The Valley Journal

Dubai-based scientist visits Searca in UPLB

16Jun

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Dubai-based scientist visits Searca in UPLB

Dr. R.K. Singh (fourth from left) of the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture with Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture officers and staff led by Associate Prof. Joselito Florendo (second from left). CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO LAGUNA (June 16)—A Dubai-based scientist has conducted a plant breeding visit at the University of the Philippines-headquartered Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca). Searca has assisted Dr. R. K. Singh of the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) in conducting an informal survey on the use of millets and quinoa as well as gathering information on their availability, accessibility and affordability in selected sites in the Phil...

CHR supports DepEd’s long-term basic education plan

16Jun

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Nation, News

CHR supports DepEd’s long-term basic education plan

MANILA (June 16)—The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has expressed support for the Department of Education's (DepEd) introduction of the "Basic Education Development Plan 2030" (BEDP 2030) which will serve as a framework for improving the delivery and quality of basic education in the Philippines for the next decade. The DepEd said the BEDP 2030 aims to alleviate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, address access gaps, and build resilience. In a statement, lawyer Jacqueline Ann de Guia, CHR executive director, said the commission recognizes this effort of DepEd to enhance access, equity, quality and resiliency of the Philippine education system through structured goals and long-term plans. De Guia said CHR appreciates the agency's responsiveness to the existing and emerging iss...

‘Make urban agriculture a weapon vs Covid-19’

10Jun

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Nation

‘Make urban agriculture a weapon vs Covid-19’

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO LOS BAÑOS, Laguna (June 10)—A non-profit organization established by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization has urged local government units (LGUs) to mainstream urban agriculture in response to the global pandemic. Dr. Glenn Gregorio, Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) director, said institutionalizing urban agriculture in the Philippines as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic requires active leadership from the local government. Headquartered on the campus of the University of the Philippines Los Baños in Laguna province, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture is one of the oldest among 26 specialist institutions of the Southeast Asian Ministe...

9Jun

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Features, Nation

IFSU celebrates Heritage Month

Stakeholders vow to protect the rich heritage of the native Ifugao house, some of which are 100 years old. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO IFUGAO (June 9)—A cultural exhibit at the Ifugao State University (IFSU)-Hapao Campus' Indigenous Peoples Resource Conservation and Community Learning Center showed photos of native houses and their narratives, and orientations on cultural items and indigenous cuisine. According to Faith Napudo, IFSU administrative officer, the cultural exhibit dubbed "Pangipaptok hi Nunhituwan: The Built Heritage of Hungduan" was to give honor to Heritage Month on May 26. As a stimulus for enhancing cultural awareness and appreciation, Napudo said the event highlighted the Ifugao native house, the most tangible symbol of Ifugao culture. Represen...

NLuzon State Us products in DoST top 10 innovation prototypes

9Jun

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Features, Nation

NLuzon State Us products in DoST top 10 innovation prototypes

Pangasinan State University's Tomato Salsa makes is one of 10 Department of Science and Technology product prototypes developed by the Regional Food Innovation Centers in the North Luzon Cluster. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO ILOCOS NORTE (June 9)—Three products of state universities in Ilocos Norte, Cagayan and Pangasinan provinces were among the top 10 innovation product prototypes launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) in partnership with the Industrial Technology Development Institute. According to the DoST, these were Chica Matis (Tomato Chicharon) of Cagayan State University (CSU); ToMango (Tomato and Mango) Juice of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) along with their Mango Choco Powder Mix, Mango-Kamangeg Sinigang Mix and Tomato-Mango Ket...

‘Prioritize renewable, not nuclear power’

7Jun

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Nation, News

‘Prioritize renewable, not nuclear power’

Employees walk past solar panels at a solar energy farm owned and operated by Valenzuela Solar Energy Inc. in Valenzuela City, Metro Manila on Saturday, May 28, 2022. PHOTO BY MARIA TAN BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO MANILA (June 7)—Global environment network Greenpeace International has urged the incoming administration of President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos to prioritize renewable energy for the country's power requirements instead of reviving the mothballed Bataan nuclear power plant. "We have yet to see detailed plans of the incoming administration for energy development, but recent statements that nuclear energy is the 'cleanest and cheapest' are not true and are dangerous assertions," Greenpeace campaigner Khevin Yu said. Yu said nuclear power is the most dangerous and mo...

8Apr

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Nation

Biggest Balikatan comes to a close

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO SHOULDER TO SHOULDER. Nearly 9,000 Filipino and American military personnel participated in the Balikatan 2022, which is the 37th iteration of the annual bilateral exercise that started on March 28 and culminated on Friday, April 8, 2022, in Luzon. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States military have concluded on Friday, April 8, 2022 the largest iteration of the Philippine-led annual exercise Balikatan that took place across Luzon. Balikatan, the Tagalog word for "shoulder-to-shoulder," is a longstanding bilateral exercise highlighting the deep-rooted partnership between the Philippines and the US. Nearly 9,000 members of AFP and the US military gathered to celebrate the successful completion of Balikatan 2022, ...

5Apr

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Nation

Searca to open agri, robotics centers

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO LOS BAÑOS, Laguna (April 5)—The Philippine government-hosted Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) has presented to the Department of Education (DepEd) two new learning facilities for agricultural innovation. Searca Director Glenn Gregorio during his visit to the DepEd recently apprised Secretary Leonor Briones of the soon-to-open Searca Hub for agriculture and Rural Innovation for the Next Generation (Sharing), an interactive museum, and the Searca iCreate which will provide makerspaces and a training facility for robotics, prototyping and design thinking. "At Searca, we are one with DepEd in enriching the learning competencies of our Filipino youth," Gregorio said, adding that the two facilities are avenues...

International summit to assess rice terraces

13Mar

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Nation, News

International summit to assess rice terraces

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO The Ifugao Rice Terraces was included in the World's Heritage Endangered List in 2001. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO THE Ifugao State University (IFSU) is holding an international summit featuring local and international researchers, policymakers and knowledge holders from different communities to discuss the current state of the Ifugao Rice Terraces (IRT). Faith Napudo, IFSU information officer, said this will be the first international summit on rice terraces assessment in the 101 years history of the IRT. With the theme "Understanding and Envisioning the State of the Ifugao Rice Terraces," the summit will be conducted via Zoom videoconference and Facebook live stream on March 18, 22, 25 and 29. Napudo said the summit aims to hatch out agreeable and scientific i...

11Mar

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Nation, News

3 broadcasters face libel charges

DAGUPAN CITY (March 11)—Three radio broadcasters here are facing multiple counts of libel and cyber libel charges filed by the local chief executive of the municipality of Mangaldan in Pangasinan province. Mangaldan town Mayor Marilyn de Guzman-Lambino was accompanied by her counsel, lawyer Joseph Frianeza, when she filed the complaint before the City Prosecutor's Office here on March 8, 2022. The respondents in the libel case filed by de Guzman-Lambino are radio commentators Joel Balolong of DWCM Aksyon Radyo 1161 AM, Tito Tamayo of DWIZ 89.3 FM and Dennis Mojares of DWJE 88.1 FM. The libel cases stemmed from the "malicious" and "brutal" commentaries of the broadcasters when Lambino and her husband, lawyer Raul Lambino, were accused of rape, child abuse and physical injuries bef...