Friday, August 15, 2008 Mix camote with rice: Cebu guv
"MIX camote with rice," is Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia's advice to the people of Western and Eastern Visayas during the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Board Regional Development Committee (RDCom) for the Visayas.
The meeting was held in Iloilo Business Hotel in Iloilo City on August 13, 2008.
The RDCom is composed of the chairperson, co-chairperson and vice-chairperson of RDCs in Western, Central and Eastern Visayas with Governor Garcia as the RDCom chairperson. The RDCom is a committee under the Neda Board.
Governor Garcia shared what they did in Central Visayas to cope with the food and energy price crisis that besets our country.
The RDCom meeting tackles, among others, the issue on Food and Energy Security, with the three regions sharing their experiences and strategies.
Ms. Ro-Ann Bacal, Neda OIC-Regional Director for Western Visayas, reported during the meeting that a sub-committee on Communication and Advocacy was formed under the Regional Development Council Western Visayas.
It is chaired by Lawyer Janet Mesa of the Philippine Information Agency.
The sub-committee is tasked to disseminate information on Food and Security in the region.
"A speaker's bureau was formed and they will undergo training on September 10-11, 2008 to equip themselves with in-depth knowledge on Food and Energy Security to disseminate the information at all levels in Western Visayas," Bacal said.
Governor Garcia informed the body that they requested NFA to register all local government units as NFA outlets for cheap rice in Central Visayas.
She pushed for the Saksak Program which made use of the Sinanduloy approach of mixing camote with rice.
In effect, it does not only increase the volume of rice but also adds to its nutritive value.
She then encourages the municipalities to embark on camote planting.
"The strategy will surely bring down the price of rice," stressed Garcia.
Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento of Calbayog City, RDC Chairperson for Eastern Visayas, revealed that irrigation cannot sustain rice production in the region due to the water crisis in the province of Samar.
He said Samar is only eight percent irrigated.
"If we irrigate 95 percent of Samar, production will reach 1.5 million metric tons and can meet the demand of the people of Easten Visayas," Sarmiento stressed.
"Let us not allow ourselves to be controlled by the problem but take hold of the problem and do something about it," stressed Garcia.
RDC Chair for Western Visayas and Governor of Antique Salvacion Perez would like to adapt the strategy of "sinanduloy" in her province.
Other members who were present were Mr. Wilfredo Homicillada (RDC 6 Co-Chairperson), Ms. Msarlene Rodriguez (Neda 7 Regional Director) and Mr. Efren Carreon (Assistant Regional Director, Neda 7).
Also present during the meeting were Ms. Emma Sanopo (Neda 8 Assistant Regional Diretor), Lawyer Raul Anlocotan (Neda 6 OIC- Assistant Regional Director) and Ms. Lyn Gamboa (Vice Chair of Culture and Arts Task Force). (Press release)
