Raising free-reign chickens, a good practice in poultry farming

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU Province—Some 20 farmer associations in Tabuelan town in Cebu are now into raising free-range chickens as good practice in poultry farming based on the experiential findings by the Integrity Circle (IC) of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA-7) Agriculture Dialogue and Information Network Group (ADING) that monitors the free-range chicken module project in the area.

In a community dialog with the IC-ADING team on April 27-28 in Tabuelan, the poultry farmers raised and shared their various challenges, struggles and experiences in raising free-range chickens. Some farmers-beneficiaries of the project have successfully grown and doubled or even tripled the number of chicks they produced from the project, according to the IC team.

According to DA7-IC ADING team that the free-range chicken modules was funded under DA’s “Ahon Lahat Pagkain Sapat Kontra COVID-19” (ALPAS COVID19) for the Bayanihan 1 grants that was distributed to 20 farmer associations in Tabuelan town during the last quarter of 2020.

Under this project, DA-7 distributed 1,200 heads of free-range chicks of dominant CZ breed and 40 bags of feed to the farmers giving each association with 60 heads and 2 bags of feeds for dispersal to their members.

Each association member received 12 heads of chicks and these members shall retain the same number of chicks received for another in-house dispersal to other members in the waiting list.

Project recipient Resca Pugio of the Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma sa Tabunok (NAGMATA) now have more than 50 offspring/chicks from the existing 9 heads (5 female and 4 male) that she received from DA-7 last year.

Pugio said that she very happy to be one of the lucky members of their association to avail of the project.  The chickens, she said have engrossed her family to have more of such breed because of their good body station.

“We observed that the chickens are good egg layers, however they don't brood their eggs resulting to spoilage.  What we did since we have native hens that are laying eggs, we get all the native eggs and replace it with the eggs of the CZ.  We found out that the native hen will brood the eggs until they hatched. I was able to produce more offspring/chicks,” she shared with the IC team in Cebuano.

Pugio’s son added that their brooding nests have three layers composed of straw, sacks and cloth which they usually replace from time to time to avoid the eggs from getting wet that will result in spoilage.

This best practice of the Pugio’s was being replicated by other recipients like Esmeralda Planquero of the Bongon Farmers Association of Tabuelan (BOFAT) and from the Villahermosa Planting Group Farmers Association (VPGFA), who claimed to be successful using the same technique.

Farmers who were not-so-lucky in producing chicks, made the eggs a good source of food.  Evelyn Pable, a project recipient of Canaan Bongon Farmers Association (CBFA) also in Tabuelan said that the eggs gave them additional source of income and source of food especially during the time when they did not have the technique yet on how to brood the eggs.

Lindresa Rubin, another beneficiary shared to the group that they observe that the CZ hen does not brood her eggs, so they were spoiled.  “By The next laying, we got the eggs for home consumption and they are delicious, but we will really multiply these chickens using the technique because they have nice breeds,” she said.

While there are others that have been successful applying the same technique, other recipients still experiencing the challenge of hatching their CZ eggs, but the farmers are very hopeful with the newly-shared best practice.

 According to Quian Ibarra, chief of DA-7 Regional Information Section that the free-range chicken module project was launched in the last quarter of 2020 and now being adopted by two or more local government units (LGUs) in Central Visayas for their dispersal to the various poultry farmers’ associations in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor. (Photos: DA-7/Google Images)

DA-7 gives over P16.7M worth of agri inputs, infra to Camotes Island

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – The Department of Agriculture in Central Visayas (DA-7) has turned over agricultural inputs and infrastructure projects worth more than P 16,772,950 to the farmers of the four towns in Camotes Island, Cebu on May 3-4, 2021 in support to the SUGBUsog program of the Cebu Provincial Government to enhance production at the countryside.

DA-7 Regional Executive Director Atty. Salvador Diputado and Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia led the Farm to Market Road (FMR) inauguration in Poro and the project turnover in the municipalities of San Francisco, Tudela, Poro, and Pilar.

“This distribution of goods in the community pantry and the turnover of projects and inputs are DA7’s response to the call of Agriculture Secretary William Dar to share food to the needy through the community pantries and to enhance food production in the rural areas,” Diputado said.

According to Diputado that projects turned over included farm to market roads, machineries, livestock, other agricultural inputs such as vegetable seeds and other planting materials, garden tools, fertilizers, among others.

Top of the list in the project turnover was the 450-meters Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) in Barangay Eastern Poblacion to Barangay Altavista Poro town that is worth P13 million; farm machineries included the mechanical corn sheller with de-husker costing P350,000 that was given to the Mercedes Farmers Association in Poro, Cebu and a Drip Irrigation System amounting to P200,000 to the LGU-Pilar, Cebu.

The rest were agricultural inputs such as assorted vegetable seeds, garden tools, corn seeds, planting materials and fertilizers in support of the Gulayan sa Barangay under the banner of the SUGBUsog program.

The livestock program also handed-in an egg incubator with hatchery worth P500,000 to the LGU-Poro for distribution to its farmers.  Aside from the agricultural inputs and projects, DA7 also distributed a total of 600 packs of fresh assorted vegetable as DA's contribution to the community pantry of the four municipalities of the island.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) represented by Patricia Megalbio also joined the event and distributed around P20 million to almost 8,000 beneficiaries of the agency's social amelioration assistance in the island

Diputado said that the ONE DA family in Central Visayas such as Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), and Philippine Crop Insurance Corp., among others also joined the caravan with BFAR7 gave a total of P641,579 worth of fishing boats and gears.

“Secretary William Dar commits to fully support Governor Garcia’s food production initiatives in Cebu province as the country battles the pandemic,” Diputado said. (Photos: DA-7/Cebu Province)

 

 

Childlink’s international collab widens academic, cultural knowledge of its students

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – International collaboration with three Z clubs in the Hongkong high schools focusing on anti-cyber bullying has widened the academic and cultural knowledge of the students of Childlink Learning Center and Highschool Inc., as it continues to find ways to improve its curriculum and learning strategies.

Childlink managing director and president Maria Theresa Tio recalled that they started its international collaboration when they went to Hong Kong in 2017. “We started the collaboration because we want our students to go and see how schooling is done in other countries,” she said.

Tio said that one of the school’s advocacy is anti-cyber bullying and she wanted to work with the other Z Clubs towards advocating against cyber bullying all over the world.

She explained that the four Z Clubs then created a Facebook page designed to increase awareness of this growing concern and to emphasize that cyberbullying is not good and may even be detrimental to those affected by it.

The next collaboration was with the Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan. The university allowed students to experience learning in a university in preparation for the college life.

Aside from providing learning experiences for the school’s students, Tio said that the collaboration also provided an opportunity to see the new trends being implemented at the Taiwan university.

“We also saw how new technology is applied in learning.  One of the trends that is already widespread in use in Taiwan is animation and 3D printing using a special printer,” she said.

The Childlink students were taught how to program and make their own products and have these printed on the 3D printer.  They also shared with the university students their anti cyber bullying advocacy using this technology.

As a result of the collaboration with the Taiwan university, some of the college students came to Cebu to teach in Childlink.  “Among the many things that the college students taught us, how to cook Taiwanese food and play cultural games were most enjoyed by the Linkers,” Tio added.

Childlink continued its international collaboration when their students went to Singapore in 2019.  Tio bared that at the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM), Childlink students were able to see so many best practices done in SIM and they got ideas how to set up our own wellness center, she added.

The Singapore school had an area where they conduct social and emotional wellness for their students.

Childlink set up a wellness center in collaboration with barangay Guadalupe, which was patterned after that of the Singapore university.  However, the operation was stopped as of this time because of the pandemic, Tio said.

Despite the pandemic, the school continues its collaboration with schools abroad.  Childlink collaborated with schools in Japan through webinars this school year.  The webinars done were more of a cultural exchange. 

In the cultural exchange, Childlink students shared poems written by Filipinos, which highlights how Filipinos want real freedom. They also learned the Japanese’ love for country and values of bravery and courage.

The cultural exchange also included the sharing of light moments such as knowing Japanese anime and Japanese food as well as a shared love for Kpop.

On the other hand, Childlink students shared with the Japanese the beautiful tourist sites in the Philippines, Filipino traditional songs and folk dances as well as modern dances.

This cultural exchange also enabled the Linkers to appreciate Filipino culture and fostered nationalism among them.  The collaboration with the schools in Japan ended in February.

Tio said that they hope to resume these collaborations in July and August during the incoming school year.  “We want our students to be globally more aware of the social, cultural and educational trends that are happening. They will learn many things and will be open to new ideas,” she explained.

Childlink recognizes that education should be more globally inclined and should adopt new ways of learning.  The school was able to benchmark itself through these collaborations.

“In a way, we realize that the kind of education we have should not be too focused on the academic side. We must be at par with the international standard. Academic learning should be linked with real lift. We can adopt best practices of education from other countries,” Tio pointed out.

Childlink then applies the various learning strategies they learned from these collaborations. Tio added that the school must make these activities to strengthen what students learn

academically and the school is now restructuring our curriculum to make it more responsive to the real situation. 

According to Tio that the school is now offering Summer Classes starting June 7.   These include Reading Classes for Preschool to Grade 3; English classes for foreign students for all grade levels; Reinforcement Classes on English, Mathematics, Science, Filipino, MTB and Civics for all grade levels; and Music Classes for all grade levels.

Tio explained that the purpose of summer classes is to reinforce learning in preparation for the next level.  Childlink also wants to provide the opportunity for students to discover new interest, including music.

Meanwhile, the next school year will start on July 19. The classes will be done through online class and the home school program.

For inquiries, please contact Teacher Auda or Analy at 415-2963 or 0933-812-2911. You can also message the official Facebook page Childlink Learning Center and High School or Facebook account Childlink. (Photos: Childlink)

PRRD recognizes OPAV for setting up Visayas vaccination operations center

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY -- President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is pleased with the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) with the Department of Health (DOH-7) and the private sector for working together to establish the Visayas COVID-19 Vaccination Operations Center (VVOC) in Mandaue City.

“I am certain that through the dedicated efforts of the men and women of the VVOC, we can ensure the efficient delivery, storage and distribution of the vaccines to various local government units in the Visayas,” read a portion of the President’s message.

 According to OPAV that it received the letter Wednesday, May 5, 2021.

The President said that for a country comprised of islands separated by vast seas, one of the most difficult challenges in defeating the COVID-19 pandemic is the distribution of vaccines to the local communities.

Duterte believed that with the VVOC, the efficient delivery, storage and distribution of the vaccines to various local government units in the Visayas is well ensured and he is confident that through the VVOC Manual all steps to be taken by the Visayas LGUs and all efforts are harmonized and aligned to the national vaccination plan.

The VVOC cascading of manual is currently in Eastern Visayas this week after they completed the distribution and sharing of Covid-19 response best practices in Central Visayas, OPAV bared. (Photos: OPAV)

DOTr secretary Tugade inspects bike lanes, launches service contracting program in Cebu

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CTY -- Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade led the inspection of bike lanes construction and launched the additional public utility transports for free rides under the DOTr-LTFRB Service Contracting program in Cebu today, May 6.

Tugade inspected the Bike Lanes at the SRP road section in Cebu City, a Class I bike lane, or Separated Bike lanes away from the carriageway that covers 2.3 kilometers and these are  intended to provide safe and dedicated transport lanes for the cyclists, which will be most helpful as they go to their own jobs, and other destinations, DOTr said.

According to DOTr that Class I bike lane is five-kilometer-wide with a pedestrian sidewalk of three kilometers which is separated from the bike lane.  Sheds, bike racks and benches are also part of the features of the lanes; with solar studs and planters for greeneries and trees as shelters of bikers who use the bike path.

As of May 5 bike lanes construction work progress in Metro Cebu is now at 63.96 percent, which is equivalent to about 88.84 kilometers/stretch, DOTr said.

DOTr also said that the project is part of the DOTr Road Transport sector led by Assistant Secretary Atty Mark Steven Pastor and in collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to promote active transportation across the country and ensure the safety of each other on the road.

Meanwhile after the bike lanes inspection, secretary Tugade proceeded to launch the Service Contracting Program with 22 units of public utility vehicles (PUVs), five units of which are used for free rides for the health care workers (HCWs) and 17 units for the authorized persons outside residence (APORs) with the following routes:

·         Naga City to UC Med

APORs

·         Talisay to Parkmall via SRP

·         Talisay to Airport via SRP

·         Talisay to Parkmall via N. Bacalso

·         Talisay to SM Seaside via N. Bacalso

The Service Contracting program aims to help the frontliners, the country’s new heroes to travel for free and safe to and from their respective jobs as they continue to implement community quarantine in the country.

DOTr said that the program was launched in partnership with the Road Transport sector agencies that include the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) under the leadership of Chairman Martin Delgra III, and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) under the leadership of Chief Asec. Edgar Galvante,

In similar developments on May 5, secretary Tugade also inaugurated the new taxiway, CAAP building and inspected several infra projects at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIAA) in Lapulapu City to fulfil government’s promise to improve air connectivity, job opportunities and tourism growth in the Visayas region.

In his speech, secretary Tugade said he is glad to return to Cebu for the inauguration of the new MCIA taxiway.  He added that he will never tire of doing projects that will contribute to the happiness, comfort, and convenience of Cebuanos.

Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino in turn, expressed his gratitude to Secretary Tugade and the entire DOTr for helping Cebu move forward amid the pandemic.

The province badly needs the airport for it to open and recover. “My gratitude to our excellent and very able Secretary Tugade and his team for pushing for the early completion of this taxiway project,” Dino added.

With the new and expanded taxiway, MCIAA can now accommodate 40 aircrafts per hour from the previous 35 aircrafts/hour and from the previous maximum aircraft parking capacity, which was 40 aircraft slots has been increased to 50 aircraft slots.

DOTr also inspected another aviation project in Cebu, the rehabilitation of the Bantayan Airport.  Repairs are now at 94.67 percent in progress and eyes completion by the second quarter of
2021.

DOTr and the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) have also completed seaport projects in Pilar, Malapascua, and Maya.  Four other projects are now ongoing in Bantayan, Consolacion, Cebu Baseport, and in San Fernando. (Photos: DOTr)

Over 1M families are assessed via ‘Listahan’ of poor families in Central Visayas

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Field Office 7 has already assessed 1,012,513 households/families in the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor through the National Household Targeting Section (NHTS).

According to DSWD-7 regional information officer Leah Quintana that the ‘Listahanan’ is an information management system of DSWD that identifies who and where the poor are and out of those assessed households, more than 600k are identified poor on the initial list.

 DSWD-7 has assessed/included in the Listahan 229,708 households/families in Bohol; 524,428 in Cebu; 240,205 for Negros Oriental and 18,172 households in Siquijor.

Quintana said that all encoded information in the household assessment form (HAF) is subjected to Proxy Means Test (PMT) to generate the initial list of poor households.

The initial lists of poor households were posted in the barangays for the public to check and appeal, for corrections, if there are any. Quintana added. 

“So far, the NHTS-7 has received 194,895 grievances, this process of Listahanan ensures the quality of the final list of poor families or ‘Listahan 3’ data to be launched in the second semester of 2021,” she said.

‘Listahanan 3’ data will be launched and be made available to partners and other stakeholders, who will be needing the data of poor households for their programs, services, projects, or reference for any, relevant studies. 

 NHTS-7 head, Hillton John Edrial clarified that any agency, LGU, or anyone, who wishes to have the Listahanan 3 data must forge a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with DSWD. (Photos; DSWD)