27 Capiz parolees taught fish culture, vegetable gardening

To help “uplift their socioeconomic status and be productive citizens,” the Capiz Parole and Probation Office, in collaboration with the Capiz State University (CapSU) Extension Institute (EI), led the conduct of Training on Fish Culture and Vegetable Gardening to some 27 parolees on October 27, 2010 at the CapSU Extension Institute in Poblacion, Mambusao, Capiz.

According to Supervising Probation and Parole Officer Ramonsito Canja, the initiative formed part of the Capiz Parole and Probation Office’s celebration of the National Correctional Consciousness Week (NACOCOW).

Led by its Extension Director Raul L. Ticar, CapSU EI lectured on fish culture and organic farming technologies to 27 parolees and five Volunteer Probation Aides coming from the towns of Sapian, Mambusao, Sigma, Jamindan, Dumalag and Tapaz, all of Capiz. Ticar lectured on how to raise pantat (catfish) and bio-intensive gardening while Technology Services Specialist Ceferino Lizada engaged the participants on backyard tilapiaraising.

Training Coordinator Eduardo Navarra introduced backyard farming to the former inmates using the concept of edible landscape by Mr. Ramon Peñalosa, Jr. of Negros Occidental. Navarra stressed on how farming and vegetable raising can be done using indigenous materials and those which can be found around the household. Navarra also echoed to the participants the technologies he learned from Agri-link 2010 in Manila, especially the organic practices by Laguna-based Gil Carandang, considered to be the father of natural and organic farming in the country.

After the lectures, the facilitators distributed to parolees seeds of vegetables like tomato, eggplant and pechay which they could use to start in their own backyard planting. Canja said the training sought to help facilitate the parolees’ vocational survival as part of the therapeutic mechanisms and interventions for them in consonance with their NACOCOW theme “Towards Justice that Moves Beyond Punishment.”

Thirty six-year-old Arnel Fajader, who is serving three years probation, said he understood the idea involved in fish culture and the little capital it needs for startup. Fajader lamented, however, that capital is his first consideration. The bamboo furniture maker from Barangay Consolacion in Dumalag town said he could share the ideas and technologies learned to his mother, and from which their family could get extra income.

Meanwhile, 53-year-old parolee Monina Lagla of Barangay Sto. Angel. Dumalag, Capiz cited the information shared to them, saying “Maayo [ang program] kay may makuahan kami sang impormasyon tungod sa pagtanom [The program is good because we are able to get information on gardening]. Lagla said she would plant the seeds in her own backyard but also said she would give the others to her children who have bigger a piece of land in Dumalag where they can raise the vegetables and start out similar sources of livelihood. 

Sixty-year old farmer Rofoldo Gerapista from Barangay Initan, Tapaz, a father of seven children, considered the training helpful, saying, “Makabulig ini sa pangabuhi. Kun may capital makahimo gid kita sang buluhaton (It could help us; if we have capital, we could start up something). Gerapista said he would also start planting the seeds given to them.

CapSU’s bamboo hub project gets Tanco’s nod

“No problem. It jives with our program.”

These were the words of Capiz Provincial Governor Victor A. Tanco, Sr. to the team of Capiz State University (CapSU) led by Vice President for Research and Extension, Dr. Geronimo L. Gregorio and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) led by Regional Technical Director, Dr. Alicia L. Lustica in their consultative meeting Oct. 15, 2010 at the CapSU Dumarao Campus in barangay Codingle, Dumarao, Capiz.

In the said meeting, CapSU and DENR proposed to the Capiz governor the establishment of the Western Visayas Bamboo Research Center (WVBRC), which the group envisions to be the center of excellence in bamboo research, development and extension in Western Visayas.

WVBRC Logo

According to the proposal, WVBRC commits “to improve the production, utilization and commercialization of bamboo through high-quality research and extension activities.” Among others, Gregorio lobbied to Tanco for the development of a database for bamboo in Region 6 and the establishment of a germplasm collection, nursery and plantation which would help generate responsive information and technologies for bamboo.

The CapSU-DENR tandem also sought to promote bamboo as an ecologically and economically viable crop and committed themselves for the attainment of a vibrant bamboo industry in the region. Gregorio sought the support of the governor facilitate the funding of the nursery operations plantation rehabilitation and maintenance and supplies and equipment. DENR’s Lustica emphasized that the bamboo hub project fits well with the eco-tourism project of the province even as it seeks to generate livelihood initiative for bamboo farmers across the province and even the region.

The proposal elicited favorable comment from Tanco who stressed on the tourism prospects for the province which could be helped by the bamboo project. Tanco then directed the project leaders to coordinate with the Capiz provincial office to prepare for a memorandum of agreement that will formalize the participation and partnership of CapSU, DENR and the province of Capiz.

The WVBRC initiative traces roots to the establishment of the pilot bamboo plantation inside the CapSU (formerly Panay State Polytechnic College) Dumarao Campus in a 10-hectare lot donated by the Arancillo family. Funded by the United Nations Development Program-Food and Agriculture Organization (UNDP-FAO) in 1981 and implemented by then Forest Research Institute (FORI) in Mambusao, Capiz, it was fully established in 1986.

In 2001, a MOA was signed between the DENR and PSPC, which strengthened the program for bamboo.  Later on, more R&D projects and activities were conducted by DENR’s Ecological Research and Development Services (ERDS).

CapSU Mambusao FITS Center hosts Pavia agri-tourists

By Niño Manaog

Photo by Rector John Latoza

A

s part of its continued and effective extension activities, the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in Capiz State University (CapSU) Poblacion Campus in Poblacion, Mambusao, Capiz played host to some 36 agri-tourists from FITS Pavia in Iloilo during their cross visit and study tour on September 30, 2010.

Led by Dr. Raul Ticar, director of the CapSU’s Extension Institute, FITS CapSU Mambusao showcased to the visitors the technologies practiced including vermiculture and other organic interventions by the Center’s experts.

The group composed of Barangay Agriculture and Fisheries Council (BAFC) leaders, members and staff of Pavia LGU and led by FITS Pavia Manager Homer Hubag, dropped by the center on a study tour to the Darag native chicken farm of WESVARRDEC Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) Margarito Andrade in Barangay Libas, Banga, Aklan.

Training Coordinator Eduardo Navarra, who is also CapSU’s Techno Gabay Team Leader for the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC), led the demonstration on the production of the carbonized rice hull. The Center also featured to the visitors the vermitea it has recently prepared to be used as foliar fertilizers. According to Navarra, indigenous microorganisms (IMO) fertilizers do not fail to wow agri-tourists and visitors because of its practicability. Producing fermented plant juice and vermitea can be easily done using only household materials and ingredients.

Rice farmer Pedro Jabonillo, also Pavia’s Municipal Agriculture and Fisheries Council (MAFC) treasurer, said he learned much from Navarra’s lecture and later told Hubag that he would try making his own carbonized rice hull in his own farm in Pavia. Leah Calambro, FITS Pavia information service specialist, expressed appreciation of the technologies featured to them. Technology Services Specialist Marilyn Hondrade said that organic farming practices are practicable because they do not require farmers to buy commercially prepared pesticides; they also reduce the health risks for the farmers and consumers of agricultural crops.

Hubag said the visit to FITS CapSU Mambusao was worth it, considering the short period they spent there.  Hubag then sought to request Navarra to lead the training on mushroom culture production for their municipality before the year ends.

According to Ticar, FITS CapSU Mambusao counts the Pavia visit as another accomplishment of the Center, having been able to share to more agri tourists on their featured technologies.  FITS CapSU Mambusao is supported by its staff, namely: Ceferino Lizada, Shirley Lizada, Mary Ann Lariza, Antonio Buñi, Abner Villareal and Winnie Estocada and Rector John Latoza.

CapSU Burias personnel plant 137 coconut trees

By Niño Manaog
Extension Associate

To take part in the celebration of the 110th Anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service, some 52 non-academic personnel of the Capiz State University (CapSU) Burias Campus led by Dr. Virginia Lachica, OIC campus administrator and Dr. Ludovico Olmo, chairman for production, participated in the planting of 137 coconut plantlings across the 2-hectare lot of CapSU Burias Campus on September 27, 2010 in barangay Burias, Mambusao, Capiz. 

According to Ms. Emily Launio, personnel officer, the initiative was undertaken pursuant to the mandate of the Civil Service Commission which this year works under the theme “In a R.A.C.E. to Serve: Advancing Responsive, Accessible, Courteous and Effective Public Service.” 

The tree planting drew a number of responses from the CapSU Burias personnel. Minerva Victoriano, administrative officer at the financial and accounting office, said the activity made her sweat out and exercise which could thus benefit her health. Rex Berganio, personnel staff, likewise saw the need for personnel like him to be conscious of the effects of climate change. 

Benjamin Gutierrez, university research associate, is optimistic about the initiative. He said this will make the area ultimately productive, because the land planted to coconut has been left unproductive for some time. Gutierrez, a trained coconut expert, said the monitoring will be done every three months starting from the planting period. During these periodic visits, the personnel will also help out in the cultivation including fertilization and similar maintenance activities. 

According to Ms. Launio, the coconut trees planted will be individually monitored by the personnel in the coming days. CapSU personnel also made the resolve to replant those that might die even before they bear fruit.

CapSU EI graduates 35 welders

In collaboration with the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Capiz, the Barangay Council of Bula, the Capiz provincial government and the Capiz State University (CapSU), the Capiz State University Extension Institute led the graduation exercises of some 35 students of the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) held on October 6, 2010 in barangay Bula, Mambusao, Capiz.

Under the theme “Timbuok Bula para Kaayuhan, Skills Training Kinahanglan, Aton Buas Damlag Tamdan, Dr. Raul L. Ticar, CapSU extension director, joined other representatives of said government agencies in conferring the Certificates of Completion to 35 graduates including 29 male students and six female students—among them barangay councilmen and out-of-school youth in Bula, Bato-bato and neighboring barangays in Mambusao town.

According to Engr. Kenneth Occeño, CapSU extension chairman and MTS team leader, the 35 new graduates are an addition to some 300 past student beneficiaries of the MTS since its inception in 2007. The welding lecture sessions and workshops were held from August 14, 2010 to September 3, 2010 in the Barangay Hall of Bula, Mambusao.

Led by the Mobile Technology Schools (MTS), an intervention by CapSU that seeks to provide skills enhancement training through technology transfer and livelihood education across the province of Capiz, the two-month skills training course was facilitated by Mr. Remar Apolinario, extension coordinator for Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology in CapSU Roxas City Campus and Mr. Lee Bangcoyo, lead trainer, who lectured and led the workshops for the key competencies for welding as required by TESDA.

COLLABORATORS AND BENEFICIARIES

The collaboration between six government agencies and institutions is led by (seated from left) Dr. Raul L. Ticar, CapSU extension director; TESDA Capiz Provincial Director Victor Gallego; DOLE Provincial Head Ricardo Monegro; and Engr. Kenneth Occeño, CapSU extension chairman and MTS team leader.

Thirty-six-year old Joven Gavino of Bato-bato said the training helped him appreciate not only the concepts behind arc welding but also the skills involved in it. According to Gavino, the workshops they had allowed for them an indispensable hands-on learning experience. A certificate holder of marine engineering course in University of Iloilo, Gavino said that if given the chance, he would want to teach the same skills to high school students in Capiz. The deckhand personnel course graduate from Aklan Polytechnic College also said he would first want to work abroad primarily to generate income for their family.

Joelly Ann Celoso, 20 years old, is among the six female students of the course. Celoso said she enlisted in this free course after seeing on TV a strong demand for female welders abroad. But the Bula out-of-school youth who completed all fifteen days sessions said she might as well need experience first before considering working abroad. Celoso is grateful for the important skills imparted to her by the trainers and also cited the free opportunity given to her barangay. She vowed to start her own welding shop in two years.

Meanwhile, 55-year old Noe Guilaran, one of the oldest students in the group, is currently a barangay kagawad of Bula, who sought to learn the welding skills in order to help out his family and relatives.

According to lead trainer Lee Bangcoyo (right photo), who currently teaches at CapSU Roxas Campus, the Bula batch taught them a number of lessons. They saw the interest of the students to learn the skills which then inspired them to prioritize teaching those with zero stock knowledge. Bangcoyo said once they were able to learn the skill, they (the trainers) sought that learned students assist them in teaching others. Such concept of apprenticeship virtually helped the students to learn better.

The graduation exercises for the new welders drew a number of insights from the guests. Among others, DOLE Provincial Head Ricardo Monegro urged the graduates to “build their skills” for some six months to one year first before they sell them to the rest of the world. Monegro also encouraged them to prioritize working in the country first. For him, working abroad should only be their second choice. 

Monegro urged the students association, named SMAW Sting to register their group with the DOLE office and take the association seriously as it can help them find jobs in the future. Gerel Ledesma, the 21-year-old president of the association, in turn, vowed to lead the group to good organization and fruition.

FITS CapSU trains high schoolers on mushrooom cultivation

By Niño Saavedra Manaog

Capiz State University

Some 230 students of the Jagnaya National High School in Jagnaya, Jamindan Capiz were taught mushroom cultivation by Training Coordinator Eduardo Navarra of the Capiz Extension Institute in the Supetran Hall of the said school on September 25, 2010. The students represented the barangays of Jagnaya, Sto Rosario, La Paz, Caidquid, Esperanza, San Jose, Caridad, Bunga and Barrio Fe, all of Jamindan town.

After lecturing on the advantages of growing straw mushrooms (Volvariella species), the materials needed and the steps to take in its proper cultivation, Navarra, Techno Gabay Team Leader of the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in Capiz State University Mambusao Campus, conducted an actual demonstration for the students and teachers.

Bella Ignacio, third-year home economics teacher of the said school said that students need to be monitored on their learning from the lecture workshop. Ignacio said they can follow up on how students were able to apply what they learned in their own school projects.

Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) teacher Rolando Llamelo, meanwhile, committed to integrate his classes with Ignacio’s even as both teachers expressed to conduct follow-through activities and monitoring scheme before the semestral break in October for the learning that the students gained from the initiative.

The extension initiative featured in coincidence with the JNHS’s Science & Technology Week was made possible through the support of students and administrators of the said school represented by Lovely Geco, president of the Youth for Environment in Schools Organization (YES-O); Lea Llanes Lacson, Science and Technology Coordinator; and Enrique Barinos, principal.