PhilRice Bicol to start “kurakding” production at Batang, Ligao City

Rice straws (right) serve as substrate for growing

kurakding (left)

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Bicol station will begin its mushroom production this September as part of the implementation of the Intensified Rice-based Agri-Bio Systems (IRBAS) project. The IRBAS project is an improvement of the previously implemented project, the Palayamanan, and now being referred as the Palayamanan Plus. IRBAS was developed to increase the production of rice and other crops with high market value. The project also targets the P1M profit per hectare per year.

Mushroom production is one of the three components of the IRBAS project. PhilRice Bicol will pilot the first Kurakding culture at the station in Batang, Ligao City. To lower the cost of production and avoid wastage and burning of rice straws, the rice straws will be used as soil or the substrate where the mushrooms will grow.

Kurakding is most suitable to produce due to the environmental condition of Ligao that is favorable to its growth. Aside from this, Kurakding has high market value in the local area, according to Agricultural Engineer Melanie Ailen de Peralta, focal person of the IRBAS project at PhilRice Bicol.

Kurakding is usually cooked with coconut milk and vegetables and served with rice.

Kurakding is usually cooked with coconut milk and vegetables and is considered as one of the favorite local dishes in Ligao and in nearby towns. De Peralta sees the potential of mushroom production in Ligao as there is high demand of edible mushrooms in Metro Manila but very little supply. The success of the mushroom production will contribute to the ultimate goal of reaching the P1M target profit per hectare per year.

Written by Lala Peñafiel

References:
Intensified Rice-based Agri-Bio System Project Protocol. Philippine Rice Research Institute

Towards a convenient water supply: Albay 3rd District barangays receive Jetmatic Pumps

Residents of Barangay San Jose, Libon joined forces to install the new Jetmatic Pump. 

Photo by Councilor Mark Ian Cortes 

To address the need for a convenient water supply, Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez, in cooperation with local officials, is continuously distributing Jetmatic Pumps in the barangays within the 3rd District of Albay.

More than 53 barangays and schools were already granted with brand new Jetmatic Pumps which were used to either replace old and rusty water pumps or build a new water supply system. This will allow the residents to obtain water supply from a convenient and safer location without having to trek longer distances.

The Jetmatic Pumps were purchased using the personal funds of Congressman Gonzalez and were distributed with the help of municipal and barangay officials.

Written by Lala Peñafiel

3rd District of Albay to construct 13 school buildings

To address the shortage of classrooms in primary and secondary schools, new school buildings will be constructed in the 3rd District of Albay. In the first batch of the 2014 Infrastructure Program of Albay 3rd District Engineering Office, Department of Public Works and Highways, three (3) school buildings will be constructed at Ligao City, four (4) at Pioduran, and six (6) at Jovellar:

Ligao City:
Amtic Elementary School
Bonga Elementary School
Paulba National High School

Pioduran:
Basicao Interior Elementary School
Lagaan Elementary School
Mamlad Elementary School
Pioduran Elementary School

Jovellar:
Bagacay Elementary School
Lilibdon Elementary School
Mamlad Elementary School
San Vicente Elementary School
Tagas Elementary School
Jovellar National High School

Upcoming projects in Ligao City

To further improve pathways and provide the residents infrastructures and facilities for their convenience, four projects were recently bid and will soon be implemented in the identified locations in Ligao.

Water System at Brgy. Paulba
Solar Dryer at Bry. Tupas
Multipurpose Hall at Brgy. Bagumbayan
Road re-blocking at Paulba and Oma-oma road

Source:
Bids and Awards Committee, City Government of Ligao

Remembering the Fallen Sons and the economic struggles of Ligao

Every day, hundreds of people pass by this monument with names of heroes who fought for freedom. Every day, the Fallen Sons of Ligao monument stands still.

The guerrillas

Mr. Bienvenido Dayandante Sr., a war veteran, recalled how the Fallen Sons fought during the Japanese war. The Fallen Sons, according to him, were those who fought in Bataan, Corregidor, Camalig, and in Ligao. The government released a General Order requiring all men to join the war. This is why, according to him, the members of the guerrilla organizations were not all combatants; some were cooks, carpenters, etc.

REMEMBERING THE HEROES. The Fallen Sons of Ligao monument is located at Dunao, Ligao City. Photo by Sherwin Magayanes

Mr. Dayandante joined one of the guerrilla units when he was around 15-16 years old. He remembers walking barefoot from their camp site in Ligao to the battleground in Camalig. Among the leaders of the guerilla organizations were Capt. Salvador del Rosario, Capt. Ramon Aldea, and Lt. Silvestre Villaseñor, he mentioned.

Economic crisis

During the Japanese occupation, Ligao suffered from economic struggles, there was poverty. According to Mr. Dayandante, there had been a lack of rice supply and people only ate vegetables.

Elias Tibor, who was the chief executive during the time, thought of a marketing strategy to improve the economic status of Ligao.

…he convinced the Japanese that the other nearby towns were hotbed of guerrilla activities. To cut the lines of supply to the guerrillas, he told the Japanese, the farm products and other commodities bound for the market of Polangui coming from Guinobatan should be diverted to Ligao’s market (Gerona, 2010, p.164)

Despite the improvement in the commercial status of Ligao, the lack of transportation for farm products became one of the reasons that limited the economic growth of Ligao. This was addressed when railroads were completed and people had a way of transporting goods through trains.

Ligao went through several crises even after the war when freedom was won over. But despite the challenges, Ligao was able to finally stabilize its economic status. There is enough supply of goods.

Road to economic growth

The Ligao Poblacion where most of the government offices and commercial buildings are located is now made accessible to the residents in the rural and coastal areas due to the roads, bridges, and pathways that were built and improved. People can now enjoy buying goods in the City market without wasting too much time on the road.

FARM-TO-MARKET ROADS: Farm products can now be easily transported to the market through improved pathways, roads, and hanging bridges. 

Likewise, farm-to-market roads opened the opportunity for farmers and families to sell their farm products to a bigger market.

The Fallen Sons of Ligao monument is not only a reminder of the heroism in the early days of being under the tyrannous hands of colonizers but also a reminiscent of how Ligao struggled to survive the challenges, the poverty, and the painful treatment. It is a reminder that Ligaoenos should be proud to have leaders and heroes that fought to free their people and empower them to improve their lives.

References:

Gerona, D. (2010). LIGAO Abaca and the Saga of Prosperity. City Government of Ligao.

Visit Ligao: Foods and places to love in the city

Filipinos love to eat. Eating three times a day is not even enough for an average Filipino. In every part of the country, there is a favorite dish to love. Ligao City is no different. From street foods to casual dining, Ligao City offers a variety of must-try delicacies and dishes.

Diners are welcomed with a refreshing ambiance at La Terraza.

(c) La Terraza Restaurant 

[https://www.facebook.com/laterraza.ligao/]

One of the best dining places to visit in Ligao is the La Terraza Restaurant at Carmel Heights, Kawakawa, Tuburan. La Terraza or “The Terrace” in English offers a refreshing dining experience as the restaurant is located at the famous hill without a hilltop. Diners can enjoy the fresh air and appreciate the beauty of Mt. Mayon as viewed from their dining place.

Labeled as the “Home of Authentic Bicolano Cuisines”, La Terraza serves a variety of must-try American, European, Asian and local cuisines.

Among their specialties include the Sisig Pancit Guisado, Baby Back Ribs, Sinigang na Lapu-lapu sa Buko, Bicol express, Adobadong Manok, and Pinangat na Laing among others. This restaurant also offers healthy variations of the Bicol express like the Crispy Bicol express, Sweet and Spicy Bicol express, and the Healthy Bicol express.

DIFFERENT TASTES OF BICOL EXPRESS. La Terraza serves Bicol express in different styles: (left to right) Sweet and spicy Bicol express, healthy Bicol express, and crispy Bicol express. (c) of La Terraza Restaurant  

[https://www.facebook.com/laterraza.ligao/]

For more information, check out the La Terraza Restaurant Facebook page at facebook.com/laterraza.ligao

Also located at Tuburan, before the Kawakawa Hill is the Kainan sa Gulod. Despite being a new establishment, the restaurant is always occupied with customers from around the area and trekkers from the Kawakawa Hill. Their Goto is a great treat for tired trekkers while enjoying the sunrise and cold morning.

Kainan sa Gulod also offers a refreshing ambiance and serves Bicol cuisines for locals, visitors, and trekkers. (c)albay3d.blogspot.com

Among their best sellers are Sweet and Sour Lapu-lapu, Beef broccoli, and Chili Chicken. They also serve refreshments like Mango and Buko shakes. The Tinutungang Chicken is one of the special dishes they serve in the restaurant.

Another restaurant, located at Dunao is the Kuyang’s RestoBar which also serves a variety of Bicol cuisines such as the Spicy Pancit, Bicol express, and their special lumpiang shanghai.

Tourists and visitors can also dine at fast food restaurants like the Jollibee and Benzon at Ligao Poblacion.

Along the national highway at Paulog, a chain of food stands sell freshly-cooked miriendas such as the Sinapot/Maruya(fried banana with flour), Pilipit (twisted sugar-coated fried dough with macapuno; local term: Piniripit), Kalingking (fried sweet potato with flour), and the famous Puto Macapuno (Rice cake with Macapuno filling).

Must-try refreshment and mirienda at Ligao: Berman's Halo-halo and Puto macapuno. Photo courtesy of Byahero and Lakat-Travel

Even during the rainy season, locals love refreshments such as ice cream and Halo-halo. Aside from sidewalk vendors and households selling these refreshments, the Berman’s Ice Cream Hauz serves specially prepared Halo-halo with their famous ice cream. The food house is located at Guilid, Ligao City.

Providing a safe environment and upholding the natural beauty

Known to be one of the cleanest towns in the province of Albay, Ligao has managed to sustain its title since the Marcos regime until it became a city.

Armed with disciplined citizens and leaders with political will to sustain a nature-friendly environment, Ligao has been aggressive in supporting national efforts in providing people a safe environment. Ligao also established facilities and implemented activities in compliance to the national policies.

Materials Recovery Facility

The Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) was constructed at Barangay Bonga to facilitate the segregation of solid waste materials collected from a cluster of barangays. The MRF was also built in compliance to Republic Act 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

[Read: Materials Recovery Facility operates at Bonga, Ligao City]

Class “AA” Slaughterhouse

The Class “AA” slaughterhouse was built at Barangay Tinago to provide the city a “clean, sanitary conveyance, and handling of animals and livestock within the operations.”¹ The project is also an effort to preserve a clean environment by using a renewable source of energy with the Mini Hydroelectric Power Plant which provides the power supply to the facility.

[Read: Ligao City inaugurates hydroelectric powered Class "AA" slaughterhouse]

The geographical location of Ligao Poblacion makes it vulnerable to flooding as five rivers surround its urban core. Aside from constructing irrigation and flood control systems, the local government also improved the drainage systems especially in the market site, a flood prone area. Additionally, Ligao adapted the use of reusable and paper bags, and other paper-based materials to minimize the accumulation of plastic and non-biodegradable wastes that may clog drainage systems, thereby causing flood.

To preserve environmental resources and uphold its natural beauty, Ligao City also maintains the richness of its land by planting more trees.

Mangrove and Sunflower plantation

The mangrove plantation at Barangay Cabarian serves as natural barriers against extreme weather events in the coastal areas. 

With the recent launching of Sunflower festival, Ligao City is now rich with Sunflower fields in the slope of Kawakawa Hill, at California Village, Tuburan, and the plantation along the highway at Dunao. The barangays also planted an array of sunflowers in the sidewalks while residents built their own Sunflower backyard garden.

Photo by Shai Cabredo

Kawakawa Natural Park

Developed and managed by Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez, the Kawakawa Hill is where all sorts of natural beauty emerge. The sculpted life-size Stations of the Cross along the path, the refreshing fields of Mahogany and Mango trees, fruit-bearing trees, and flowering plants, and the singing birds are only among the things that welcomes every trekker. The top of the hill is a beautiful spot to appreciate and witness the beauty of the cityscape, landscapes, and the Mayon Volcano.

[Read: Kawakawa Natural Park in the Lenten Season and the Sunflowers]

These projects, destinations, and activities make Ligao a haven of fresh air and natural beauty. When Ligao became a city, it was named as the Clean and Green City. Through the efforts of Ligaoeños and leaders, Ligao continues to project its beauty and environment-friendly surroundings.

Written by Lala Peñafiel



References:

GERONA, D. (2010). LIGAO Abaca and the Saga of Prosperity. City Government of Ligao.

¹ OFFICE OF THE CITY MAYOR (2012). Ligao City Slaughterhouse Enhancement Project Proposal. City Government of Ligao

Standing still

The Jaucian's ancestral house at Calzada, Ligao City after Typhoon Glenda, 2014.

Despite the numerous calamities that hit Ligao City, the ancestral house at Calzada Ligao City remains standing, projecting a reminiscence of the early colonizers’ influence in Ligao.

This ancestral house owned by the Jaucians existed since the 19th century and was built in Spanish style. The remarkable strength of the house has been tested for over 300 years now and has witnessed the historical journey of Ligao City from the time the Spaniards ruled the country.

Old photo of the ancestral house documented in "LIGAO Abaca and the Sagao of Prosperity" by Gerona.

Other Spanish-styled ancestral house known to exist until now are located near the market site of Ligao City.




References:

GERONA, Danilo Madrid (2010). LIGAO Abaca and the Saga of Prosperity. Bikol Historical Research Center.