News

11Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Nation, News

Digital tool empowers okra farmers

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 ...

CEZA, Now Group to lead PH digitalization

11Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Cagayan, News

CEZA, Now Group to lead PH digitalization

SANTA ANA, Cagayan (August 11, 2023)—The Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Now Group to expand the connectivity and information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure at the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (CSEZFP). Secretary Katrina Ponce Enrile said the MoU intends to formally establish an understanding between the two parties to design and develop a world-class Communications Critical Infrastructure that also provides unified connectivity, software systems and services in the CSEZFP. On Aug. 3, 2023, the MoU was signed by CEZA, through Enrile, and Now Group, through its chairman, Mel Velarde. Witnessing the signing were CEZA Deputy Administrator for Operations lawyer Marichelle de Guzman and Now Co...

FCF Minerals conducts training on safety protocols, procedures

10Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

News, Nueva Vizcaya

FCF Minerals conducts training on safety protocols, procedures

In line with the mandate of the Department of Labor and Employment, the Occupational Safety and Health Department of FCF Minerals Corporation in Quezon town, Nueva Vizcaya is conducting a mandatory eight-hour Safety and Health Training Program for the employees of the company. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya (August 10, 2023)—FCF Minerals Corporation through its Occupational Safety and Health Department has conducted a refresher training for its employees to become knowledgeable of safety protocols and procedures. According to Lorne Harvey, FCF Minerals Corp. general manager for operation, the training is in line with the mandate of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) which is a mandatory eight-hour safety and health training program for th...

Sen. Villar leads corn hub groundbreaking

9Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Isabela, News

Sen. Villar leads corn hub groundbreaking

I-CORN COMPLEX Sen. Mark Villar (second from right) leads the groundbreaking ceremony for the proposed I-Corn Complex on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, at Barangay Marana 1st, City of Ilagan, Isabela. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO CITY OF ILAGAN (August 9, 2023)—A one-stop shop agriculture commercial center for corn farmers called I-Corn Complex will be built here soon. The P107 million allotted for the project will come from the budget of the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 2. The I-Corn Complex, considered the first of its kind in the country, will house the processing and post-harvest facilities for feeds and food to ensure the quality of corn-based products. On Monday, August 7, Sen. Mark Villar, who heads the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Ent...

Sen. Zubiri pushes rice production zones

8Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Nation, News

Sen. Zubiri pushes rice production zones

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...

Enrile: CEZA aims to penetrate digital market

8Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Cagayan, News

Enrile: CEZA aims to penetrate digital market

Sec. Katrina Ponce Enrile, CEZA administrator and chief executive officer. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO SANTA ANA, Cagayan (August 8, 2023)—With its strategic geographical position, the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) is being groomed as an ideal option for the gaming investment and digital markets. CEZA Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Katrina Ponce Enrile said investors and locators may also consider the modern infrastructure and support facilities on top of a clear set of policies and systems that make CEZA a haven for operators and players. She said the geographical location of the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Free Port (CSEZFP) puts it in a favorable position to conveniently penetrate the gaming and digital markets of the Asia-Pacific region and the United States. ...

7Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Cagayan, News

DA Region 2 smarting from P1.7-B ‘Egay’ damage

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (August 7, 2023)—The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 2 (DA-RFO2) will be "strategizing and pooling efforts" to rehabilitate areas damaged by Typhoon "Egay" in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley). In a convergence meeting on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, DA-RFO2 Executive Director and Officer in Charge Rose Mary Aquino said there is a need for a methodical strategy through the Masagana Industry Rice Development Program in the rehabilitation of damages, especially to rice. The meeting was attended by officials from the National Food Authority (NFA) and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and provincial agriculturists of the different provincial governments of Cagayan Valley. It was convened to act on the rehabilitation of rice areas damaged by "Egay," st...

Gov. Gambito okays ordinance addressing shortage of medical professionals in NVizcaya

7Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

News, Nueva Vizcaya

Gov. Gambito okays ordinance addressing shortage of medical professionals in NVizcaya

DOCTOR OF MEDICINE SCHOLARSHIP. Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Jose ‘Jing’ Gambito (right) approves a landmark initiative by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in its passage of ‘Ordinance Establishing the Nueva Vizcaya Medical Scholarship and Return Service Program,’ also known as the Nueva Vizcaya ‘Doktor ti Umili’ Scholarship Program, authored by Board Member Patricio Dumlao (center) and Board Member Elma Pinao-an Lejao (left). CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO BAYOMBONG (August 7, 2023)—Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Jose "Jing" Gambito approved an initiative by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) upon the passage of an ordinance addressing the shortage of medical professionals in the province. Gambito said the "Ordinance Establishing the Nueva Vizcaya Medical Scholarship and Return Service Program" a...

Cagayan State U confers honorary degree on DoST Usec Mabborang

6Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Cagayan, News

Cagayan State U confers honorary degree on DoST Usec Mabborang

Department of Science and Technology undersecretary and Region 2 director Sancho Mabborang (third from left) is awarded an honorary degree in Public Administration during the 45th Commencement Rites of the Graduate School of Cagayan State University-Carig Campus on July 22, 2023, with CSU President Dr. Urdujah Alvarado (fourth from left) assisting. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Department of Science and Technology undersecretary and Region 2 director Sancho Mabborang (third from left) is awarded an honorary degree in Public Administration during the 45th Commencement Rites of the Graduate School of Cagayan State University-Carig Campus on July 22, 2023, with CSU President Dr. Urdujah Alvarado (fourth from left) assisting. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO THE Cagayan State University (CSU) has awarded Departme...

FCF conducts basic computer summer classes for Runruno students

6Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

News, Nueva Vizcaya

FCF conducts basic computer summer classes for Runruno students

FCF Minerals Corp. E-Learning Program facilitator, Junita Bayaona conducts her summer class for basic computer literacy with the learners of Barangay Runruno in Quezon town in Nueva Vizcaya from July 31 to August 5, 2023, at the Runruno Community Learning Center. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya (August 6, 2023)—The London-based FCF Minerals Corp. conducted a summer class for basic computer literacy through its Basic Literacy Program (BLP) to some 26 schoolchildren in Barangay Runruno here. Lorne Harvey, FCF Minerals general manager for operations, said their E-Learning Program aims to capacitate the students who are willing to learn and take advanced training in computer literacy at the Runruno Community Learning Center. He said the summer class f...