PH Lesson: How To Assist Indigenous Peoples? Help Them Help Themselves!

Same assistances, different peoples. That is what the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) are jointly doing for the great many PH indigenous tribes from Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

The assistance is to generate livelihoods and at the same time “safeguard the customs, traditions, values, beliefs, and interests of the communities,” says Edelmira Luminarias, DA Caraga 4K Program Focal Person (Kent Warren H Fugoso, 27 February 2021, “Bridging Knowledge, Closing The Gap: IPs In Agriculture,” PIA.gov.ph). Caraga is in northeastern Mindanao.

I am looking at 3 reports on the communities of indigenous peoples (IPs): from Bataan, Caraga, and Surigao. In these and other locations, the DA has partnered with the NCIP.

In Bataan, according to the PIA, the partnership has launched a program with a very long name! 32 words in all: “Ayta Ambala Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran para sa Kababayang Katutubo Indigenous Peoples Culturally Responsive, Socioeconomic, Ecology, Agro-Aqua Technology, and Special Services Integrated Ancestral Domain Development Approach (4Ks-IP CREATESS IADDA)[1]” (Big News Network). I would spell “Ayta” as “Aeta.” “Integrated Ancestral Domain Development Approach” – I take it that “integrated” signifies that no projects stand alone, and “development approach” means everything must be sustainable: technically feasible, economically viable, environmentally sound, and socially acceptable. Nothing less.

In short, the program is “Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran para sa Kababayang Katutubo” (4 Ks) – “Livelihood & Progress for Indigenous Compatriots” (my free translation). This is for all regions in the Philippines. Implemented from 2020 to 2022, 4 Ks is a 3-year nationwide  program to help indigenous communities develop. Initially, one community per province is identified as a pilot before the program is introduced on a wider scale.

JB Agrifino says in Benguet, Sitio Domolpos in Tinongdan, Itogon has been identified as a pilot area. attended to by the Domolpos Ansipsip Ancestral Domain Indigenous Peoples Organization (DA-CAR RAFIS, Facebook post). Necessary social preparations have been conducted within the month of May 2021 particularly on data gap analysis and need prioritization by the community. Domolpos is somewhat special in that the NCIP had initiated assistance in 2019 but still sees the area needs further help from government, according to 4 Ks Program Regional Focal Person Charles Picpican. In fact, the Domolpos 4 Ks is in an ancestral domain shared by Itogon, Benguet in Region CAR and Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya in Region 2.

Thus, in Sitio Domolpos in Benguet, the cooperating IPs are set to receive an estimated  P9.5 million worth of packaged interventions from the 4 Ks Program: P3.6 million for crop production and P5.9 million for livestock and poultry.

For specific assistances, agricultural production interventions, particularly Arabica coffee and native pigs, were being readied for distribution to the beneficiaries of Domolpos. The coffee and native pigs were being produced at the Baguio Animal Breeding Research Station, one of the research outreach stations of DA-CAR, located in Dontogan, Baguio City.

Meanwhile, the identification of pilot areas in the remaining 5 CAR provinces are underway. Not to forget intended 4 Ks for all over the Philippines.@517

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[1]https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/269293592/da-ncip-provide-livelihood-assistance-to-ips-in-bataan

A-Okay Leadership & Followership In PH Agriculture Seen In Japan Meat Exports

11 June 2021, ANN says the latest good news from Secretary of Agriculture William Dar is this: “In addition to ‘chicken yakitori;’ the Philippines can now export processed meat products to Japan.”

The news is titled, “Phl Can Now Export Processed Meat Products To Japan[1]” (Author Not Named, DA.gov.ph). Now, let us read between the lines.

Why did it take so long?!

ANN says:

Since 2003, the Department of Agriculture (DA), through its National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), has implemented the mandatory application of the HACCP program in all licensed “Triple A” (AAA) meat establishments. HACCP is a science-based, systematic protocol that identifies hazards and measures for their control to ensure food safety.

After 18 years, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) certified that the Philippines has passed the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point-based (HACCP) hygiene management standards.

That tells us that it takes highly dedicated leadership to implement high standards of performance.

Mr Dar said:

We are pleased that we have successfully hurdled Japan’s stringent food safety and hygiene management standards.

This is definitely a big boost for our livestock producers, and food manufacturers, meat processors and exporters, as we continue to look for market opportunities to jumpstart the country’s economic recovery amid the pandemic.

The HACCP go-ahead is good for PH meat producers, food makers and meat processors all the way to the exporters. During and after the pandemic.

It is also a testament to our commitment in providing safe, healthy and world-class quality food for both domestic and export markets, and Japan is a discriminating market. Thus, we look forward to penetrating more export markets.

Now then, meeting HACCP standards, the Philippines can now start exporting beef, carabeef, pork, chevon, mutton and their by-products to the Land of the Rising Sun. Article 11 of Japan’s Food Sanitation Law provides that only meat products applying HACCP procedures and protocols may be imported into the country.

According to NMIS Director Jocelyn Salvador, before the HACCP thumbs-up was given for processed meat products, Japan only accepted PH chicken meat, mainly used for grilling as “yakitori.” For yakitori, bite-sized pieces of chicken, beef, pork and other meats or fish are put on skewers, which are then grilled and served.

Ms Jocelyn said:

The HACCP certification implies that the systems of certification of the Philippines are (now) at par with global standards. The significance of this move by Tokyo is that they rely upon and trust our systems of certification. This means that if the Philippines certifies certain establishments and meat products, Japan will automatically accept this certification without question.

As of today, there are at least 70 PH meat establishments – including slaughterhouses, meat-cutting plants, poultry dressing plants, and cold storage facilities – that have “AAA” certification from the PH DA NMIS, and the list has been furnished to Japan’s MHLW.

Mr Dar said:

This is a victory, and we are now reaping the rewards of the DA’s continuing efforts to educate Philippine food manufacturers to adhere to global food safety standards.@517

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[1]https://www.da.gov.ph/phl-can-now-export-processed-meat-products-to-japan/?fbclid=IwAR23wITaN3Sg5ahokdpPAeTZ49YYEYq5wylbuQW7eR-M_6_C2HKIO7HD4G4

12 June 1898 – Is It The Day Philippine Independence Was Proclaimed? No!

Saturday, 12 June 2021, we are celebrating a flawed declaration of Philippine Independence – and you were ignorant of that! I am proud being a Filipino, but I am not proud knowing the incorrecthistory of my country!

No, in the town of Cavite-Viejo, Province of Cavite, on the 12th day of June 1898, what was executed was not a “Declaration of Philippine Independence” but a “Declaration of Philippine Dependence.” 2 letters make an historic difference – It’s time to know correct history!

I had googled for “Philippine Independence Day” and reached the website of Filipino.biz.ph showing the document titled “Declaration of Philippine Independence.”

And this one has an un/pleasant surprise!

Why am I writing this article to correct an historical error when I am not an historian? Because I want you to know that as a journalist, I do not hesitate to search and search again and again for more facts and/or details when I am writing, especially now that we have the Internet as a limitless library and an indefatigable answerer of endless questions.

Because my kind of journalism drives me to historical accuracy – I call it THINK Journalism, and it goes like this:

True? If True is it
Helpful? If Helpful, is it
Inspiring? If Inspiring, is it
Necessary? If Necessary, is it
Kind? If Kind, by all means announce it!

Not True.

At Filipino.biz.ph, I am reading an English translation by Sulpicio Guevara. The 7^th paragraph of the Declaration says it all:

And having as witness to the rectitude of our intentions the Supreme Judge of the Universe, and under the protection of our Powerful and Humanitarian Nation, The United States of America, we do hereby proclaim and declare solemnly in the name by authority of the people of these Philippine Islands…

Those gentlemen, all 95 of them, from #1 Don Segundo Arellano to #95 Don Ladislao Diwa (including a double entry of Don Leon Tanjanque), by signing did “solemnly swear to recognize and defend it (the country) unto the last drop of their blood.”

I quote again: “under the protection of our Powerful and Humanitarian Nation, The United States of America” – there is no mistaking it, that while those 95 gentlemen are declaring these islands’ independence from Spain, they are at the same time invoking these islands’ dependence on the USA!

Not Helpful.

No Sir, the Declaration of Philippine Independence in 1898 did not happen as these Filipino historians claim: Teodoro Agoncillo, Encarnacion Alzona, Renato Constantino,  Horacio dela Costa, Reynaldo Ileto, Ambeth Ocampo, Carlos Quirino, Nicolas Zafra, and Gregorio Zaide.

Not Inspiring enough.

The desire for Independence was inspiring, but from one master to another? From Mother Spainto Uncle Sam!

Was Necessary.

In any case, I’m glad it happened. Under Spain, we were stunted growing as a nation.

Was Kind, Historically.

This declaration paved the way for the USA to completely rule the Philippine Islands in the next 48 years, and we Filipinos learned many American ways: Democracy, Bill of Rights, American English. For those and more, personally, I am glad!@517

Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas And ACPC Sign MoA On Credit Research – We Need To Study The How

I never thought of research on rural credit! I thought the government should just extend loans to the farmers, in the amounts that they need, and that’s it.

Well, the above Facebook sharing says the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) signed on Wednesday, 09 June 2021, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for collaboration in credit research. ANN says (“DA-ACPC Signs MOU With BSP Research Academy”) (The ACPC is an agency of the Department of Agriculture, DA, hence sometimes written “DA-ACPC.”)

The Research Collaboration between DA-ACPC and BSP aims to broaden and develop further the two agencies’ intellectual and financial resources and provide an evidence-based approach for the parties’ program and policy formulation for sustainable agricultural credit services and programs, through various research studies on rural credit.

We must study credit. “Success produces success, just as money produces money” – Dean Acheson. Bur How? is the question. We need to study the How.
(image of “Success produces success…[1]” from Quotespictures.com)

Among those present during the MOU signing were BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno, DA OSEC Chief of Staff Leocadio Sebastianrepresenting Secretary of Agriculture & ex-officio ACPC Chair William Dar, BSP Deputy Governor Cyd Tuaño-Amador, BSP Research Academy Head Veronica Bayangos, Monetary Board Member & ACPC Vice Chair Bruce Tolentino, and ACPC Executive Director Jocelyn Alma R. Badiola.

Previous to this, Mr Tolentino had emphasized the value of investment and credit for the aggie sector during the National Food Security Summit (NFSS) held 18-19 May 2021. On the first day of the NFSS, he “presented his insights on the financial and credit policies in agriculture and fisheries.

The ACPC spearheaded the conduct of the “Agribusiness Pitch Challenge,” one of the competitions featured during the “1st Youth in Agriculture Summit” (31 March 2021). This was to encourage the youth to engage in agriculture, fishery and agribusiness ventures and thereby become “yaggies[2].”

In the meantime, the ACPC continues to strengthen its digitalization process while implementing its various credit programs. Says Miss Badiola, “We are recognizing that digital financing is the way forward[3]” (10 June 2021, “DA-ACPC Intensifies Efforts To Accelerate Digitalization In Agri-Fishery Finance,” ACPC.gov.ph). Thus the ACPC has partnered with:

(1)   Digital finance & services company PayMaya, for the financial disbursement platform for the Kapital Access for Young Agripreneurs (KAYA) Loan Program.

(2)   IoT Technology for the AgriKonek app, “an online marketplace and inventory tool that aims to empower farmers and fishers.”

And the ACPC Dashboard– The ACPC Information Systems Management Division has launched the Program Accomplishment Dashboard by which the public can access up-to-date accomplishment reports on ACPC programs. The ACPC describes it thus:

The interactive dashboard… available on the website acpc.gov.ph, provides a live snapshot of program performance across various dimensions using a set of more impactful graphs, charts, and other metrics and visuals designed to be the most helpful in analyzing program progress and accomplishments.

If this is not transparency in public service, I don’t know what is!@517

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[1]http://quotespictures.com/success-produces-success-just-as-money-produces-money/

[2]https://acpc.gov.ph

[3]https://acpc.gov.ph/da-acpc-intensifies-efforts-to-accelerate-digitalization-in-agri-fishery-finance/

PCAARRD, Thanks For Your eLibrary – Here’s An Even Better Idea!

In PCAARRD’s Facebook sharing accompanied by the image above (essentially), good news: “Over 7,000 Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources… publications can now be accessed in the PCAARRD eLibrary for FREE!”

Two links: “Visit our website: https://elibrary.pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph/slims/” and “How to use PCAARRD eLibrary: https://bit.ly/HowToPCAARRDeLib” and then these links:

“Ask a librarian”
“Suggest a book”
“List of newly acquired materials”
and
“Recent List.”
“Material Search Filters.”

Your eLibrary is a good idea, but I get confused. Many links to mind! Which all means I have to spend at least 10 minutes clicking those links and maybe finding what interests me.

I am an alumnus of UP Los Baños and I worked for PCAARRD years ago – so I have a good idea what your eLibrary offers. What happens to an eKnowledge searcher who has no idea?

Okay, I’m watching your automatic-continuous display of covers:
Organic Agriculture, Gardening Using EPP Technology, Tilapia Culture, Rubber And Cacao, Vegetable Gardening, Mangrove Crab, Citrus Fiesta…

I click Organic Agriculture and nothing happens!

(I went back to the website and clicked again – nothing again.)

Anyway, you have a good list of topics:

Agri-Aqua Systems
Agricultural Machineries
Agricultural Resource Management
Agriculture
Biology
Communications
Crops
Ecology
Education
Environmental Science
Fisheries
Forestry
Genetics
Health and Wellness
Library and Information Science
Livelihood
Livestock
Marine Aquatic
Nutrition
Ornamental plants
Science and Technology
Social Sciences
Socio-Economics
Soil Resources
Technology Transfer
Veterinary Medicine
Water Resources
Wildlife

I try to register – I get lost. Anyway, it tells me that you are first interested in counting the number of those who use your website and not whether you are being of good service to them or not. It’s been about 20 minutes and your eLibrary is notmaking things easy for me to search for the eKnowledge that I am interested in.

If I may suggest: PCAARRD should instead build an eKnowledgeBank that can answer any blind question about the latest knowledge and/or conjectures in Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Natural Resources Research and Development, which are its areas of expertise. PCAARRD is almost 50 years old – half a century – and should know much!

If your eLibrary were much more user-friendly, for instance, I visit your website and just type these words:

goat raising,
Asingan,
source of stocks,
capital needed,
people with experience in or near Asingan,
market prospects,

and your eLibrary would be giving me instant replies on each of those queries!

(Your eLibrary would know that “Asingan” is in Pangasinan. And it would tell me about the market prospects as of such & such dates.)

And since I am into communication for development, I would also be interested in asking your eLibrary such questions as:

ü most common pitfalls in goat raising
ümost successful provinces in goat raising
ümost important consideration in goat raising.

Oh, and by the way, PCAARRD, aren’t your publications all technical? Have pity on the non-technical people and beforehand“translate” the science into common language, if not common knowledge.

You must assume that the ones visiting your eLibrary know little science or almost none – so help them!@517

World Food Safety Day 07 June 2021 – The WHO Is Avoiding Talking About Pesticide Residues!?

Did not know that, but I just saw Searca’s Facebook sharing on “World Food Safety Day,” which is today, Monday, 07 June 2021, and so, I googled for more.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says[1]:

World Food Safety Day… celebrated on 07 June 2021, aims to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, (thus) contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development. 

I note the aim of this year’s celebration: “To help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks.” The risks contribute to food insecurity, human ill-health, and lack of progress in the economy, agriculture, markets, tourism and, overall, sustainable development.

This year’s theme, ‘Safe Food Today For A Healthy Tomorrow,’ stresses that production and consumption of safe food has immediate and long-term benefits for people, the planet and the economy. Recognizing the systemic connections between the health of people, animals, plants, the environment and the economy will help us meet the needs of the future.

Having safe foods has immediate and long-term benefits to the people, the environment, and the economy. Within the same system, the health of the people is connected to the health of animals, plants, the environment and the economy.

The WHO also says:

Food safety is a shared responsibility between governments, producers and consumers.  Everyone has a role to play from farm to table to ensure the food we consume is safe and healthy. Through the World Food Safety Day, WHO works to mainstream food safety in the public agenda and reduce the burden of foodborne diseases globally. Food safety is everyone's business.

The WHO and Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) jointly facilitate the observance of the Day in collaboration with United Nations Member States and relevant organizations.

Something’s not right. According to the Australian Institute of Food Safety (“What Is Food Safety?” undated, Foodsafety.com.au):

Food Safety refers to handling, preparing and storing food in a way to best reduce the risk of individuals becoming sick from foodborne illnesses.

Food safety is a global concern that covers a variety of different areas of everyday life.

The principles of food safety aim to prevent food from becoming contaminated and causing food poisoning.

Now then, those official sources tell me that the emphases on “food safety” are definitely (1) foodborne diseases and (2) food poisoning.

I’m looking for a 3^rd emphasis but I do not find it, so I ask: Where is the emphasis on the (3) nutritive values of foods?

Now, I will approach the subject of food nutrition on the basis of how farmers practice agriculture. Since it is common practice for farmers to spray their crops with pesticides – any of these: fungicides, insecticides, molluscicides – I will now ask how do you determine food safety with food products on display in the market or store? (image of “How Safe Are…[2]” from Potato News Today)

A related question is: “Who should be watching out for pesticide residues in food intended for humans?”@517

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[1]https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-food-safety-day/2021?fbclid=IwAR2jeohaeUqDofn33STiQEkSBZyzE8ezn8Ho4pJGic8grTz_1grYb21GcCY

[2]https://www.potatonewstoday.com/2019/04/07/affs-pesticide-residue-calculator-shows-noteworthy-results/

PH Yuka Saso Shows All How To Win A Major US Women’s Open Championship, Friends

Not one reporter, American or Filipino, mentioned how young Japanese-Filipino golfer Yuka Saso actually won the 76^th US Women’s Open Golf Championship. I’m telling you why.

ANN has this report (Author Not Named, 07 June 2021, “Yuka Saso Birdies Third Playoff Hole, Becomes Second Teen To Win US Women's Open[1],” ESPN.com):

Saso's 10-foot putt for birdie on the third playoff hole Sunday inspired her to edge out (Japanese) Nasa Hataoka and become the second teenager to win the US Women's Open. Saso overcame back-to-back double bogeys early in the round to make the playoff and then became the first player from the Philippines to win a golf major.

Details:

ESPN: The first teenager to win the US Women’s Open Golf Championship was Korean Inbee Park. (Park and Saso) both won just before going 20, exactly at 19 years, 11 months, and 17 days.

AFP: Yuka Saso of the Philippines (won) the Harton S Semple Trophy after winning the 76th US Women’s Open Championship at The Olympic Club on 06 June 2021 in San Francisco, California.[2]

Kent Paisley: Mid-way through the final round of the US Women’s Open, it was likely hard for Yuka Saso to imagine she would be the one holding the Harton S Semple Trophy at day’s end. Saso… had made two double bogeys on the front nine… and was competing in the final threesome with (Japanese Nasa Hataoka and US) Lexi Thompson, who held a five-stroke lead with eight holes to play and (was) six shots ahead of Saso.

So how did our girl Yuka Saso win against 2 girls with excellent golf championship potentials?

(1)   Her caddie inspired her.

"I was actually a little upset," Saso said about her poor start. "But my caddie talked to me and said, 'Just keep on going; there's many more holes to go.' That's what I did." Listening pays!

(2)   Her crowd inspired her.

ESPN: “Both players made pars at Nos 9 and 18 in the two-hole aggregate playoff, sending the tournament to sudden death back at the ninth hole. That set the stage for Saso to win it just up the road from Daly City, dubbed ;Little Manila’ for its large population of Filipinos.”

They inspired her. She said:

There were many (Filipinos) on hand for the final round, including several with Filipino flags for the occasion.

(3)   Her people inspired her.

They cheered her.

I don't know what's happening in the Philippines right now, but I'm just thankful that there's so many people in the Philippines cheering for me. I don't know how to thank them. They gave me so much energy. I want to say thank you to everyone.

(4)  Her idol inspired her.

She had read her golfing idol US Rory McIlroy’s Instagram: "Great playing the last few days @yukasaso_official. Go finish it out today and get that trophy!"

And so she did.

Championship Lesson for All of Us:
Remember to cheer your friends to help them win!@517

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[1]https://tv5.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/31579774/yuka-saso-birdies-3rd-playoff-hole-becomes-second-teen-win-us-women-open

[2]https://mb.com.ph/2021/06/07/yuka-saso-bags-us-womens-open-crown/