TESDA to open training program for agricultural drone operation

By TESDA-PIAD
April 22, 2021

TAGUIG CITY – To boost the country’s agriculture, forestry and fishery sector, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will start offering a training program for Agricultural Drone Operation.

This was after TESDA, together with the stakeholders and experts of agricultural remotely piloted aircraft from the AgriDom Solutions Corp. developed the Competency Standards (CS) for Agricultural Drone Operation which will be used by training institutions.

Last March 18, TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña issued a circular containing the guidelines in the deployment of the Competency Standards (CS) for Agricultural Drone Operation Level II.

Lapeña noted that the training program aims to respond to industry skills requirements for agricultural drone operation and produce individuals with 21st Century Skills and compliant to the existing industry standards.

“We also want to provide world-class and competent human resources for the Agricultural Drone Operation under the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Sector,” he said.

Lapeña has been strongly supporting the agriculture sector to help the country achieve food security, even listing it as among the top priorities of TESDA.

“We should be developing more training programs that would shift the skills of our local farmers from traditional farming to smart farming. We want to make farming more attractive and enticing among the youth,” he added.

Drones become an essential part of smart farming, helping farmers to deal with wide range of challenges and gaining numerous benefits. Specifically, drones can be used for the following: estimating soil condition, planting future crops, fighting infections and pests, agriculture spraying, crop surveillance, livestock monitoring, among others.

The TESDA chief is also encouraging all Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to register their own agriculture drone operation courses.

According to TESDA’s Qualification and Standards Office (QSO), DJI Academy of Region XI has started working on program offerings this April 2021.

Based on the competency standards, trainees for agricultural drone operation who will be trained for free must have basic communication and arithmetic skills.

Meanwhile, an agricultural drone operation trainer must be a holder of Trainer's Methodology Certificate or must be a practicing trainer for two years; with two year’s industry experience within the last five years related to Agricultural Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operation; and must be a holder of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) license.

Graduates of Agricultural Drone Operation could be employed as Ground Support, Junior Drone Pilots, and Senior Drone Pilots.

DAR-8 maintains QMS, gets ISO recertification

By JOSE ALSMITH L. SORIA
April 22, 2021

TACLOBAN CITY – Three years after it has been conferred with the internationally recognized quality management system (QMS) certification based on ISO 9001:2015 standard, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Regional Office VIII maintains its status after being recommended for recertification.

On Monday last week, TUV NORD Philippines, Inc. recommended the said office for recertification after the conduct of the remote audit.

In its report, TUV NORD Philippines, Inc. said “The organization has basically demonstrated that it operates its management system in order to ensure fulfillment of its own requirements, the requirements of its customers and the relevant legal requirements.”

Audit Team Leader Edmund Angelo Larroza cited in their report that “no nonconformity” was found. Rather, he emphasized the commendable positive aspects or good practices of the organization.

According to Larroza, they found the following positive aspects of the management system worthy of special mention – the recognitions received by the organization and its personnel; the infrastructure improvements such as the digital archiving for records and the feedback survey system; the controls implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19; the Legal Cases Monitoring System; and the introduction of the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA).

Further, the audit team also found the following items as potential for improvement – the ICT preventive maintenance plan; document and retrieval records; issuance of Corrective Action Requests for any finding that are recorded during the conduct of quality assurance inspection; and the minutes of management review meeting.

Meanwhile, in his message, DAR-8 OIC-Regional Director Ismael Aya-ay said “The top management conveys our sincerest thanks and appreciation as we recognize the substantial efforts and contributions casted by the entire DAR Regional Office workforce for hurdling the ISO 9001:2015 recertification.”

“All the hard works invested, whilst going through the rigors, are contributory to the success in our bid to sustain our quality management system,” he added.

Aya-ay encouraged everyone to carry on working for continual improvement.

DAR Regional Office VIII got its initial ISO 9001:2015 certification, with Certificate Number 756219, on April 13, 2018 which expired on April 12 this year.

DPWH Leyte 2nd DEO Chief conducted various project inspection

By DPWH L2DEO
April 21, 2021

MAC ARTHUR, Leyte – Spearheaded by OIC-District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura and the Inspectorate Team and Project Engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte Second District Engineering Office (L2DEO) conducted various ocular project inspection.

Among those projects inspected were the New DPWH L2DEO office building in Mac Arthur, Leyte; Hibuga river basin flood control in Brgy. General Luna, Mayorga, Leyte; Batug flood control in Brgy. Batug, Dulag, Leyte; Asset Preservation Program- Rehabilitation / Reconstruction / Upgrading of Damaged Paved Road along Kiling- Tanauan- Tabontabon- Julita Rd. - K0939+529- K0940+529.50; Construction of missing links-new roads Burauen-Albuera road, Burauen Package 1 and 2, Leyte; and the multi-purpose building in Brgy. Poblacion, Burauen, Leyte.

“Our commitment to the public in delivering quality infrastructures continues despite the coronavirus pandemic threat, we ensure project implementation conforms with its plans and program of works,” said Oppura.

Among those projects inspected were the New DPWH L2DEO office building in Mac Arthur, Leyte; Hibuga river basin flood control in Brgy. General Luna, Mayorga, Leyte; Batug flood control in Brgy. Batug, Dulag, Leyte; Asset Preservation Program- Rehabilitation / Reconstruction / Upgrading of Damaged Paved Road along Kiling- Tanauan- Tabontabon- Julita Rd. - K0939+529- K0940+529.50; Construction of missing links-new roads Burauen-Albuera road, Burauen Package 1 and 2, Leyte; and the multi-purpose building in Brgy. Poblacion, Burauen, Leyte.

“Our commitment to the public in delivering quality infrastructures continues despite the coronavirus pandemic threat, we ensure project implementation conforms with its plans and program of works,” said Oppura.

DPWH concretes road along rice fields beneficial to local farmers

By DPWH L2DEO
April 21, 2021

DAGAMI, Leyte – In an effort to ease the burden of the farmers in transporting their rice grains the Department of Public Works (DPWH) Leyte Second District Engineering Office is now working to concrete the roads along the rice fields of Barangay Guinarona and Ormocay in Dagami, Leyte.

“The existing gravel road beside the irrigation canal will soon be paved to provide farmers and residents a convenient and safer road. Once completed, transportation costs will be less and faster,” said OIC-District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura.

The P28.9 million road concreting project commences on April 14, 2021 involving the construction of 4.76-lane kilometer with 20-centimeter thick concrete pavement and 400-linear meter stone masonry works. Target completion will be on or before July 13, 2021.

Rice and coconut production is the primary economic source of income, copra is the main industry while rice farming is the second source of livelihood of the townsfolk in Dagami, Leyte.

The district office is also set to concrete road traversing the barangays of Hinabuyan and Buntay in this town.

SBFIC and CARD SME Bank successfully concludes 12 year joint project

By CARD MRI
April 16, 2021

SAN PABLO CITY – To celebrate the successful completion of their joint project, Sparkassenstiftung für internationale Kooperation, also known as Savings Banks Foundation for International Cooperation (SBFIC), and CARD SME Bank concludes their 12-year partnership for a joint project with a closing ceremony via Zoom on March 25, 2021.

The ceremony was attended by CARD MRI Founder and Chairman Emeritus Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip, CARD MRI Managing Director Flordeliza L. Sarmiento, CARD SME Bank President and CEO Aristeo A. Dequito, CARD SME Bank COO Cynthia Baldeo, CARD SME Bank Senior Management Adviser Ms. Mary Jane S. Perreras, CARD Bank Senior Management Adviser Dr. Dolores M. Torres and other CARD MRI executive and management committee members. Representatives from SBFIC were also present led by Sparkassenstiftung Managing Director Niclaus Bergmann, Sparkasse Essen Former Chairman of the Board Dr. Henning Osthues-Albrecht, Sparkasse Rotheburg Former Chairman of the Board Thum Werner and Long-term expert Elmar Benjie Panahon. Also present are German Deputy Ambassador to the Philippines Laura Oexle and other partners and guests.

In his welcoming remarks, Dequito mentioned the results of the partnership between the two institutions. “The past 12 years has been fruitful, meaningful, helpful, not only for CARD SME Bank, but for the whole CARD MRI. The know-hows and expertise of our local and foreign experts have helped the bank to improve its processes for us to be of better service to our clients,” he continued in his speech.

Improvements such as the increased productivity and efficiency of the staff when it comes to SME lending and the savings mobilization activities are some of the highlights that were mentioned. He also highlighted that the tools developed for monitoring productivity and the hands-on training and mentoring of the loan officers are key factors in the thrift bank’s improvements.

Project Overview

Developing and improving CARD SME Bank to become an established institution to cater to the needs of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is the main goal of the partnership.

Establishing a precise business development framework for the institution is their first goal for CARD SME Bank. Through this, groups such the Business Development Group (BDG) and the Marketing Working Group (MWG), were made to function with separate objectives. These groups support, monitor, and capacitate the SME operations for the branches with strategic, technical, and operational directions.

The second goal is the development of the Human Resource Management and SME staff. Specific training programs for specific responsibilities were provided to better capacitate CARD SME’s personnel to the global standards of SME lending. Research was also conducted to gather data for a more effective training program.

Strengthening CARD SME Bank’s Risk Management is the last goal of the project and is achieved through the extensive technical support and training from SBFIC’s local and foreign experts. Members are equipped to handle the crisis management capacity of the bank for times such as the current pandemic.

Overall, the project impact has led to the enhanced access to finance for SMEs nationwide. It also brough a sustainable, market-based, and responsible SME finance in the country and made hundreds of bank professionals capable in SME finance and risk management.

Through the project, SBFIC and CARD SME Bank has implemented a cooperation project that embodies SBFIC’s core topics. The project also further enhanced and contributed to the Filipino-German cooperation.

SBFIC and CARD’s Partnership

The partnership between the two institutions started with a similar project for CARD Bank in 1997. From then, the partnership between CARD and SBFIC has been strong even after 25 years.

In his closing remarks, Bergmann looks forward to the future of both institutions and their projects for nation development. “We are just finishing a chapter right now, our long journey together is just beginning,” he stated.

For Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip, Founder and Chairman of CARD MRI, the partnership took CARD MRI one step further to its goal of poverty eradication. “CARD SME Bank is treading a difficult path and with SBFIC’s extensive help, we are able to generate hundreds of thousands of employments by supporting SMEs. Another important way to eradicating poverty is through employment generation.”

Currently, CARD SME Bank has served more than a million clients and has 336 offices located nationwide.

56 former UGMO members receive livelihood starter kits

By DTI-Regional Operations Group
April 16, 2021

ILOCOS SUR – A total of 56 former supporters of Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) and former members of New People’s Army (NPA)-Underground Mass Organization (UGMO) in the municipalities of Suyo and Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur received various livelihood starter kits from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its provincial office here.

In partnership with the 81st Infantry (SPARTAN) Battalion, 702nd Infantry (DEFENDER) Brigade, Philippine Army, the DTI turned-over the kits to the 23 former UGMO members at Sitio Kimpatubbog, Barangay Poblacion, Suyo on April 8 and to 33 former UGMO members at Sitio Linggawa, Barangay Pidpid, Sta. Cruz on April 9.

Of the beneficiaries in Suyo, 11 received two piglets each, nine received two goats each, two received a sari-sari store package, and one received a Bigasan package while in Sta. Cruz, 28 beneficiaries received two goats each, four beneficiaries received two piglets each, and three beneficiaries received a sari-sari store package.

Afterwhich, Dr. Jhon Rey Camino, a veterinarian, conducted lectures on livestock raising, especially handling and raising goats and hogs as well as the profitability of raising the livestocks.

Funded under the DTI’s Livelihood Support Program-Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay (LSP - NSB), the provision of starter kits intends to create jobs for one of the priority sector of the government today in order to improve their economic status and dissuade them from supporting the advocacies of the leftists.

Moreover, as a member-agency of the Poverty Reduction Livelihood Employment Cluster (PRLEC) under the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC), the DTI along with other member-agencies of the PRLEC, through the Philippine Army, continue to reach out to former supporters and sympathizers of the CTG and alleviate their plight especially in these trying times.

The Ilocos Sur Electric Cooperative (ISECO) in Sta Cruz, the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) –Tagudin Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) also provided services to the residents in the two-day activity.

The CDA conducted pre-reorientation for the free registration seminar to the 23 members in Sitio Kimpatubbog, who have been trained and organized to establish their own livelihood group or association.

Meanwhile, the ISECO also conducted inspections for the repair and improvement of the processing center in Sitio Kimpatubbog, and also conducted site inspection for the construction of the processing center in Sitio Lingawa while the DENR-Tagudin CENRO conducted a survey for the special use of the Timberland area for the construction of the food processing center in Sitio Lingawa.

In her message, DTI Ilocos Sur Provincial Director Grace Lapastora challenged the beneficiaries in managing the starter kits for their future.

“Sa pamamagitan ng mga tulong ng gobyerno sa inyo, as long as maayos ang pangangalaga at pagpapalago ninyo, 101 percent sure na magiging successful ang mga ito. Let us join hands together. Wala lang sa amin sa DTI ang success ng bawat isa because we are all part of it. We will do our part but the important role will come from the community because it’s your choice kung gusto ninyong maging successful or hindi,” she told the beneficiaries.

Lt. Col. Rodrigo Mariñas Jr., Commanding Officer of 81IB, assured the support of the Philippine Army to all the programs and services of the government agencies in achieving lasting peace in the country.

“We will continue to ensure that the government programs and services are delivered to the people through our active partnership with the different government agencies as well as being a dynamic member of the TF-ELCAC. We only ask the beneficiaries, as well as the people in these areas, for their continued support and cooperation in pursuit of a peaceful and progressive environment for the people to live in,” he said.

3 flood control structures built in Samar

By GISSELLE G. PARUNGAO
April 15, 2021

CALBAYOG CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways- Samar First District Engineering Office has recently built three (3) flood control structures in Samar with a total contract amount of P79.3 million under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2020.

One of the flood control structures was erected along Malaga River in Barangay Malaga. It has a height of three (3) meters and a length of 155 meters.

A three-meter height of flood control structure was also built in Barangay Mancol along Sapinit River. It spans 228 lineal meters with a 0.8-meter parapet.

Another one was constructed along Hamonini River in Barangay Pilar that covers a length of 233 meters with walkway. Its height is nine (9) meters and a parapet of 0.6 meters. Hamonini River is a tributary to Jibatang River. Aside from this, water coming from Pan-as Falls also contributes to the water level of the river which is very hazardous to the residents especially during heavy rains and typhoon.

Lydia Acot-acot of Barangay Hamonini stated that, “now, I don’t fear anymore the occurrence of damages due to the protection the project gives”. She further said, “the post in our kitchen is almost gone since only a few more stretch and this portion will also get destroyed due to erosion. That is why every year I reconstruct my kitchen at the back. As of now, I don’t have a problem about flooding since the water level don’t reach us anymore. Every time the water level rises, we get scared because the flood here is usually up to the waist level, especially during the past storm. We are really grateful of the project that protects the whole barangay”.

Inflation rate in Eastern Visayas inches up to 2.9% in March 2021

By PSA-8
April 14, 2021

TACLOBAN CITY – Inflation Rate (IR) in Eastern Visayas inched up to 2.9 percent in March 2021. This IR is 0.1 percentage point higher compared with the 2.8 percent IR in February 2021. This figure is also 0.7 percentage point higher than the recorded 2.2 percent IR in the same period last year.

In comparison with the national average IR, the regional IR is 1.6 percentage points lower than the 4.5 percent national IR in March 2021.

Among the provinces, only Northern Samar registered a decrease in IR by 0.6 percentage point. Its IR declined to 2.2 percent in March 2021 from 2.8 percent in February 2021. Leyte, meanwhile, retained its previous month’s IR at 1.9 percent. Biliran registered the highest increase of 0.9 percentage point, pushing its IR to 3.6 percent in March 2021. Samar, Southern Leyte, and Eastern Samar’s IRs registered increases ranging from 0.3 percentage point to 0.4 percentage point, settling at 6.5 percent, 4.0 percent, and 3.3 percent, respectively, during the month in review. Samar recorded the highest IR among provinces at 6.5 percent, while Leyte posted the lowest at 1.9 percent.

Five (5) of the 11 commodity groups in the region exhibited higher IRs in March 2021 compared with their rates in February 2021. Transport commodity group registered the biggest increase in IR of 2.7 percentage points, from 6.2 percent in February 2021 to 8.9 percent in March 2021. This acceleration can be traced to the double-digit IR (11.3%) registered in the index for operation of personal transport equipment.

Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels commodity group recorded 1.4 percent IR in March 2021; 1.2 percentage points higher than the 0.2 percent IR in February 2021. This increase was brought about by the 4.2 percentage points growth in the index for electricity, gas, and other fuels, from 0.7 percent deflation in February 2021 to 3.5 percent IR in March 2020.

The March 2021 IRs for alcoholic beverages and tobacco commodity group (7.0%) and clothing and footwear commodity group (2.6%) are both 0.1 percentage point higher compared with their February 2021 levels.

The commodity group for communication continued to post deflation but at a slower rate, settling at 1.4 percent during the month in review.

On the other hand, restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services commodity group recorded 0.5 percentage point decrease in its IR, from 3.9 percent in February 2021 to 3.4 percent in March 2021. This can be traced to the lower IR in the indices for catering services (5.2%), personal care (2.1%), and personal effects not elsewhere classified (1.0%).

IR for food and non-alcoholic beverages commodity group declined to 3.2 percent in March 2021 from 3.5 percent in February 2021. Lower IRs were noted in majority of the items under this commodity group. Fruits index registered the highest decrease of 4.8 percentage points. Its IR dropped to 6.4 percent in March 2021 from its double-digit IR of 11.2 percent in February 2021. IR for vegetables index managed to shed off 1.5 percentage points from its double-digit figure of 19.6 percent in February 2021, posting 18.1 percent IR in March 2021. Corn, rice, and bread and cereals indices further deflated to 3.3 percent, 2.3 percent, and 1.4 percent, respectively. The rest of the items registered decreases ranging from 0.1 percentage point to 0.3 percentage point. Meanwhile, prices of meat picked up at a faster rate of 7.0 percent in March 2021 from 5.3 percent in February 2021.

IR for health commodity group eased by 0.3 percentage points, settling at 1.1 percent in March 2021.

The commodity groups of furnishings, household equipment, and routine maintenance of the house and education retained their previous month’s IRs at 2.5 percent and 0.4 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, recreation and culture commodity group retained its previous month’s deflation at 1.0 percent.

The Purchasing Power of Peso (PPP) of the region weakened to P0.76 in March 2021. This PPP implies that the goods and services worth P76.00 in 2012 is now worth P100.00 in March 2021.

Compared to their levels in February 2021, PPP in Northern Samar strengthened by P0.01, while the rest of the provinces retained their previous month’s PPP. Biliran and Leyte recorded the strongest PPP among provinces in March 2021 at P0.79. Southern Leyte ranked second at P0.78, followed by Eastern Samar at P0.74 and Northern Samar at P0.72. Samar posted the weakest PPP during the reference month at P0.70.

DPWH is set to widen Canomantag Bridge in Barugo town

By DPWH 2ndLED
April 14, 2021

BARUGO, Leyte – To conform with the road widening projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways nationwide, the Leyte Second District Engineering Office has set the widening of Canomantag bridge connecting the towns of Carigara and Barugo in Leyte.

“The bridge expansion aims to accommodate greater number of vehicles travelling along the road section of Barugo and Carigara likewise it serves as an alternate route in going to the major cities of Ormoc and Tacloban utilizing the primary road of Bagahupi-Babatngon-Sta. Cruz-Barugo-Carigara road section,” according to OIC-District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura.

With a contract amount of P48.1 million, the widened bridge will have a total length of 60.45 linear meter and total width of 16.76 meter constructed with reinforced concrete pile foundation, prestressed concrete deck girder, concrete railings, and introduction of stone masonry works as slope protection.

“Out of 55 bridges maintained by the district office, 31 bridges were already widened to provide safer roads and faster mobility of motorists and goods,” said Oppura.

The widening of bridge project started last March 08, 2021 and is expected to be completed on or before October 03, 2021.

SFDEO mounts rainwater collector systems in 14 schools

By GISSELLE G. PARUNGAO
April 14, 2021

CALBAYOG CITY – Fourteen rainwater collector systems were mounted in schools with a contract amount of more than P4.1 million under the General Appropriations Act of 2020 (GAA 2020).

The school recipients are the following: Jimautan Elementary School, Saputan Elementary School, Sinantan Elementary School, Marcatubig Elementary School, Cagmanipis Sur Elementary School, Cagmanipis Norte Elementary School, Cagsumje Elementary School, Arapison Elementary School, Curry Elementary School, Avelino Elementary School, Mabuhay Elementary School, Tambongan Elementary School, Sto. Niño Integrated School and Macugo Elementary School.

Dr. Rosemarie J. Badiola, head teacher of Tambongan Elementary School stated that, “Now that a rainwater catchment is constructed for our school, we are very thankful because it solves our difficulties, including our utilities. They don’t have a problem anymore of getting water for the CR, for watering the plants and if we will construct a little project, we won’t be short of water supply since our tank is always full. It has a great use because actually, in the area near the wall (referring to the wall surrounding the school premises), we have adorned it with plants and it is easier to water them”.

Schools located outside the city where water supply from the local water service cannot reach or the water supply is very scarce are the ones that are having a hard time in terms of sanitation, hygiene and for other school projects. The rainwater collector aids them to eradicate or at least lessen these worries.

Samar I delivers new building to Inoraguiao Elementary School

By GISSELLE G. PARUNGAO
April 13, 2021

CALBAYOG CITY – Inoraguiao Elementary School recently received a two-storey, four classroom school building constructed through the Department of Public Works and Highways -Samar First District Engineering Office with a contract amount of P12.19 million.

The school building is equipped with a fire alarm system, fire extinguisher, automatic water sprinklers, fire escape, PWD ramp access, and sanitary restrooms. A roof-mount twin water storage tank was also installed. Part of the scope of work is a walkway with a length of 165 meters and a width of two (2) meters as well as a canal surrounding the building with a length of 106.10 meters.

The building will be occupied by 54 Kindergarten pupils, 46 Grade 1 and 45 Grade 2 students. Teachers of these grade levels would have to use rooms intended for other purpose just so they can conduct classes, like, the school’s e-classroom is used by Grade 2 students while the Marcos-type building is used by Grade 1 pupils which are not conducive for learning.

A Kindergarten teacher Maria Adely Sollano has this to say, “before, our room is already dilapidated and is ready for demolition. But because the school lacks rooms, we still occupy this room which has a roof that is leaking. When it rains, it causes flooding inside the classroom and it is also not conducive for learning for pupils due to space limitation which is not enough for 25 kindergarten pupils. We are very happy that there is a new building constructed for teachers, Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2 because they are the ones who does not have their own classrooms”.