Day: May 20, 2023

Local farmers are urged to adopt a balanced fertilization strategy (BFS) to address the high cost of imported synthetic fertilizers and low soil fertility. The surge in prices of inorganic fertilizers and the declining soil fertility level in the country are two of the pressing challenges that need to be addressed, Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) Chief Science Research Specialist Karen Bautista said during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City. She said farmers may opt to employ the proper combination of organic fertilizer, inorganic fertilizer, and biofertilizer. Synthetic fertilizers cost between PHP3,000 and PHP3,500 per bag during the pandemic from 2020 until early 2022 from the previous PHP1,500 in 2019. Apart from being costly, inorganic fertilizers are also energy-intensive in terms of production, Bautista said. “It imposed a heavy toll on our farmers. Hindi po sila maka-afford na bumili ng mga input na karamihan ay imported synthetic fertilizers. ‘Yun po ay isa sa major challenges (They could not afford to buy inputs that are mostly imported synthetic fertilizers. That is one of the major challenges),” she said. “Isa pa po doon, nagkakaroon din ng imbalance ng nutrients sa ating mga lupa kung patuloy po ang paggamit natin ng synthetic fertilizers ng hindi tine-test ang ating mga lupa (There would also be an imbalance of nutrients in soil, if we continue to use synthetic fertilizers without testing the soil).” Citing the recent National Soil Fertility Mapping conducted by the BSWM nationwide, Bautista said there is an 82 percent moderately low to low levels of soil fertility. “Ang ating mga lupa ay mababa ang contents ng mga major nutrient katulad ng nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium na nandun sa mga kadalasan na ina-apply natin (Our soil has low contents of major nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium that we usually apply),” she said. Bautista said local farmers may use compost, vermicompost, animal manure, biomass residues, biofertilizers, and organic fertilizers as alternatives to synthetic and imported fertilizers. “Ine-encourage natin ang ating mga magsasaka na gumamit ng balanced fertilization strategy upang matugunan po ang ating mahal na paggamit ng synthetic imported fertilizers at ma-promote po natin ‘yung local production ng ating mga alternative inputs (We are encouraging our farmers to use balanced fertilization strategy to address the rising prices of synthetic imported fertilizers and promote the local production of alternative inputs),” she said. “We also provide trainings on how to use alternative inputs as part of the BFS. Then, ‘yung isa pa pong benefit ng (the othe benefit of) alternative inputs ay (is) reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, particularly nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide.” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who concurrently serves as agriculture chief, announced in March that the administration would introduce the use of biofertilizers and farmers would be given proper training on how to use them. On April 27, Memorandum Order 32 was issued to establish guidelines for the distribution and use of biofertilizers to increase yield and promote growth in rice production.

Source: Philippines News Agency

An additional 500 American citizens, including former US president Barack Obama, have been indefinitely barred from entering Russia, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Friday. Among the newly blacklisted are significant figures, officials, lawmakers, experts, and heads of military-industrial companies, the ministry said in a statement. Moscow said the travel ban was introduced in response to repeatedly imposed anti-Russian sanctions by the administration of US President Joe Biden. “It is high time for Washington to learn that not a single hostile attack against Russia will be left without a strong reaction,” the ministry said.

Source: Philippines News Agency

The government is sparing no effort to ensure water security amid a looming El Niño, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) said on Saturday. NWRB executive director Sevillo David Jr. said the government is looking for more water sources and monitoring existing ones to make sure the country has adequate supply once El Niño hits full throttle. “Meron po tayong tinatawag na whole-of-government approach para mapangalagaan itong water security natin sa napipintong El Niño (We have the so-called whole-of-government approach to ensure water security amid a looming El Niño),” David said during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City. “Meron tayong iba’t ibang ahensya at sektor ng ating pamahalaan na naghahanda. Pinaghahandaan po ang posibleng pagpasok ng El Niño ngayong taon na ito (We have various government agencies and sectors that are already preparing for a possible El Niño crisis this year).” The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said recent conditions and model forecasts indicate an 80-percent probability that El Niño would emerge between June and August and may persist until the first quarter of 2024. El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, which could cause dry spells and droughts in some areas. In other areas, above-normal rainfall conditions during the southwest monsoon season (habagat) may also be expected. David said the NWRB is monitoring the level of the country’s water reservoirs, especially the Angat Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan, considering a reduced supply during the dry spell. Angat Dam supplies more than 90 percent of the water requirements of Metro Manila and nearby provinces. “Sa kasalukuyan ay nasa normal na lebel ang Angat Dam at kaya po nating bigyan ‘yung pangangailangan ng water supply sa Metro Manila (To date, the water level in Angat Dam is still normal so we can provide the water supply needed in Metro Manila),” he said. Master plan Jose Dorado Jr., Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) deputy administrator for engineering and technical operations, said there is a master plan to avert a possible water crisis during the dry season. Dorado mentioned that water concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc.’s modular water treatment plant in Cavite and a new water treatment plant in Parañaque City are among the initiatives undertaken to ensure adequate supply in the country. Manila Water Co. Inc. and the other concessionaire, Maynilad, also operate deep wells that could help augment the water supply when Angat Dam’s supply depletes. Meanwhile, MWSS Corporate Office division manager Patrick Dizon said they have sought the assistance of Singapore’s Public Utility Board to address the poor quality of water in Laguna province. “Ang challenges na na-e-experience natin sa Laguna, hindi maganda ang water quality (One of the challenges we are experiencing in Laguna is the poor quality of water),” Dizon said. “Nakipag-coordinate kami sa Public Utility Board ng Singapore. Sila ay pupunta sa Manila next week para i-assess (We coordinated with the Public Utility Board of Singapore. They will come to Manila next week to assess [the situation in Laguna]).” He noted that they have sought guidance for correct operation or technology. Data from the Laguna Lake Development Authority showed a high concentration of blue-green algae, a bacterium that affects water quality but serves as food for bangus (milkfish) and tilapia. ‘Maynilad began dredging the portion of the lake near its facility’s intake structure to minimize vulnerability to spikes in turbidity,’ the company said in a recent statement. ‘It has also been replacing the filters of its treatment plants more frequently than the filter’s expected lifespan.’ In April, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sought a whole-of-government approach and the institution of protocol-based and scientific long-term processes that would address El Niño. Marcos ordered government agencies to prepare for the possible impacts and to intensify the campaign to increase public awareness of water and energy conservation.

Source: Philippines News Agency