Saturday, August 11, 2007

VERMICULTURE IN KALINGA

KASC NAMED AS VERMICULTURE STATION IN CAR
by Marciano Paroy Jr.

The Kalinga-Apayao State College has just been named by the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (PCAMRD) as one of the 16 vermiculture centers in the Philippines – and the only one in the region.
College President Eduardo Bagtang and Mr. Herbert Imatong are behind the project titled “Implementation of Natural Vermicompost and Vermimeal Production” which has been allotted P1 million, straight from the coffers of PCAMRD in Los BaƱos, Laguna through Executive Director Rafael Guerrero III.
According to project associate Herbert Imatong, “the vermi or earthworms are important in enriching the soil with organic matter which comes from biodegradable materials such as dead plants and animals that the earthworms ingest. “
Dr. Jovita Saguibo, Research Director, added that “The castings of earthworms, also known as vermi-compost, is an excellent soil enhancer and high-quality fertilizer for organic farming. This is a perfect alternative to using chemical fertilizers, and this has been proven in field tests. Earthworms can also be made into vermi-meal – a feed for fish and other domesticated animals.”
The “African Nightcrawler” (Eudrilus eugeniae) is the earthworm species suited to be grown in the Philippines for the production of vermi-compost and vermi-meal. Vermi-compost is used or sold as organic fertilizer for plant and crop farming. Vermi-meal is used as an alternative for imported fish meal that we feed to fish and other farmed animals.
As the overall project coordinator, Dr. Eduardo Bagtang assured PCAMRD that the vermiculture station in KASC can sustain the production of at least one ton of earthworm biomass in an area of at least 1,000 sq.m. monthly.
“At present, earthworms are sold at P600/kilo,” Mr. Imatong further explained. “But with this project, we hope to bring down the cost to P30/kilo. When the demo-farm will be fully established, it will serve as a facility for techno-demonstration, training and information service for CAR provinces.”
For vermiculture projects all throughout the country, PCAMRD has been allocated with P17.9 million by the National Economic Development Authority through the Philippine-Japan Support for Underprivileged Farmers.
The PCAMRD is the sectoral council of the Department Of Science and Technology tasked in the formulation of strategies, policies, plans, programs and projects for science and technology development; Programming and allocation of the government's internal and external funds for Research and Development; Monitoring and Evaluation of Research Development projects; and Generation of external funds.

Farmers Information & Technology Services Center of the Kalinga-Apayao State College


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PNRC, KPHO Bring IEC Campaign to KASC

PNRC, KPHO Bring IEC Campaign to KASC
By Marciano Paroy Jr.


Ms. Glorina Diaz-Reyes, Kalinga Chapter Administrator of the Philippine National Red Cross, led the team of communicators from various agencies that have converged to launch an information-education-communication (IEC) campaign on blood donation and the battle against dengue and rabies.
The PNRC-led team, with representatives from the Department of Health, Bureau of Fire, Department of Interior and Local Government, Office of Civil Defense, and other line agencies, tagged KASC students as their audience during the July 31 leg of their IEC drive.
Ms. Reyes, in her lecture, bashed the myths on blood donation that are most often feared by potential donors. The Chapter Administrator stressed the all-too important concept of saving, borrowing and donating as she said, “When we have given something, it is only then can we expect to get back something in return. Maybe not now, but in the future. Maybe not for us, but for our loved ones.”
The PNRC-Kalinga Chief also pointed out the importance of saving other people’s lives, and enjoined her young audience to donate anytime they can be capable of donating – “because you may never know when you would be needing blood.”
Squeezed into the PNRC lecture was the info-sharing done by Mr. Jun Pardito from the Kalinga Provincial health Office. His lecture was on the recurring problem of the community on dengue and rabies, which he interspersed with documentaries dealing with the problems.
It was during the open-forum where the students’ views and concerns regarding the discussed issues were aired. One particular issue was a question asked by Ms. Haydee Lumatac of the DevCom Department, who wanted to know whether the Local Government of Tabuk has any plan to resolve the problem on the insistence of “tandok” experts to exercise their un-hygienic trade.
“Our local government is in fact passing an ordinance that would finally reprimand and punish those who practice the tandok system,” Mr. Pardito answered. “Kaya sorry na lang yung mga taga-tandok natin sa community. This is a practice that must really be stopped. I assure you, you will be aggravating the problem if you go for a tandok, because it is 100% palpak.”
On the active participation of the KASC students and faculty, nurse Regie Ramirez (of the KPHO) said, “The attendance of both students and teachers was quite impressive. They interacted positively with us, and gauging from the depth of the questions they threw us, we were relieved to know that the youth are somehow concerned with community issues.”
Ms. Reyes and Mr. Pradito were also given able support by Ms. Donalyn Las Marias, Mr. Nelson de Jesus, Carmen Mamanao and Frances Sebastian. The activity was made possible through Dr. Adoracion Taguba, KASC’s Director for Student Services and Admission, with the aid of Student Coordinator Mr. Tulles Banwa.

FACULTY CLUB ELECTION IN KASC

Alsiyang, Barcellano Win Campus Top Posts
by Marciano Paroy Jr.

The two campuses of the State College conducted simultaneous election for two sets of officers in the KASC Faculty Club. Mr. Placido Alsiyang Jr. won the Presidency for the Dagupan Campus, while Dr. Emerson Barcellano won in the Bulanao Campus.
The two Presidents shall face each other for the plum position of Federation President – which shall earn the winner a seat in the KASC Board of Trustees, representing the Faculty. Dr. Emerson Barcellano, as the incumbent Faculty Trustee, will have to woo voters from the camp of Mr. Alsiyang in order to retain his seat in the BOT when the two sets of officers shall federate this month.
The Dagupan Campus set of officers under Mr. Alsiyang includes Vice President Paulino Reyes, Secretary Leonora Bruno, Treasurer Virginia Petang, Auditor Christopher Vargas, P.R.O.Jessie Grace Martin, Business Managers Steve Uy and Fortunato Tenay.
Dr. Barcellano’s team in the Bulanao Campus includes Vice President Herbert Imatong, Secretary Bernadette Aggabao, Treasurer Helen Bais, Auditor Letty Viernes, P.R.O. Agnes Balawan, Business Managers Rafael Padre and Marilou Adora, Sentinels Esmerlyn Bayangan and Solomon Lao-aten.
KASC Elevated To Level III-A
By Marciano Paroy Jr.


Kalinga-Apayao State College has recently gotten the nod of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) when the two agencies elevated the state college to Level III-A from its previous Level II.
SUC leveling (for State Colleges and Universities) is periodically conducted by DBM and CHED to evaluate the performance of SUCs along the areas of Instruction, Research, Extension, and Management of Resources.
“This leveling process gives the concerned SUC a solid revelation of how far the school has gone in terms of achieving its mandates,” Mrs. Perfelia Buen, Board Secretary explained. “As for KASC, we have attained an overall score of 20, fifteen points away from the maximum points of 35.”
In the evaluation summary, KASC scored well in the area of Management of Resources – which is not surprising, considering that the state college has been awarded this second quarter for being Very Satisfactory in the field of Physical and Financial Management, a clear proof of President Eduardo Bagtang’s astute handling of resources and finances.
“What is good with SUC leveling is that it tells us the real story of all our endeavors,” Mrs. Buen further explained. “The rating we have clearly shows that we have a long way to go before we reach the highest level of IV. The College President has to continue with the direction he has taken in order to reach the highest level.”

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