Day: June 2, 2023

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Mindanao cacao takes center stage in Davao, Zambo fairs

Mindanao cacao byproducts are taking center stage at chocolate fairs in the cities of Davao and Zamboanga. In this city, the 2nd Cacao Mindanao Artisan Chocolate Fair that showcases the best of Mindanao’s cacao opened on Friday at the SM City Mall. The three-day fair gathered Mindanao’s best chocolatiers to put the island region’s chocolate industry on the map. Top chocolatiers and cacao producers like MS3, Dais Chocolate, Cacao Culture, Cacao de Davao, Cocolibre Corp., Household Multipurpose Cooperative, Cacao City, Nutrarich Philippines and Wit’s Sweets and Savouries joined the event. In his speech, Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11) Director Abel James Monteagudo said the event is a celebration of the declaration of the city as the Chocolate Capital of the Philippines in May 2021. This came after Congress passed Republic Act 11547 otherwise known as An Act Declaring the City of Davao as the Chocolate Capital of the Philippines and the Davao Region as the Cacao Capital of the Philippines. ‘We thank you for your untiring efforts for giving more cacao farmers and chocolate makers in Davao Region a venue to feature their cacao-based products,’ Monteagudo said. He also recognized three Davao cacao farmers Judith Gabasa, Policarpo Enricoso Jr. and Melinda Villaflor, who will represent the country in the 2023 International Cocoa Awards in Paris, France, on Oct. 28 to Nov. 1, 2023. The three bested about 100 entries from across the country. ‘Let us continue to promote the products of our local farmers. Buy local and eat local,’ Monteagudo said. Zamboanga chocolate fair In Zamboanga City, the Department of Trade and Industry in the Zamboanga Peninsula (DTI-9) also led its Cacao Mindanao Chocolate Fair on Friday, showcasing cacao by-products to both walk-in customers and wholesale buyers. The event, which will run from Friday until Sunday, is a collaborative effort between DTI-9, SM City Mindpro and the city government. Engr. Al-Zamir Lipae, DTI-9 director, emphasized that trade fairs provide opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to market their products. ‘By providing a platform for MSMEs to showcase their products, the fair facilitates networking, business opportunities, and market access for local cacao producers,’ Lipae said. Nine local and regional cacao growers and processors from the city, Zamboanga Del Sur and Zamboanga Del Norte are showcasing their respective products. ‘When you say cacao, the public perception is only chocolate, but here you can see all the by-products like the chocolate soap and shampoo,’ Aileen Ann Villa-Enriquez, the SM City Mindpro manager, said. Meanwhile, Lipae highlighted the remarkable growth of the cacao industry in the region that is now thriving with over 3,000 stakeholders involved, including farmers, cooperatives, nursery operators, processors, input providers and traders. He noted Zamboanga Peninsula has achieved an impressive production output of 515 metric tons, making it the second-largest national producer of cacao, with a 5 percent share of the national output. The region currently has 1,743 hectares of cacao plantations, making it the fourth-largest area planted with cacao in the country.

Source: Philippines News Agency

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Stakeholders push for high rice production in Mindanao

At least 180 farmers and partners from three regions have joined hands here to push for the promotion of high-yielding rice varieties and use cost-cutting technologies for production. In a statement Friday, the Agricultural Training Institute in the Caraga Region (ATI-13) said the farmers, cooperative leaders, representatives from local government units, researchers, agriculturists, and personnel from the attached bureaus of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Mindanao gathered for a two-day Rice Technology Transfer Workshop here starting Thursday. It said the participants came from the regions of Soccsksargen, Caraga, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao who are directly engaged in rice production. ‘The focus of the workshop is to strengthen the promotion of high-yielding and cost-reducing rice production technologies,’ the ATI-13 said. During the two-day activity, the participants formulated plans to promoting new rice production technologies and strategies in their respective areas. Undersecretary Leocado Sebastian of the DA’s Rice Industry Development and DA-13 Regional Director Ricardo Oñate Jr. are among those who joined the activity. Sebastian underscored the importance of the Masagana Rice Program under the present administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and its implementation strategies. ‘These strategies, including the climate change adaptation, clustering and consolidation of intervention, value chain approach, and digital transformation are steps to better implement the Masagana program that aims to achieve the highest possible rice sufficiency,’ Sebastian said. He added that the convergence of efforts, cooperation, and coordination among the different stakeholders are also the key components in attaining the goals of the rice program of the present administration.

Source: Philippines News Agency

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DPWH completes 2 road projects in La Union, Pangasinan

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed the rehabilitation of the access road with slope protection in Barangay Nagyubuyuban this city and an asphalt overlay project in Pangasinan province in time for the rainy season. In a statement issued on Friday, DPWH Ilocos Region information officer Esperanza Tinaza said the rehabilitation of the access road with slope protection has a 50-meter road with a five-meter width and involved a three-barrel reinforced concrete box culvert to control water flow and prevent erosion on the newly paved roads. ‘In addition to the construction of the reinforced concrete box is the continuation of paving roads connecting to the newly paved roads with slope protection works to improve transportation and mitigate risks like landslides and erosion, fostering a secure and connected community,’ she said. With a total cost of PHP4.7 million, the project was funded under the General Appropriations Act of 2023. ‘The infrastructure improvement enhances the movement of goods, boosts economic activity, and ensures road safety for residents in Sitio Calaungan, Barangay Nagyubuyuban,’ Tinaza said. Likewise, she said the project also ensures the overall safety and convenience of motorists and residents living in the area by providing easier access to local products and for residents going to their respective destinations. Meanwhile, the DPWH has also completed the newly asphalted road in Alcala town, Pangasinan. Tinaza said the implementation of preventive maintenance projects helps the residents, commuters, and motorists from Barangay Poblacion East, Poblacion West, San Juan, and San Vicente, as well as the nearby villages and municipalities, to have easier, safer, and better access to the road. ‘The road improvement project, covering the two lanes with 1.125-kilometer and with a total project cost of PHP14 million funded under the General Appropriations Act of 2023, was completed on March 28 this year,’ she said. Both projects were completed in time for the rainy season.

Source: Philippines News Agency

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French Alumni Day Celebrated in Vientiane

The first edition of the French “Alumni Day”, an event celebrated all over the world for students who have studied in France or have been educated in French schools, was celebrated at the French Embassy in Vientiane on May 26.

In the presence of Vice Minister of Education and Sports Kingmano Phomahaxy, and a hundred alumni, Ambassador of France Siv-Leng Chhuor recalled that student mobility and university cooperation, of which Alumni are Ambassadors, were priorities for France’s action in Laos.

The Vice-Minister of Education and Sport stressed the quality of the university cooperation and exchanges proposed by France.

The Ambassador of France welcomed the success of the evening, which is part of the commemorations of the 70 years of the Treaty of Friendship and Association between Laos and France of 22 October 1953.

She also congratulated Ms. Phousengdao Midala and Mr. Phansin Pathammavong, respectively appointed Miss and Mister France Alumni Laos 2023, for the quality of the presentation of their student experience in France.

The two winners each won a three-week stay in France. They will represent the France Alumni network and will be featured throughout the year. Since 2008, more than 500 Lao students have gone to study in France and have joined the Alumni community.

The 70th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship and Association is an opportunity to amplify the partnership between Laos and France, in particular the human and academic exchanges for a lasting friendship.

Source: Lao News Agency

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National Consultation on Food Systems Transformation Held

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) has organised the National Consultation on Food Systems Transformation meeting in Vientiane on Jun 2.

Mr Thatsaka Saphangthong, Director General of Planning and Cooperation, MAF, Mr. Nasar Hayat, FAO Country Representative to Laos, representatives of development partners, development banks, civil society organizations, private sector and farmers attended the meeting.

“The agriculture sector plays a key role in food systems, firstly because it supports the production of food. But agriculture also provides revenues and livelihoods to the majority of Lao people. Agriculture also sequestrates and emits carbon and preserves natural resources and life on earth depending on what choices are made by farmers, consumers and decision makers,” said Mr Thatsaka Saphangthong, Director General of Planning and Cooperation, MAF.

“But agriculture is not alone here and the dialogue about food systems needs to be extended to other sectors. For example, the trade sector buys imports and exports food, organizes food markets and plays key roles in the processing and marketing of agri-food products. As such it is critical to this agenda,” Mr Thatsaka Saphangthong explained.

“We are also happy to have representatives of the civil society, farmers and community based organizations because their valuable work at grassroots level has the potential to inform our policy decision and improve Lao people livelihoods. This is also true for the research and academic sectors which contribute innovation and inform our decision and vision ensuring that food system transformation addresses the socio-economic and environmental challenges we are all facing now,” he added.

“Two years ago, all partners and stakeholders engaged in agri-food systems in the Lao PDR participated in a National Dialogue of Food System leading to the formulation of a National Pathway to Food system transformation,” said Mr. Nasar Hayat, FAO Country Representative to Laos.

“During the past few months, the FAO supported the MAF to identify enabling factors and priorities to initiate a deep and sustainable transformation of agri-food systems. This work has involved numerous Ministries and development partners and focused on processes to strengthen the engagement of people and organisations in this work,” said Mr. Nasar Hayat.

He assured the participants that this agenda is considered as a top priority by FAO Secretary General and Director General who will host a high-level global stock taking moment in July 2023 to review progress and renew their support to countries.

“I would like to renew the FAO and whole UN country team’s commitment to support the government and people of the Lao PDR working on sustainable food system transformation, now and in the long term, in line with our cooperation framework and the Lao PDR policy agenda and national priorities,” he added.

Source: Lao News Agency

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President plants trees on Int’l Children’s Day

President Thongloun Sisoulith and his deputies Pany Yathortou and Bounthong Chithmay participated in a tree planting event organized by the Presidential Office in Vientiane on Jun 1 in celebrating the 99th International Children’s Day (Jun 1, 1924-2023) and the 43rd National Arbour Day (Jun 1, 1980-2023).

Senior officials of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union, relevant officials and students also took part in the tree planting event.

The celebration of the two holidays aims to raise public awareness of the importance of protecting children’s rights, especially to healthcare and education, and promoting children’s early participation in the national protection and development cause.

International Children’s Day is celebrated annually on June 1 in different parts of the world as an initiative for children’s well-being and rights.

This day is celebrated as part of a greater cause that revolves around ending child abuse, ending the deprivation of children of their rights, and making efforts to improve the lives of children all around the world.

Source: Lao News Agency