Ligao City grabs four DOH Salud Bikolnon Awards

Photo credit: Jurlan Buello/ 
Mayor Patty Gonzalez-Alsua

Ligao City took the limelight again as it bagged awards during the DOH Salud Bikolnon Awarding Ceremony on 12 December 2014 at Legazpi City. The Department of Health recognized Ligao City with the following awards:

• Best Implementer of Newborn Screening Program
• Best Implementer of TB Control Program
• Orally Fit Day Care Center Award - Ligao City
• Orally Fit Day Care Center - Oma-Oma Day Care Center

The local government, headed by Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua, is allocating funds for the improvement of facilities to provide citizens with quality services.

In the previous month, Ligao City was also awarded as an Outstanding LGU during the Philippine National Corn Congress for implementing corn-related programs and producing Aflatoxin-free corn. 

Meanwhile, two schools in Ligao have recently won awards. The Ligao National High School Voice Chorale won as Champion during the National Music Competition for Young Artists while Bicol Regional Science High School Dance Theater topped in the regional competition,Gayon Bicol Pastores, 

Read more about Ligao's health and agricultural services:

Seeds of Development: Ligao renders commendable agricultural services

Beyond borders: Ligao City offers free health services

Ligao City bags national award for agriculture, leads Albay for producing toxin-free corn

During the 10th Philippine National Corn Congress at Cagayan de Oro on 20 November 2014, Ligao City was among the 25 municipalities and cities in the country to receive the Oustanding LGU award for its notable efforts in producing toxin-free corn and exceptional performance in implementing corn-related programs.



Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua (fourth from left) received the award for Ligao as an Outstanding LGU during the 10th Philippine National Corn Congress at Cagayan de Oro on 20 November 2014. Photo via bicol.da.gov.ph

The best corn in Albay

In 2012, the City Agriculture Office of Ligao submitted samples of corn harvested in Bonga and Tuburan to test for presence of Aflatoxin, a poisonous substance that causes liver cancer to humans. Results showed that corn samples contained 0.0 to 0.09 ppb* of Aflatoxin indicating that no poisonous substance were found. Among the municipalities and cities in Albay, Ligao is the only city that produces Aflatoxin-free corn.

The secret to this success lies in the proper management of crops and careful handling during postharvest operations, marketing, and storage. Agricultural Technologist Michele Odoño of the City Agriculture Office (CAO) explained that Aflatoxin is like a dormant microorganism in crops that easily grows under favorable environment. The best way to keep these toxins from getting “activated” is through proper handling of crops and equipment.


Ligao City was recognized for producing Aflatoxin-free corn. Photo courtesy of Ligao City Agriculture Office.

Corn production in Ligao is guided by the 2007 Philippine National Standard (PNS) Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Aflatoxin Contamination in Corn released by the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Services. It details good farm practices during harvest, pre-harvest, and post harvest period. One of the important post harvest practices according to Agricultural Technologist Rebecca Manlangit is storing crops with proper ventilation to maintain enough supply of air and moisture in storage facilities and equipment.

Reaping benefits

One of primary benefits of maintaining toxin-free crops is the stable and/or increased production. Over the last three years, corn production has increased despite the drastic effects of climate change. In 2011, a total of 2,924.385 metric tons of corn was produced. Production increased to 5,389.35 metric tons in 2012 and 6,496.373 metric tons in 2013. The harvested corns are marketed in Ligao. However, merchants from other towns like Batangas visit Ligao to buy crops from local farmers. 

Corn production in Ligao is established in two cropping season each year, during dry season (January-June) and wet season (July-December). The production is concentrated in a cluster of barangays categorized into upper and lower cluster. Barangays Paulog, Tuburan, Bonga, Pinamaniquian, Pandan, Tastas and small areas from nearby barangays constitute the lower cluster. The upper cluster consists of Busac, Malama, Allang, Tula-Tula, and Palapas with some areas from neighboring barangays. In 2013, a total of 2,810 hectares of land were planted with corn in the upper and lower cluster.

The LGU funds farming machinery like tractors (left) and Village-type Corn Cob dryer (right) to facilitate farming operations. Photo courtesy of Ligao City Agriculture Office.

Prioritizing farmers' needs

The LGU is allocating funds for the procurement of agricultural machineries and equipment to facilitate farming operations in Ligao. In 2011 to 2013, more than 160 farmers and three farmers’ organizations benefited from the LGU-owned tractor. During the same period, a total of 6,265 bags of corn were dried and shelled using the Village-type Corn Cob Dryer in Barangay Bonga. All areas where crop production is a major activity are also equipped with solar dryers.

Ligao Ciy implements loan assistance programs to help farmers establish their source of livelihood in farming. Photo courtesy of Ligao City Agriculture Office.

The LGU also released a total amount of P 2,415,000 as loan assistance to farmers in 2011 to 2013 through the LPG-SEED Planting Assistance Loan Program.

Crop production has been a top priority in Ligao since the time of Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez as Mayor of Ligao. The legacy of good governance remained as former City Mayor Linda P. Gonzalez and current City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua continued the development and implementation of agricultural programs.

These notable efforts are driven by the strong partnership of the local government, agricultural agencies, farmers, and individuals who continuously participate in the improvement and development of agricultural programs. Aside from the local agriculture office, the Philippine Rice Research Institute Bicol station based in Ligao is another institution that brings opportunities for local farmers to be the prime movers of success in the agricultural industry.- Lala Peñafiel
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*maximum allowable amount of Aflatoxin is 20 ppb

References:

Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards. 2007. Philippine National Standard. Code of Practice for the Prevention of Aflatoxin Contamination in Corn

Aflatoxin Prevention and Control and Postharvest Strategies on Corn (Compilation of Presentations) Local Government Unit – Ligao City.

City Agriculture Office. LGU-Ligao Updated List of Corn-Related Projects Initiated. Ligao City

City Agriculture Office. CY -2013 Updated Corn Profile. 

City Agriculture Office. Comparative Summary of Corn Cluster Production Status from CY 2011-2013. 

Resource persons:

Michele O. Odoño, Agricultural Technologist, City Agriculture Office, Ligao City

Rebecca Z. Manlangit, Agricultural Technologist, City Agriculture Office, Ligao City

Ligao LGU, Agriculture experts to receive National Quality Corn Achievers Awards

In recognition of its exceptional contribution to the corn industry, the Local Government Unit of Ligao, with its City Agriculturist and Agricultural Technologists, will be receiving the 2014 National Quality Corn Achievers Awards on the upcoming 10th Philippine National Corn Congress this 20 November 2014 at Cagayan de Oro.

Ligao City, along with other four city/municipalities in Bicol, will be receiving the Outstanding City award. City Agriculturist, Cesar D. Sodsod will be receiving the Outstanding City Agriculturist award while Agricultural Technologists Amelita O. Palacio, Dely B. Nocos, Elsa N. Bonagua, and Magdalena P. Pobocan will be receiving the Outstanding Agricultural Extension Worker award.

YET ANOTHER AWARD: Ligao City Agriculturist Cesar P. Sodsod will be receiving yet another award as an Outstanding Agriculturist on the upcoming 2014 National Quality Corn Achievers Awards ceremony.

Ligao’s very own Aflatoxin-free corn is one of the breakthroughs that brought Ligao and Agricultural experts into the limelight. Aflatoxin-free corn, according Mr. Sodsod, is a unique product of Ligao that cannot be found in other areas in Bicol. Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring toxin produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus. Aflatoxin-contaminated corns can affect production and sales, and can poison warm-blooded animals like cattle and swine (Sumner, 2012).

TOXIN-FREE: Ligao City Agricultural Services team was able to develop an Aflatoxin-free corn, recognized as one of the great contributions to the corn industry. Photo courtesy of City Agricultural Services Office

In addition, Ligao, through its City Agricultural Services Office, has extensive and robust agricultural and livelihood programs for farmers, communities, and groups. The City Government, headed by Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua in partnership with Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez, is also being recognized for its efforts in developing agricultural machineries, equipment, and infrastructures for the use of farmers and communities.

During the 2013 National Corn Congress at Tagaytay City, the same awards were given to Mr. Sodsod, Agricultural Technologists Bonagua and Pobocan, and the City Government. The Department of Agriculture also conducts the Regional Awarding of Agricultural Achievers in recognition of their performances. This year, the regional awarding will be held at Naga City on 20 October 2014.

OUTSTANDING LGU: The Local Government Unit of Ligao was recognized as one of the Outstanding Cities during the 2013 National Quality Corn Awards Ceremony. Photo courtesy of City Agricultural Services Office

The National Corn Congress is an annual event that recognizes LGUs and agricultural experts of their outstanding performances and contribution to the corn industry. The event is organized by the Philippine Maize Federation, Inc. in partnership with the Department of Agriculture.

Written by Lala Peñafiel

References:

Sumner, P. (2012). Reducing Aflatoxin in Corn During Harvesting and Storage. Retrieved at http://extension.uga.edu/publications/files/pdf/B%201231_3.PDF on 13 October 2014.

Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office No. 5. Special Order No. 90 Series of 2014. September 22, 2014.

Resource persons:

Cesar P. Sodsod, City Agriculturist, City Agricultural Services Office, Ligao City

Michelle O. Odoño, Agricultural Technologist, City Agricultural Services Office, Ligao City