serve marine biodiversity. As it will launch the campaign, Rare is set to train and support leaders from the world’s top environmental organizations, local grassroot groups and government units. IGaCoS information officer Noel Daquioag explained that this campaign is anchored in social marketing, considered and used by the private sector as a marketing tactic to better understand audiences and promote positive community behavior. “Pride campaigns focus on inspiring local communities to take control and ownership over their resources to secure the benefits for current and future generations.” Daquiaog said. Tomorrow, the local government of IGaCoS will unveil its Scallop Shell Mascot as its partner in the promotion for marine resource conservation. Also, the Pride Campaign song and jingle will be first heard by the Samaleno as local officials will launch the said jingle at Barangay Beach Park. Scheduled in the afternoon are support activities like collection of Crown of thorns, Scubasurero, Swimming and Shoal clean up. All these activities are aimed at telling not just local fishers but everyone in the community to take ownership in and understand the benefit of no-take-areas and support essential management activities. (PIA/Mai Gevera-Macapagat)
DA outlines strategies against banana disease
vascular system and obstructs the uptake of water and soil nutrients resulting to wilting and death of the pants. Parawan said the DA through its High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) has already organized a task force that will work on implementation of quarantine measures and information drive. “The task force is a composite team from national and local government as well as from the private sector particularly PBGEA [Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association] and MBGEA [Mindanao Banana Growers and Exporters Association],” he said adding: “Mapping and surveillance of severely affected areas is on going to properly identify and assess the extent of the damage.” While there is still no economical method to eliminate the fusarium wilt, Parawan said prevention is the best defense. Parawan said stricter quarantine measures
must be enforced particularly the setting-up of footbaths in local farms and interconnecting roads to prevent the spread of the disease. DAVAO CITY- The Department of Agriculture (DA) “We urged our LGUs partners to help us in has outlined strategies to control fusarium wilt, a putting in place necessary quarantine measures destructive fungal disease reportedly ravaged ba- and in pushing for issuance of local ordinances for nana plantations in Mindanao. farmers and the public to comply,” he said. DA regional director for Davao Region The DA-HVCDP recommends local ordiOscar Parawan said his office is currently work- nance must be issued for farmers to refrain from ing with private companies and local government moving planting materials such as suckers and units (LGUs) to save the local banana industry. rhizomes out of infected areas. It will also stress Fusarium wilt which is also known as Pan- properly disposal of infected plant such as burning ama disease, since it was first discovered there them within the area with rice hull. is one of the most destructive plant diseases. It Farm hygiene must be also strictly ob is a soil-borne fungus that attacks banana plant’s 40
Monday, October 17, 2011