Nation

LAOAG CITY (August 24, 2023)—The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has entered into a momentous Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Association of Ilocos Norte Information Officers Inc. (AINIO), solidifying their commitment to promote financial literacy. This strategic partnership aims to enhance the dissemination of vital information to the public, ultimately empowering individuals to make informed financial decisions. The signing ceremony took place in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte on August 16, 2023. Under the newly signed MO) signed by the SEC Baguio Extension Office Director lawyer Regina May Cajucom-De Guzman, and the AINIO President lawyer Charito Malicad, and Edmar Ines, AINIO treasurer, the SEC and the AINIO will engage in a range of activities aimed at raising awaren...

Experts said that the decline of the population of bees can have serious consequences on food production. FLINDERS UNIVERSITY PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO SCIENTISTS working in Asian countries have warned of declines in Asia's pollinators that could affect food production and food security in the region. A report released by the Australia-based Flinders University affirmed that bee pollinators are a crucial link to food production and food security for more than half the world's population living in Asia. However, the report noted that few species have been closely studied or assessed for their range, numbers and conservation status. The report said the warning comes as 74 scientists working in 13 Asian and other countries said that the region's bees could be under threat du...

Ifugao State University continues its streak of global recognition by participating in the three-day Kuminwani Flair 2.0 Masterclass dubbed 'Cordillera's Fierce Leaders Achieving International Recognition' at the Cordillera Career Development Center in La Trinidad, Benguet from Aug. 2 to 4, 2023. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO IN continuing its streak of global recognition, Ifugao State University (IFSU) has participated in the three-day Kuminwani Flair 2.0 Masterclass dubbed "Cordillera's Fierce Leaders Achieving International Recognition." Held at the Cordillera Career Development Center in La Trinidad, Benguet from Aug. 2 to 4, 2023, the Kuminwani Flair 2.0 Masterclass is organized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (C...

The Insiklo bioconversion facility rears black soldier fly larvae that transform organic waste into animal feed and compost for crop production. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO FOUNDED by Joseph Navasero, Insiklo is a startup venture that is turning market and household wastes into feed and fertilizer with the aid of the insect called black soldier fly (BSF). According to the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca), about 500 kilograms of market waste from Los Baños municipality in Laguna province are sent every week to the Insiklo facility. Then the larvae of BSF devour food scrap, agricultural debris and manure, reducing the waste volume and odor into a nutrient-rich compost for use as organic fertilizer on crops. The ...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO DAKOTA, a digital tool that can bolster sustainable production of food export commodities in Indonesia, is a demonstration of the power of agricultural technology, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) said. Searca Director Glenn Gregorio said Dakota is a digital platform that will soon reach the okra farmers of Grobogan in Central Java, Indonesia. He said the tool helps farmers achieve international market standards and fair prices through transparent records of the quality control and agricultural practices applied to their commodities. "Searca Grants for Research towards Agricultural Innovative Solutions (Grains) supports digital innovations that reward sustainable practices, making a difference in ...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO DAKOTA, a digital tool that can bolster sustainable production of food export commodities in Indonesia, is a demonstration of the power of agricultural technology, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) said. Searca Director Glenn Gregorio said Dakota is a digital platform that will soon reach the okra farmers of Grobogan in Central Java, Indonesia. He said the tool helps farmers achieve international market standards and fair prices through transparent records of the quality control and agricultural practices applied to their commodities. "Searca Grants for Research towards Agricultural Innovative Solutions (Grains) supports digital innovations that reward sustainable practices, making a difference in ...

SENATE PRESIDENT MIGUEL ZUBIRI MANILA (August 8, 2023)—Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri is pushing for the establishment of rice production zones (RPZs) with intensified government support. He said the country should start weaning its dependence away from imported rice and reduce the risk of food insecurity. He said the two recent typhoons badly hit Regions 1 (Ilocos), 2 (Cagayan Valley) and 3 (Central Luzon), which roughly account for 40 percent of rice input and 80 percent of corn production. Thus, there is a need to establish "rice production zones and inundating it with government support and attention." The senate president said he made this proposal to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the dinner hosted by the Chief Executive for members of the Philippine Senate in A...

Revealed by UK-based firm at MMSU The seminar was held at the MMSU’s Center for Flexible Learning. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO CITY OF BATAC (June 24, 2023)—Emphasizing the benefits of manufacturing solar cells that use quantum Dot technology as a highly transformative and advanced renewable resource, the United Kingdom (UK)-based Regius Energy Corp. introduced the nanoparticle thin film solar cells to Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) researchers and students. In a seminar held at the MMSU Center for Flexible Learning, Albert Chan Tu, Regius Energy Corp. chief executive officer, said that manufacturing the advanced technology can help address the sustainability of the country's energy needs. It can also contribute to global environment goals and enhance its e...

Leading agri-based products from the Ilocos Region were showcased during the latest Agribusiness Support for Promotion and Investment in Regional Exposition (Aspire) for the region. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO ILOCOS NORTE (June 22, 2023)—The agribusiness industry in Ilocos Region has so much to offer, be it a warm cup of hot choco made from Pangasinan cacao, "pakbet" crisps of Ilocano young farmers and the nine-year-old "bugnay" wines from Ilocos Norte. With these, the Department of Agriculture (DA) held the annual Agribusiness Support for Promotion and Investment in Regional Exposition (Aspire) in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (PCCI) for the region. Aspire has four driving component...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO DELEGATES from the Cagayan State University, the Nueva Vizcaya State University, the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and the Visayas State University were sent to Thailand for a training program on practical bioinformatics skills for plant and animal whole genome sequencing data. Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) Director Glenn Gregorio said the participation of the delegates in the training was made possible through the support of the center's Leveling-Up Philippine Higher Education Institutions in Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Resources (LevelUPHEI AFAR) grant. In addition to the four project-sponsored delegates, two additional UPLB representatives were present, courtesy of the Searc...