Showing posts with label Agriculture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Agriculture. Show all posts

PostHeaderIcon Catholic bishops complain against aerial spraying

11/05/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post




According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the drift of aerial pesticide sprayed over an area can cover 3.2 kilometers. If this is applied to aerial use of pesticide in Davao, it is estimated that at least 200,000 people is exposed to disease-causing chemicals in Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley and Davao City.

At least each week, residents and farmers in plantation areas in Mindanao hear the sound of planes which spray pesticides. The hovering planes are warnings that farmers below have to stop their work--- stay indoors and take cover to avoid chemical exposure.

In Davao City, a city ordinance prohibits the use of aerial spraying, but the legislatin locks in the government, the small farmers, and residents in legal battle with influential plantation companies.

Catholic bishops namely Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales, Auxiliary Manila Bishops Broderick Pabillo and Bernardino Cortez and Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Yñiguez petitioned the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) to stop the practice of aerial spraying in agricultural plantations in Mindanao because they are immoral and “infringes upon human health and dignity.”----Inquirer (11/04/09, Tupas, J. M.)

The bishops and their supporters obviously refer to the toxicity of pesticide which the people are exposed to. There is medical basis to their opposition to the harmful pesticides. Depending on the amount, duration, and susceptibility, chemical pest busters can be deleterious to one's health. Helpful in insect and agricultural pest control, the pesticides are helpful in keeping farm productivity. Plantation companies however tend to downplay their adverse effects.

Many people on the site of spraying may not be aware of the real danger of poisons. They don’t even know what diseases and complications can arise from such pesticide exposures. Planters using these hazardous agents must take people's health with respect and responsibility. (Photo Credit: greenpeacesoutheastasia.wordpress.com; greengreenbottle) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Camarines Sur State Agricultural College named as State University

10/22/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


The school in Camarines Sur which started as an elementary learning institution for boys during the American occupation has now been designated as the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA.)

Expected to modernize the teaching and practice of agricultural science in the area, the school, located in Pili, Camarines Sur, is now named a state university upon approval of a house bill signed by Pres. Glora M. Arroyo last Monday, October 12, 2009.

“The newly-incorporated university is expected to "provide both advanced instruction and research in agriculture and allied technological sciences including education, arts and related sciences."---Vox Bicol (10/18/09, Soltes, J C.)

To date, state schools in Camarines Sur include the Calabanga Polytechnic College in Calabanga, Bicol Institute of Science and Technolog (BIST,) in Sipocot, and the Partido State University in Goa. (Photo Credit: Will Arcilla) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Four million Filipino child-laborers

9/05/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


With the objective to lower down the incidence of exploitation and child labor in the Philippines, the ABK2, a project funded by the US Department of Labor recently helped in rescuing about 6,800 child laborers--- at least 1,984 in in Cebu and 4,863 in Negros Oriental.

The children were removed from difficult and hazardous working conditions and were offered some education through the coordinated work of the World Vision Development Foundation, ChildFund International (formerly known as Christian Children’s Fund), and ERDA.

Child Laborers at a Glance:

Number: 4 million child laborers

Ages: 5-17 years old

Work Hours:
1 to 4 hours---2 million;
5-8 hours---1.3 million;
8 hrs plus---360,000

Areas of employment:
Scavenging
Prostitution
Agriculture
Fishing
Quarry &Mining
Domestic work

Education:
No schooling: 1.3 million

Before their rescue, the children were engaged in scavenging, peddling sex and drugs, doing domestic work, working in mines, fishing, agriculture, and quarry. They were part of an estimated 4 million children between ages 5 to 17 years in the labor force around the country.

A third of these children (1.3 million) do not attend school. Of those who attend school, they face problems such as learning difficulties, lack of school supplies, unsupportive teachers, and lack of time to study.

“In Negros Oriental, 4,591 children who were working in sugarcane plantations were pulled out from their workplace, followed by 162 kids in domestic work and 110 child laborers from commercial agriculture.

Nationwide, the project has rescued and assisted 23,095 child laborers. But ABK2 Project Director Daphne Culanag said the figure is insignificant compared to the estimated four million child laborers around the country. “The figure is just a drop in the bucket of the four million child laborers we want to help,”---Manila Bulletin (09/04/09, Mosqueda, MW Jr.)

The staggering number of children being exploited in the country belies the progress that is usually harped by the government. Social inequity has trickled in among the most vulnerable in society. In spite of efforts to generate jobs locally and abroad, the need for work to survive has forced young boys and girls to forgo their childhood, be independent, and help in keeping the family alive. (Photo Credit: Claude Barutel) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Fajardo Estate Land Dispute: A happy ending for the Banasi Farmers who marched to Malacanang

12/27/2008 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


The fifty-seven (57) farmers from the Fajardo Estate in Bicol who walked for 17 days to Malacanang Palace to plead their case finally got their wish. The tillers of the 123-hectare land in Banasi, Bula, Camarines Sur had the order of Sec. Eduardo Ermita canceling their land titles recinded on December 19, 2008. The happy farmers now have the right to use the land, ending 35 years of round-about with the law.

“This is the happiest Christmas of my life. We have already sacrificed a lot and we hope that with the decision of DAR we could finally rest our case and experience security in the lands that we till,” said Jess Bergantin, president of the Banasi Agrarian Reform Farmer-Beneficiaries Association (BARFA) who were among those who walked the 444-kilometer stretch from Camarines Sur to Manila.. “---Bicol Mail (12/ 25/08, Escandor, J, Jr)



According to Atty Arlene Bag-ao, one of the supporters of the farmers, the march to Malacanang could have been avoided if the case was handled as is----a simple legal issue that favors the agriculture workers to own the disputed land. Some of the farmers said they walked to Manila because a known Malacanang insider, Atty Manny Gaite with family ties with the Fajardos, worked against their favor by helping void their land title.

“Elaine Teope, campaign coordinator of BARFA, revealed that among those who drafted the order that cancelled the Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (Cloas) of the farmers-beneficiaries was Lawyer Manny Gaite, the guy from the Office of the President who figured in the Senate hearing regarding the P500,000 distributed to local government executives early this year. “---Bicol Mail (12/ 25/08, Escandor, J, Jr)

The success of the Banasi farmers signals the growing awareness and activism of many agricultural workers in the Philippines. With problems delaying the full implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP,) more land decisions by the government are likely to be contested by farmers and their militant supporters. (Photo Credits: Pakisamagallery) =0=

RELATED BLOG: "Camarines Sur farmer's 444 kilometer march to Malacanang" Posted by mesiamd at 12/02/2008



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PostHeaderIcon Green Revolution: Only Those Who Plant Can Expect A Harvest

8/09/2008 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

In a little patch of earth in New York City, we plant vegetables. Despite the fleeting good weather in between the seasons, we cultivate a small garden, its size no larger than a car space. The space in the metropolis is limited, but the plants grow fast with less than ordinary care.

At about springtime, our garden bursts into life from its winter hibernation. Creeping squash vines, pepper, and camote sprouts supply us with nutritious greens like what we have in the Philippines. Held in pots and sometimes left hanging by the window we have bulbs of scallion, ginger rhizomes, and a few tendrils of mint and thyme fortified by fertilizers and vitamins. Plump jalapeno peppers, and green potato tops grow outside. The stubby calamansi tree in our living room bears flowers in every branch. The pungent lemon grass (tanglad) serves as our natural décor and insect repellant right on the window.

Our little garden proves luxuriantly prolific in sunny weather. It's something our kababayans must see and learn from. At harvest time, we get more than enough for our dinner table; the extra harvest that can’t be kept in the refrigerator, we give away to our thankful neighbors.

Planting is a simple solution to food shortage. It’s something we need in the Philippines. Yet I wonder, despite so many of us (14.5 million as of latest count) who go hungry, there’s no government program, national movement, barangay association self-help, school campaign, or bayanihan initiative to rally Filipinos to plant and be productive. Why do we refuse to plant, choose to scrimp on food and accept that we've become a noodles republic?

Years before, Imelda Marcos had her green revolution program. Blessed with a year-round of sunny weather, lots of time to spare, and vacant fertile land to till, we could have done just that. But we brushed aside planting as though we never needed it. We neglected agriculture and the poorly-appreciated farmers have left to work for other jobs.

Without us planting in a large scale, it’s embarrassing to complain of hunger. Do we think planting is such a menial and demeaning job that it’s not worth our time? What will we teach our children if we're too picky about work? Why can’t we understand the dangers of relying on other countries for our food supply that someday we can't afford? If we don’t plant, what do we want to do with our idle time? What will happen to a country which can't produce it's own food?

All over the world, planting for food is a necessity. Domestic production is required just like the green movement that’s needed to counter global warming and climate change. Yet in spite of food shortage and joblessness, we remain seated on the fence. The message hasn’t caught our senses yet----that only those who plant can expect a harvest. =0=
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