ISSN 01165343

VOL. 9 NO.44 AUG. 28 - SEPT. 3 2012

Formerly Pacific MONITOR

NEWSMAGAZINE

Bringing the

PHILIPPINES To Every Home...

MARINDUQUE:

“WE ARE NOW FIVE (5)YEARS ON

PUBLIC SERVICE”

By: Eli J. Obligacion

A PRIME TOURIST DESTINATION

—page 4

see page 2

Courtesy of:

By Mayda Lagran

By Luis Cueto

Page 6

Mindoro:

Palawan:

page 6

By Victoria Ascuncion S. Mendoza

Romblon:

page 5

By Dinnes Manzo

marinduquegov.blogspot.com

By: Joan G. Salise —page 3

by: TONY MONTERAS —page 8

2 AUG. 28– SEPT. 3, 2012

By: Eli Obligacion

"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in soci-ety, they create for themselves, in the course of time, a legal system that au-thorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it." - Frédéric Bastiat (1801-1850)

In May 2012, for the proposed improvement of the road network infrastruc-ture development project in the province of Marinduque, the Sangguniang Panlalawi-gan (SP), authorized Gov. Carmencita O. Reyes to negotiate a loan agreement with the DBP. Two months later, in July 2012, the SP amended the said resolution to in-clude the authority to negotiate not only with DBP but “with any government or pri-vate financial institution” not only for road network infrastructure development pro-jects this time but also, for “other priority socio economic development programs”. When word got out about these seemingly topsy-turvy operations, a group of concerned citizens found the proposed loan to be “counter-productive, unreason-able, unnecessary, and certainly out of time.” “The subject resolutions were not

referred to the Provincial Development Council of Marinduque, the statutory body tasked to approve and endorse the annual investment plan of the province”, as stated in the petition for repeal of the resolutions. On August 1, 2012, members of the SP requested for a meeting with certain key officials of the DOTC in Manila to provide funding assistance for the Marinduque Airport Runway Project, estimated to cost Php 90-million. After the meeting the SP passed Resolution No. 735 dated August 1, 2012 (same date), stating among others that “Whereas, the Body is likewise happy to know that the DOTC had al-ready plans for the proposed extension and rehabilitation of the Marinduque Airport Runway...”

Two weeks later - just the other day, in fact, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan decided to further amend the second Resolution is-sued last July, this time authorizing the governor to negotiate a loan agreement not with DBP but solely with Philippine National Bank (PNB), in the amount of Php 150-million. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan specified this time that Php 100-million out of that loan is for the completion of the Marinduque Airport Runway and Php 50-million for farm-to-market roads. Curiously, on or about the same time that this was going on, Governor Reyes went on radio to announce that she had already negotiated with PNB for a Php 300-million credit line in favor of the provincial government of Marinduque, with official notice already re-ceived, she said. Reyes said the loan will be used for farm-to-market roads, airport runway, construction of a sports complex and education

(citing the need to continue her son's - former Cong. Edmund Reyes, Jr.'s scholarship program). “Maikli na ang panahon mga anak, hindi natin maisusulong

ang proyektong pangkaunlaran na tanging minimithi ng ating kala-

lawigan ng sabay-sabay kung tayo ay hindi uutang sa bangko…”, she

said.

After a political career that spanned 41 years (from 1971 as

Delegada to present), Reyes, based on her own foregoing statement,

("time is already short my children, we cannot push for development

projects that are the only desire of our provincemates, all at the same

time, if we will not obtain a loan from the bank..."), has really ran out

of time, four decades apparently not being enough to push for Marin-

duque's development.

The Marinduque Capitol Building, circa 1928.

Marinduque Capitol building, born 1928, haunted by ghosts, and now 84 years old.

3

Ay...Marinduque

Ni: NOEL V. MAGTURO

AUG. 28– SEPT. 3, 2012

Philippines Coalition Presses

for House Action on FOI

The Right to Know Right Now Coalition in the Philippines has asked

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte to intervene and get the freedom of

information bill out of committee.

The letter from the network of 150 media and civil society organi-

zations pushing the passage of the FOIasks Belmonte to take steps to

“ensure full deliberation and swift approval” of the bill, which is pending

with the House Committee on Public Information headed by Rep. Ben

Evardone. “We regret that we have lost faith in the sincerity and good faith

of Rep. Evardone on FOI,” the letter states.

The letter recalls Belemonte’s recent indications that the FOI bill

would be moved forward. “We are concerned, however, that almost four

weeks after your speech, the FOI bill continues to languish at the Commit-

tee chaired by Rep. Ben Evardone. He did not call a hearing on August 7

contrary to his earlier public pronouncement that he will do so, and there is

no indication that he intends to call such hearing anytime soon.”

The letter continues: “But what concerns us even more are Rep.

Evardone’s statements, quoted in a number of media stories, that his deci-

sion not to call a hearing was upon instruction of the House leadership. We

find this assertion incongruent with the commitment that you have so far

expressed on FOI.”

“At this crucial juncture in the term of the 15th Congress, we ap-

peal for your intervention and concrete action on the FOI bill, pursuant to

the powers and duties of the Speaker to ensure full deliberation and swift

approval of priority measures,” the letter concludes.

Courtesy of: freedominfo.org

Letter of Invitation

LYN B. RESURRECCION

National President

Rep. Angelo Plamones,

AGHAM Partylist,

(2nd from left) receiv-

ing an award as one of

the ten outstanding

solon of the Philippines

given by PAPI.

Philippine Science Journalists Association, Inc. (PSciJourn) A member of the World Federation of Science Jour-nalists (WFSJ)

Mr. Noel V. Magturo

President, PSciJourn Inc.

Marinduque Chapter

Dear PSciJourn Member:

Our esteemed organization, the Philippine Science Jour-

nalists Association Inc. (PSciJourn), will be conducting

its Congress and Forum on September 14, 2012. It will

be held at 8 a.m. to 5p.m. at Party Pod, Robot Zoo, Nido

Fortified Science Discovery Center, SM Mall of Asia, JW

Diokno Boulevard, Pasay City

The Congress/Forum will have the theme,

“Conserve and protect water: It saves lives,”

as part of PSciJourn’s celebration of the International

Decade of Biodiversity and our contribution to the just-

concluded Rio+20 Summit.

It aims to reiterate the need to conserve water,

and to protect and rehabilitate the country’s water re-

sources. Experts in the field will be invited as resource

speakers.

In this connection, we would like to remind you

to pay your membership dues of P200

per year to make you a member of good standing and be

able to actively participate in the Congress/Forum.

Should you have any questions, you may con-

tact PSciJourn Executive Director, Ms.

Joan Salise, at telephone numbers 837-0057, 0917-813-

0824 or through e-mail, pscijourn.inc@gmail.com.

Thank you. Looking forward to seeing you at

our Congress/Forum.

Very truly yours,

Unit 424, GA Tower I, #83 EDSA cor. Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City, Philippines

Tel.: (+632) 747 0288 Email: pscijourn.inc@gmail.com Website: www.pscijourn.org.ph

SAY NO TO …

Illegal Drugs !!!

4 AUG. 28– SEPT. 3, 2012

BOAC, Marinduque, (PIA) -- Nilinaw sa isang press conference ni

Marinduque Gov. Carmencita O. Reyes ang ginawang pag-utang ng

pamahalaang panlalawigan mula sa Philippine National bank (PNB) na

aabot sa P300 milyon.

Nagkaroon ng isyu sa pag-utang ng P300 milyon dahil diumano ay

may pagkaka-utang pa ng P75 milyon ang pamahalaan ng nakaaraang admin-

istrasyon para sa mga kagamitang hindi pa nade-deliver.

Paliwanag ng gobernadora, ang Marinduque ay may malaking po-

tensyal upang maging bagong agri-tourism destination sa dami ng magagan-

dang lugar sa paligid ng isla na maaaring linangin.

Ito ang siya umanong nag-udyok sa lokal na pamahalaan na ku-

muha ng isang credit line sa PNB upang matustusan ang mabilisan na pag-

unlad ng Marinduque. Maliban sa imprastruktura, ang halagang uutangin ay

para rin sa patubig, pailaw, kalusugan, sports, edukasyon, agrikultura, turismo

at marami pang iba.

“Ang pag-utang ay masasabing kakambal na din ng pag-unlad.

Tunay na ‘di maipagkakaila na kulang ang pondo ng lalawigan mula sa lokal

na kita nito at sa IRA o Internal Revenue Allowance,” sabi ni Reyes.

Ipinagbigay-alam ni Budget Management Bureau Director Carmen-

cita Dilantar ang pagtaas ng 10 porsiyento ng IRA ng lalawigan ngayong

taon, ngunit ayon sa gobernadora, hindi sapat ito para pondohan ang lahat ng

proyektong inilatag ng pamahalaan.

“Kung nais ng agarang pag-unlad ng ating lalawigan kagaya ng sa

Camsur Sports Adventure sa Camarines Sur, PPUR o Puerto Princesa Under-

ground River ng Palawan, Jetski Sports ng Aklan at Sports Complex and Con-

vention Center, na pare-parehong namuhunan mula sa mga package loans,

ang pag-utang ang makakatulong sa probinsiya ng malaki,” dagdag pa ni

Reyes.

Nagpalabas na ang Commission on Audit (COA) ng notice of disal-

lowance para sa pagpapahinto ng pagbayad ng amortization para sa nasabing

utang matapos magsampa ng kaso si Reyes na sa ngayon ay nasa lebel na ng

pagdinig ng dalawang regional trial courts sa Maynila, mapawalang-bisa na

ang kontrata ng Civic Merchandising at Aztec Equipment Inc. at ng nakalipas

na administrasyon. Sa ganitong paraan ang karapat dapat lamang na utang ang

mabayaran ng wasto.

“Issue pa nga ba ito? Hindi ba’t mas malaking issue kung hindi

pagtitiwalaan ng bangko ang lalawigan? Sa kabila ng lahat, ang mga bangko

ay nagpakita ng suporta, subalit ang PNB ang pinakamaganda ang loan pack-

age at may pinakamababang interes kaya ito ang napili namin,” sabi ni Reyes.

Tinuwid din ng gobernadora ang maling akala na P300 milyon ang

kabuuang halaga ng uutangin ng lalawigan. “Magbibigay ang PNB ng credit

line na ang maximum ay P300 milyon, at kung ano lamang ang pangangailan-

gan, yun ang halaga ng kukunin dito. Dalawang taon ang palugit sa pagbayad

kung kaya’t kahit sa IRA lang ay makakaipon ng pambayad ng interes sa

unang taon at kapital sa ika-dalawang taon,” paglilinaw ni Reyes.

Binigyan-diin ng gobernadora ang prayoridad na patutunguhan ng

pondo. Aniya, una sa turismo ang maaayos na transportasyon, kaya’t ito ang

pinakamalaki ang pagkakagastusan. Isasaayos ang airport, lalo na ang run-

way. Binahagi rin ng gobernadora ang plano ng Zest Air na ihinto ang

kanilang operasyon sa Oktubre kung hindi maisasaayos ang airport sa Marin-

duque.

May apila na ang Sanggunian Panlalawigan at Transportation Regu-

latory Board Director Edmundo Reyes Jr. sa Department of Transportation

and Communication (DOTC) para sa agarang pagbibigay ng pondo sa lalawi-

gan para dito.

Bagama’t nangako si Secretary Mar Roxas ng DOTC na pagkaka-

looban ng tulong ang Marinduque, dahil sa pagproseso ng mga dokumento ay

maaring tumagal pa ito. Habang hinihintay ang pondo mula DOTC, aabono-

han muna ng pamahalaang panlalawigan ang pagsasaayos ng airport upang

hindi maputol ang serbisyo ng Zest Air sa Oktubre. (LBR/MNL/PIA4B/

Marinduque)

Ni Mayda Lagran

5 AUG. 28– SEPT. 3, 2012

PNP Romblon lumahok sa disaster pre-

paredness, rescue and relief operations

trainor’s training By Dinnes Manzo

ROMBLON, Romblon, (PIA) -- Walong kawani ng Philippine

National Police (PNP) Romblon ang lumahok sa isinagawang

disaster preparedness, rescue and relief operations trainor’s

training noong Agosto 12-17, 2012 sa Oriental Mindoro Police

Provincial Office Conference Room, Camp Efiganio C. Navarro,

Calapan City.

Dinaluhan ito ng siyam na grupo na binubuo ng walong

miyembro mula sa mga lalawigan ng Oriental & Occidental Min-

doro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Regional Headquarters PNP,

dalawang team mula sa Battalion at Brgy. Peace Action Team-

Calapan.

Naisakatuparan ang training na nabanggit sa pangunguna ng

Directorate for Police Community Relations, Regional Disaster Risk

Reduction Management Council at PNP Regional Headquarters.

Pangunahing tagapagsalita si Director Eugene Cabrera, Regional

Director, Office for Civil Defense at PSupt. Niño David Rabaya,

Training Director at kasapi ng Maritime Group mula sa Camp

Crame.

Ayon kay SPO1 Gemmie Mallen, Investigator PNCO, la-

yunin ng training na ito ang mapaghandaan ang anumang uri ng

kalamidad upang maiwasang may magbuwis ng buhay at mailigtas

ang lahat sa anumang sakuna. Marami aniya silang natutunan sa

naturang pagsasanay para paghandaan ang dumarating na mga kala-

midad, makapagsalba ng buhay at makatulong sa mga mamamayan

na maaaring maapektuhan ng pagguho ng lupa, pagbaha at anumang

di inaasahang epekto ng bagyo sa ating buhay at ari-arian.

Pumangalawa aniya ang Romblon PPO team sa nagpaki-

tang gilas ng epektibo at mabilis na pag-rescue sa isinagawang pag-

sasabuhay nila sa mga itinuro at tinalakay sa training. Kabilang aniya

sa kanyang mga kasama sa team ng Romblon Police Provincial Of-

fice na nagtungo sa nasabing training sina PInsp. Mark Ver L. Vic-

tor, SPO1 Bobby M. Fallaria, PO3 Andres P. Magramo III, PO3 Al-

bert G. Adan, PO2 Alma C. Mutia, PO2 Ferdinanad M. Gabutero at

PO1 Juanito F. Mayuga.(DM/TBO - PIA-IVB/Romblon)

Lawmakers push rescue training for youth

By: Vicky Bartilet

A group of lawmakers is pushing for the training of elementary and high school students in rescue opera-tions through House Bill 4397 or “An Act to Institutional-ize Disaster Preparedness Among the Youth through Res-cue Olympics in the Elementary and Secondary Schools and for Other Purposes”.

Authored by Representatives Angelo B. Pal-mones, Romeo M. Acop, Walden F. Bello, Julieta R. Cortuna and Agapito H. Guanlao, the bill aims to provide the youth understanding of the nature of natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, typhoons,

floods and landslides, as well as non-natural disasters like the occurrence of fires. “The Rescue Olympics is an innovative way of train-ing the youth because these will be competitive activities; an initial way of winning their interests and active participation,” Palmones said. He said the young people will be trained on how to respond when disaster occurs and be able to conduct limited rescue activities which eventually lessen or mitigate disaster impacts. The bill stipulates the Department of Education (DepEd) as the main institution which will conduct the Res-cue Olympics. It is mandated to identify competitive activities

and the mechanisms and procedures of conduct for maxi-mum participation by the target beneficiaries. Other agencies identified in the bill include the De-partment of Interior and Local Government, Department of Science and Technology thru the Philippine Institute of Volca-nology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Admini-stration (DOST-PAGASA) and the Natural Disaster Risk Re-duction and Management Council (NDRRMC). “The country’s geographical location makes it most vulnerable to a host of natural disasters, like the disastrous habagat floods we have recently experienced. With the chang-ing climate, more disasters are bound to the Philippines. Dis-aster risk reduction is expensive and is not working. Emer-gency education is more effective and cheaper. A more pru-dent and realistic effort to lessen if not prevent the impacts of these natural hazards is preparedness, for the youth to help themselves and other people around them; hence the Rescue Olympics,” Palmones added. (AGHAM/Vicky B. Bartilet)

6 AUG. 28– SEPT. 3, 2012

Daloy ng trapiko sa Calapan

City pier, isasaayos By Luis T. Cueto

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, (PIA) -- Nakatakdang isaayos

ngayon ang daloy-trapiko sa Calapan City pier at ipatutupad din ang

ilan pang natukoy na pagbabago para sa maayos na operasyon ng

pantalan.

Dito sumentro ang ipinatawag na pagpupulong ng Provincial

Care Council na ginanap sa Bishop’s House, Barangay Salong, Calapan

City kamakailan, sa lahat ng kinauukulang ahensiya ng pamahalaan at iba

pang organisasyon na may kinalaman sa operasyon ng pagpasok at pagla-

bas ng mga sasakyan at pasahero sa Calapan Pier.

Ang Provincial Care Forum ay isang regular na buwanang pagpu-

pulong na pinangungunahan ng pamahalaang panlalawigan at ng simba-

han, kasama ang iba't-bang mga ahensya kung saan sama-samang tinata-

lakay at nireresolba ang mga suliraning nakaaapekto sa pag-unlad ng la-

lawigan.

Sa pagpupulong, inilatag ng Philippine National Police (PNP), sa

ilalim ng pamumuno ni Police Senior Supt. Anthony Alcañeces, ang pro-

grama ng kanilang tanggapan, kasama ang iba pang kaugnay na ahensya

hinggil sa pagsasaayos ng trapiko sa paglabas at pagpasok sa Calapan pier.

Ayon kay Alcañeces, layunin ng ipatutupad nilang programa sa

trapiko sa Calapan pier na madisiplina ang mga motorista at makalikha ng

magandang imahe ang Oriental Mindoro sa mga turistang bumibisita sa

lalawigan.

Sa naturang pagpupulong, nagkaroon ng dayalogo sa pagitan ng

mga pribadong indibidwal at ng kinauukulang ahensya ng pamahalaang

panlalawigan. Natalakay din dito ang suliranin ng mga pasahero sa

kanilang sasakyan, partikular ang pagsisikip ng daan dahil na rin sa hindi

pagsunod ng ilan sa mga regulasyon sa pier.

Sa huling tala, umaabot sa isang libong katao kada-araw ang nag-

tutungo sa Calapan Pier. (LBR/PIO/LTC/PIA4B/OrMin)

P9.5M raised for Palawan credit surety fund By Victoria Asuncion S. Mendoza

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, (PIA) -- The provin-cial government, Land Bank of the Philippines, Develop-ment Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Industrial Guaran-tee Loan Fund (IGLF), and 11 cooperatives have com-mitted P9.5 million to the Palawan Credit Surety Fund (CSF) during its launch Wednesday. The signing of the memorandum of agreement highlighted the launch led by Deputy Governor Diwa C. Guinigundo of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and Palawan Governor Abraham Kahlil B. Mitra. In his speech, Guinigundo congratulated Palawan province for being the 24th local government unit to set up the CSF and for “investing in the future of the people in this beautiful place.” Palawan provincial government has committed P2 million as counterpart funding to the P2.5 million raised and contributed by the 11 “millionaire” cooperatives for the crea-tion of the CSF. Atty. Benedicto Bitonio Jr., DBP executive vice president and chief executive officer of the IGLF, was also present during the launch and pledged P1 million from DBP and another P2 million from the IGLF. The Land Bank will match the P2-million counterpart of the provincial govern-ment. The CSF is BSP’s pro-active approach in support-ing micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs or MSMEs, which become hard pressed for loans from financial institu-tions due to lack of collateral, unstable income, lack of busi-ness experience and low-paying capacity. Under the program, a fund will be created from contributions of well-capitalized and well-managed million-aire cooperatives with counterpart contribution from the local government unit and donor institutions like the Industrial Guarantee and Loan Fund, LBP and the DBP. The fund will provide surety cover, in place of col-lateral, to guarantee bank loans of the cooperatives. Mem-bers of these cooperatives can now access bigger funds to finance its businesses and other income-generating activi-ties. “As the cooperative movement in this place gains momentum, we can see more economic traction, more peo-ple doing business, more people getting jobs, income being generated, taxes being paid and we will be seeing more infrastructure and investments,” said Guinigundo. (LBR/VSM-PIA 4B, Palawan)

Romblon Mayor Gerard S. Montojo at iba pang lokal na opi-

syal ng lalawigan, sabi ni Tesda Provincial Director Ar-

mando O. Aquino

Pinasasalamatan din ni Aquino ang lahat ng mga

technical schools na katuwang ng ahensiya sa pagpapatupad

ng kanilang programa at adhikaing makatulong sa mga kapus

-palad na mag-aaral, gayundin ang mga nagnanais makapag-

tapos sa pag-aaral upang makahanap ng trabaho sa hinaharap

o mayroong mapagkakitaang negosyo. Kasama ring pina-

salamatan ang mga nagbigay ng tulong sa kanilang ahensiya

upang maging matagumpay ang isasagawang selebrasyon.

(LBR/DM-PIA4B Romblon)

Tesda-Romblon, magdiriwang ng

ika-18 anibersaryo By Dinnes Manzo

ROMBLON, Romblon, (PIA) -- Pinaghahandaan na ng Technical Edu-

cation and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) sa Romblon ang na-

katakdang pagdiriwang ng ika-18 anibersaryo ng ahensiya sa Agosto

25, na may temang “Tesda@18: Akmang pagsasanay Tungo sa Ta-

gumpay” na gaganapin sa Romblon Public Plaza.

Katatampukan ang pagdiriwang ng misa ng pasasalamat sa St.

Joseph Cathedral, parada ng mga Tesda scholars at Tesda Provincial Office

Staff, sports fest at cultural night. Daan-daang iskolar ng Tesda ang makiki-

lahok sa selebrasyon na kinabibilangan ng mga estudyanteng kumukuha ng

kursong teknikal mula sa Alcantara National Trade School (ANTS), Erhard

Systems Technological Institute (ESTI), Saint Augustine Institute of New

Technology-Romblon Incorporated (SAINTRI), Romblon State University

(RSU), Tablas College Inc. (TCI), Gaintech Skills Development and Train-

ing Center Inc., at Montfort Academy.

Inaasahan ang pagdalo ng mga opisyal ng lalawigan na kanilang

inanyayahan tulad nina Congressman Eleandro Jesus F. Madrona, Governor

Eduardo C. Firmalo, PTESDC Chairperson Engineer Roger Q. Fodra,

7 AUG. 28– SEPT. 3, 2012

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC)

Marinduque Chapterspearheaded the

commemoration of the International

Humanitarian Law Day in the province to raise public

awareness and promote the principles of International

Humanitarian Law (IHL). Anchored with the IHL

month-long celebration’s theme, “Itaguyod ang IHL,

Sibilyan Pangalagaan,” the event had Dr. Romulo H.

Malvar, nominee for PRC-Marinduque Member of

the Board of Directors and SUC President II of the

Marinduque State College, as Guest Speaker, held at

Boac Covered Court, Marinduque.

An accomplished administrator, educator and

leader of an institution, Dr. Malvar exemplifies a model

citizen, who takes part on the welfare of the youth and

civilians of the province. He believes that through Marin-

duque State College’s initiatives and education, Marindu-

queños can be provided of quality and accessible educa-

tion, a lending-hand service for the humanity.

Dr. Malvar highlighted the event with his thought

as, “People helping people,” (Tao tumutulong sa kapwa

tao), in line with the IHL or Geneva Law resolution of

strengthening legal protection for victims of armed con-

flict. He stated that everyone’s task is a start for change, a

start for peace, justice and progressive society, succeed

over the conflicts in poverty, crime and man-made disas-

ters. In the end of his speech, he emphasized the words in

the Holy Bible as, “Love your neighbor as you love your-

self,” giving significance to the best solution for all the

problems of the world.

Prior to the program held that day was the “walk

for a cause” activity participated in by Philippine Na-

tional Police (PNP), Department of Education, NSTP-

CWTS group of Marinduque State College, local govern-

ment units, Red Cross Youth members and the like.

(Jofel Joyce Lancion, MSC-PIPRU)

Gary Snider once quote in his writing The Wild mushroom

They send out multiple fibers Through the roots and sod

Some make you mighty sick they say Or bring you close to God

Do here’s to the mushroom family

A far-flung friendly clan For food, for fun, for poison

They are a help to man

As an affirmation to this free verse, the Marinduque State College (MSC), along with the Provincial Government of Marinduque, the Barangay Government of Tanza, Boac and the Butansapa, Mogpog Vegetable Growers sealed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Community Enhancement Through Mushroom Cultivation and Processing last August 24, 2012 at the MSC School of Advanced Education Audio-Visual Room, as part of the College’s continuous effort in research development and consistent extension services to the community which pri-marily aims to improve the quality of life of the people.

The Marinduque State College was able to push through with the Oyster Mushroom Production Project through the assistance of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region IV-B MIMAROPA. Based on the study, oyster mush-rooms cultivation in Marinduque was found suitable in the cli-matic condition of the province and the wide availability of raw materials required for its production.

This Oyster Mushroom Production Project seeks to pro-vide a wide opportunity to the communities particularly to the small-scale farmers who are gaining small income out of their meager toil to avail of other viable and sustainable means of livelihood.

The Marinduque State College, on its part, will conduct and provide the needed materials for training on mushroom culti-vation and processing to the members of Mogpog Vegetable Growers, residents of Barangay Butansapa, Mogpog and Baran-gay Tanza, Boac. The College will also provide one (1) Fruiting House for the Mogpog Vegetable Growers which will be situated at Barangay Butansapa, Mogpog and one thousand (1000) fruit-ing bags for the residents of Barangay Tanza, Boac. Further, the College will extend any technical assistance to the beneficiary during the implementation of the project and conduct a regular monitoring and evaluate the progress of the project.

On the part of the beneficiaries, they will be responsible for the maintenance of the fruiting house and bags and the mar-keting of the harvested oyster mushrooms.

A string of events on Oyster Mushrooms Production Project will follow after the MOA Signing. The Launching Cere-mony and the start of Workshop-Training on Oyster Mushrooms Cultivation and processing will be held on September 08. Second part of the Workshop Training will be held on September 15 and the Closing Ceremony on September 22. Venue for the upcom-ing events will be at the MSC-Audio Visual Room.

Fro details/clarifications on the above program and other projects, please contact Mr. Harvey A. Dulay at the Re-search and Extension Office of Marinduque State College at 332-2857 or email at mscovpre@yahoo.com. (Curtiss C. Lim, MSC-PIPRU)

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AUG. 28– SEPT. 3, 2012 8

Marinduque OFWs in Saudi Arabia and Global

www.marinduqueofws.org

by: TONY MONTERAS

From time immemorial, we Marinduquenos (Filipinos) have been craving or envisioning for various developments either in our

rural or urban areas. Time and again and again and again, our vision is having a very slow pace which can be attributed to some

major factors namely: political, social, religious (etc) in nature, that in a way or the other hinder or obstruct the noble objectives

towards achieving such development/s.

The fact of the matter is that our country's

economy seems just fair, but not so well in other

aspects and the future growth can be affected by

numerous factors other than those afore-

mentioned such as the increasing population that

needs to be supplied with food and other food

products and an expanding non-agricultural econ-

omy.

Subsequently, with increasing incomes, our

domestic market is becoming more sophisticated

and price and quality conscious. However, how

much of this demand can be successfully captured

by local suppliers is a key challenge and the econ-

omy grows little as a reverberating effect of the

present devastating global economic downturn.

It's true that our economy has only been able to

capture a small and declining share in the market,

and the natural advantages we have together is the

literacy and technical entrepreneurial skills - that

have been partially harnessed in pushing the eco-

nomic growth, although little in agriculture as

induced by the peace and order situation that

greatly favours investment and output.

Our agricultural sector's output that includes

animal production and manufacture of value-

added-meat products, will continue to play a stra-

tegic role in the economy and rural growth should

it not be fully affected by the slow rate of output

due to the impact of the present global economic

crisis.

Although, our country's economy has grown

some percent in the previous years, this as well

can be considered as an encouraging trend which

has been partly attributed to our positive outlook

on structural reforms that integrates the significant

sectors of our economy. It also enhances competi-

tion in the private sector and began transforming

its production base from reliance on commodities

to value-added goods such as various food prod-

ucts and prime commodities.

Amidst some vital concerns, our governme nt

(local or national) should support investments in

agriculture. And in supporting a more conducive

investment climate in agriculture, the priorities or

fields identified are as follows:

1) To increase the stock of rural agriculture;

2) To enhance productivity and production;

3) To expedite any completion of agrarian or land

reform; and

4) To implement governance reforms to reducing

agricultural policies, prices and market distor-

tions.

And the above-mentioned can be achieved by the

following measures:

1)To improve rural infra-structure;

2)To improve land and labor productivity;

3)TO IMPROVE AGRI-BUSINESS; and

4) To encourage land reform by removing distor-

tions and uncertainties in asset valuation, property

rights and efficient land markets.

Of course, when it comes to rural development,

the support to environmental and natural resources

management should be as well be made a top

priority.

An inadequate regard for the implementation of

a sound environment and natural resource meas-

ures and for safeguarding the economy from ex-

cessive environmental costs surely erodes re-

source inventories and can seriously compromise

a short-term economic growth by larger, longer

term-costs.

Meaning, the environmental and natural re-

sources management should aim to:

1.Establish a sound and efficient institutional ba-

sis for the environment management based on

watershed and ecosystem approach to improve

delivery of service, rationalize expenditures and

priority functions;

2.To effectively devolve local responsibility; and

3.To streamline the policy and framework of the

agency involved to improve further efficiency.

It is also vital to give support to the

public sector management for growth through the

availability of public resource to finance public

expenditures in the medium term that are affected

by critical contraints including: weak fiscal cli-

mate; poor efficiency and poor linkages among

public sector policy, planning and budgeting.

To address these issues, thrusts for expenditures

rationalization should include: rationailizing ex-

penditures in scope and function; prioritizing ex-

penditures in high-impact areas; reversing the

decline in public investment; prioritizing capital

expenditures in infra-structure and agribusiness;

rationalizing government spending for devolved

services; strengthening planning and budgeting in

rural development and; implementing critical

governance to reduce policy and price distortions.

Finally, basic rural sustainable development in

Marinduque can be achieved by generating

enough equity growth in all aspects particularly in

agribusiness and food processing sectors of our

provincial economy.

The issue of alleviating poverty while enhancing

economic growth by improving land tenure and

fostering developments in agri-business sector of

our province will finally be minimized if not to-

tally overcome.

Photo shows(background) former Fantasy Elephant

Club at Elephante islet, Buenavista, Marinduque.

Taken at the golf course with Noel V. Magturo of

Ay………Marinduque (MIMAROPA Sunrise).

TONY MONTERAS, the

writer, an OFW is a native

of Barangay Lupac, Boac,

Marinduque.

(comments & suggestions,

pls. email

nvmagturo@yahoo.com or

pscijourn_marinduque@yahoo.com.ph)

9 AUG. 28– SEPT. 3, 2012

Telephone Number: 753-0020 Mobile Number: 09995527777

AUG. 28– SEPT. 3, 2012 10