|
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Micame: Let’s cash in on seaweeds
By Rel P. Micame
REACTION. This corner got a text message from Ronda, Cebu Councilor Rolly dela Cruz the other day, expressing his disgust over the actuations of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Cebu.
In his text message, Dela Cruz bewailed CHR’s unfair exercise of their duties and responsibilities. “Whenever a civilian is shot and killed, they shout to the high heavens, condemning the killing and human rights violations. But when a military man or policeman is killed, the CHR human rights advocates are nowhere to be found,” he said.
CASH CROPS. With the plan of a carrageenan specialist based in Mandaue City to supply pharmaceutical firms in Europe, United States, Australia and India with hard and soft gel capsules made of processed seaweed or carrageenan, the future of the seaweeds industry looks bright.
According to the management of the carrageenan processing plant, the firm will need 70 tons of dried guso, the Eucheuma cottoni seaweed variety, per day.
With this requirement, family members living in nearby islands surrounding Cebu, like Olango, Camotes, Cordova, Bohol and Leyte, should cash in on the booming seaweeds industry. Family members should consider growing guso as a cottage industry. The older ones can plant and grow guso while the younger ones can take charge of the drying process.
MEDICINE CAPSULES. Medicine capsules are usually made of gelatin (from animal bones). But due to the growing concerns in Europe about the mad cow disease, the processing plants here looked for an alternative. “So, we have come up with our own formulation of a capsule made of carrageenan,” the management said.
Though a little bit more expensive than gelatin, capsules made of carrageenan function well and contain no health hazard.
So, let’s cash in on the guso or seaweeds boom.
CONSERVE. The government should come up with a program to protect and conserve the carabaos and cows, not only as the farmers’ work animals but also as sources of milk.
According to the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the country imports 95 percent of our milk requirement. What is so lamentable is that the use of tractors in the farms has displaced carabaos and cows.
With this sad news, the Department of Agriculture should encourage the breeding of cows and carabaos by importing them and distributing the female breeders to the farmers, on rotation basis.
BAN SLAUGHTER. The government should also ban the slaughter of carabaos, except those that are already unfit for work and those bitten by snakes.
I remember an incident in our barangay a couple of years ago when a farmer had to seek a certification from the barangay captain so he could slaughter his carabao, which could no longer walk after it was bitten by a snake. The farmer needed the barangay certificate so he would not be penalized.
CITY COLLEGE. With the increasing cost of transportation fares, the establishment of a college in Mandaue City is a welcome news to parents and students. An ordinance for the establishment of the school has been approved on first reading by the City Council. It’s admirable that City Mayor Thadeo Ouano has scheduled a public hearing to consult the parents and students on where to build the college.
The City can’t find any other suitable site for the project except the reclamation area. By using the reclamation lot on which an unfinished building now stands, the City won’t have to spend for lot acquisition. The City acquired the building from its former lessee, a Quezon City-based businessman, who could not pay the rent. The building can be remodeled and converted into classrooms.
Since the college will be operated by the City Government, school fees will be cheaper, compared to private schools. Teddy should share the school with his neighbors in northern Metro Cebu, like Consolacion, Liloan and Compostela.
SCRIPTURE READING. Suggested reading of the Holy Bible for today is found in the Gospel according to St. Luke 4:38-44 “Cures and exorcism,” and for Sept. 1-St. Luke 5:1-11 “Jesus calls the first disciples.”
E-mail: relmicame@yahoo.com tel. (6332) 423-9956.
(August 31, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
