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Daram fisherfolk trained in sustainable mussel farming technology

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MUSSEL PRODUCTION. Fisherfolk in Barangay Astorga, Daram in Samar attended a training on long line mussel production, equipping them with sustainable aquaculture techniques aimed at improving coastal livelihoods.(PHOTO COURTESY)

In Samar

MUSSEL PRODUCTION. Fisherfolk in Barangay Astorga, Daram in Samar attended a training on long line mussel production, equipping them with sustainable aquaculture techniques aimed at improving coastal livelihoods.(PHOTO COURTESY)

TACLOBAN CITY — Fisherfolk in Barangay Astorga, Daram in Samar have undergone training on long line mussel production, equipping them with sustainable aquaculture techniques aimed at improving coastal livelihoods.

The training was conducted under the ISLA-LEtS CARE Program through its Project AGHAM, introducing participants to efficient mussel farming methods, particularly the installation of the long line system using coconut husk as a spat collector.

Andrew Gamba, who led the session, discussed the history of mussel farming, various installation methods, and the proper setup and maintenance of long line systems. He emphasized the use of coconut husk as a natural and cost-effective material, making the technology more accessible to small-scale fisherfolk.

Participants also took part in hands-on training, applying what they learned through the actual installation of the long line system. The activity aimed to provide practical skills to boost productivity while promoting environmentally responsible aquaculture practices.
Technical assistance was extended by Raul Bulan of the Municipal Agriculture Office of the local government unit of Daram.

Follow-up activities were conducted on March 2 to complete the installation of the mussel farming structures and ensure their operational readiness.

Organizers said the initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen coastal communities by introducing science-based and sustainable aquaculture technologies to local fisherfolk.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

Paranas eyes ‘tree-for-graduation’ policy to boost reforestation, youth engagement

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PLANTING TREES. The municipal government of Paranas, Samar has proposed an ordinance requiring graduating students to plant trees as part of efforts to strengthen environmental protection and promote civic responsibility among the youth. (PHOTO COURTESY)

In Samar

PLANTING TREES. The municipal government of Paranas, Samar has proposed an ordinance requiring graduating students to plant trees as part of efforts to strengthen environmental protection and promote civic responsibility among the youth. (PHOTO COURTESY)

TACLOBAN CITY — The municipal government of Paranas, Samar is considering a proposed ordinance that would require graduating students to plant trees as part of efforts to strengthen environmental protection and promote civic responsibility among the youth.
Under the measure, all graduating senior high school and college students in the municipality would be required to plant at least two trees before they can receive their diplomas, aligning education milestones with local climate action and reforestation initiatives.

If approved, the ordinance would institutionalize youth participation in environmental conservation while supporting ongoing programs on forest restoration and watershed protection, particularly in areas such as the Ulot Watershed Model Forest.

Consultations were conducted with stakeholders, including representatives from various schools such as Samar State University–Paranas Campus, as well as officials from the Local Youth Development Office, Local Youth Development Council, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office, and members of the Sangguniang Bayan.

During deliberations, schools presented data on their projected number of graduates to estimate the volume of trees that could be planted annually. Several recommendations were raised, including implementing tree-planting activities through schools, aligning schedules with environmental programs like youth camps and scouting activities, and providing flexibility for college students undertaking off-site internships.

Participants also emphasized the importance of proper site selection, particularly within designated planting areas, as well as the need for protective measures such as fencing and regular monitoring to ensure higher survival rates of planted trees.

The committee found the proposal both feasible and beneficial, noting its potential to instill environmental stewardship among young people while contributing to the municipality’s long-term ecological sustainability goals. The ordinance has been recommended for approval, subject to the inclusion of agreed implementation guidelines.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

Eastern Samar receives upgraded Brahman cattle to boost livestock industry

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BREEDING STOCK.Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone(partly hidden, right side) formally accepts four upgraded Brahman cattle from the Department of Agriculture Regional Office 8 during a turnover ceremony at the Provincial Breeding Station in Can-avid, Eastern Samar. The livestock will serve as breeding stock to improve cattle production and support livelihood opportunities for local farmers.(THE EASTERN SAMAR PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)
BREEDING STOCK.Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone(partly hidden, right side) formally accepts four upgraded Brahman cattle from the Department of Agriculture Regional Office 8 during a turnover ceremony at the Provincial Breeding Station in Can-avid, Eastern Samar. The livestock will serve as breeding stock to improve cattle production and support livelihood opportunities for local farmers.(THE EASTERN SAMAR PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

TACLOBAN CITY — The provincial government of Eastern Samar has received four upgraded Brahman cattle from the regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to enhance local breeding programs and strengthen the province’s livestock sector.

The turnover ceremony was held at the Provincial Breeding Station in Can-avid, where Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone formally accepted the livestock alongside Dr. Melanie Osita, representing the Provincial Veterinary Office.

Evardone welcomed the assistance, noting that the additional breeding stock would help improve cattle production in the province and support livelihood opportunities for local farmers.

The governor said the province aims to multiply the cattle population and eventually distribute offspring to farmers and other stakeholders in the livestock sector to expand income-generating opportunities.

The donation forms part of the DA’s continuing program to strengthen the livestock industry and improve the genetic quality of cattle.

Officials said the Brahman breed, known for its resilience in hot and humid climates, is expected to serve as a primary breeding source in the province.

Evardone also committed to further upgrading the breeding station’s facilities to ensure efficient operations and maximize the benefits of the program.

In addition to the Brahman cattle, the provincial government is also expecting to receive several heads of water buffalo next year as part of ongoing efforts to develop the livestock sector.

Representatives from DA Region 8 and the Provincial Veterinary Office were present during the turnover ceremony.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

Depriving the world

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The decision of Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz in response to US-Israeli attacks is a grave escalation with consequences far beyond its immediate adversaries. Such action is not only disproportionate but also unjustly punishes nations that have no direct role in the conflict.

The Strait of Hormuz is not an ordinary passageway; it is a vital artery through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply flows. By shutting it down, Iran effectively disrupts global energy stability, sending shockwaves through economies already struggling with inflation, supply chain disruptions, and fragile recoveries from recent crises. This move transforms a regional conflict into a global burden, with even neutral and developing nations bearing the costs of rising fuel prices, higher transportation expenses, and higher living costs.

Iran’s grievance against the United States and Israel, whether justified or not, does not extend to the rest of the international community. Countries in Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe rely heavily on uninterrupted oil shipments through this route. To restrict access is to impose collective punishment on populations that have neither participated in nor supported the actions that triggered the conflict. Such a strategy risks isolating Iran diplomatically and eroding any remaining goodwill among nations that might otherwise advocate for restraint and dialogue.

Moreover, the closure invites dangerous retaliation and heightens the risk of a broader military confrontation. Global powers cannot afford to ignore a blockade of this magnitude, given its direct impact on their economic security. This increases the likelihood of further militarization in the region, drawing more actors into an already volatile situation. Instead of strengthening its position, Iran may find itself facing a coalition determined to reopen the strait by force, thereby worsening the very insecurity it seeks to address.

Iran must exercise prudence and reopen the Strait of Hormuz without delay. Strategic patience, not sweeping disruption, is the more effective path in asserting national interests while avoiding unnecessary global harm. The world is not its enemy, and it should not be treated as collateral damage in a conflict that demands precision, restraint, and responsibility.

Surviving the shortage

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The price boards at fuel stations do not whisper anymore—they shout. Each sudden jump forces a hard look at how life is lived, leaving little room for denial. Survival, under these conditions, demands discipline, not complaint.

I have learned to treat fuel not as a routine expense but as a limited resource that quietly dictates the rhythm of daily life. Every unnecessary trip now feels like a small act of carelessness. Where movement used to be casual, it now requires intention—planning routes, combining errands, and thinking twice before turning the ignition. Convenience has lost its charm; efficiency has taken its place.

Public transportation, once dismissed as inconvenient or slow, begins to look different when fuel becomes expensive. Jeepneys, buses, and shared rides are no longer symbols of compromise but of practicality. There is a certain humility in sitting beside strangers, all of us bound by the same need to move without draining what little we have. It is not glamorous, but it works—and sometimes, that is enough.

Walking, too, regains its dignity. Distances that once seemed trivial to drive now invite a second look. A ten-minute walk is no longer an inconvenience but a small victory—money saved, fuel spared, and the body reminded that it is capable of more than sitting behind a wheel. The streets begin to feel closer, more human, less rushed. Strangely, scarcity teaches presence.

At home, the adjustments continue. Fuel is not only burned on the road; it is embedded in electricity, in cooking gas, in the quiet hum of appliances left running longer than necessary. Lights are switched off with more care. Cooking becomes deliberate—meals planned to avoid waste, to stretch what is available without sacrificing nourishment. Even the simple act of boiling water begins to carry weight.

There is also a need to rethink once invisible habits. Frequent dining out, impulsive trips, and energy-heavy routines start to look like luxuries rather than norms. It is not about deprivation but about clarity—knowing what truly matters and letting go of what does not. The discipline is not always comfortable, but it is honest.

Community, often overlooked, becomes essential. Carpooling, sharing resources, and exchanging small favors begin to ease the burden. A neighbor’s ride, a shared market trip, or even borrowed equipment can reduce individual strain. These are not grand gestures, but they remind me that survival is rarely a solitary act. It is built on quiet cooperation.
Living with limited fuel is not merely about cutting back; it is about thinking differently. It calls for restraint, awareness, and a willingness to change long-held habits. In the end, the goal is not just to endure scarcity but to adapt with purpose—choosing wisely, moving carefully, and refusing to let excess define the way life is lived.

After the hardest climb

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An maupay nga kiritaon, aadto han igbaw, ha pinaka hataas nga bukid!

Energy fuels progress, but when shortages strike, societies are forced to confront difficult realities. In the Philippines, an energy crisis would demand not just technological solutions but also personal and collective sacrifices. These sacrifices may feel like a steep climb—demanding effort, patience, and discipline—but just as the saying goes, “The best view comes after the climb.” The hardships endured today can lead to a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow.

Now here are a few things we can do as a sort of sacrifice to help the world endure the crisis:

Go simple, reduce household consumption of electricity. The reality is we humans are needing energy and power to further our existence . In our homes and offices we are using tremendous, tremendous amount of kilowatts , its nauseating in numbers. One of the most immediate sacrifices is cutting down on electricity use at home. Families can choose to limit the use of air conditioning, unplug appliances when not in use, and rely on natural light during the day. Though these may seem inconvenient, they reduce strain on the power grid and lower household expenses. Filipinos can sacrifice certain comforts by adopting energy-conscious habits. For example, instead of using private vehicles for short trips, walking or biking can be encouraged. Communities can also promote carpooling and public transportation, even if it means sacrificing convenience for sustainability.

Go renew, alternative sources of energy ! Investing in renewable energy—whether through solar panels at home or supporting community projects—requires financial sacrifice. The climb is steep, with upfront costs and adjustments, but the view is a future where energy is abundant, sustainable, and independent of volatile global markets. Government Service Insurance System is offering Solar Ginhawa Loan to attain this, the GSIS knows that, a paradigm shift and transition is a must.

After all these sacrifices we can actually breathe!

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