PIA Dispatch - Saturday, January 10, 2009

Palace says gov’t subsidies to cushion RP from predicted rise in rice prices in 2009

The Palace today said the Philippines will weather the predicted increase in rice prices this year with the government subsidies already in place.

The prediction of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), which is based in the Philippines, was reported by the Associated Press (AP) wire news agency.

The world rice body was quoted by AP as saying that “production uncertainty due to tight credit and declining rice prices, combined with strong demand growth, point to another rise in rice prices in the coming months.”

The IRRI prediction added that “(rice) price volatility will remain high,” added the AP report.

The country is ready for such eventuality as “subsidies are already in place,” said Deputy Presidential Spokesman Anthony Golez.

“In effect, meron na tayong cushion markers or mitigating plans para sa ganoon, hindi maramdaman nang malaki ang epekto nito,” he added.

For his part, Presidential Management Staff (PMS) head Cerge Remonde said the Philippines should be on its toes because of the IRRI’s analysis on rice price movements.

“Nakakagulat ito. Everyone knows maganda ang harvest ng rice. Be that as it may, that should put us on our toes,” said Remonde.


100 students from quake-stricken Sichuan, China to visit the Philippines

One hundred school children and 20 teachers from quake-stricken Sichuan, China will visit the Philippines from Jan. 11 to 17 (Sunday to Saturday) upon the invitation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The Sichuan children’s visit is part of the Philippines’ efforts to assist the People’s Republic of China (PROC) in its rehabilitation program for the areas ravaged by the May 2008 quake.

During her visit to Sichuan last August, the President was moved by the extent of devastation that brought so much suffering to the people, especially the children. As a result, she took the initiative of inviting 100 children through Chinese President Hu Jintao to come to the Philippines.

The visit, which is intended to give the children a respite, will be facilitated and coordinated by Special Envoy to China Carlos Chan and his staff at Liwayway Marketing Corporation.

Along with some key government agencies like the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Office of the Press Secretary (OPS), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Tourism (DoT), the children will be treated to special tours of some educational and tourists destinations in Metro Manila like the Museo Pambata, Kaisa Heritage Center and the SM Science Discovery Center.

They will also visit the Chiang Kai Shek College and the Rajah Soliman High School to interact with Filipino school children.

Special activities like parol-making, cooking, sampling of Filipino delicacies and Filipino games and folk dances will be introduced to the children as well.

The majestic Chocolate Hills and famous tarsiers of Bohol, and the country’s historic places, will also be showcased to the children as part of their Philippine tour.

Arriving at 8:50 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 11) on board Philippine Airlines’ flight PR331, the delegates will be welcomed by DFA Undersecretary Franklin M. Ebdalin, DFA Asia-Pacific Affairs (ASPAC) Exec. Director Meynardo LB. Montealegre, DFA-ASPAC Asst. Director J. Susana Paez, Chinese Embassy Consul-General Mr. Li Qinfeng, Mr. Deng Xijun, and Carlos Chan. The visiting children/teachers group will stay at the Century Park Hotel while visiting Manila.


PGMA launches Parasan Island expanded hybrid yellow corn production off Daram island town

Tacloban City -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is scheduled to launch on January 14, the Parasan Island Expanded Yellow Corn Production project at the island town of Daram, which is accessible only via a one-hour boat ride from Catbalogan.

Department of Agriculture Region 8 Executive Director Leo Caneda informed that the project is in support of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's Goal 1 Program which is the development of Agribusiness lands to generate jobs.

The project, which will cost around P5 million, will showcase corn production as an alternative, high value and sustainable income source. It is envisioned to increase quality corn production to support livestock and poultry operators, and contribute to food security.

The project also hopes to maximize the productivity of the under developed areas of Parasan Island.

Initially, the area covered for hybrid yellow corn production is 200 hectares but the project when in full operation will cover about 700 hectares of land in five Daram barangays namely: Parasan, Casaab-ahan, Rizal, Cabugao and Cagbubuto, Director Caneda said.

The project, which have as proponents the Local Government of Daram and the Parasan Island Agrarian Reform Community, is expected to benefit about 570 farmer households.

Director Caneda said that the Expanded Hybrid Yellow Corn Production project will increase corn yield from 1.3 metric tons to 5 metric tons. It will push real income from P4,800 to P28,000 per hectare per cropping season. It will also expand the island's share to 5% of the region's total yellow corn output.

The project will be implemented through the counterparting scheme with the Department of Agriculture contributing P1,960,000.00 while the proponents will contribute P3,040,000.00.

The counterpart fund of the Department of Agriculture will be for the procurement of one unit tractor at P1 Million; one unit corn sheller at P100,000.; one unit mechanical dryer which costs P300,000; seed subsidy for 200 hectares amounting to P400,000; Bio-N for 200 hectares costing P60,000; and training cost for 200 farmers pegged at P100,000.

Meanwhile, the proponents' counterpart fund will be used for the procurement of one unit tractor which costs P1.5 Million; one unit corn sheller at P75,000; one unit mechanical dryer costing P700,000; seeds costing P120,000; and P645,000. worth of fertilizers.