Ligao City recognized as LGU Eco Champion during the 1st Philippine Environment Summit

The City Government of Ligao is one of the three (3) cities in the country to be recognized as LGU Eco Champion by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) during the 1st Philippine Environment Summit on February 9-11, 2016 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez Alsua (2nd from right) and City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Maria Soledad T. Preña (3rd from right) received the award during the 1st Philippine Environment Summit

Organized by the Green Convergence, the Philippine Environment Summit aims to discuss environmental problems and issues and feature innovations that promote sustainable development.

As part of the three-day conference, the summit awards LGUs for their “outstanding contributions and excellence in adoption and practice of sustainability as called for in Philippine Agenda 21[1]” through the National Search for LGU Eco Champions.

LGU Eco Champions are identified through a national survey of LGUs compliance to various Philippine Environmental Rules and Regulations such as:

• R.A. #8749 (Clean Air Act 1999) 
• R.A. #9275 (Clean Water Act) 
• R.A. #9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management) 
• R.A. #9729 (Climate Change Act) and E.O. #774 (Reorganizing the Presidential Task Force on CC) 
• R.A. #10121 (Strengthening DRRM) 
• PD #1151/1586 AO #42 EIA/EIS 
• R.A. #7160 Local Government Code 
• R.A. #6969 Hazardous Wastes 
• E.O #23 Moratorium on Timber Cutting 
• E.O. #26 National Greening Program 
• PD # 953 Tree Planting Program 
• R.A. #10068 Organic Agriculture Environmental Governance 

Ligao City was also recognized for implementing environmental programs[1] which are beyond compliance with the existing laws such as:

Organized Illegal Fishing and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Protection Task Force composed of the City Government headed by Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Office of Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez/3rd District of Albay, the DENR, the Philippine Army, the PNP, and the municipality of Pioduran;

Establishment of a 135-hectare Fish Sanctuary and Marine Reserve (FSMR) under City Ordinance No. 2008-009 which successfully regenerated coral reef and enhanced marine biodiversity for increased fishery resources; and

Establishment of Conservation Farming Villages designed to implement farming practices in the upland to sustain livelihood, agricultural productivity, and healthier ecosystem.

To complete the list, the following LGUs are the finalists of the National Search for LGU Eco Champion under each category:

City Ligao City, Albay San Carlos City, Negros Occidental San Fernando City, La Union	Province Albay Aurora Negros Occidental
Municipalities Bacolod, Lanao del Norte Lucban, Quezon Province San Mateo, Isabela	NCR Makati City Parañaque City Pasig City Quezon City Valenzuela City

[1] 1st Philippine Environment Summit Souvenir Program

Written by Lala Peñafiel / albay3d.blogspot.com

Ligao City hails 442 graduates of Sustainable Livelihood Program

The graduates of the Sustainable Livelihood Program consist of 442 beneficiaries from different barangays of Ligao City.

The City Government of Ligao in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development conducted a Graduation Ceremony for the 442 beneficiaries of the Sustainable Livelihood Program on 9 February 2016 at JMR Building, Tuburan, Ligao City.

The beneficiaries from different barangays underwent livelihood trainings and received starter kits as part of their completion. Sixty-two of them completed and passed the assessment on Dressmaking NC II, 54 underwent training on Meat Processing, 14 attended training on How to Start a Business cum Rice retailing, 113 underwent training on Hog Raising, 178 on Vermicomposting, and 21 on Commercial Management cum Broiler Chicken Production.

Trainees of these livelihood programs are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez believes that it is best to institutionalize the program for a sustainable assistance to the poor families and help them improve their living condition. This will guarantee a permanent budget allocation from the national government to continuously implement the 4Ps and help improve the economic status of poor communities.

Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez (left) and DSWD Assistant Regional Director Arwin Razo (right) were present during the graduation ceremony for the SLP beneficiaries.

DSWD Region V Assistant Regional Director Arwin Razo believes that the livelihood programs will create a positive impact to the beneficiaries as this will help them secure employment or build their own business.

Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua (3rd from right) with DSWD ARD Arwin Razo, City Councilors Helen Abalos and Ana Manlangit congratulate the graduates of SLP.

The City Government headed by Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua is building stronger partnership with other government agencies to implement capacity building activities to help improve the living conditions of poor families.

38 women receive starter kits for completing Cookery and Meat Processing training

Thirty eight (38) women graduated from Cookery and Meat Processing training on 4 February 2016 at JMR Building, Tuburan, Ligao City

On 4 February 2016, 38 women were recognized for completing the Cookery and Meat Processing training at the Jesse M. Robredo Building, Tuburan, Ligao City. The training is another partnership program of the City Government of Ligao, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Department of the Interior and Local Government under the Bottom Up Budgeting program.

As part of their completion, the trainees received starter kits which include a steamer, a refrigerator, kitchen scale, measuring cups, and food trays. This is to provide the trainees materials they can use to begin or improve their livelihood. 

As part of their training completion, the graduates receive a starter kit which includes a steamer, a refrigerator, kitchen scale, measuring cups, and food trays.

One of the graduates of the program, Marilyn Buenaventura of Barangay Binatagan, was teary-eyed as she expressed her words of gratitude for being part of the first batch of Cookery and Meat Processing training. Buenaventura has been planning to have her own business but due to lack of income, she can barely make the ends meet. Having received the starter kit, Buenaventura can finally make her dream come true and start her own business.

Tears of joy: Marilyn Buenaventura was teary-eyed as she expressed her words of gratitude for benefiting from the program.

Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua encouraged the women to make use of their skills as this will empower them to be more productive and earn their own income while staying at home. She also advised the women on how to market their products from making taste-tests to selling outside their community. 

Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua encouraged the women to use their skills and knowledge to improve their livelihood.

Bebilita Manlapas, a 52-year old Barangay Health Worker (BHW) at Pinit, is also thankful that she is among the beneficiaries of the program. Aside from being a mother and a BHW, she makes polvoron and sells them to schools and small stores for a living. Manlapas believes that, as a mother, she also has the responsibility of providing for her children despite having a husband who assumes the responsibility.

Bebilita Manlapas of Pinit, Ligao City found the opportunity to expand her business from selling polvoron to making longganisa and embutido using the starter kit she received.

Now that she has gained knowledge and skills in meat processing and received her own kitchen tools, Manlapas said she can now expand her business by selling longganisa and embutido.

The BUB program caters to the needs of different sectors for capacity building and livelihood improvement. In 2015, trainings on organic farming, dressmaking, and cosmetology were already conducted under this program. According to Mayor Gonzalez-Alsua, the City Government is preparing programs for 2016 under the BUB to address the needs of those in the marginalized sector build a sustainable source of livelihood. Lala Peñafiel/albay3d.blogspot.com

A detour to a more convenient and safer path

Pathways and bridges provide great convenience to residents as it makes transportation and daily routines more efficient. Residents can save time, effort, and money when taking shorter routes.

In Barangay Bongoran, Oas, the residents used to ride vehicles or walk through longer routes to get to the Poblacion market of Oas and roads going to Polangui and Ligao. As this route usually take about 15 to 30 minutes of travel time and Php 15 transportation fare, residents chose to take the other route – that is by crossing the river through a wooden raft. Travel time is reduced to five minutes and fare is only two pesos for each round trip. However, crossing the river is risky especially during rainy days when the water level rises. Residents have to compromise their safety and convenience to save time.

Due to this inconvenience and danger brought to the residents, Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez, with the local government, made efforts to address this concern.

On November 2015, a 60-meter hanging bridge was constructed connecting Barangay Bongoran to Poblacion area of Oas. Many residents proved that this structure is indeed a great convenience to them.

One of them is Justin Peranca, a Grade 8 student at Oas Polytechnic School who used to cross the river by riding the wooden raft whenever she goes to school. However, the wooden raft is only available until 5 pm. At night and during rainy days when the route is not safe to take, residents including college students who attend night classes have to chose longer routes. Like Peranca, many students are experiencing the great convenience brought by the establishment of the hanging bridge as this enables them to save time and money going to and coming home from school.

Justin Peranca is a Grade 8 student from Oas Polytechnic School 

According to Bongoran Barangay Captain Rodel Realco, the construction of the bridge is also beneficial to his vendor-constituents. Many of his constituents sell Sampaguita flowers for a living. As early as three in the morning, Sampaguita vendors are already out in the streets to begin their day. Since they start before daylight, crossing the river is not safe, hence they have to take the longer route to reach Poblacion area. The hanging bridge now provides them a convenient and safer path. 

Bongoran Barangay Captain Rodel Realco sees the great benefit of the hanging bridge to his constituents

Consuelo Peralta, a 63-year old resident of Bongoran, is a Sampaguita vendor and a frequent passerby at the bridge. Before the bridge was constructed, she pays Php 10 for a ride going to Poblacion area via the longer route. With the newly-constructed hanging bridge, Peralta no longer needs to spend transportation fare to reach her destination.

Consuelo Peralta, a 63-year old Sampaguita vendor is a frequent passerby at the bridge.

Aside from Peralta and Peranca, Barangay Kagawad Edna Rillo also frequently passes through the bridge. Kgwd. Rillo used to walk around from her house to Poblacion area which usually takes her 30 minutes to reach the destination. Now she's experiencing convenience in taking a shorter and safer route at the hanging bridge.

Barangay Kagawad Edna Rillo said that they are making efforts to keep the bridge in good condition.

Due to the great convenience the structure provides, the barangay officials and residents are also making an effort to maintain the bridge. They limit the passage of motorcycle with heavy loads and prioritize the use of structure as footbridge. They also value the safety of the residents especially the students, hence, keeping the bridge in good condition is one of their primary concern in area.

Aside from the construction of the hanging bridge, the flood dikes are continuously improved to mitigate flooding and protect livelihoods and properties of the residents.

Congressman Gonzalez coordinates with the Department of Public Works and Highways to achieve the desired structures with robust materials that would benefit communities for a longer period. Lala Peñafiel / albay3d.blogspot.com

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