and the private sectors”.

The visiting boat is adapting to advanced science and technology, whose trip is funded by various sponsoring organizations, has a state-of-the-art gadgets and equipments. It uses Global Positioning System, radio, sextant, compass and the so-called EIS. Its radar has 12-mile radius coverage to detect incoming ships and land location. A highly-sensitive modern antenna was erected atop the toldilla (upper deck). Near the entrance of the Royal Admiral Room are square holes on both sides where cannons are positioned as if ready to fire for an attacking approaching enemy.”It’s no longer the real one but replicas. It just serve as decorations”, Zaera explained.

Right beneath the toldilla is where the Almirante (Admiral Room) also called royal chamber is located. It has a dinning table with chairs made of thick hardwood .On either side was built 4 cabins which is exclusively for the VIP’s accommodation during their stay. On a wall hanged a frame displaying an engraved design of the Victoria. On the other side is the traditional graven image of the St0. Niño. Well-arranged furniture, also replicas which were made of pine and iroco adds beauty to the coolness of the Admiral Room. There’s also the replica of ancient tools and weapons on display encased in a transparent glass.

Infront of the opposite upper deck beneath, which is adjacent to the bow,is a small canteen. It has 2 other cabins for the crew called Sollado (orlop or sleeping quarters).And the hull of the ship is made of polyester and fiberglass.

Press Conference

Earlier in the evening of their arrival, a press conference was held at the Kinamot Sa Abgao restaurant which was built close to the sea. It was attended by the local media. Eight of the crew faced the press.

Asked how many months did it took Andalucía to reach the Philippine shore from Spain, Captain Manuel Murube revealed that it took almost 7 months to reach the Phjilippines.However,in going to the country, the ship anchored in China, Taiwan and Hongkong before proceeding to Manila. They stayed for several days in each stopover.

“Our trip is a great experience and we are learning everyday”, seaman Jose Viñas told the press.

Queried by a government media on the purpose of their trip, another crew informed that, “it is to promote the history of the Spanish maritime might during its period and to promote science”.

DYDM station Manager Rev. Amil Borromeo further invited the Andalucía crew to attend the upcoming 500 years celebration of Ferdinand Magellan’s landing in Limasawa Island in March 1521, where the First Catholic Mass was held and officiated by Priest Pedro Valderrama and his men under the instruction of Magellan.

Barragan responded that Spain is also preparing for such event and is hoping that they are still around by the year 2021 so that they can participate in the journey from Spain to the Philippines, tracing the route of Magellan and his five-ship fleet.

He further divulged that their trip in Maasin was not included in their routes. He said they came here thru the invitation of Governor Damian Gaviola Mercado via the Spanish Embassy. Cesar Gonzales, also a seaman added that “their trip here is the best”.

Also present at the presscon were Pepelu Varo-Chief Engineer; Jose Luis Rivera-Engineer; David Gargenia-Engineer; Jaime Rodriguez-First Mate; Manuel Garcia -Second Mate; Antonio Martin Madrid-Chef.

During an interview with LSDE aboard the Andalucía, children, teenagers and adults were milling around looking at every nook and corner for glimpses of the past. With cameras and cellphones on hands, visitors coming from Maasin and the neighboring towns posed for souvenir photos as they invited some crew to join in their photo sessions.

Visitors From Various Persuasions

For six days visitation period , people from various persuasions and callings, formed long line of queues, waiting for long under the heat of the sun, just to be able to view the interior built of the boat.Zaera estimated that since the first day of the “open house” visitors have reached 15,000 plus. He claimed that the number of people coming to visit the Andalucía is largely equal to that of the Manila, Cebu and Bohol visits.

During their second up to 6th-day stay, some of the sports-minded crew played football at the Capitol’s sunken garden pitting against the local players. Others have visited the dive resort in Padre Burgos, hopped to Limasawa island and enjoying the underneath sea beauty of Sogod Bay. While the other crews went caving in Cambaro, Macrohon. On the fifth day, the City Govt. sponsored the advanced farewell dinner/party(dispedida)led by Mayor Maloney Samaco with some city hall officials together with selected personalities of the city.

AS they left Maasin, the Andalucía would have sailed around the Limasawa Island prior to their next trip to Singapore then to Sri Lanka.But the continuous coming of many visitors on the sixth day, now much lesser than the first five days, has affected the plan and the scheduled trip to Limasawa the following day was put on hold. On the 7th day the boat left Maasin pier at past 8:00 a.m.After their stopover at Sri Lanka they shall be passing the Mediterranean seas. The crew might also anchor in Italy, Germany and France and would stay for several days in each place. After that the ship shall be departing for their return to the port of Sevilla, also located in the Southern region of Spain.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)

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Friday, November 5, 2010

PCA Urges Coconut Farmers To Combat Brontispa Infestation



PCA Urges Coco Farmers To Combat Brontispa Infestation

By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.

Maasin City, Southern Leyte-The Philippine Coconut Authority(PCA)has found solutions both biological and chemical means to help coco farmers in the province to combat the destructive infestation of Bron- tispa pests.

This was the essence of an interview with LSDE by PCA-Maasin Head Manuel Sembrano at his office located at the provincial capitol here.

He disclosed that PCA provincial office has now conducted massive information drive against the dreadful effects of the Brontispa infestation in all municipalities of the whole province to coconut farmers, Barangay Captains, Mayor, Vice-Mayors and other concerned LGU officials with the involvement of the Office of the Municipal Agricultural Services (OMAS) staff.

Sembrano hinted that if their conduct of the massive information drive against the pestering pests will go smoothly, with the cooperation and participation of concerned farmers, the said activity could be finished within the duration of one month.

The PCA head informed that his office and that of the OMAS in every municipality has informed in advance the coco farmers and all other high LGU officials and stakeholders concerning PCA’s intention to come to their places for such an important activity against this particular pests, whose mission is to wipe out the coconut industry of the Philippines, known as “the tree of life” because of its many beneficial and useful parts.

He informed that during their info drive that were attended by hundreds more or less, PCA personnel have taught the participants how to detect the Brontispa’s presence on young coconuts in their farms and the signs of their infestation. They also taught them, he said, how to kill the pests by chemical and biological ways.

Above all the coconut farmers and the other attendees were also instructed to report immediately to the PCA main office or to the Office of the Municipal Agriculture Service (OMAS) in their respective municipality any sign of the infestation so that it can be addressed right away.

Earlier, this correspondent was invited by the PCA head prior to the completion of the interview to go with him to brgy. Combado to see for myself also the physical appearance of the Brontispa pests. We rode on his motorcycle until we reached an area, not very far from where he lives. He pulled up and we got off and walked towards several two–year-old coconuts planted along the highway.

He pointed to the infested leaves of young coconuts and went near it. We scoured the folded leaves of young coconut fronds and found some Brontispa longissima crawling upon it now turned-brownish as sign of its infestation.”The brownish colored leaves is an indication of the presence of many pupae”, the third stage in the development of Brontispa,”he said.

He caught one Brontispa and passed it on to me. The small insects’ appearance is somewhat harmless to look at. But actually they are deadly to the growth of young coconuts. I examined its form and it has nothing to be feared about.Nonetheless, its appearance alone is not enough measure to judge its destructiveness. It’s how the totality of their unchecked destructive clandestine work would result that measure the true nature of its existential mission.

Asked where these harmful insects come from. He revealed that the short-flying pests have come from Vietnam thru rice importation done by the government.”They would ride on vehicles and other means to get to other places,” he said.

Furthermore, PCA Administrator Oscar G. Garin divulged that Brontispa infestation is spreading fast and that infested-coconuts will die within a year if not treated immediately. He strongly enjoined the coconut farmers in all affected regions of the country to help save the coconut industry by relentlessly joining the war against Brontispa.

Aside from the Philippines, the Brontispa infestation has also affected much earlier other five countries and five territories. Namely,Indonesia,South Vietnam,Thailand,China,Australia;Western Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Marianas Island,Guam,Tahiti.

Effective Strategies

The PCA has pointed two effective strategies on how to combat the Brontispa infestation: 1) For the biological approach his office has utilized two friendly insects that would help minimize, if not to wipe out the presence of Brontispa pests in some areas here. These are the parasitoid specie scientifically known as tetrastichus and the earwigs, euphemistically described as black knight terminators in shining armor by the PCA bigwigs.

The latter insects, Sembrano said, commonly habituate among bananas’ dried leaves and hide in matured coconuts fronds and it can be cultured inside the cages.”Earwigs should be feed with Brontispa to accustom themselves of the appearance and the taste of the pests”, he said, “an important step to be taken so that when they are released they would be seeking the Brontispa pests for their food”.

He said that these helpful insects also eat other pests in the farms so that the “accustomization” inside the cages would help them to devour first the Brontispa before eating other insects.

2) For the chemical means is to use PCA’s prescribed chemical spray in powder form. To get the proper ratio in the mixture of 16 liters of water with the said chemical powder, coconut farmers should first consult the municipal agriculturist to make it effective in killing the brontispa, but still harmless to the plants.

However, Sembrano said that the use of the two friendly insects is only applicable if the infestation is still in small area or is minimal. But in big infestation, chemical use is the best approach to combat and quickly prevent the spread of the destruction of young coconut plants.

Moreover, he said that there’s another way which is simple farm technology to kill the brontispa, other bugs and harmful insects in the farms. The following are the important ingredients for a mixture:

a)two kilos of madre de cacao leaves; b)two kilos of cassava leaves; c)one half kilo of panyawan leaves; d)one gallon of coconut vinegar. Pound very well with an alho (long hardwood pestle) inside the lusong (big , thick hardwood mortar) the madre de cacao, cassava and panyawan leaves until it turns into bits and pieces. Extract the sap by squeezing it very well inside a container and mix it with one gallon of coconut vinegar.

Allow for 7 days to ferment. To apply in the plants add 8 liters of water to the one half liter of mixture and spray on the infected coco plants and in other plants infested with harmful insects.

Still other chemical-free means of spraying/killing the farm pests, he said, are pepper and garlic mix with water. Consult the municipal agriculturist in your place for proper and correct ratio between water and the garlic-pepper concoction to make it effective in killing the pests.

He claimed that the abovementioned blends are money-saving tips because it is cheap, safe for the environment and the human health. It is also proven very effective.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)

Provl Govt. Requests P-Noy For Two Bridges Constructions In Sogod,Liloan





Provl Govt. Requests P-Noy For Two Bridges Constructions In Sogod, Liloan

By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.

Maasin City, Southern Leyte-Governor Damian G.Mercado in behalf of the provincial government of Southern Leyte has requested President Benigno Simeon Aquino,111, for the constructions of two bridges in Sogod and Liloan.

During the recent session held at the provincial capitol here SPs Florentino Fernandez and Albert Esclamado have moved to pen two resolutions nos. 488-s.2010 and 500-s.2010.It requested His Excellency for the bridge construction of Zone V in Sogod town and that of Caligangan in Liloan town of Panaon Island. Both requests were seconded by SPs Daisy Gumale and Cesar Rey.

It was disclosed that the existing footbridge in Sogod that connects vast tract of farm lands of barangays Concepcion 1, Concepcion 11 and Consolacion is now dilapidated. This poses a great danger to the farmers and the neighboring areas.

Unless the dilapidated bridge would be replaced with a new one, it said further, the damage will greatly affect the socio and economic conditions of the people in particular and the municipality of Sogod in general.

On the other hand, the existing bridge in Caligangan,it was revealed, was made only of a spillway. During rainy days, logs, branches of trees and other debris clog up the bridge making it impassable.

At this moment, due to constant digging up of siltation, the spillway was wrecked and has become dilapidated. This prompted the Barangay Council of Caligangan to pass a resolution addressed to the incumbent Governor and passed on to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. The SP in turn passed the above-mentioned resolution requesting for a two-lane steel bridge from the “Tulay Ng Pangulo Program” to the new President.

However, the Provincial Board cannot make sure when their double requests would be granted or accommodated in their favour. Regarding the cost estimates of the two proposed bridges in two municipalities, the Provincial Board, presided over by Vice-Governor Miguel Maamo,111, could not tell in advance either.

Lately, this correspondent visited the provincial capitol and inquired at the Vice-Governor’s office if they already have received a reply of the abovementioned requests from the President. The lady secretary informed that they have not yet received a reply-letter from Malacañang.She said that the office of the Vice-Governor is still waiting for it.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)

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