Nov 25, 2011

Dumalag FITS Center hosts Luzon, Mindanao TG, bamboo enthusiasts

By Niño S. Manaog
With reports from Bernie Protacio and Teresa Badilla

In October 2011, the Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in Dumalag, Capiz played host to two sets of visitors of their Techno Pinoy Center and their engineered bamboo technology.

On October 17, 2011, Capiz State University (CapSU) Techno Gabay Coordinator Eduardo Navarra joined Eduardo Macose of the Aurora State College of Technology based in Baler, Aurora province to visit the Dumalag FITS Center in Poblacion, Dumalag, Capiz. In behalf of his college, Prof. Macose, who is agriculture specialist, expressed interest in studying the engineered bamboo technology of Randy Fancubila, the FITS Center’s Magsasaka Siyentista (MS).

Sometime in July this year, Macose read about the write-up on MS Randy Fancubila of Dumalag FITS Center and his engineered bamboo technology on thecapsumonitor.blogspot.com, CapSU’s blogsite. He then sent a letter to CapSU addressed to Dr. Magallanes expressing interest to visit the Dumalag FITS Center.

(Clockwise from top left) Eduardo Macose was given an actual view
of the engineered bamboo produced by MS Randy Fancubila (in blue shirt)
in his Sta Cruz bamboo processing center. Assisted by Eduardo Navarra
(wearing eyeglasses), Macose also met with Dumalag Mayor Lilia Castro
and their FITS Center personnel.
As per the advice of Dr. Magallanes, Dr. Cora Navarra, external affairs and linkages director, contacted Macose on details coordinating his visit. Though it took a while for Macose to eventually conduct the visit (the visit took place some two months after the inquiry), he expressed gratitude for the successful coordination work done by CapSU.

Macose first visited Fancubila’s bamboo workshop in barangay Sta. Cruz of the same municipality and threw a number of queries with the e-bamboo practitioner. Macose noted that he was impressed by the ingenuity of Fancubila’s bamboo crafts and products including the engineered bamboo tiles and tables and also recognized the need for more processing machinery so as to attain productivity. After the visit, Macose is prepared to make suggestions for his school on how they can start and pursue efforts for their own bamboo technology in the province of Aurora.

(Clockwise from top left) Information Service Specialist
Bernie Protacio briefs a visitor on the bamboo slat
produced by MS Fancubila; FITS Manager Ronelyn De Tomas
gives them a background on the Dumalag FITS Center;
CapSU's Eduardo Navarra ushers the SKSU delegation
 into the Dumalag Municipal Hall; and Mindanao visitors take
stock of the bamboo crafts and products of Dumalag.
On October 20, 2011, ten faculty members and researchers from the Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU) based in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat flocked to the Dumalag FITS Center. The contingent composed of Alexes Gallo and Rhodora Gallo, Gregorio Ilao, Benedict Rabut, Fely Dacayo, Rosemary Talingo, Edwin Alido, Roselyn Floresca and M. Salomon, is a member of the Cotabato Agricultural Research and Resources Development Consortium (CARRDEC), one of PCARRD’s 14 consortia nationwide.

After the Dumalag FITS Center led by Manager Ronelyn de Tomas and assisted by Bernie Protacio and Teresa Badilla, agricultural technologists, briefed the Mindanao visitors on their services, they screened a video-presentation detailing their agricultural and technological interventions for the clientele farmers.  MS Randy Fancubila toured the delegates in Sta. Cruz, Dumalag, Capiz at his bamboo processing center funded by PCARRD.

The SKSU delegation was purposely sent by Dr. Ruby Hechanova, SKSU’s director for research and development, to “benchmark as well as learn the best practices from our counterparts in this part of the region.”

The Dumalag FITS Center particularly highlighted their efforts on engineered bamboo technology featuring the innovation and organization of MS Randy Fancubila and his bamboocraft producers’ cooperative composed of some 27 active members across the municipality.

Nov 24, 2011

No to soil erosion

President Roxas, Capiz farmers study sloping agri land tech

By Niño Manaog
University Extension Associate
Capiz State University

To help rehabilitate the hilly agricultural lands in their municipality, the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in President Roxas, Capiz hosted a two-day training cum study tour on Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) on November 15–16, 2011 at the President Roxas FITS Center in Poblacion, President Roxas, Capiz.

Some 25 upland farmers from the barangays of Goce, Manoling, Badiangon, Carmencita and Bayuyan took advantage of the expertise of Benito Labindao, Agriculturist II and Lilia Peñaranda, chief of the Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Center for Hillyland Development based in Malapad Cogon, Sigma, Capiz.

Established in 1998, the Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Center for Hillyland Development is mandated by the Department of Agriculture Region 6 “to generate technologies suitable to the upland farmers and produce quality planting materials for them.”

On the first day, Ms. Lilia Peñaranda taught the participants on the basics of Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) at the President Roxas FITS Center.  

Agricultural Technologist Bennie Lapindao (left) briefs
the President Roxas, Capiz farmers on how to make use
of the A-frame to locate their contour lines.
Lapindao led the learning group of farmers on SALT
and also provided techniques that determine its utmost importance
to prevent soil erosion in the upland farms.
According to Peñaranda, the Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) is “an effective way of farming hilly or sloping land without losing top soil due to erosion.” In brief, SALT makes farmers do the simplest tasks to achieve an erosion-free farming land. First they have to make an A-frame. Second, they must locate the contour lines of the sloping land. Third, they must cultivate the contour lines. Next, they must plant ipil-ipil seeds. Then, they need to plant permanent plants and cash crops or income-producing crops. It is also best for them to trim the ipil-ipil once a month. Finally, farmers are best advised to manage their crops regularly.

SALT offers farmers a number of advantages. First, the technology prevents and minimizes soil erosion. Second, it also conserves top soil and maintains soil fertility and minimizes the use of commercial fertilizer. It also improves depleted soil, utilizes the idle sloping land and transforms it into arable agricultural land, thereby increasing the productivity. SALT also establishes green terraces in mountain sides and restores watershed areas which have already dried up.

In the afternoon, Livestock Coordinator Darren Distor provided input on complementing the upland farms with functional and productive livestock alternatives. SALT is best complemented by livestock raising because through the technology, animal fodder is regularly made available in the upland farms.

Farmers learn from each other how to use the A-frame to locate the contour lines of the sloping land. 
On the second day, the farmers trooped to the Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Center for Hillyland Development in Malapad Cogon, Sigma, Capiz where Benito Lapindao conducted a demonstration exercises. Led by Lapindao, farmers used A-frames to identify the contour lines in the actual farm.

During the training-tour, Capiz State University (CapSU) Extension Specialist Eduardo Navarra briefed the farmers on the services of WESVARRDEC and CapSU’s extension initiatives.

The initiative was supported by the President Roxas FITS Center staff including FITS Manager Leonardo Barcenas; Technology Services Specialist Ulysses Bendicio; Annabelle Dorado and Joseph Beltran, agricultural technologists; Joenard Golero, information service specialist; and Mr. Bernardo Loretizo, municipal chairman for committee on agriculture of President Roxas, Capiz.

Participants and sponsors of SALT training in Malapad Cogon, Sigma, Capiz.

Nov 18, 2011

Tumalalud HS’s vermi study cited region’s best science research



YOUNG SCIENTISTS.
High school seniors (from left)
Mark Stephen Guion, Jayson Gula and
 Irene Francisco of Mambusao National High School
 in Tumalalud, Mambusao, Capiz show their best
efforts in the regional science tilt.
In the first Regional Science and Technology Fair sponsored by the Regional Office of the Department of Education (DepEd) October 15–16, 2011 in Iloilo City, the study titled “Growth of African Nightcrawlers and the Macronutrient Content and pH of Their Vermicompost Using Various Substrates” was named the Best Presenter Award and won First Place in the Cluster 2-SSC, Type B, Life Science Team Category. 

The award-winning study undertaken by Jayson I. Gula, Team Leader and Irene Francisco and Mark Stephen Guion, all fourth year students of Mambusao National High School in Tumalalud, Mambusao, Capiz bested all other eight entries from across Western Visayas. The young researchers were assisted by Ms. Loreli Legada, Research Adviser and Mr. Rolando Ricardo, Jr., school principal.

PARTNERSHIPS GO A LONG WAY.
(Clockwise from top left) In these August 21011 photos, CapSU's Eduardo Navarra lends assistance to Ms. Loreli Legada in the vermi farms located in the school backyard where senior students Jason, Mark and Irene studied the worms needed for their study. The partnership afforded the students actual hands-on for their research and fetched honors for the barrio high school.
The research was undertaken in cooperation with the expertise provided by the Capiz State University (CapSU) Extension Institute represented by Training Coordinator Eduardo Navarra who guided Ms. Legada and her students in the vermicomposting procedures this year. In July 2011, Legada sought the expertise and assistance of Mr. Navarra who provided the worms for study and also monitored the progress of the study in the succeeding days. 

Nov 10, 2011

2011 CapSU Inter-Campus Meet

10 CapSU campuses join;  Roxas campus tops academic, sports events

By Niño Manaog
With Reports from Pinky Barrientos and Leo Andrew Biclar

In the Inter-Campus Meet of the Capiz State University (CapSU) hosted by CapSU Pontevedra at the Roxas City Campus from September 29 to October 1, 2011, the CapSU Roxas City Campus garnered the top prize over nine other campuses, posting 70 points in sports and athletics events and winning first place in 13 out of 25 academic-cultural competitions.

For sports and athletics events, CapSU Dayao placed first runner-up with 68 points; while CapSU Burias was awarded second runner-up with 19 points. For the academic-cultural contests, CapSU Burias placed first runner-up; while CapSU Pontevedra placed second runner-up.

For the literary events, CapSU Roxas placed first in Dagliang Talumpati, Poetry Interpretation and Debate. CapSU Burias topped the Oration and Storytelling; CapSU Sapian clinched the Pagsulat ng Sanaysay; while CapSU Pontevedra won the Essay Writing.

For Musical and Dance Competitions, CapSU Roxas topped the Vocal Solo (Original Pilipino Music), Choral Singing Likha Awit or Song Writing, Philippine Folk Dance, Ethnic Dance, Dance Sport and Modern Standard. CapSU Dayao won in the Kundiman; CapSU Burias won first in both Vocal Duet and Guitar Playing.

For the Academics and Visual Arts categories, CapSU Roxas won first in Charcoal Rendering, On-the-spot Painting, Philippine History Quiz Bee and Mathematics Quiz Bee. CapSU Pontevedra clinched the Computer Quiz Bee while CapSU Dumarao topped the Science Quiz Bee.

According to Dr. Herminia Gomez, CapSU’s vice-president for academic affairs, the four-day inter-campus competitions and events invited a wide array of referees, sports officials, adjudicators and experts in the field of academics and athletics.

Gomez likewise acknowledged the support of the campus administrators, faculty, personnel and staff who all contributed to the success of the undertaking.