DA-7 urges Pinoys to eat more rootcrops...and help the country achieve zero rice importation target
By Fayette C. Ri�en
CEBU CITY, February 27 (PIA) -- Pinoys are urged to eat more root crops like kamote, cassava and bananas as substitutes for rice and help the country achieve its aim of “zero rice importation” by 2014.
Angel Enriquez, regional technical director of the Department of Agriculture (DA) 7 said their agency is promoting the consumption of food staples such as “kamote,” cassava and banana and eat it with rice.
“If we consume more food staples and eat it together with rice, then our need for rice will be lessened,” according to Enriquez.
These staples are good substitutes for rice as they are also carbohydrates. On top of that, these staples are nutritious and promotes our health, Enriquez stressed.
The DA is extending its time target of achieving its zero rice importation by 2014 instead of 2013 although the volume of rice importation this year is much less compared to last year.
Rice importation target set by the DA this year is at 500,000 metric tons, which is much less than the 860,000 metric tons imported in 2011.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala earlier said the lower rice import target is in line with the Aquino Administration’s goal of zero rice importation after 2013.
Enriquez also called on the public to cook and eat only the substantial amount of rice one needs in order to prevent wastage.
“We should not get more rice if we cannot eat it all. We should discourage leftovers,” Enriquez declared.
Likewise, in rinsing rice, we must be careful that when we throw out the water, rice must not be included as well, the DA 7 official bared.
Jorge Paculba, DA 7 chief of the crops division on the other hand, lauded the ‘Saksak’ program of Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia. The ‘Saksak’ program encourages the consumption of ‘kamote’ or sweet potatoes with rice.
“Cebu is only 3 percent rice sufficient while rice sufficiency level in the region is at 25 percent,” Paculba disclosed.
Paculba echoed Enriquez statement that in order to achieve rice sufficiency, we must encourage the consumption of root crops as a substitute to rice.
Meanwhile, the DA wants to increase rice production for this year and is promoting the use of quality seeds to improve harvest yield.
Among its other interventions to increase rice production are the expansion of rice areas through the establishment and rehabilitation of irrigation facilities; provision of farm mechanization and post-harvest facilities; establishment of community-based seed-banking scheme to improve usage of quality seeds; strengthening of farmers’ and irrigators’ associations; and pro-active pests and diseases prevention and control. (PIA-Cebu)
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Search for ‘Happiest Pinoy’ 2012 launched in Cebu
By Fayette C. Ri�en
CEBU CITY, February 27 (PIA) -- Giving emphasis on Filipinos’ resilience in the face of calamities, a private company is launching its second nationwide search for ‘The Happiest Pinoy’ 2012.
“We want to rekindle the age-old values of hope, resilience and optimism that is innate in Filipinos despite the challenges in life and the calamities” that strike us, Jonathan Batangan, general manager of Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions said.
The search aims to give recognition to the country’s most optimistic and passionate Filipinos who overcame difficulties and exhibited resilience amid life’s challenges, without losing their cheerful attitude.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) endorsed the company’s initiative when it first launched its search in 2009 because of its objectives which is promoting Filipino values of optimism, hope and resilience, Batangan said.
“We hope to again get the endorsement from the DOT as it runs analogous to the DOT theme of ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines,’” Batangan bared.
Pinoys are naturally happy people and full of hope. This is proven when the Philippines currently ranks 13th place in the list of Happiest Countries globally by the NationMaster.Com,” according to Batangan.
“No amount of Typhoon Ondoy or Sendong and even the recent strong quake can destroy the inherent values that Filipinos generally possess,” Batangan added.
Ten happiest pinoys will be chosen but only one will emerge as the top winner and cart away with P250,000 in cash prize plus trophy while the other nine runners-up will receive P25,000 each plus a trophy.
“Who knows, the next Happiest Pinoy might be a government employee or a market. Vendor,” Batangan said.
Criteria for judging are: a) a constantly cheerful face and optimistic outlook b) proven ability to rise above life’s challenges and c) positive impact in the lives of others.
Nominations are accepted until May 30, 2012 while forms can be downloaded at www.happiest-pinoy.com.
Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luisitro and 2009 CNN Hero of the Year Efren Peñaflorida form part of the board of judges.
The winners will be announced in August, this year.
Winston Maxino, general manager of the Green Earth Power and Energy Corp. from Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental was adjudged the 2010 Happiest Pinoy winner.
Maxino who is suffering from a degenerative bone condition called Ankylosing Spondylitis donated his P200,000 cash prize to more unfortunate people in spite of needing the money badly for his medical needs, Batangan disclosed. (PIA-Cebu)