12 friday | june 28, 2013
DEVELOPMENTS
Editor: ARJAY S. FELICILDA • Email: msbmdn@yahoo.com.ph jayfels30@yahoo.com.ph Editorial : mindanaodailynews@gmail.com Advertising : mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com
Philippine-Korea pilot project on rural development inaugurated
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trengthening the relationship of two countries, the Philippines and Korea held its turn-over ceremony of a corn processing complex (CPC) in Malagana, Claveria, Misamis Oriental, which is expected to serve 1,900 hectares of corn area in the municipality and its neighboring towns.
This joint undertaking between the Government of Korea and the Philippines is a pilot project under the Rural Development Project in the Philippines (RDPIP) through the Department of Agriculture (DA) that seeks to bring about economic growth by establishing agro-based industries which will further enhance the efforts in attaining food security and jobs creation in the countryside to alleviate poverty. The establishment of the CPC, which amounted to P 63.86M is part of the government’s goal in producing quality corn and minimizing postharvest losses; thereby providing better income for the farmers. Moreso, the CPC also brings the market closer to the farm which will be of great help to the local farmers who have been spending so much on hauling and transportation expenses in taking their corn produce to its buyers. The CPC can dry as much as 50 to 60 metric tons of shelled corn or 100 metric tons of corn-on-cob per day at 14% moisture content. It also consists of corn sheller, 15 metric ton-capacity
bagging bin, a warehouse, a community center and production equipment such as tractor. DA-Assistant Secretary and National Coordinator for Corn Program Edilberto M. De Luna is grateful for the support of the Korean government to the country’s efforts in attaining rural development, especially for the agriculture sector. He also challenged the farmers in making the project successful for its sustainability. Meanwhile, Roh Sang-Wook, Deputy Director of the Development and Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of the Republic of Korea expressed his gratitude to all the people who were responsible in the fulfillment of the CPC and hoped for a stronger partnership with the government of the Philippines. Together with the representatives of both the Government of Korea and the Philippine government, corn stakeholders, farmers and local villagers affixed their signatures in committing for the successful operation and management of the CPC. # (VANESSA MAE S. SIANO, DA-RAFID 10)
CANVAS AND TARPAULIN COVER RECYCLING PROJECT: Members of the VK Multi Purpose Cooperative (VK) undergo a five-day training on canvas tents and tarpaulin covers production utilizing used industrial plastics sacks. The activity is part of the on-going livelihood diversification project sponsored by energy-firm STEAG State Power Inc (SPI). Aside from recycling activities, VK is also engaged in other economic enterprises such as food and catering, and ancillary services for the maintenance and ground upkeep of SPI’s 210 MW (net) Mindanao CoalFired Power Plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental. VK, which is one of the component of SPI’s Livelihood and Enterprise Development (LEED) Program , is currently providing about 33 long-term job opportunities for local residents Villanueva.
Philippines-Korea turns-over CPC worth P63.86M to the local government unit of Claveria, Misamis Oriental which will benefit local corn farmers in augmenting their income by ensuring quality corn produce. Gracing the celebration representing the Philippine government is: DA-ASec. Edilberto M. de Luna (top photo, 5th from left), PhilMech Executive Director Rex L. Bingabing (2nd from right), DA-10 Regional Executive Director Lealyn A. Ramos (3rd from left), Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar S. Moreno (7th from left) and Claveria Mayor Redentor S. Salvaleon (5th from right). The Government of Korea is also represented by Deputy Director Roh Sang-Wook (6th from left) of the Development and Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Director of the Center for Overseas Assistance and International Development, Dr. Yanghoon Song (4th from right) of Chungbuk National University.
Mega vision for Cebu
Creating a sustainable community is a shared responsibility. It does not lie solely on the government or the private sector; it involves every citizen. In Metro Cebu, the Mega Cebu project is one of the main movers of promoting sustainable growth and development through an integrated and collaborative approach. Mega Cebu’s vision is “a vibrant, equitable, sustainable, and competitive environment that embraces Cebu’s creativity and its cultural, historical and natural resources, with strong citizen participation and responsive governance”. “Mega Cebu is a collaboration of stakeholders in government, non-government organizations (NGOs) and private sectors, which aims to plan Cebu's future,” Caroline Ballesteros, Mega Cebu communications and stakeholder relationship manager, said during the June 15 episode of Pagtuki, the official radio program of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI). Thus, the said project works
towards a community that is cultural and historic, innovative, creative and competitive, inclusive, equitable and livable, interconnected and compact, integrated, coordinated, and participative. This is reflected in its tagline “Mega Cebu making WAVES (Wholesome, Advanced, Vibrant, Equitable, and Sustainable)”. Its different areas of focus aim to address challenges and issues in waste management, public safety, neighborhood participation, and historic and heritage preservation, among others. For Mary Ann Alcordo-Solomon of Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the first step to making solutions is finding out the problems in one's locality. “Let’s all be aware of what is happening in our society. For instance, having observed that motor vehicles contribute to pollution, we promote biking instead,” Alcordo said. Ballesteros echoed Alcordo's point, saying, “Sugbo, pagpakabana. Kon dili karon kanus-a pa? Kung dili kita, sulti-i ko’g kinsa
(Cebu, be vigilant. If not now, when? If not us, tell me who).” Mega Cebu, through the Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board, is working with various local government units, government agencies, private companies, and civic organizations to come up with a 30-year integrated plan for Metro Cebu. Pagtuki is aired over dyLA 909 AM every Saturday at 1011am. The program, which is one of the Knowledge Sharing & Advocacy capabilities of RAFI, tackles timely and relevant issues on community development, politics and governance, microfinancing, education, environment, early childhood care and development, and culture and heritage that affect the Cebuano community. For more information about RAFI’s radio program, please contact Carmel Matus at 4187234 loc. 542, or visit www.rafi. org.ph or www.facebook.com/ rafi.org.ph, or follow @rafiorgph on Twitter. (by Carla Maniwang/ RAFI intern)
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