Preserving independence, ecology, people center DepEd head’sIndependence Day message in Siquijor
By Rizalie Anding Calibo

LARENA, Siquijor, June 13 (PIA)--- Proclaiming independence as the greatest gift from the sacrifices of our forefathers and our heroes, Schools Division Superintendent Joseph Irwin A.  Lagura of the Department of Education (DepEd) here stressed the need to preserve it despite threats occurring in the present times. 

In his Keynote Speech during the 113th Philippine Independence Daycelebration at the Queengate Center, Larena, Siquijor, Monday, Lagura said there are different challenges and threats in our exercise for freedom but it is best still to look back and remember the lives, the good deeds and sacrifices of our heroes.

“Sanglit naani na man nato ang bunga sa ilang singot, dugo ug pagpakamatay alang sa atong kagawasan, kita sa bag-ong henerasyon, dili nato  kalimtan ang ilang mga dalaygong buhat ug padayon nato kining ipaambit sa atong mga kabatan-onan nga maoy mga umaabot nga haligi sa atong nasud,” (Since we have reaped the fruits of their sacrifices, we in the new generation should not forget all their praiseworthy deeds and continue to tell them to our children who are our future leaders),  Lagura said as he calls on all Siquijodnons to do even simple acts to preserve the long-fought freedom.

One way, he said, is the promotion of equality, justice and respect to the rights of our fellows despite differences in principles and idealism, he said.

Another simple act to preserve our freedom, he said, is by protecting and preserving the environment like planting of trees and proper disposal of wastes, among other.

Lagura also calls on government employees to always observe “mamamayan muna, bago sarili”  in carrying their duties and the private sectors to pay their taxes while posing another challenge of uplifting the poor .

“Angay kitang tanan magtambayayong aron magpabilin ang atong kagawasan,” (We all need to work together to retain our independence), he said. (Rizalie A. Calibo/PIA-Siquijor)

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DA-ATI pushes rootcrops as alternative staple food

SIQUIJOR, June 13 (PIA)---"Produce root crops and eat them as alternative to rice." 
This was emphasized by the Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) during an Appreciation Course on Alternative Staple Food Production held recently at the Provincial Agriculturist Office (PAO) Conference Hall in Larena, Siquijor attended by 30 farmers and agricultural extension workers. 
High value crops such as cassava (kamoteng kahoy) taro (gabi), yam (ubi), and sweet potato (kamote) and indigenous crops such as the taro (palaw), bitter or intoxicating yam (kolot), yam (apale) and nipa tree (saksak) were introduced to the participants and promoted as very good substitute food staple when rice may not be readily available. 
This is aside from banana and corn which are used as staple food in some households. 
Speakers during the course were Ma. Gracia Soliva-Pungay and Dr. Roberto Castro of ATI 7, Gay Therese Bucol and Narciso Omandam of PLGU and Fedelita Dagumo and Martina Inapan as farmer-experts on the management of crops. 

Pungay, Project Officer of Rootcrops of DA-ATI 7, said the DA has formulated the Philippine Food Staples Self-Sufficiency Roadmap (FSSR), which aims to attain rice self-sufficiency for the country by 2013. 

This is due to the increasing demand for rice not only in Central Visayas but in the country today, she said. 

According to Pungay, based on the FSSR, one of the strategies to achieve self-sufficiency is to maintain per capita rice consumption at 120 kilograms per year which can be achieved by promoting diversifying of staples through the increase in the production of non-rice staples by 3.5 percent annually. Promoting the production of alternative staples like white corn, sweet potato, cassava, and other rootcrops can increase their supply and market availability and thus, lower their prices, she added. 

Pungay underscored that rootcrops play a vital role in food securityand can offer vast potentials in their use for food and non-food. Rootcrops production, she said remain low because most farmers are subsistence rootcrops producers, and some farmers lack skills and knowledge in producing quality and safe rootcrops using sustainable practices. 

Earlier, DA Secretary Proceso Alcala said that Filipinos should diversify their diet to include more vegetables and tubers and root crops. He added that this to ease the pressure on rice.

 
The DA-ATI said root crops are easy to produce even in areas where there is not enough irrigated water. Likewise, some agribusiness companies usually use them as sources for their starch and carbohydrates raw materials.

 
It is also noted that root crops are rich in beta carotene, inolin, minerals and micro-nutrients. (Rizalie A. Calibo-PIA-Siquijor/Renan Ansing & Eda Lou Tangapa-Manigo) 

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Larena mayor takes on P-Noy’s challenge, 
bares projects on Freedom Day
By Rizalie Anding Calibo

LARENA, Siquijor, June 13 (PIA)---Larena town mayor Gold L. Calibo of Siquijor province is taking on the challenges of President Benigno S. Aquino III as he calls all his constituents “to remain as one big family that works together for the common good.”

In his opening remarks during the Independence Day celebration yesterday, Mayor Calibo echoed Pres.. Aquino’s Independence Day message with the Filipinos in the US quoting: “As we fight our own battles today in our shores and in foreign lands, may we always be reminded of our rich history and heritage, our brilliance and sense of purpose.

“Time and time again we have proven that so long as we are united under the banner of transparency, accountability and integrity we take on any insurmountable task and goals,” he quoted.

The mayor said Filipinos of today are facing another kind of challenge --- the struggle against poverty, injustice and corruption, of preserving ecology and nature as the effect of climate change, and of nurturing and leading their children to the right path amid modern influences.

“Kon ang atong kigulangan nakig-away batok sa mga banyaga ug mga laing nasyon nga midominar kanaato, kita karon nag-atubang ug lahi nga hagit nga mao ang away batok sa kalisod, batok sa inhustisya, korupsyon ug uban pa. Nakigbisog kita sa hagit sa pagreserbar sa atong palibot ug kalikupan tungod sa epekto sa Climate Change, ug nakigbisog usab  kita sa hagit sa pagpatubo  ug pagdala sa atong kabataan ngadto sa matarong nga dalan taliwala sa mga modernong impluwensya,” Mayor Calibo said.

Calibo said, these are some of the challenges that we face today and that need to be addressed to, not only by the people of the government but also by the private sector especially the family as the basic unit of society.

These he said as he reported in brief projects of the local government unit of Larena to address some of the town’s basic issues and concerns.

These are the rehabilitation of the town’s water system which he said has been his biggest dream and is now being started. 

“Karon nga nasugdan na ang proyekto, atong panghinauton nga ang supply sa tubig magmakanunayon na,” (Now that we the project has been started, we hope that we will have  enough and steady supply of water in Larena).

The LGU, he said, have also assisted in putting up potable water supply system and have accessed fund from the Department of Health, (DOH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG),  and the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) for the rehabilitation and expansion of water supply for nine barangays  in Larena. “Hopefully, this will be implemented within this year,” he said.

Also included in his report are the energization of barangays and more households in the town, improvement and construction of Farm-to-Market Road; and the improvement of health services, among others.

“Businessmen have set up their businesses in our municipality…this is a good indication that they found our town a good and safe place for business, he noted.

“We still have plans and programs lined up for  the next month or  years and I hope that with your help, understanding and perseverance, and  of course with the blessing of our Lord Almighty, these will be materialized, he said.” (Rizalie A. Calibo/PIA-Siquijor)