PBBM pushes rice yield increase thru hybrid seeds

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos, MB

Malacañang said that the Department of Agriculture (DA) has started developing a “strategy plan” to promote planting hybrid seeds on 1.5 million hectares of rice land during the dry season.

FARMERS in Western Visayas are set to receive in-bred rice seeds for wet season planting. (DA-6)

The Palace said this in a statement on Friday, Feb. 17, after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. approved the adoption of hybrid rice varieties that will help local farmers enhance their crop production. 

In its statement, Malacañang, citing Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Operations Arnel De Mesa, said Marcos has ordered to ensure that rice farmers have enough support.

The DA will also launch a financial and credit program to persuade farmers to shift to hybrid rice.

“Sapat na suporta kagaya ng patubig, fertilizer at iba pang ayuda katulad ng (Enough support like water, fertilizer, and other help like) Rice Farmers Financial Assistance,” Mesa said.

“Ang mga ito ay nararapat na maibigay sa tamang panahon (These assistance should be provided to them at the right time),” he added.

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According to Malacañang, the President, also the DA Secretary, is optimistic that the country will attain its rice self-sufficiency target within two years using hybrid seeds.

The DA is looking at expanding production in Regions 6, 8, 12, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon regions have already adopted the hybrid rice technology.

Apart from expanding financial support to local farmers through the loan financing program, President Marcos committed to bringing the best farming practices used by Central Luzon farmers to the rest of the country.

Based on a joint study by the DA and local government units (LGUs), the hybrid system has produced a 41-percent higher yield than conventional inbred seeds for the past two years.

In 2023, the DA earmarked P30 billion in funds under the National Rice Program to provide hybrid and inbred or certified seeds, production-related and post-harvest machinery, small-scale irrigation, and extension and training activities.

This is on top of the P10B-Rice Enhancement Competitiveness Fund sourced from the excess tariff collected under the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), which aims to improve farmers’ competitiveness.

Makati gov’t orders temporary closure of Wantusawa oyster bar after alleged food poisoning

By James Patrick Cruz, interaksyon 

Composite shows oysters and Makati City's Business Permits and Licensing Office representatives putting up a closure order notice on Wantusawa Oyster Bar (Wantusawa/Facebook; My Makati/Facebook)

The Makati City government ordered the temporary shutdown of Wantusawa Oyster Bar after its customers claimed that they experienced food poisoning early this year.

On February 13, the city’s Business Permits and Licensing Office served a closure order against the restaurant for violating the Sanitation Code. 

Mayor Abby Binay issued this order “to restore order and discipline in Makati and protect the interest of legitimate businesses, Makatizens and the general public.”

The restaurant’s management was quoted in a report as saying that the Makati City government implemented the temporary closure as it wait for the result of the water and oyster test. 

As it waits for the resumption of its operations, the oyster bar said it would conduct “maintenance work and repairs to help improve the quality of service we provide.”

Last January, the review section of the restaurant’s Facebook page was flooded with complaints. 

The restaurant’s customers claimed that they experienced stomach discomfort and food-related illnesses after allegedly consuming meals from the oyster bar.

Following this, it released a statement addressing online allegations of food poisoning.

Wantusawa said that it takes customer feedback and reviews “very seriously,” adding it is “taking it to heart.”

“We always strive to provide freshly prepared meals while adhering to critical safety and health standards,” it added.

The restaurant also said that it conducted laboratory tests on samples during the dates it received complaints.

The oyster bar said the results “have shown a negative result for bacteria and thus clearing the possibility of any food poisoning.” 

Wantusawa lamented the alleged continued “social media bullying” despite its efforts, laboratory tests and health clearances.

“In our pursuit of truth and due process, we shall likewise review our options to take any legal action against these purveyors of bullying and untruth,” it said.

Social media users, however, found the restaurant’s statement “insensitive.”

Wantusawa opened in Poblacion in 2018 and has since opened a food truck in Rockwell.

It offers fresh, baked, grilled and fried oysters, as well as shareable seafood plates. It also serves bowls of rice and noodles.

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Foreign investment approvals up in Q4

By Niña Myka Pauline Arceo, Manila Times

February 17, 2023 

FOREIGN investment (FI) approvals rose by 30.1 percent to P173.61 billion in the fourth quarter from P133.47 million a year earlier, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Thursday.

"The bulk of FI commitments for the fourth quarter of 2022 was from Singapore (64.2 percent), followed by Japan (21.5 percent) and the United Kingdom (5.9 percent)," the PSA said in a statement.

"Singapore committed P111.47 billion, while Japan and the United Kingdom pledged P 37.41 billion and P 10.22 billion, respectively," it added.

The approvals involved pledges received by six investment promotion agencies: the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan, Board of Investments (BoI), BoI-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Clark Development Corp., Philippine Economic Zone Authority and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

No investment approvals were reported by the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, Poro Point Management Corp., and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, the PSA said.

Information and communications accounted for the most pledges at P114.29 billion or 65.8 percent of the total. Real estate activities was second with P35.57 billion or 20.5 percent, followed by manufacturing with P19.30 billion or 11.1 percent.

The biggest chunk of approved fourth-quarter foreign investments, amounting to P101.36 billion or 58.4 percent of the total, was for projects classified as "nationwide" or situated in various regions of the country.

The Ilocos Region took the next biggest share of P32.66 billion (18.8 percent), followed by Region IV-A (Calabarzon or Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) with P30.71 billion (17.7 percent) and Central Luzon with P5.70 billion (3.3 percent).

Approved investments of foreign and Filipinos combined hit P478.16 billion during the period, 17 percent higher compared to the P408.54 billion seen a year earlier. Filipinos accounted for the bulk at P 304.55 billion or 63.7 percent.

A total of 37,766 jobs could potentially be created, the PSA said. "Out of this total anticipated employment for the period, approved projects with foreign interest were projected to generate 23,364 employment," it added.

Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the increase could have been due to the reopening of the economy and improved prospects for the country.

"The improvement may also have to do with the various investment commitments after the visits of the administration to different countries in recent months," he added.

Are we ready for ‘The Big One’?

Published February 17, 2023, 12:05 AM

by Manila Bulletin

How prepared are we in the event “The Big One”—a magnitude-7.2 earthquake triggered by the movement of the West Valley Fault—strikes in Metro Manila?

The question comes to mind in the wake of the devastation caused by the magnitude-7.8 earthquake that hit Turkiye and Syria.

A study conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency for the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority paints a grim scenario in case The Big One occurs. 

Based on the study released in 2004, at least 34,000 persons will die while 114,000 will be injured, and 40 percent of residential buildings in Metro Manila will be affected—170,000 houses will collapse while another 340,000 will be partly damaged—and about 500 fire incidents will occur within the first hour of the earthquake.

With this bleak picture, to what extent has the government prepared for this?

To get a clearer view of how the government will respond to such an eventuality, House Speaker Martin Romualdez is planning to summon all disaster agencies and first responder units.

He wants to find out if the government has an operational plan or “Oplan” in case The Big One hits the country. 

“We want to find out if we are really ready and what the public needs to do,” he said, recalling that the same level of catastrophe already happened during Typhoon “Yolanda” where first responders also became the victims. “Who’s going to replace them, do we have enough equipment to dig through the rubble or does the government have enough food packs for the thousands who would be affected by this earthquake?”

“Do we have enough equipment and manpower? Because the first 24 hours are very critical. If we don’t have, then let’s prepare and anticipate,” Romualdez said. “We really have to be ready from rescue to medical attention and food distribution.”

Romualdez’s move is a welcome development and the House of Representatives should waste no time in summoning disaster officials so they can unveil their plans. If something is lacking, then there is still time to fine-tune it. If the plan is well-crafted, then brief the public now to educate the people on what to do and how to react in the event The Big One happens.

We should take note that the West Valley Fault may be due for another major movement. In previous briefings, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology bared studies showing that the West Valley Fault moved four times in the past 1,400 years, with a movement interval between 400 to 600 years. The last major earthquake event generated by the movement of the fault was in 1658. Based on this, a major movement may happen in our generation.

We can’t prevent an act of nature from happening, but we can prepare for this eventuality and pray for God’s intervention.

Let’s do it now. Tomorrow might be too late.

Filipinas yield to Wales in Pinatar Cup opener

by Manila Bulletin Sports

By NIKOLE JAVIER 

The Philippine national women’s football team got into a rocky start in its 2023 Pinatar Cup campaign after absorbing a 1-0 loss to the higher-ranked Wales at the Pinatar Arena in Spain on Wednesday, Feb. 15 (Thursday, Manila time).

The Filipinas couldn’t convert an equalizer after playing a promising defense for most of the first half against the 32nd-ranked Welsh side.  

National team center-back Dominique Randle handed over a penalty after a miscue on her end just as the first half was about to conclude, giving Kayleigh Green of Wales the chance to nail the first and only goal of the match past Philippine goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel at the 45th minute. 

Staring at the deficit, the Filipinas quickly sprung back to action in the ensuing half with Katrina Guillou being brought in and firing a good shot at the 47th minute which was ultimately turned back by Wales keeper Safia Middleton-Patel.

Despite being limited in possessions for most of the contest, the national team refused to let the Welsh get their way once more in added time with McDaniel’s crucial save that kept the score at 1-nil. 

However, time would run out for any last-ditch effort as the Filipinas will remain scoreless in full-time.  

In the earlier play, Iceland defeated Scotland, 2-0, to surge to an early lead in the tournament. 

Meanwhile, the 53rd-ranked Filipinas will attempt to bounce back against the world No. 25. Scotland on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 10 p.m. (Manila time) at the same venue. 

PNR to get temporarily shut down this year; here’s why

by Ellson Quismorio, MB 

The Philippine National Railways (PNR) will be temporarily shut down later this year, perhaps by the summer. 

PNR (Wikipedia)

This was confirmed by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Railway Cesar Chavez during a public hearing of the House Committee on Transportation on Thursday, Feb. 16.

Antipolo 2nd district Rep. Romeo Acop chairs the committee, which organized the hearing in order to get an update on all of the DOTr’s ongoing railway projects.

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Chavez said the planned closure of the PNR will allow for the faster construction of the South Commuter Railway Project.

According the DOTr official, the continued operation of the PNR has actually been delaying the South Commuter Railway Project.

“Kailangang ihinto ang operasyon ng PNR sapagkat gusto nating matapos ang proyektong ito (We need to stop the operations of PNR because we want to finish this project),” Chavez said. 

“To contextualize, we need to stop the operation of PNR because our objective is to construct the South Commuter Railway in sustainable focus and speed based on the timeline and at a minimal cost,” he noted.

He said that, based on a study, shutting down PNR would save the government P15 billion in the construction efforts. This is because there would no longer be a need to relocated the needed utilities electricity and water, he said.

At any rate, Chavez said the riding public will be informed in advance about when the train line will be closed.

“In due time we will inform the public [about its closure]…sa operasyon nito sa loob ng taong ito at baka ho ngayong summer ho (about its operation within this year, maybe this coming summer),” he told the House panel.

‘One Million Malunggay’ project launched in Caraga

by Mike Crismundo

BUTUAN CITY – The “One Million Malunggay” project was launched in Northeastern Mindanao or the Caraga region recently to help mitigate climate change.

MALUNGGAY (DA FB)

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Commission of Higher Education (CHED) to materialize the project. 

The advocacy program aims to plant one million malunggay (Moringa oleifera) trees across Caraga which is composed of five provinces and six cities in one year with the help of all higher education institutions and partner-agencies in the region.

“The project really intends to help mitigate climate change, restore greenery within the surrounding environment, and for communities to have easier access to malunggay trees and their many health benefits,” DENR Caraga Regional Director Nonito M. Tamayo said.

“Hindi lang pangkalusugan ang bigay nito, pang kalikasan pa (It’s not only for the health but also for the environment),” Tamayo added.

Tamayo urged other government and private entities to plant malunggay trees in their vacant lands.

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Meanwhile, Tamayo and Gov. Santiago B. Cane Jr. turned over last month 7,667 armchairs to the Department of Education (DepEd) in Agusan del Sur represented by Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Minerva T. Albis and Bayugan City Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Imelda N. Sabornido in a simple ceremony at the Datu Lipus Makapandong Naliyagan Cultural Center, Government Center, Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.

These armchairs that will be used by students in 143 public schools were fabricated out of the 498.31 cubic meters of confiscated logs and flitches donated by the DENR to the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur (PGAS) last year.

Tamayo signed the MOU with CHED led by Regional Director (RD) Dr. George M. Colorado at the Hero Auditorium of the Caraga State University in Barangay Ampayon, Butuan City.

New Palace Communications officials take oath

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos, MB

As part of the office’s reorganization, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has led the oath-taking of seven new officials of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. leads the oath-taking ceremony of the new Presidential Communications Office (PCO) officials in Malacañang, Feb. 16, 2023. (Malacañang photo)

Taking oath before the President in Malacañang on Thursday, Feb. 16, are: 

• Honey Rose Mercado, Undersecretary for Traditional Media and External Affairs
• Franz Gerard Imperial – Undersecretary for Broadcast Production
• Gerald Baria – Undersecretary for Content Production
• Patricia Anne Magistrado – Assistant Secretary for External Affairs
• Ma. Rhona Ysabel Daoang – Director for Traditional Media
• Marvin Antonio – Director for Digital Media
• Lois Erika Mendoza – Director for Content

The recent appointments filled all five undersecretary posts of the revamped PCO.

President Marcos reorganized the PCO through Executive Order No. 16, trimming the number of undersecretaries from seven to five.

Amid the reorganization, Emerald Ridao was retained as Undersecretary for Digital Media Services. At the same time, Cherbett Karen Maralit was also retained as Undersecretary for Operations, Administration, and Finance, based on the PCO website.

The positions of undersecretaries for media accreditation and relations; print media services and related GOCCs; special concerns; broadcast media services and related GOCCs and attached agencies; and operations, plans, and policies were effectively dissolved. 

The EO stated that there would be 14 assistant secretaries, one of them “directly reporting” to PCO Secretary Cheloy Garafil.

Mercado, who was recently named undersecretary for Traditional Media and External Affairs, would be assisted by five assistant secretaries in charge of print, radio, television, external affairs, and media accreditation and relations. Mercado was Presidential Management Staff (PMS) undersecretary at the start of the Marcos administration.

Based on the EO, the restructured PCO would work closely with Director Paul Soriano, the Presidential Adviser for Creative Communications on communications and information dissemination.

Director Paul Soriano was named Marcos’ creative communications adviser in October. Soriano, a nephew of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, helped in the Marcos presidential campaign.

What is the most unique language in Europe?

 

Mikael Larsen, Quora

The three major language branches in Europe are:

• Germanic (for example English, German, Dutch and Scandinavian languages)
• Romance (for example French, Spanish and Italian)
• Slavic (for example Russian, Polish and Serbian-Croatian)

So our “most unique language” would have to be one outside of these branches. Among the bigger languages, it could be Finnish (or its sister languages of Estonian and Hungarian) or Greek.

Among smaller languages Basque is worth noting, because it’s a “language isolate”. It’s not classified into any of larger language families.

Despite belonging to the Romance branch, Rhaeto-Romansh (spoken in South-Eastern Switzerland) deserves a mention, because it’s a rather unique and small language, but retains a (semi-)official status in Switzerland. The reason I find it interesting is that you can address the federal parliament in this language (and get an answer in its standardized version).

While we’re at it, we could throw Faroese and Icelandic in the mix. The reason Icelandic is worth mentioning is that it’s probably the living language closest to Old Norse (the language of the Vikings).