RP has 15 corn post-harvest centers

ZAMBOANGA CITY—There are 15 corn post-harvest processing and trading centers (CPPTC) nationwide and two of these are found in Sergio Osmeña, Zamboanga del Norte and Ramon Magsaysay, Zamboanga del Sur, announced Dennis Araullo, agriculture assistant secretary.

Scattered strategically, seven of these centers are located in Luzon; two in the Visayas; and six in Mindanao, he added.

Araullo was here during the 3rd quarter national Corn Program held at the Garden Orchid Hotel and participated in by banner coordinators, report officers and stakeholders.

He added that the 15 CPPTC are projects funded and counter parted by and among the DA, National Agribusiness Corporation (NABCOR) and LGUs who wanted the address postharvest losses among farmers.

NABCOR operates and matches DA’s thrust in the development of innovative agribusiness enterprises in the countryside and in helping improve yield as well as boost the incomes of small farmers and fisher folks.

Araullo, who is also the national coordinator of the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) Corn, was quoted in another report by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) that the corn centers are located within the GMA Corn Program cluster areas or within GMA Corn Program new areas of at least 1,000 hectares, and are accessible to transportation, communications and market center.

Aside from the ones in Ramon Magsaysay and Sergio Osmeña, other corn facilities placed in Mindanao are in Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte, Alamada, North Cotabato, Tupi, South Cotabato, Talakag in Bukidnon, and Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur.

The PIA further reported that NABCOR and its joint venture partners are now operating four corn centers in Kabacan and Banga in North Cotabato and Malungon, Saranggani.

Araullo said the DA and NABCOR will continue investing in these facilities in 2009, with 15 priority sites being targeted, including those in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte; Pangantucan, Bukidnon; Claveria, Misamis Oriental, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay and Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur, all of Mindanao.

Zamboanga del Sur has a total corn land of 88,209 hectares while Zamboanga del Norte has 49,975.

Araullo said that these facilities will allow for continuous supply of corn, produces premium quality grains at 14 per cent moisture content and reduces drying and processing costs by half.

Corn is the second staple food among Filipinos and is being utilized as a source of carbohydrates, vitamins, folic acid and insoluble fibers, among others is also an important ingredient in hogs and poultry feeds.

Hogs and poultry industry need corn as the main ingredient for feeds while some sectors used it as a source of ethanol, a blend for gasoline.

“The opportunities for the corn industry are boundless that is why we encourage corn farmers to produce more and get the highest benefit of this crop,” Araullo said.

The CPPTC alone needs 200 tons of corn on cobs at least every three to four days, having four drying bins of 50 tons capacity per bin.

It was learned that some 4.8 million hectares around the country remain idle and are seen as potential areas for expansion of the corn crop based on ideal agro-climatic conditions.

These are regions of Zamboanga Peninsula, Mindoro Island, Western Visayas, Comval and Caraga, Central Mindanao and ARMM.

WITH REPORTS BY MELBA WEE, DA-9

Timely CA order saves Jon Jalosjos

A Court Injunction issued by the 22nd Division of the Court of Appeals and delivered just in the nick of time saved the day for Tampilisan mayor Romeo “Jon-jon” Jalosjos, Jr.

In a meeting with members of the press last Nov. 28, Jalosjos described his timely receipt of the court injunction as “a divine intervention” which paved way for his filing of candidacy for the congressional seat of the second district of Zamboanga Sibugay.

The young Jalosjos will be squaring off in next year’s poll with Provincial Administrator George “Jet” Hofer II.

It was learned that the court injunction ordered for the re-instatement of the name of Jalosjos in the official voter’s list in Precinct 51-F in Barangay Veterans Village in Ipil.

September 11, 2009, the Regional Trial Court of Pagadian City has ordered for the exclusion of Jon-Jon’s name as a registered voter in the said barangay.

The decision stemmed from the petition of Veterans Village punong barangay Dan Erasmo Sr., who sought for the exclusion from the voters list Jon-Jon’s name, alleging, among others, that Jalosjos was not an actual resident there since he is presently the incumbent mayor of Tampilisan in Zamboanga del Norte.

The court decision of RTC Presiding Judge Aniceto Galon, being final and executory, was enforced by the Election Registration Board of Ipil in its resolution dated Sept. 30, 2009, ordering for the deletion of Jalosjos’ name in the official list of voters in the mentioned barangay.

Jalosjos then petitioned the Court of Appeals for a certiorari and prayed for an issuance of temporary restraining order (TRO).

The appellate court refused to issue right away the TRO pending comments from, among others, the Office of Solicitor General.

But the office of the Solicitor General moved for an extension of time to file the said comment on January 2010. But the CA held that Jalosjos has “satisfactorily shown the existence of an extraordinary situation which call for the issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction,” hence the issuance.

Lawyer Richard Rambuyong, counsel for Jalosjos, said the writ was issued last Nov. 26 by the 22nd Division of the Court of Appeals based in Cagayan de Oro City and was received by the mayor the next day and forwarded the same to Ipil’s Election Registration Board, which reinstated Jalosjos’ name in the voters list.

November 27, Jalosjos filed his certificate of candidacy for congressman of the second district of Zamboanga Sibugay.

REPORT BY PING DELIVERIO

Jalosjos wrestles control for Sibugay away from Hofer

THE Jalosjos siblings are now following the footsteps of their daddy in politics, attempting this time to wrestle control of Zamboanga Sibugay away from the clutches of the long-reigning Hofer family.

Last Saturday, Nov. 28, Rommel Jalosjos, son of jailed Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Romeo “Nonong” Jalosjos Sr., filed his certificate of candidacy for governor under the Lakas-Kampi CMD.

Rommel’s half brother, Romeo “Jon-jon” Jalosjos Jr., also filed his candidacy for congressman in the 2nd district of Sibugay while incumbent board member Boyet Yambao, son of Rep. Belma Cabilao, filed his for congressman in the first district.

Rommel’s slate are lawyer Rey Andre Olegario for another term as Vice-governor, Hadji Said Ajeron, Flor Coliba, Editha Colanghe, Eric Palma and Cris Jore for board members in the first istrict.

Ipil councilor Joel Ebol, Eric Cabarios, Boyet Abalde, Wilborne Danda and Sonny Dacula are the candidates for the provincial board in the second district.

Sunday, Nov. 29, the Hofers filed their respective candidacies, witnessed by hundreds of supporters and led by the three-termed Gov. George Hofer who wanted to be the mayor of Ipil. Punong Barangay Susing Tiu of Sanito is Hofer’s vice mayoralty bet.

At the provincial level, incumbent Rep. Ann Hofer filed for governor while Provincial Administrator George “Jet” Hofer II listed his name as representative for the second district.

Early on, board member Lycel Castor-Tan submitted her COC for congresswoman in the first district of Zamboanga Sibugay.

Board member and former Imelda mayor Juanito “Igsoon” Gonzales is Ann Hofer’s is vice-gubernatorial bet while lawyer Quirino Esguerra Jr., Vic Javier, Rodrigo Belosillo, Gani Balladares and Jessie Sali are the candidates for the provincial board in the second district.

This paper failed to get the names of provincial board candidates in the first district.

Both the Hofers and Jalosjos claim to be supported and running under the administration party. Media pundits see their stand-up fight in next year’s elections a “head-on collision.”

Meanwhile, Ann Hofer told media that the Hofers are the “official” bet of the ruling party, having had the blessings of party stalwarts DILG Sec. Ronaldo Puno and presidential candidate Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr.

She further said that the Lakas-Kampi’s national headquarters has already “terminated the names of the Jalosjoses as official candidates of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD.”

In the nearby Misamis Occidental, Nonong Jalosjos’ daughter, Svetlana, was reported to have filed for the mayoral seat of Baliangao.

REPORT BY PING DELEVERIO

Archie D. moves December concert

FILIPINO-AMERICAN hit maker Archie D. announces that he is rescheduling his upcoming concert this Dec. 18 and 20 “due to extraordinary circumstances beyond control.”

In an email message sent to this paper, concert coordinator Helene Romarate explained Archie D.’s reason for doing so has something to do with his circumstances at present.

She, however, declined to give details saying it’s too personal.

“He is extremely saddened about having to postpone the December tour and looks forward to rescheduling his tour and returning to the Philippines in 2010,” Romarate said.

Both his “Built To Sound Good” Matinee Show at the SMC Gym and Gala Show at the “10” Disco has to be moved indefinitely till next year and the exact date is yet to be announced, Romarate added.

“Archie D. believes in pure fun but also puts divine intervention a huge signal for any of his successful endeavors. He is sending all his show giveaways to Pagadian in advance and plans to treat them another set of giveaways on 2010,” ,” Romarate said in behalf of the singer.

“I believe in the words ‘give and rapport’ and these little token of stuff should be in their hands already and not to be hoarded because by holding them I might lose my only outcry which is to perform for them,” Romarate quoted Archie’s message to his fans.

Born and raised in Pagadian City, Archie D. left the country in 1992 and settled in Queens, New York where he studied music production, synthesis and audio engineering.

A seasoned professional arranger, composer, producer, engineer, songwriter, singer and musician, Archie made waves in the 80’s with his contemporaries like Gretchen Barreto, Randy Santiago, Pops Fernandez and Regine Velasquez, among others.

For further information about the cancelled concert dates in Pagadian City, please contact: helene_romarate@yahoo.com or Mobile No. 09063131396.

REPORT BY REMAI ALEJADO

Lawyers, bizmen fill Sammy’s ‘Magic 10’

A potpourri of old timers, veteran lawyers and young and successful entrepreneurs complete the local slate of Mayor Samuel Co when they presented themselves to the media after they simultaneously filed their certificates of candidacy at the City Comelec office, Tuesday.

Leading the pack is Vice Mayor Romeo “Tata” Pulmones, followed by incumbent councilors Jesus “Idol” Bajamunde Jr., Eric Bersales, Bienvenido Culve, Arnold “Glavys” Gavenia and Frank Jefferson “JP” Villegas.

The newcomers are incumbent board member and lawyer Baldomero “Baleleng” Fernandez, colleague Carlos “Caloy” Madarang III, Sunjay Galon, son of Judge Aniceto Galon, hotelier Alexander “Jun-Jun” Co Jr., the mayor’s nephew, and Roque “Nonoy” Yamba, president of the Baganian Broadcasting Corporation and general manager of DxBZ-AM and DxCA-FM.

Co, in a meeting with journalists, said that their lineup went through the rigorous selection process of their party and that he believes this chosen crop will help propel the city to make more progress.

Talking about his plans and programs for his third and last term, Co outlined his continuity of his agenda in education, tourism, economic enterprise, infrastructure, housing, fisheries and agriculture and keep up the reputation of Pagadian City as the regional center of Zamboanga Peninsula.

“Kung unsa man ang nakita nga kalambuan karon sa siyudad, I will make sure nga mahuman ug makumpleto kini tanan before I step down in 2013,” Co said.

On the question of the new faces in his lineup, Co called it a “teamwork of young, energetic and committed people” that can lend a hand in propelling the city to sure development.

“With this lineup, we will try our very best nga modaug gyod ang tanan,” the mayor added.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA & JONG CADION