Bringing life to dry lands

Agriculture is the main source of livelihood in Ligao City. Hence, the cultivation of land resources is highly significant for the sustainability and improvement of livelihood of the local residents.

For many years, the 30 hectares of land at Purok 4 of Barangay Allang remained idle and less productive. Farming was difficult in the area which eventually led to lesser income generation.

Before the irrigation canal was established, the land was idle and less productive.

In 2012, the fate of these hectares of land has been changed. An irrigation canal was constructed to irrigate the 30 hectares of agricultural land at Purok 4. This was made possible through the efforts of Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez and the City Government of Ligao headed by Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua.

The new irrigation canal covers 30 hectares of farm land at Purok 4, Barangay Allang.

One of the local residents who have been reaping benefits since the establishment of the irrigation system is 49-year old farmer Pedro Bordeos. He resides at Purok 4 Sitio Bulawgon with his wife and seven children. Bordeos is also the Vice President of the Irrigator’s Association in Allang.

The irrigation canal was constructed in 2012 to irrigate idle lands in the barangay.

Before the irrigation canal was established, Bordeos’s source of income came from farming one (1) hectare of rice field located at Purok 1 of Barangay Allang. He is able to harvest 80 cavans of rice every harvest season, twice a year. This yields to Php 120,000 gross annual income of his family. With all the expenses from rice production, Bordeos only earns Php 80,000 net annual income. That leaves him with only an estimated monthly income of Php 6,000 for his family. In addition to this, Bordeos also plants vegetables such as eggplant and squash which he sells in the market.

With the establishment of the irrigation system, not only it provided water resources to idle lands but it has improved the livelihood of local residents. The 30 hectares of unproductive land is now field with growing rice crops.

Left: 49-year old farmer Pedro Bordeos is reaping the benefits of having an irrigation canal. Right: Bordeos with Allang Barangay Captain  Nolito M. Quiles.

Bordeos owns 5,000 square meters of farm land in the newly irrigated area. He is able to harvest 60 cavans of rice per year which yields to Php 40,000 net income. This gives him an additional Php 3,000 income every month.

Like Bordeos, many farmers are in need of irrigation system to channel water resources their farm lands. This partnership project of the City Government of Ligao and Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez is a way of answering this concern that would likewise improve the living standards of the local farmers and their families. Lala Peñafiel / albay3d.blogspot.com

NMIS accredits Ligao City Slaughterhouse as Class “AA”

The Ligao City Slaughterhouse is located at Sitio Gamot, Tinago, Ligao City

The Ligao City Slaughterhouse has again received a Certificate of Accreditation from the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) to engage in slaughtering of hogs and cattle for domestic trade under Class “AA” category on 17 December 2015.

The accreditation of the slaughterhouse signifies that the facility has satisfied all the requirements set by Republic Act No. 9296 and Executive Order 137. This means that the meat and meat products from slaughtered hogs and cattle are safe and can be sold anywhere in the country.

NMIS Regional Technical Director Fernando N. Lontoc personally presented the Certificate of Accreditation to Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua and extended his support to the LGU to maintain stronger partnership

“Ang pagkakaroon po natin ng accredited na establishment ay napakahalaga para masigurado natin na malinis ang karne na kinakatay sa slaughterhouse [Having an accredited establishment is important to ensure that the meat are clean],” said NMIS Regional Technical Director Fernando N. Lontoc .

Aside from Ligao City, Sorsogon and Naga City were also on the list of cities/municipalities with accredited slaughterhouses. Dir. Lontoc sees this potential for Ligao City, being at the center of the region with accredited slaughterhouse, to increase the revenues from operating the facility. This will invite meat dealers from neighboring towns to avail quality services from the slaughterhouse. “Ito ang ating ituturo sa mga meat dealers na dito na sila magpakatay dahil dito nakakasunod sa pamantayan [We will direct the meat dealers to have their hogs and cattle slaughtered here because this facility follows the guidelines],” said Dir. Lontoc.

Because of the impressive approach and system of the City Government, Dir. Lontoc recommends Ligao City to be an example for other LGUs aiming to establish an accredited slaughterhouse.

Dir. Lontoc also extended his full support to the City Government to maintain a strong partnership with the LGU and sustain the accreditation of the slaughterhouse. He also acknowledged the efforts of Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua as a local chief executive who ensures the compliance of the LGU to the standards established by the NMIS.

Ligao City hailed as one of LGU Eco Champions in the country

Ligao City maintains a mangrove plantation in Barangay Cabarian. This is one of the notable efforts of the City Government in preserving its environmental resources while sustaining livelihood for coastal communities. 

The City Government of Ligao, headed by Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua, has been recognized by the Environment and Natural Resources/ Environmental Management Bureau (DENR/ EMB) and Green Convergence as one of the LGU Eco Champions in the country for good environmental governance and best practices that will serve as good example for other LGUs.

LGU Eco Champions’ panel of judges and competent researchers were impressed by the leadership and environmental vision of Mayor Gonzalez-Alsua in the city. These efforts reflect the city’s compliance with the Philippine Environmental Laws and will be used by the DENR/ EMB for research that will help address the gaps in the implementation of environmental policies.

LGUs will be awarded during the First Philippine Environment Summit on February 9-11, 2016 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Lala Peñafiel | albay3d.blogspot.com

Ligao City bags 1st place Green Achiever’s Award and four Salud Bikolnon special awards

Ligao City won the 1st Place Green Achiever Award and four special citation awards during the 6th Salud Bikolnon Awards on 10 December 2015 at Hotel St. Ellis, Legazpi City.

The City Government of Ligao is this year’s 1st Place Green Achiever Awardee during the 6th Salud Bikolnon Awards on 10 December 2015 at Hotel St.Ellis, Legazpi City.

The Green Achiever Award is given to LGUs with outstanding performance in providing health care services. The Department of Health (DOH) evaluates LGU’s performance using the LGU Scorecard with specific health indicators color coded with Green. LGUs with the most number of green marks in the Scorecard receive the Green Achiever Award. This also suggests that recipients of the Green Achiever Award are LGUs with the most achievement of the 2016 national objectives for health.

Plaques of excellence: The City Government of Ligao was recognized for its exemplary performance in providing proper health care to its constituents.

Aside from the major award, Ligao City also bagged four (4) special citation awards:

Senior Citizen Friendliest Local Government Unit
Hailed as Grand Winner in Senior Citizen Friendliest Local Government Unit in the Bicol Region, Ligao City was recognized for its extensive programs for the welfare of the senior citizens and initiatives to seek their active participation as important members of the community. Ligao City received a cash prize worth Php 200,000 for the category.

Orally Fit Child Award (Community setting)
The Orally Fit Child Award is given to LGUs with notable efforts in preventing dental health problems and conducting lectures on parents and day care pupils to increase awareness on proper oral health care and techniques on brushing the teeth. Ligao City received a cash prize worth Php 75,000 for winning the award.

Orally Fit Child Award (Day Care center)
The Paulba Day Care Center in Ligao City was awarded with Orally Fit Child Award for their efforts in providing better oral health care services for the children. The Day Care Center was also awarded with cash prize worth Php 50,000.

Best Implementer of National TB Control Program
The award for Best Implementer of National TB Control Program was based on the following pillars:

• Governance or Local Government Unit Support
• Service Delivery which includes 90% of case detection rate, treatment success rate, and external quality assurance and two sputum collection
• Health financing which includes PhilHealth reimbursements
• Other initiatives made by the Local Government Unit for the program

Ligao City, being one of the recipients of the Best Implementer of National TB Control Program, received a cash prize worth Php 100,000.

Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua delivered her message of acceptance during the 6th Salud Bikolnon Awards.

Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua delivered her message of acceptance as one of the recipients of the Green Achiever Award in the Bicol Region.

In addition to plaques and prizes, the DOH also distributed Digital Sphygmomanometers and blood glucose monitoring set during the event. The Digital Sphygmomanometer has a digital display with atomic inflation, pulse rate read out, hard plastic case, and adult and pediatric case. The blood glucose monitoring set consists of one (1) glucometer, 500 pieces of glucose strips, 500 pieces of sterile lancets, and one (1) lancing device. Written by Lala Penafiel

Making milestones: enhancing benefits and services for senior citizens of Ligao City

The City Government of Ligao headed by Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua (left) conducts Elderly Week every year. Senior citizens who reached the "mileage age" receive cash gifts from the City Government.

To provide more benefits to the senior citizens and give them opportunities to contribute in community development, the City Government of Ligao headed by Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua through the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) with Chairman Vicente P. Aldea, implement programs and activities that elicit the active participation of senior citizens.

Anchored under the Republic Act 9994, also known as Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, senior citizens can avail benefits and privileges such as the 20% discount on medical needs, recreation centers, and transportation; and are given priority when transacting in bank, commercial/private, and government establishments.

To avail the benefits and services for senior citizens, elders should be at least 60 years old and must be a Filipino citizen. OSCA issues the Senior Citizen’s ID to those who qualify the minimum requirements. A registration fee of only Php 100 is required to complete the application. The registration fee, which was previously worth Php 60, was raised to increase the amount of burial assistance from Php 1,000 to Php 1,500

Elderly Week

One of the major activities of the City Government for the senior citizens is the Elderly Week which is held every first week of October. However, since some senior citizens are unable to attend due to travel time and expenses, and health risks, the City Government brings the program closer to them. The Elderly Week is held in five clustered units of barangays: coastal unit, upland unit, lowland unit, Mayon unit, and Poblacion unit.

The Elderly Week is held every first week of October. Senior Citizens 

During the Elderly Week, a medical mission is held with free consultation and medicines. Senior citizens also enjoy singing, dancing, and parlor games with cash prizes prepared during the event. Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez, being a senior citizen himself, joins the Elderly Week to share the celebration of elders. He also gives incentives to senior citizens who actively participate during the showcase of talents.

“Mileage age”

Upon reaching the “mileage age” of 80, 85, 90, and 100, senior citizens receive cash gifts worth Php 500, Php 1,000, Php 1,500, Php 2,000, and Php 20,000 respectively. When a senior citizen reaches the centennial age (100), a bonus worth Php 10,000 is given each year in the preceding years.

103-year old Nacional Divinaflor was awarded as the Oldest Senior Citizen in Ligao last October 2014. 

Senior citizens celebrating their birthdays are advised to report to the Office of the City Mayor on the first week of their birth month to claim their mileage cash gift. For those who are unable to visit the office, the Senior Citizen Federation accompanied by a representative from the City Treasurer’s Office go to the birthday celebrator’s residence to personally deliver the birthday cash gift.

Aside from birthday cash gift, the City Government also gives Php 1,000 cash gift every Christmas to senior citizens who are duly registered.

In addition, the City Government has provided a separate medical and rehabilitation clinic for the senior citizens for their medical needs.

Reaping the benefits

Emiliana Olmeda, a 67-year old senior citizen from Barangay Basag is enjoying the benefits of the government’s programs and services for senior citizens. On 18 November 2015, Olmeda claimed her husband’s pension. Her 73-year old husband was not able to claim his pension personally as he just suffered from stroke. Despite having this challenge, Olmeda is happy to reap the benefits of being a registered Senior Citizen.

For 25 years, Olmeda served as Barangay Captain of Basag and now serving as the President of Senior Citizens in her barangay. She is an active member of the Senior Citizens Federation and attends to all activities of the City Government for the senior citizens. Participating in different activities and programs keep her busy and active with her lifestyle. It makes her feel needed by the community.

Added benefits in 2016

In 2016, senior citizens can look forward to better services and added benefits as the City Government will allocate an annual budget of Php 11,700,000 for the senior citizens.

Office of  the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) Chairman Vicente P. Aldea announces new benefits that senior citizens will receive in 2016.

According to OSCA Chairman Aldea, the minimum mileage age will be adjusted to 75 and cash gift has increased by Php 250, which results to the following cash gift amounts:

• 75 years old – Php 500 
• 80 years old – Php 750 
• 85 years old – Php 1,250
• 90 years old – Php 1,750
• 95 years old – Php 3,000 
• 100 years old – Php 20,000 (Plus yearly bonus of Php 10,000) 

Furthermore, the City Government will allot Php 50,000 in 2016 for senior citizens who will be celebrating their golden wedding anniversary. The allocated fund shall be divided to the celebrating couples. Lala Penafiel | albay3d.blogspot.com