Government has resources to prevent entry of infectious diseases, Palace says

Government measures are in place to fend off the entry of such contagious diseases as avian flu and the Middle
Respiratory
Syndrome
Coronavirus
(MERS-CoV)
in
the
country,
the
Palace
said
on
Tues

"Nasa heightened alertness at preparedness ang ating Department of Health (DOH), simula pa noong halos isang taon na
nakararaan, noong hinarap itong MERS Coronavirus," Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said during the
press
briefing
in
Malaca

The government, he said, has been successful in preventing the entry of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SAR
the country in the past and is capable of implementing similar preventive measures at pre

"Kaya batay sa mga binanggit ko, meron namang sapat na track record ang ating pamahalaan hanggang sa kasalukuya
gawin ang nararapat para mapanatiling malusog at ligtas ang ating mga mamamayan laban sa mga kinatatakutang sakit
said,
adding
that
the
Health
Department
has
enough
budget
and
resources
to
do
its

A Filipino who came from China has died after showing symptoms of bird flu, the DOH reported on Monday. The departm
did
not
conduct
an
autopsy
on
the
victim
as
he
was
crema

A few weeks ago, a Filipino nurse from Saudi Arabia was hospitalized due to MERS-CoV infection. She has since recov
from her illness after treatment. PND (as)

Hacienda Luisita farmer beneficiaries go vegetable farming, learn marketing know-how

Source: http://www.dar.gov.ph

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), in collaboration with the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), offered agrarian refo
beneficiaries in Hacienda Luisita another farming alternative vegetable productionand marketing know-how to beco
competent
and
skilled
entreprene

DAR Undersecretary for Support Services Rosalina Bistoyong said the department sees the need for these farmers-turn
landowners to learn additional skills and knowledge to prepare them for greater challenges aheadsustaining f
productivity
and
improving
their
business
acum

Under its agro-enterprise project, the DAR tapped 27 agrarian reform beneficiaries belonging to Barangays Bantog, Lourd
Pando and Motrico, to become lead growers and trainees in vegetable production and entrepreneurs

This is just the initial phase. Eventually, the project will cover the rest of the 10 barangays of Hacienda Luisita, Bistoyo
said.

Prior to the farmers training, the DAR conducted soil testing in all 10 barangays of Hacienda Luisita and found out that
crops best suited to the type of soil there are red chillies, string beans, squash and sweet potatoes (camote

To find out whats really hot in the market, we also conducted market studies and went to Balintawak, Divisoria and
Urdaneta market in Pangasinan. We learned that theres a big demand now on red chillies, said Bistoy

The agro-enterprise experts from CRS shared with the agrarian reform beneficiaries the technical know-how of producing c
peppers and other vegetables. The lead growers also underwent a 4-month intensive training on market study, prod
packaging,
cash
flows,
and
the
basics
on
business
marketing
and
bookkeep

At the recent harvest festival in Barangay Bantog, Tarlac City, the 27 lead growers proudly exhibited and sold their fresh
chilli
peppers
to
residents
and
tour

Farmer Celina Palo of Barangay Lourdes used 500 square meters of her 6-hectare land and planted red chillies. Be
planting chillies, this plot of land was idle and full of garbage. After 2 months of growing chillies, Im earning P10,000 a mo
from
it.

Hands-on training in planting the crop up to learning the ropes in business managing was a very big help. We didnt just st
in the classroom, we also conducted market studies, spoke to traders and business people. Now I know how it is to negot
and
conduct
business,
said
Palo
who
now
does
her
own
marketing.

Farmer Roberto Dizon of Barangay Motrico attests to the benefits of growing chillies. The capital is cheaper and after
months, the chillies are ready for harvest and selling. The most I love about chillies is that it takes about 8-10 months bef

the plant dies. While its alive, you continue harvesting chillies every 4-5 days. That means I earn money 5-6 times in a mon

Dizon said that in one harvest, his 500 sq. m. plot yielded 25 kilos of chillies. At P160 per kilo of chillies, I earn P4,000. So
were harvesting 6 times in a month, It would earn me P24,000. Because of this very good turnout, Im now planning
expanding this business by planting more chillies and adding string beans and bitter gourd (ampalaya) to my farm, Di
added.

When asked how the farmers would be able to sell their harvested crops to the market, Bistoyong said the DAR linked
farmers to buyers and traders in Divisoria, Balintawak and Urdaneta Market in Pangasinan.

At present, the 27 lead growers sell their chillies to traders in these markets. But some of them, like farmer Celina Palo, n
have other buyers that she has negotiated on her own. The trainings have given her the confidence to conduct business lik
pro, Bistoyong said. (Pniky Roque with Photos from Manny Trinos)

Cambodia execs in PH for tech-voc study tour

Source: http://www.tesda.gov.ph

Facing a unique challenge in building the skills capacity of its future workers, Cambodia has turned to the Technical Educa
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for an enriching exposure on technical vocational education and training (TVE

From February 16 to 18, a total of 20 high level officials of Cambodia's Ministry of Labor and Technical-vocational Training a
National Training Board came to the Philippines to get hands-on experience of the Philippines' TVET syst

"The international study tour was part of a program of the guest country to allow their senior officials and trainers to tak
peek at our TVET policies, programs and practices in the Philippines," said TESDA Director General Joel Villanue

"We hope TESDA has given them valuable lessons in skills development that they can bring and adapt," he s

Late last year, Cambodia received assistance from the Asian Development Bank to work for a project entitled Strengthen
Technical Vocational and Training, which includes strengthening the institutional capacity of its TVET officials and trainer
plan
and
manage
TVET
in
their
coun

The TVET system remains in its infancy in Cambodia and needs reforms and resources to address gaps in access, quality
institutional capacity to make a sustained contribution to its national economy through quality education and trainin

In its letter to TESDA, the business consultancy group Kath Marnane and Associates said the Philippines was chosen "a
good practice example due to its well-structured, organized and systemized TVET system, practices and poli

"Cambodia is very much interested in learning, through Philippine examples, ways in which to build a strong and proac
TVET that contributes positives to building a human resource capital which in turn will improve the economic conditions of
country,"
it
add

The Cambodian visitors personally met with TESDA officials in a visit to the TESDA office in Taguig City. They were introdu
to
the
Philippine
Qualification
Framework,
Quality
Assurance
and
TESD
Management.

The delegates also visited TVET training Institutions, including the Monark Foundation Institute, Lyceum University of
Philippines, TESDA Women's Center, University of Makati, Toyota Motors Philippines Technology School and Mera
Foundation Inc.

NEWSLINE
2015

February 25,

Government is prepared for threats of infectious diseases

1. Malacanang assures that measures are in place to prevent entry of recent
contagious diseases such as avian flu and the Middle East Respiratory
Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in the country.
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said the DOH is in heightened
alertness and preparedness since last year.
He said the government has been successful in preventing the entry of the Severe
Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in the past and is therefore capable of
implementing similar preventive measures at present.
He further adds that the Health Department has enough budget and resources to do
its job.
The government also has enough track records of proper management of the
previous diseases and means of promoting health for the people.
Farmers Learn Farming alternative and marketing
2. The Department of Agrarian Reform and the Catholic Relief Services launches
agro-enterprise project.
The project provides additional skills and knowledge to train hacienda luisita
beneficiaries on how to become competent and skilled entrepreneurs.
For the initial phase of the project, DAR tapped 27 beneficiaries to become lead
growers and trainees in vegetable production and entrepreneurship.
DAR Undersecretary for Support Services Rosalina Bistoyong led the soil testing and
market studies prior to the training.
The agro-enterprise experts and trainors underwent a 4-month intensive training on
market study, product packaging, cash flows, and the basics on business marketing
and bookkeeping.
At present, the 27 lead growers sell their chillies to traders in these markets.
Cambodia officials went to the Philippines for training
3. Cambodia has turned to the Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA) for an enriching exposure on technical vocational
education and training (TVET).
20 high level officials of Cambodia's Ministry of Labor and Technical-vocational
Training and National Training Board came to the Philippines to get hands-on
experience on February 16 to 18.
TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva said The international study tour was part of
a program of Cambodia promoting its own TVET system.

Business consultancy group Kath Marnane and Associates said the Philippines was
chosen as a good practice example due to its well-structured, organized and
systemized TVET system, practices and policy.
They added that through Philippine examples, ways to build a strong and proactive
TVET will improve the economic conditions of the country.

NEWSLINE
2015

February 25,

Government is prepared for threats of infectious diseases

1. Malacanang assures that measures are in place to prevent entry of recent
contagious diseases such as avian flu and the Middle East Respiratory
Syndrome Coronavirus in the country.
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. says the Health Department is in
heightened alert and preparedness since last year.
He says the government has been successful in preventing the entry of the Severe
Acute Respiratory Syndrome in the past.
Coloma believes with this development, the DOH is capable of implementing similar
preventive measures at present.
He further adds that the Health Department has enough budget and resources to do
its job.
The government also has enough track records of proper management of the
previous diseases and means of promoting health for the people.
Farmers Learn Farming alternative and marketing
2. The Department of Agrarian Reform and the Catholic Relief Services launches
agro-enterprise project.
The project provides additional skills and knowledge to train hacienda luisita
beneficiaries on how to become competent and skilled entrepreneurs.
For the initial phase of the project, DAR has tapped 27 beneficiaries to become lead
growers and trainees in vegetable production and entrepreneurship.
DAR Undersecretary for Support Services Rosalina Bistoyong has led the soil testing
and market studies prior to the training.
The agro-enterprise experts and trainors have undergone a 4-month intensive
training on market study, product packaging, cash flows, and the basics on business
marketing and bookkeeping.
At present, the 27 lead growers sell their chillies to traders in these markets.
Cambodia officials went to the Philippines for training
3. Cambodia has turned to the Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA) for an enriching exposure on technical vocational
education and training (TVET).

20 high level officials of Cambodia's Ministry of Labor and Technical-vocational

Training and National Training Board came to the Philippines to get hands-on
experience on February 16 to 18.
TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva says the international study tour was part of
a program of Cambodia promoting its own TVET system.
Business consultancy group Kath Marnane and Associates said the Philippines was
chosen as a good practice example due to its well-structured, organized and
systemized TVET system, practices and policy.
Cambodia is very much interested in learning, through Philippine examples, ways in which to build a
strong and proactive TVET that contributes to building a human resource capital.