TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Eastern Visayas is eyeing an 8.7 percent increase in rice production this year with the minimal impact of El Niño phenomenon in the region.
DA Regional Executive Director Andrew Orais said on Friday they are targeting to harvest 918,003 metric tons (MT) of palay (unhusked rice) this year, higher than the 844,372 metric tons (MT) actual yield in 2023.
“We expect (to) harvest more rice this year since we’re not hit by a strong typhoon. The below normal rainfall this year is just part of the normal weather condition in the region,” he said.
Based on the latest report, not one of the six provinces in Eastern Visayas is included in the list of El Niño-hit provinces in the country, he added.
Of the projected regional harvest, 480,091 MT will be from rice fields in Leyte province; 167,099 MT in Samar; 85,808 MT in Northern Samar; 71,728 MT in Southern Leyte; 56,981 MT in Eastern Samar; and 56,296 MT in Biliran province.
The DA regional office aims to surpass its 2023 rice production in Eastern Visayas to support other regions badly affected by the El Niño phenomenon.
Orais said several interventions have been extended to farmers in the early part of the year to ensure higher yields this year.
Aside from providing seeds, the government continues to provide assistance through the fertilizer discount voucher program, which entitles rice farmers registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture a price cut in their fertilizer purchase.
Eastern Visayas devoted 45 percent of its land area, or 976,415 hectares, to agriculture. The rest are forest lands, grasslands, and other purposes.
Of its agricultural lands, 70 percent are for coconut production, and rice and corn in the remaining areas. (SARWELL Q. MENIANO/PNA)
DREDGING. The Tacloban City District Engineering Office conducted a dredging operation on a creek covering four barangays in Marasbaras district. (TCDEO)
DREDGING. The Tacloban City District Engineering Office conducted a dredging operation on a creek covering four barangays in Marasbaras district. (TCDEO)
TACLOBAN CITY– The Tacloban City District Engineering Office has recently conducted an inspection for the planned dredging operations of the creek situated between the boundaries of Barangay 109-A, Barangay 80, Barangay 81, and Barangay 82 in Marasbaras, Tacloban City on May 7, 2024.
Led by Engr. Lemuel Mikkael R. Sibayan, the inspection aimed to assess the conditions of the creek in response to a request from the Sangguniang Barangay of Barangay 82.
The barangay had sought assistance from the Tacloban City LGU to address the clogging issues plaguing the creek, which have caused inconvenience and potential health hazards to the residents residing in the affected areas.
“We understand the concerns of the residents and the potential health hazards posed by the clogged creek,” said Engr. Sibayan.
“Rest assured, the Tacloban City District Engineering Office is committed to addressing this issue promptly. The recent inspection is a step towards the planned dredging operations to declog the creek and alleviate the inconvenience caused to the residents.” (IAN YVES G. DE PAZ, PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSISTANT/PR)
The eerie silence that shrouds the alleged clandestine dealings between the Duterte administration and communist China is deafening. With each passing day, whispers grow louder and rumors become more persistent. If these speculations hold any truth and not just political propaganda, we are not merely witnessing a threat to our sovereignty but embarking on a new chapter in our history.
The notion that our leaders may have struck Faustian bargains with a foreign power, sacrificing our nation’s interests at the altar of self-preservation, is nothing short of a national tragedy. Reports suggest that hundreds of thousands of Chinese nationals have already flooded our shores under the tacit approval of the Duterte administration, deepening the sense of foreboding that grips our collective consciousness.
Every day, China’s encroachment into the West Philippine Sea inches closer to becoming an irrevocable reality. The territorial waters that have long been our birthright now hang precariously in the balance, threatened by the unchecked ambition of a hegemonic force.
The specter of a feared confrontation looms large, fueled by China’s insatiable appetite for our natural resources and emboldened by our government’s apparent acquiescence.
Should the effects of these insidious machinations persist, we stand to become mere pawns in China’s grand design for regional dominance. Economic and political hegemony will pave the way for outright ownership, relegating the Philippines to little more than a vassal state in the shadow of a burgeoning empire. Our fate, it seems, lies precariously in the hands of those who have forsaken their sworn duty to protect and uphold our nation’s sovereignty.
In the face of such existential threats, we find ourselves clinging to the last vestiges of hope, praying for divine intervention to deliver us from the clutches of avarice and betrayal. Yet, as the shadows lengthen and the darkness deepens, it’s increasingly evident that our salvation may ultimately rest in our own hands. The time for complacency has long since passed; we must stand united in defiance against those who would sell our birthright for a fleeting semblance of stability.
The smashing success of Ormoc City in the recently held 2024 Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) Meet serves as a perfect example of the impact a local government unit (LGU) can create when it prioritizes certain programs, particularly sports. Surely, Ormoc’s remarkable achievement, where it secured hundreds of medals compared to other divisions, highlights the benefits of all-out support for athletic development.
Behind Ormoc City’s triumph must have been a comprehensive approach to sports development that spans training, infrastructure, and financial support for aspiring athletes. Long before the regional competitions commenced, the city government had already laid the groundwork for success by investing in state-of-the-art sports facilities, providing specialized training programs, and allocating resources to identify and nurture potential talents. Aware of the intrinsic value of sports as a tool for holistic development, Ormoc City has not just cultivated a generation of skilled athletes but also created a sense of pride and unity within the community.
The ripple effects of the city’s investment in sports resonated far beyond the confines of the athletic arena. Empowering its youth through sports, the LGU has instilled invaluable life skills such as discipline, teamwork, and resilience, which are indispensable assets in any endeavor. This success, then, has bolstered the city’s reputation as a beacon of excellence, attracting attention and admiration from neighboring regions and beyond. The city has positioned itself as a shining example of what can be achieved when vision, dedication, and resources are aligned toward a common goal.
Indeed, the lessons gleaned from Ormoc City’s triumph could extend beyond the realm of local athletics, offering valuable insights that could inform national-level initiatives aimed at preparing athletes for international competitions. Through a holistic approach to sports development, the Philippines’ national athletic committee could potentially unlock untapped reservoirs of talent and elevate the country’s standing on the global stage. Yes, the success of Ormoc City serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration, demonstrating that with the right support structures in place, Filipino athletes could achieve greatness in the international arena.
But Ormoc City’s achievement also underscores the stark disparities existing among LGUs in terms of their capacity to invest in sports development. While Ormoc City has demonstrated what is possible with visionary leadership and adequate resources, many other communities across the country continue to grapple with limited funding and infrastructure deficits. It would require concerted efforts at both the local and national levels to ensure that all Filipino youth have access to the opportunities and resources needed to fulfill their athletic potential.
But then again, the city’s superior performance in the EVRAA Meet serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of sports when prioritized by an LGU. It has not only reaped the rewards of athletic excellence but has also enriched the lives of its citizens and inspired future generations. Let us all celebrate Ormoc City’s achievement and redouble our efforts to ensure that every Filipino youth has the opportunity to pursue their athletic dreams, regardless of their background or circumstance.
For sure, this success story underscores the pivotal role played by visionary leadership, strategic planning, and sustained commitment to sports excellence within a community. Ormoc City has just set a very good example for other LGUs in the region to emulate.
One ironic reality is the way we keep the peace which is ordinarily by ways that are not peaceful. We usually attain peace by imposing rules through enforcers who are armed. Being armed gives the enforcer the authority that can elicit respect from people. We are aware of that normal tendency among us to ignore any authority figure who attempts to enforce the law to promote peace and order. There are even those who try to assault such authorities just to show that they are powerful than the one enforcing the law.
At times when the lawbreaker is under the influence of intoxicating substances, defiance of persons in authority only vanishes at the sight or threat of a gun. Without the gun, law enforcers could hardly keep the peace as people have that misplaced inclination to show contempt upon authority figures that are unarmed. Conflict is as natural as peace is. It is difficult to avoid conflict in our relationship with others. Individual differences are primordial factors that trigger conflict among people. Variance in interests and preferences is a cause of conflict between and among different individuals.
These differences often place individuals at loggerhead positions that appear to be irreconcilable. In many instances, people who are placed at adverse positions would pursue their cause with the end of prevailing over the adversary. It is that desire to prevail that keeps people at an uncompromising position, refusing to open to possible options that would lead to a win-win solution. In some cases, conflicts are resolved by violent means that end in the defeat of one party due to the force resorted by the other.
We have seen peacekeeping forces being sent to areas that are under trouble and disorder. Such forces are on a mission to keep the peace but are armed to the teeth. It is really mind boggling why peace is promoted using instruments that are not peaceful in the first place. While it is true that peace and order are broken often by people who are lawless and armed, it still is ideal if we could find ways to counter violence with peaceful strategies.
There surely are a lot of methods, strategies and approaches that we can avail in our effort to keep the peace peacefully. Such strategies would bring lasting solutions so conflicts that are solvable by peaceful means.
Court battles are not different from the other adversarial conflicts that we encounter in our daily life. The desire to win over the adversary is the root cause of a person’s adamant position to pursue a case at all costs. Nothing is wrong with fighting for one’s rights if the same is being trampled upon by others. It will keep one’s dignity intact and give a good lesson upon those who transgress the law and the rights of other people. In most cases, relationships between the disputants do not heal with the termination of the case. There is a better option which is the peace alternative. comments to alellema@yahoo.com
Do established entrepreneurs continue to experience challenges despite being successful? Yes, entrepreneurs often encounter specific challenges when developing the traits necessary for success. Being human, it is natural to face these challenges. No matter how an entrepreneur thinks that he has prepared himself in dealing with the business he started, it is still possible that things won’t exactly happen how they are planed. Thus, checking oneself is essential in establishing a successful business all the time and maintaining his sanity in dealing with different situations everyday.
Here are a few common challenges:
1. Overcoming Self-Doubt: Building self-confidence can be challenging for entrepreneurs, especially when faced with uncertainty and the fear of failure. Overcoming self-doubt requires self-reflection, positive affirmations, seeking support from mentors or peers, and celebrating small wins to build confidence over time.
2. Balancing Risk and Caution: Entrepreneurs need to navigate the delicate balance between taking calculated risks and exercising caution. Finding the right balance can be challenging, as being too risk-averse may hinder progress, while being too reckless can lead to detrimental outcomes. Developing a strategic mindset and conducting thorough risk assessments can help entrepreneurs make informed decisions.
3. Embracing Failure and Learning from Setbacks: Failure is an inherent part of the entrepreneurial journey. However, it can be challenging for entrepreneurs to embrace failure and see it as an opportunity for growth. Developing resilience and a growth mindset is crucial for bouncing back from setbacks, learning from mistakes, and using failures as stepping stones to success.
4. Adapting to Uncertainty and Change: The business landscape is constantly evolving, and entrepreneurs must be adaptable to thrive. Adapting to change can be difficult, especially when it disrupts established plans or requires pivoting strategies. Developing a flexible mindset, staying informed about industry trends, and fostering a culture of innovation can help entrepreneurs navigate uncertainties effectively.
5. Managing Work-Life Balance: Entrepreneurs often face the challenge of managing their personal and professional lives. The drive for success and the demands of running a business can lead to long work hours and neglect of personal well-being. Setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and delegating tasks can help entrepreneurs maintain a healthy work-life balance.
6. Building and Leading a Team: Entrepreneurs may face challenges in recruiting, managing, and leading a team. Building a cohesive team with complementary skills and aligning everyone towards a common vision requires strong leadership, effective communication, and fostering a positive work culture.
7. Sustaining Motivation and Passion: Entrepreneurship can be a demanding and challenging journey. Sustaining motivation and passion over the long term can be difficult, particularly during tough times. Regularly revisiting personal motivations, setting meaningful goals, and finding inspiration in small achievements can help entrepreneurs maintain their drive and enthusiasm.
Overcoming these challenges requires self-awareness, continuous learning, and a willingness to adapt. Seeking support from mentors, networking with other entrepreneurs, and investing in personal development can help entrepreneurs navigate these challenges and develop the traits necessary for success.
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!
