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Official Publication of the Philippine Information Agency Bicol Regional Office, in cooperation with the RIAC-REDIRAS - RDC Bicol



Friday, May 31, 2013

Farmers/ Fisherfolk Festival in Camarines Sur wraps up today

By Analiza S. Macatangay

PILI, Camarines Sur, May 31 (PIA) -- More than 400 Barangay Food Terminals all over the region are stationed in various municipalities in the province, most of them can already boast of more improved products as a result of the trainings and assistance rendered by the government. The statement was made by Department of Agriculture Regional Executive Director Abelardo T. Bragas as the 3-day -day Farmers/ Fisherfolk Festival and Barangay Food Terminal (BFT) summit wraps up today.

Farmers and fisherfolk organizations in the region, including more or less 28 active BFTs attended the event including the Agri-Fishery Trade Fair which featured agricultural produce like banana, various kinds of vegetables, and other rootcrops. Featured marine produce includes different fresh fishes and crabs. Other products which were also sold during the said fair were pancit made of sea weeds, pili products and other bottled and processed products.

BFTs are part of the DA’s program to realize the government’s vision to provide a barangay-based food depot with quality and safe yet affordable foods for everyone. It also enables farmers to have a direct link with the producers to ensure that their produce will have sure buyers. The selling process is also strengthened by the community’s participation through retail food distribution system.

Pragas lauded the operators of the BFTs and valued their contribution in alleviating poverty in the countryside.

One of the significant issues tackled during the summit is the AgriPinoy Corn Program during the farmer’s forum on the 2nd day of the said activity. It tackled among others, on attaining self-sufficiency particularly in feed crops involving the yellow corn and cassava and provide supply to the growing need of the livestock and poultry sectors.

The adoption of organic farming was also given emphasis during the Summit. Organic farming is being pushed on the premise of ensuring that the consumer’s health will not be at stake. Under organic farming, the use of manufactures synthetic fertilizers are being minimized and encourages the use of the natural fertilizers.


The aforementioned programs are also part of the Agrikulturang Pilipino or Agri-Pinoy strategic framework that optimizes the use of natural and indigenous resources to ensure food security and self-sufficiency, proper natural resource management and encourage development in the countryside. (LSMacatangay/ PIA-Camarines Sur)


HAIN holds inter-agency workshop on RH concepts, issues

By Sally A. Atento

LEGAZPI CITY, May 31 (PIA) -- The Health Action Information Network (HAIN) conducted the first inter-agency seminar workshop on reproductive and sexual health basic concepts and issues held in this city on May 27 and 28.

Edelina dela Paz, HAIN executive director, said the seminar workshop aims to come up with a direct consensus of terminologies among agencies and other stakeholders involved in the advocacy of promoting reproductive health (RH) in line with the implementation of the RH Law.

“The seminar workshop primarily aims to deepen the grasp on the concepts and issues of the reproductive and sexual health in the context of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law of 2012,” dela Paz said.

The event is attended by representatives from the Inter-agency Reproductive Health Committee (IARHC) in the province of Albay which includes government and non-government organizations, local government units, academe and health care officers.

According to Nilda de Vera, HAIN project coordinator, the initiatives implemented by the local government of Albay to address issues and concerns on reproductive and sexual health will be set as a model of best RH practices to be adopted not only in other provinces but also in countries with RH advocacies.

Such initiatives include the IARHC first organized in this province by the local government in partnership with the HAIN, Albay Aids Council and other agencies concerned. (MAL/SAA/PIA5-Albay)

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