Samar officials told to target European adventure tourists

published January 27, 2011 in BusinessWorld

CATBALOGAN, SAMAR -- Tourism Undersecretary Ma. Victoria V. Jasmin has encouraged local officials here to target European tourists in promoting adventure tourism in Samar.

Ms. Jasmin, who was here to induct the Samar provincial tourism council officers, said the various destinations on the island could draw European tourists who love adventure.

"Samar has caves, waterfalls, rivers, mountains, extreme boat ride, which are plus factors in attracting tourists," she said.

She noted that European tourists avoid urban centers like Metro Manila and Cebu.
European tourists comprised about 10% of the tourist arrivals from January to December last year. Of the 3.5 million tourists last year, 360,991 came from Europe.

Among the known adventure destinations in Samar province are the Sohoton National Park with caves and natural bridge in Basey town, Bangon Falls, Tinago-an Cave, Mawacat Slide, Pan-as Falls, Guinogo-an Cave, and Mapaso Hot Springs, among others.

Samar Governor Sharee Ann T. Tan said they have allotted P30 million for the improvement of an airport in Barangay Buri that currently serves private aircraft.

"With the provincial tourism council now organized, we expect that we can make and implement programs for tourism in the province," Ms. Tan told reporters. -- Sarwell Q. Meniano

Eastern Visayas crop insurance claims expected to reach P3M

published January 26, 2011 in BusinessWorld

TACLOBAN CITY -- The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) has projected that claims for rice damage in Eastern Visayas due to recent floods could reach P3 million.

PCIC Regional Manager Crescensio V. Deligero, Jr. said that 438 farmers enrolled in the crop insurance program were affected by the recent calamity in the provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Samar, and Northern Samar.

He said that about 500 hectares of insured ricefields were destroyed by rising waters.

"We will only pay a minimal amount since most of the flooded rice areas were newly planted," Mr. Deligero said in a recent interview.

Among the affected areas were the towns of Abuyog, Dulag, Javier, Julita, MacArthur, Mayorga, Sta. Fe, Kananga, Alangalang, and Dagami in Leyte; Hinundayan in Southern Leyte; San Jorge and Gandara in Samar; and San Roque in Northern Samar.

Of the affected towns, Abuyog recorded the highest insurance claim at P983,052 for damage in 223 hectares.

The report was compiled by the crop insurance agency from Jan. 3-17.
Mr. Deligero said he expected more farmers to apply for insurance coverage.

"The growing awareness of our farmers will help in our campaign to cover more farms in the region," he said.

Last year, PCIC released P9.42 million to 1,824 farmers in the region.

At the same time, he noted that the top cause of farm losses in the region is pest infestation, not calamities.

"Pest accounts for 55% or P5.14 million of our claims payment, while typhoon and flood represents only 16% or P1.51 million," Mr. Deligero said.

This has prompted PCIC to tie up with the Regional Crop Protection Center in order to minimize losses due to rice pests and diseases in the region.

"Pest and disease damage are preventable. But in view of various environmental factors that are conducive to the proliferation of rats, black bugs, tungro, rice blast and bacterial leaf blight, our farmers have failed to control such infestation despite measures," Mr. Deligero said.

Claims due to damage from the drought last year ranked next at P2.77 million or 29%. -- Sarwell Q. Meniano

Town to benefit from landslide warning device

published January 16, 2011 in BusinessWorld

SAINT BERNARD, SOUTHERN LEYTE -- The first batch of early warning sensors for landslide prediction in the country will be installed in this calamity-stricken town.

Saint Bernard has been hit by numerous landslides, including the massive mudslide that buried the entire village of Guinsaugon in 2006.

One sensor will be placed in Guinsaugon and another will be situated in Bolodbolod, where three children were killed early this month from continuous rains brought about by a cold front.

At least 10 sensors, two for each identified municipality or city, will be installed in the country this year.

After Saint Bernard, sensors will be installed in Baguio City in Northern Luzon and Antipolo City, east of Metro Manila.

The Department of Science and Technology is studying other locations to put up sensors.

In his visit to the calamity stricken area on Saturday, Technology Secretary Mario G. Montejo said the locally developed technology aims to prevent the loss of lives.

"We have developed this sensor that would indicate movements of soil up to 50 meters below the ground. We can see movement first before actual slides through this sensor," Mr. Montejo told reporters in an interview in Barangay Tambis.

He said the subsurface detector was developed in partnership with the University of the Philippines and is expected to benefit other countries as well.

"We have presented this program to the President, which is to accelerate the development and installation of these sensors.

"We will fast-track the implementation of this project. Our timetable is by the middle of the year before the next rainy season," Mr. Montejo said.

The unmanned system automatically gives warning signals to disaster management centers and villages for unusual soil movements underground.

Saint Bernard Mayor Rico C. Rentuza welcomed the development during a meeting with Department of Science and Technology officials, saying the system will strengthen disaster preparedness efforts.

"Landslides are really hard to detect. We are ready to cooperate and give whatever counterpart is needed from us," Mr. Rentuza told BusinessWorld in a separate interview.

Benita A. Jarlido, resident of Bolodbolod, said the devices will help residents who are clueless on signs of an impending landslide.

Signs include cracks in the ground, muddy water coming out from holes in the ground, and irregular water flow from the mountain.

Last weekend, residents in flood-prone areas of the town were allowed to return home after about two weeks in evacuation centers.

Residents in villages that are at high risk to mudslides were told, on the other hand, to stay in the evacuation centers.

The downpour since the last week of December has forced over 5,000 residents to move to safer grounds.

Although the weather has improved, landslides are still a threat since rains have softened the soil. -- Sarwell Q. Meniano

Pangasius production pushed in E. Visayas for local market

published January 06, 2010 in BusinessWorld

TACLOBAN CITY -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is pushing for the massive production of pangasius, a freshwater fish species belonging to the order of catfish, to meet the growing demand in both local and foreign markets.

Pangasius is a tasty freshwater fish that is a popular choice for fish fillet as recovery rate of its meat is about 70% compared to the tilapia’s recovery rate of 30% -- www.bar.gov.ph

BFAR Regional Director Juan D. Albaladejo said the Philippines has been importing 600,000 metric tons of this fish every year to supply the requirement of local restaurants.

"Our goal is to supply the local requirement. If production will go up, [then] we can go for exports," Mr. Albaladejo added.

Pangasius is a tasty freshwater fish with white flesh and very few bones. It is a popular choice for fish fillet as recovery rate of its meat is about 70% as against the tilapia’s recovery rate of 30%.

The bureau’s initial target is to distribute at least 100,000 locally produced pangasius fingerlings to growers in different parts of Eastern Visayas soon.

There are currently eight pangasius breeders in the region. A single breeder can produce up to 200,000 eggs in one setting. Hatchery facilities have been upgraded to meet the target.

"The plan is to grow this fish in freshwater ponds. We are reluctant to put it in rivers, cages and lakes because we have to evaluate the impact on the environment as this is quite a dominant species," Mr. Albaladejo told BusinessWorld.

The bureau is expecting the first pangasius harvest in Eastern Visayas this month. Some 10,000 fingerlings were distributed to 100 growers in October last year.

Mr. Albaladejo said pangasius would be an alternative for tilapia. Target production areas are in Samar.

"The region’s climate is ideal for this fish. We have a large body of freshwater here in the region, especially in Samar. We can tap tilapia raisers as potential growers of pangasius," he said.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the region has forged a partnership with BFAR to develop pangasius production both as a viable livelihood and a lucrative business venture that can attract more investments and create more jobs in the countryside.

"We will provide assistance for technology trainings and seminars, as well as support for market development, research and trade negotiations. BFAR will oversee the implementation of programs and projects to help sustain them," said DTI Regional Director Cynthia R. Nierras in a separate interview.

Based on studies, the production cycle of the pangasius catfish takes six months, with the fish weighing one to one-and-a-half kilos per piece.

A hectare of freshwater pond could accommodate 100,000 fingerlings, which could net at least 85,000 kilos at 80% survival rate. (Sarwell Q. Meniano)
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Disaster kills 4 children in Southern Leyte

published January 4, 2011 in BusinessWorld

TACLOBAN CITY -- Four children were confirmed dead while more than 2,000 individuals fled their homes after landslides and floods caused by heavy rains hit the disaster-prone province of Southern Leyte in Eastern Visayas.

Two of the fatalities were from Barangay Bolodbolod in St. Bernard town, where the entire village of Guinsaugon was also wiped out by a massive landslide in 2006.

Rey M. Gozon, Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) assistant regional director for Eastern Visayas, identified the victims as Ma. Fatima Discaryal, 5, and her brother, one-year-old Rodel.

Other members of the Discaryal family escaped before a landslide buried their house on Sunday afternoon. Heavy rains have poured in the Visayas since Saturday.

Also confirmed dead were Patrick Pelaez, 11, who drowned at a creek in Pancho Villa, Bontoc, Southern Leyte; and Ricabelle Montederamos, 11, who drowned in Barangay Maanyag, Tomas Opus town also in Southern Leyte.

Seven-year-old Jimboy Laquipon, who was earlier reported missing in St. Bernard, was rescued Sunday night by the municipal disaster management team.

Over 2,000 persons, meanwhile, were evacuated to safer grounds after the landslides in St. Bernard and nearby villages.

Jane Araneta, information officer of the municipality of St. Bernard, said in a telephone interview yesterday that they needed food, medicines and water for the evacuees.

"We have also advised residents from Barangays Tambis, Maria Socorro, San Isidro, Anian and Carnaga to evacuate to safer grounds. Other evacuees were brought to the gymnasium and nearby schools," she said.

Majority of the barangays, including the Poblacion of St. Bernard are flooded, said OCD administrative staff Cherelyn V. Lubang.

Floodwaters came mainly from the Mahayahay River, about three kilometers from St. Bernard. The river overflowed Sunday noon and has completely covered the Mahayahay bridge.

"The entire municipality of St. Bernard, Southern Leyte is in total power blackout. The general weather situation in Southern Leyte as of this time is cloudy," the OCD said in its report yesterday afternoon.

The Department of Education in Southern Leyte has suspended classes in elementary and high school levels in St. Bernard.

The Southern Leyte engineering district has started clearing roads affected by the landslides.

The town of St. Bernard is the gateway to the municipalities of San Juan, Anahawan, Hinunangan and Hinundayan in Southern Leyte.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) also reported that a landslide occurred Sunday in Barangay Cawayan, Libagon, Southern Leyte, which stranded vehicles to and from Liloan town.

The road section is part of the national highway connecting Leyte Island and Mindanao.

Some major highways in the region were flooded and impassable on Sunday. Portions of the road connecting Hinabangan, Samar and Taft, Eastern Samar were also flooded.

As of yesterday, Antonietta R. Lim, DPWH regional information officer, said all national roads in Eastern Visayas have been cleared and made passable except a section in Barangay Imelda along Abuyog-Silago road.

But several villages in Maslog and Jipapad towns in Eastern Samar remained submerged, the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council reported.

Senior Superintendent Arnold M. Revilla, police regional director for Eastern Visayas and disaster council chairman, said the villages have been flooded since last week.

"We also received preliminary reports of flooding in Silvino Lubos and Las Navas towns in Northern Samar. I already alerted the local disaster officials in those areas to prepare," he said.

The Office of Civil Defense has also received reports of flooding in some villages in Oras, Dolores, Can-avid and Taft in Eastern Samar.

Leyte and Samar islands, as well as the rest of the Visayas, have been experiencing continuous rains since the last week of December brought by the tail end of a cold front.

In a text message Sunday, Edgardo M. Esperancilla, Department of Science and Technology regional director, said the agency have raised the flood warning because of the heavier volume of rainfall that lasted for more than 24 hours.

TACLOBAN CITY -- The labor and management sectors in Eastern Visayas were lauded for the absence of labor strikes in the past seven years. In his vis

published January 4, 2011 in BusinessWorld

TACLOBAN CITY -- The labor and management sectors in Eastern Visayas were lauded for the absence of labor strikes in the past seven years.

In his visit here last week, Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Undersecretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac cited the region as a "shining example" in the country for consistently achieving industrial peace.

"You have proven the worth of tripartism. All that we can do is to keep it up and do better. Be a shining example for the entire country," Mr. Cacdac said in a media briefing at the sidelines of the general assembly of the regional tripartite industrial peace council (RTIPC).

The last strike in the region recorded by the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) was staged on Feb. 24, 2003 by employees of the Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative in Borongan, Eastern Samar.

The NCMB reported that three notices of strike were filed last year by Hideco Sugar Milling Company, Inc. in Kananga, Leyte; Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining (PASAR) Corporation in Isabel, Leyte; and Don Oresters Romualdez Electric Cooperative in Tolosa, Leyte.

"No strike actually took place because of effective conciliation efforts," said DoLE regional director Forter G. Puguon.

Rene V. de los Reyes, administrative assistant at Energy Development Corp. and RTIPC labor sector representative, told BusinessWorld that it has been a habit of workers in the region to sit down with management if there are problems instead of staging strikes.

"It’s no longer mature to be marching on the streets. That seven long years passed without strike is evidence that we have been producing results," Mr. de los Reyes said.

"Listening first before talking and that’s the essence of being a laborer. It is so hard to find a job so we have to support the company," he added.

For his part, Sherlock A. Codilla, senior manager for industrial and community relations of the Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corp. (PASAR), said they were able to sustain industrial peace by implementing a company-level grievance machinery.

"Corporate social responsibility was also extended to unorganized workers in the region to achieve the same labor management cooperation," Mr. Codilla added.

Of the 23,000 establishments in the region, Mr. de los Reyes said only 284 are "considered to be socially and economically relevant because they can hire people and produce much money."

"This region needs so much help," he said.

"Almost all of the firms are family-based and have no employment capability," he added. -- SQM