By ANALIZA S. MACATANGAY
NAGA CITY -- The geographical location of several municipalities of Camarines Sur along the Bicol River Basin has brought them under the threat of extreme flooding and has since affected farmers in these areas.
This has prompted the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) regional office here to hold a Forum on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction dubbed “Pag-andam” over the weekend to address the frequent occurrence of weather phenomena such as drought, flashfloods and typhoons which the agriculture sector always suffered the brunt of coping up with the losses.
"Pag-andam" is a Bicol term for "preparation" which aptly describes the goal of the forum to urged farmers, along with concerned authorities and agencies, and other stakeholders to do at all times.
NIA public information offi cer Ed Yu said areas identifi ed prone to fl ooding include the towns of Sipocot, Buhi, Bato, Ombao, Camaligan and Balongay, all in Camarines Sur. The towns of Nabua, Bula, Pili, Bombon, Calabanga, Canaman, Gainza, Magarao, Milaor, Minalabac, Pamplona, Libmanan, San Fernando, Cabusao an Naga city are also considered flood prone areas.
Yu stated that the farmers need to know the courses and occurrences of these phenomenon so that they can anticipate and prepare back up plans for their crops.
“When there is an overflow of water above the bank of normal confines of a river, lake and other bodies of water flooding occur. It also happen when there is an accumulation of rainwater or other source in relatively low area aggravated clogged or poor drainage system and when there is an overflow of the natural borders along the coastal areas. During typhoons, we also expect these occurrences,” Yu said in an interview.
These occurrences, Yu added, are the effects of climate change which farmers have to face. He added that there are various government agencies aside from NIA that also address the needs of this sector in terms of giving them proper information and education. It includes the Department of Agriculture (DA) through their program related to climate change and risk mitigation. They also give information to farmers what plants are resilient to typhoons.
The Office of the Civil Defense also gave lecture on climate change and actual scenarios, including the disaster risk reduction measures for farmers. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG ASA) through Dr. Alfredo Consulta, Chief Meteorological Officer, also gave lecture on the climate factors affecting agriculture and climate monitoring and prediction.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) also have flood forecasting systems that would aid the farmers in their preparation to mitigate the impact of flooding. It include water level station, rain station, warning station, supervisory water level equipment, supervisory rainfall equipment, flood forecasting and warning center, relay station, filed center and control stations.
These early warning systems, funded under the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) served as the farmers saving grace in developing risk reduction mechanisms leading to a better equipped and disaster-prepared community.
NIA holds climate change forum for farmers
Daet cites investments for the children’s future
By ROSALITA B. MANLANGIT
DAET, Camarines Norte – The local government unit of Daet has since been investing on development projects that will build the foundation for the future of children and towards the realization of aspirations and dreams of the future generations.
This was how as Mayor Tito Sarion depicted the plans and programs of the local government during his 7th State of the Children Report in time for the culmination of the Children’s Month celebration held recently at the Heritage Center here.
Sarion said that poverty evident among families in communities in different parts of the country that made Filipino children more susceptible to life predicaments regarding their health, education, violence, abuse and labor.
With the theme “Kahirapan Wakasan, Karapatan ng Bata Ipaglaban”, this years’ celebration highlighted that poverty reduction starts with children, thus participation and convergence of efforts at various levels is deemed necessary to address underlying causes of poverty.
He said the municipal government shares the same thrust to protect the rights and ensure the welfare of the children pursuing along this line the completion of three Rural Health Units (RHUs) equipped with TB-DOTS facilities and capable health personnel.
Along the survival is the campaign “Magtanim Upang Wag Magutom Program” wherein climate change adaptive crops are being used in the locality.
Sarion also said that for the development of children, the town has 25 public elementary schools and 5 secondary schools, a municipal library, has scholarships for tertiary level and has created the Municipal Literacy Coordinating Council (MLCC) to ensure that the out of school children, youth and adults can avail of the functional literacy and livelihood programs.
He said that the local government is regularly conducting trainings through the Technology and Livelihood Development Center (TLDC) that helps would be entrepreneurs while the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) assists job seekers.
For the protection of children, the Daet Police Station has established the Women and Children’s Desk while the capability building was undertaken by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Of schools, a municipal library, has scholarships for tertiary level and has created the Municipal Literacy Coordinating Council (MLCC) to ensure that the out of school children, youth and adults can avail of the functional literacy and livelihood programs.
He said that the local government is regularly conducting trainings through the Technology and Livelihood Development Center (TLDC) that helps would be entrepreneurs while the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) assists job seekers.
For the protection of children, the Daet Police Station has established the Women and Children’s Desk while the capability building was undertaken by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) and other concerned offices.
There were also venues were children participated like the Annual Children’s Congress, the Summer Youth Camp, the Linggo ng Kabataan, The Arts Month, the Pineapple and barangay festivals, school contests and among others.
Sarion said that for the institution building, a Municipal Council for the Protection of Children (MCPC) is annually conducting the Search for the Most Child-Friendly Barangay and has adopted the local code for children.
Also in the special bodies like the Local School Board, Local Health Board, Peace and Order Council (POC) and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) are being strengthened to address issues and concerns including those of children.
The local government unit also focuses on the construction and improvement of access roads, concreting of bridges and drainage system. Almost all settlements have electricity and access to potable water, he said.
Daet is now the seat of the Philippine Long Distrance Telephone (PLDT) major communication distribution infrastructure and this will pave way to more investments in Daet that in turn will benefit the future of our children, he said.
Meanwhile the MCPC has presented the Barangay V of Daet as the 1st prize winner of the 2013 Province’s Most Child-Friendly Barangay which was awarded recently by the provincial government during the culminating of the Children’s Month Celebration.
The Barangay V of Daet headed by Punong Barangay Augusto Magana has received P100 thousand from the provincial government.
DENR pushes bamboo gene bank, plantation
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Office seals an accord with Third District of Albay Representative Fernando V. Gonzalez, Sulpicio Bernardo III of Filmenera Resources Corporation, and Ligao City Mayor Patricia G. Alsua that will establish a bamboo gene bank at Kawakawa Hill, and 15-ha bamboo plantation in eight barangays in Ligao City.
At the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding DENR Regional Executive Director (RED) Gilbert C. Gonzales bares plans to establish 15 hectares of kawayang tinik (Bambusa blumeana) in Bgys. Oma-oma, Baligang, Busac, Abella, Nabonton, Amtic, Maonon and Tula-tula.
Filmenera Resources Corporation (FRC), an industry operating in Masbate, will provide planting materials worth 100,000.00 pesos. The FRC representative expressed the company’s agreement with the RED’s plan to pursue an area development devoted to bamboo. They were convinced to support the project citing among others that Filmenera, a large scale mining operator in Bicol provides for community development program and environmental programs as responsible miners and as part of its corporate social responsibility.
They consider the project part of reaching out to other areas those outside their mining operation site. Their post mining land use involves exploring the establishment of plantation over mined out areas. Mr. Bernardo explains that Mining areas have final mining rehabilitation and decommissioning plan. In formulating it, the participation of local government is important wherein they discuss with DENR and LGU the interventions after mining operation is concluded. “After mine life there ought to be post mining land use, we are required to do post mining rehabilitation, “Mr. Bernardo said.
The Office of Congressman Gonzales for its part will help ensure the beneficiaries are well-trained and are able to make a living out of bamboo products sourced at the plantations. Cong. Gonzalez added that his Office will establish a bamboo palace in Kawakawa to promote the importance of bamboo as a cheap substitute to wood.
Cong. Gonzales said he is most fortunate to be part of the MOU signing in order to provide livelihood to his constituents and promote environmental awareness by having multi species of bamboo in the City. He also expresed gratefulness to DENR for its assistance.
The layout of the site will include 9,652 sq m comprised of kawayang tinik plantation, the gene bank of bambusetum covering 8,525 sqm and a nursery covering 8,463 sq m.
According to RED Gonzales, FRC is a pioneering partner in this endeavor. He is optimistic the bamboo plantation will supports the livelihood of locals given its potential in the market today. He is bound to funnel more funds from private sector, introduce the project to local industries and generate greater support for this project.
He said last year he discussed this with former Ligao City Mayor Linda Gonzales and promised to bring in private entities to support it. RED Gonzales is able to generate same support for Bicol National Park’s reforestation project with Energy Development Corporation.