THE NEWS DATELINER

Alconas pushes Kampsax Kruger System to lower water rates in Albay

Kampsax-Kruger Water System, though its antiquity dates back to King Herod's times, is still very viable today especially to the developing countries such as the Philippines.

Believe it or else!
Inspired by the available data on parameters and basis, Albay Consumers Association (Alconas) spokesman Rafael A. Villar, a Mechanical Engineer, said there has been a tremendous mismatch of priorities between water and electricity systems in our country and that they need to be addressed by either going back to old yet useful technologies or further advance towards the high-end technologies.

However, the sector that needs the old technology (water systems) seemed to have grabbed the unnecessary advancement and the one needing to adopt technological boost (electricity sector) is the one being left behind. Villar believes reviewing priorities could significantly reduce prices of these services.
The advocacy has, in fact obtained support from the office of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo which ought to stir its delegated subordinates in the water and electricity utilities in the country.

Thus, believing on U.S. President Barack Obama's promise to make 'farms flourish and clean waters flowing from faucets of households in the developing countries', Alconas dramatizes the sentiments of consumers.
Water Systems

Kampsax-Kruger System is the water siphoning method with the use of gravitational flow from well sources and impounding into reservoir without the use of fossil fuels and electricity, thereby saving cost and fossil fuels that contribute to the worsening climate change.

"The implementation of Kampsax-Kruger in Albay's communal Water Supply and distribution network system of operation, under a Build-Operate and Transfer (BOT) scheme of financing could serve as a 'Pilot project' for the rest of the water districts in the country and even in other parts of the developing world," Engr Villar explained.

Studies have shown that this system is very practical even in the small communities where there are sloping terrains (common in the Philippines) to serve households without the need to spend for processing a murky water from a river to a very expensive and commercial outputs.

While we have abundant natural wells in our mountains, they remained untapped and now even water districts opt for contractualization of water purifications from rivers, a thing which is supposed to be only used by desert dwellers that have no other choice but to withdraw raw water from the sea.

Considering a news item that came out of the Philippine Star, the "Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) is exploring cheaper but appropriate technologies to lessen the operating costs among water district. Let us hope, together with Engr. Villar's earlier e-mailed proposal to LWUA Chairman Prospero Pichay that the agency realizes that Kampsax-Kruger system is exactly the technology he is looking for.

Pichay cited a project in Mindanao that uses imported equipment to reduce turbidity (mud) in drinking water while there is locally available equipment that can perform the same function at a cheaper operating cost.

Engr. Villar also cited Legazpi City Water District which distributes higher (than original) price of water after buying it from its contractor that withdraws water from Yawa River instead of the fresh and abundant Mayon Springs along its slopes.

Studies have shown that Mayon Volcano possesses some 200 billion cubic meters of potable water and that there is hardly only 4 days without rainfall to replenish within the volcano's edifice.

Electricity sector

On the other hand, putting to work the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition-Energy Management Systems (SCADA/EMS) as envisioned for Bicol Communal Electric-Power Supply and distribution network system of operation under the BOT scheme could serve as pilot project for the rest of the electric districts (also known as Area Control Centers) in Luzon.

SCADA/EMS is the modern electricity distribution and sourcing system to avoid brownouts, minimize equipment breakdowns and maximize the use of electricity that results to lower power rates as in the cases of China and Singapore, to name a few who have adopted proper technological advancement in the electricity sector.

But the case of the Philippines is not yet the same as that of China and Singapore which have realized its proper priorities-which sector needs high-tech and which sector needs the old-tech, all towards efforts to minimize price hikes to end consumers.

BOT Scheme

The BOT scheme is more economical and less prone to corruption, perhaps this is the reason why the BOT scheme did not make it to the defunct National Broadband Network and the 'accused' opted for a loan from those who were also taunted as multi-billion bribers.

The BOT represents an authoritarian financing system while loans represent that of the democratic capitalism that has outlived its usefulness.
Examples of BOT's are financing systems by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The SCADA/EMS system in China also used the BOT scheme and now they are reaping the benefits of this technology that originated in the Philippines yet we remained awaiting its full implementation in our locality.

These advocacies are now enlightening the concerned agencies and in fact, gaining favorable responses and endorsements of local and national leaders.

Coffee will never lose its market in Bicol Region (Feature)

By Mike dela Rama

COFFEE will never lose its market in the Philippines specially in the Bicol region.

A coffee farmer here in Bicol said: "Filipinos cannot do away with coffee and drinking coffee is a favorite pastime and an engaging social activity.
"Coffee shop nowadays is a thriving business in major cities of Bicol region and for coffee lovers no coffee can taste good without sending a sweet aroma to the nostrils."

Many Bicolanos could not start their day without a cup of coffee to perk up their morning.

That's why Francisco Aranda, "Frank" to friends and relatives, invested in coffee production because coffee will never lose its market.
Determined to have a coffee plantation, Mang Frank settled in Sorsogon City in 1984. He started from scratch.

Mang Frank is popular among his provincemates as the peddler of vinegar and soy sauce. Daily, he would roam around the city carrying bottles of vinegar and soy sauce on his shoulder. His industry and perseverance paid off. He was able to buy five hectares of farmland in Bgy. Cabid-an, Sorsogon City.

With the help of his children, he cleared the area and started to make a layout. He brought a sack of coffee berries from their farm in Batangas and produced his own seedlings.

According to him, producing seedlings before quite tedious. "You have to prepare a raised seedbed because there were no plastic bags for use in propagation," he said.

He planted the coffee berries and was able to produce the seedlings needed for his farm, then removed the pulp by hand and soaked the beans for 24 hours to remove the mucilage.

Mang Frank removed the floaters as these were not good ones. He prepared a germination bed one meter in width and of convenient length. He sow the seeds at ¾ inch deep and covered with fine soil. After 7 to 8 months, he was able to produce thousands of seedlings.

"Kapeng barako" or Liberica is well adopted in Sorsogon," Mang Frank said. The berries are plump, big and rounded. It is known for its distinct taste, aroma and flavor and it is tolerant to drought and could be grown in a wider type of soil.

He explained that transplanting of seedling was done during the onset of the rainy season.

He chose coffee seedlings with six pairs of leaves. He followed the 3 x 3 meters distance of planting. Mang Frank explains that he has to dig bigger and wider holes to accommodate the ball of soil attached to the seedlings to keep the roots intact.

The coffee farmer also added compost and chicken manure. After a year, he applied complete fertilizer (14-14-14) at 250 grams per tree.

Regular pruning is one technology he adopted to ensure that the trees are shorter for easy harvesting and to facilitate other farm operations. Likewise, pruning shoots helps produce more branches, more flowers and berries. It also promotes better light penetration and aeration.

With a total of 4,500 trees, he is now harvesting berries every eight months. In Sorsogon, harvest starts in October until March.

Coffee is picked or harvested individually to avoid presence of pedicels. To maintain quality coffee, berries must be matured. Oftentimes, it is colored red.

He harvests an average of 147 sacks of coffee berries. He is happy because he is now providing jobs to his neighbors especially during harvest. Coffee is dried for 8 to 9 days in concrete drying pavement.

Mang Frank explained that the secret to quality coffee is the roasting process. "Roasting is the process of applying heat to transform the chemical and physical properties of coffee beans into roasted coffee products," he said.

The right amount of heat, the right timing in a uniform manner are required to achieve the desired flavor from the beans. He said that coffee roasting involves proper heat application, and the common problems encountered include uneven distribution of heat inside the roasting chamber and the lack of insulating materials which results to excessive heat loss. Poorly roasted beans would yield poor tasting coffee drink.

With the absence of hauler and roasting equipment Mang Frank has to bring dried coffee beans to Lipa City in Batangas to have the outermost cover removed and then roasted. He has to pay P8 per kilo for de-hauling and Ps 9 per kilo for roasting.

Mang Frank emphasizes that pricing depends on the quality of the beans and the variety. But coffee always commands a good price in the market.

A sack of roasted coffee costs Ps 8,900. Mang Frank sells milled coffee at Ps 260 per kilo.With the help of the Department of Trade and Industry he already has his brand name "Uncle Franks roasted coffee". His packaging was improved and he now sells coffee in 250 grams, 500 grams, and 1 kilogram packaging.

He has a bit of advice to those who want to venture into coffee production: "Make sure that you get good quality product to make it big in business. Once you hit the market, make sure it attracts buyers."

That is why during exhibits, he displays his products and even provided free taste to visitors.

He readily offers his area for techno demo because he wants to learn new technologies and techniques. In return, he also teaches his fellow coffee growers of the techniques he learned. He also hosted field days for them to see the crop stand and the effects or the impact of the technologies adopted.

As president of the Para Café' kan Sorsogon City Association, Mang Frank shares his technologies to its members so that they too could produce quality coffee. They envisioned to place Sorsogon in the map of those leading provinces producing coffee in the country. The group is determined to realize their vision by producing coffee not only for its aroma and taste but as source of livelihood for the Sorsogueños.

100 Daraga farmers adopt new farm tech for cacao

SOME 100 farmers from seven barangays of this premier town received their graduation diploma following a month-long training for Cacao Production and Technology during the closing ceremony held today at the Covered Court of Ninoy Aquino Park, here.

Initiated by Agricultural Cooperative Development International- Volunteers Overseas Cooperative Assistance (ACDI-VOCA) and COCA Philippines, Incorporated, the farmer cooperators and barangay captains of Dinoronan, Gabawan, Burgos, Mabini, Kinawitan, Penafrancia and Tabon-tabon underwent training on how to produce chocolate and its derivatives from cacao.

Under the program Cacao Production and Technology, project coordinator Waldymar Nantes, said that concerted efforts made with ACDI-VOCA and the group named Sustainable Cocoa Enterprises Solution for Small Holders (SUCCESS), to attain the transfer of technology to Daraga farmers.

According to Rogi Simbulan, ACDI-VOCA Project Coordinator for Southern Luzon, cacao trees could be planted under coconut plantation to maximize farm production and could withstand the changing weather nowadays.

Daraga Agriculturist Segundina Ll. Loba said, the timely intervention of the private sector to empower the farmers especially those who suffered set backs will enliven the agricultural sector.

Daraga Mayor Cicero C. Triunfante has prioritized agriculture rehabilitation under his administration's matrix of development to regain back farm losses results of calamities that hit the town.

The farmers' training has started with a whimper last Jan. 8, 2009 and ended with a bang Feb. 27, 2009, with attendance coming from Provincial Agriculture Office and top honchos of the sponsoring agencies.(EJ Bandol)

DOLE takes part in 'Save Bicol's Abaca' efforts

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bicol has expressed fear that there is a need to drumbeat efforts to save the region's abaca industry to avert further job losses among farm workers.

Due to reports received by DOLE-Bicol from other government agencies that specifies the Abaca industry as one of the most vulnerable sector to be affected by the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), DOLE-Bicol Regional Director Ernesto C. Bihis in cooperation with NEDA, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA)-Bicol called for an emergency meeting, this week at DOLE conference room to identify issues and concerns and craft immediate intervention on the sector. "Based on the data that we gathered, Bicol is among the two best abaca producing regions".

Statistics have revealed that 70 percent of the region's revenue is derived from its export industry with abaca and coconut as its primary raw materials.
DOLE-Bicol even revealed that a high percentage of workers comes from the fiber and cottage industry with which, still, abaca is the raw material. "Imagine if this sector breaks down because of GFC, then Bicol would lose its backbone" DOLE Bicol Assistant Regional Director Irma S. Valiente explained.

Along with other agencies, DOLE-Bicol plans to strengthen the abaca-industry by pooling resources and expertise. "We will encourage continuous planting of abaca. The plan is to look for alternative market, alternative product lines that will be embraced by the local market thereby if the international market slows down the industry will still be alive" Valiente said. One of the plan is to revive the "pinukpok" or abaca silk project previously implemented by DOLE as its poverty free zone program to boost the industry. Abaca fiber is said to be 100 times stronger that the ordinary silk which can be sewed and crafted into various forms like clothing.

On the other hand, DOLE already released a grant amounting to P300,000 to LGU-Minalabac, Camarines Sur to fund its 60-hectares abaca plantation project. The plantation is said to culture, scientifically, the best varieties of abaca plant.

"Actually it is not only the DOLE making an effort but everyone. What we want to do is to have a convergence of all resources for a stronger intervention," Bihis said. (With reports from Raymond P. Escalante)

DA, Camarines Sur solon to launch chicken dispersal

PILI, Camarines Sur -- Some 200 poor farmers in nine towns in the 2nd congressional district here will benefit from a livelihood project, dubbed "Manokan sa Segundo Distrito kan Camarines Sur", through the joint efforts of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Congressman Luis R. Villafuerte.

The P250,000-project, intended to promote food security and livelihood, is a partnership between DA's Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) Livestock program and Rep. Villafuerte (2nd district, Camarines Sur).

Dr. Edgar Madrid, officer-in-charge regional technical director for Research and Development of DA Bicol, said the project's funding came from the department's Bicol Calamity Assistance and Rehabilitation Efforts (BCARE) funds worth P90,000 and from Villafuerte's Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of P160,000.

Madrid said that the chicken dispersal project involves some 2,000 heads of sasso chicken to be distributed to 200 families in 20 barangays of Bombon, Calabanga, Canaman, Magarao, Ocampo, Pili, Gainza, Milaor, and Camaligan towns. Each beneficiary will be given 10 heads of Sasso chickens.

The formal launching of the project is set March 6, 2009 at the Camarines Sur State Agricultural College (CSSAC) here. It will be attended by Villafuerte, DA Bicol regional executive director Jose V. Dayao, CSSAC President Marito Bernales, local officials, and the project beneficiaries.

Accreditation for private sector to RDC Bicol on stream

THE Regional Development Council (RDC) is inviting private sector organizations (PSOs) in the Bicol region to apply for RDC accreditation.
RDC accredited organizations nominate private sector representatives (PSRs) to the RDC and participate in the election of PSRs to the RDC.

A PSO must have the following qualifications to be able to participate in the nomination and selection of PSRs:

a) Legal Personality. The PSO must be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or any government agency which registers organizations and associations for the purpose of bestowing legal personality.

b) Track Record. The PSO must have conducted socio-economic activities for at least three years from date of registration in the region. The scope of activities must be at least province or citywide.

c) Nationality. The PSO must be a Filipino organization. Organizations managed by foreigners, whose officers and members are primarily composed of foreign nations, or are considered branches of affiliates of foreign organizations are disqualified.

d)Non-government. Organizations which have government officials and employees as ex-officio members or whose operations are funded by the government are disqualified. (Funding support by the government to PSO projects is not considered as funding support to operations).

Application forms are available at the NEDA Region 5, Arimbay, Legazpi City. They can also be downloaded at http://www.neda5.net/.

For more details please contact Cha Berces at telephone 482-0498.

DENR names illegal logging 'hot spots' in bicol

DENR Bicol has been closely monitoring at least seventeen areas identified as illegal logging 'hot spots' in three provinces in the region as part of the intensified campaign to protect the country's environment and natural resources.

Echoing DENR Secretary Lito Atienza's warning, Bicol regional executive director Joselin Marcus Fragada earlier told DENR field officials that they are accountable for whatever environmental violations that may happen in their respective area of jurisdiction.

Fragada also admonished the officials on the 'one-strike' policy of the agency on elaborating that only one verified report of any environmental violation such as illegal logging or illegal mining happening in their respective areas is enough ground for the officials' suspension.

Identified 'hot spots' include Barangays STa. Barbara, San Pedro and San Martin in Jose Panganiban; Colasi, Tarum and Pambuhan in Mercedes, Camarines Norte; Bicol National Park particularly Sitio Nalisan, Tuaca, Basud town in Camarines Norte; Sitio Weber, Malaya, Iriga and Saragawsaw in Barangay Sooc, and Sitios Curamusan and Castilla in Barangay Napolidan, all in Lupi, Camarines Sur.

In Rinconada District, the illegal logging 'hot spots' are the timber land in Bula located in Barangay Inoyonan, San Francisco, Itnagon, Bagolagio, Panoypoyan, Casugad, La Victoria and Taisan; Forest Reserve of Balatan located in Barangays Cabanbanan, Mapulang Daga, Maqiron and Camangahan; private lands in Bato situated in Barangays Manga, Lubong, Payak and Cristo Rey; and timber land of Iriga City located in Barangays Sagradam STa. Teresita, Antipolo, and areas surrounding Mt. Asog.

In Catanduanes, the 'hot spots' are Sitio Kilometer 80, San Miguel, Panganiban; Sitios Kilometer 13, Carbun, San Miguel, Panganiban; Minaile, Bagamanoc; Tubli, Caramoran; Minabobo, Caramoran; Dugui-Too, Dugui-Wala, Virac; and Paraiso, San Miguel town.

Secretary Atienza has declared 2009 as Law Enforcement Year, saying that "for the rest of the year, we will give more dedication and seriousness in effort to protect the environment, including the land, air, water and forests, against environmental violators whom we will pursue guided by our environmental laws."

"I will ensure that the full force of the law will be meted out against anyone who will violate the environmental laws because the certainty of punishment is the best deterrent to the commission of a crime," Atienza said.
The DENR chief, however, said that due recognition will also be accorded to DENR officials who properly apply the full force of the law in their respective areas. "Kung mayrong parurusahan ay mayroon ding bibigyan ng parangal," Atienza said.

I am confident that year 2009 can make the difference. Aside from the fact that we have 42 environmental laws that give us more teeth in our fight against environmental violators, the judiciary is also taking a more active role in protecting nature and the country's environment," Atienza said. (Alfredo S. Araya, DENR/PIA-5)