I’ve written this a long time ago but ‘twas shelved in my rickety table on a dim-lit corner of the olden house for obvious reasons:
“Here we are – at the crossroads. Hovering above is the crosswinds. After a long and arduous journey over rough and rugged roads, at times looking for glorious events and fascinating laurels to prop up the mortal ego, we’ve reached this far. But not far enough for varied reasons. The travel has for some time stop in the nick of time. Not because of fatigue factor nor compass distraction. Not because of conflicting policies nor unending vertigo of directives. Neither was it due to limited incentives or the lack of it…
“It is so because the burden on the heart and mind has become too heavy to bear, too pungent to swallow, too troublesome to handle. The Fearsome Threesome bit ya know. The dwindling zeal of belongingness, of participation, of camaraderie, sort of, had taken their toll. This, we now know, because of arrogant interventions and influences, torpedoed ideas, reverberating innuendoes, massacred opinions, insipid recitals of plans, and crumbling walls of beliefs and faith…
“The gospel of conservation, of sustainability and preservation of the natural land- scapes seem to land on deaf ears, dwell on insouciant attitude, sleep on over-bearing stance and evaporate from the cynical audience, from insensitive albeit demanding inhabitants.
“No matter what simple approach we want to employ just to stress a point, to manifest a consequence or to highlight a pattern, there is always a deliberate move to elude from the natural, to evade that which is realistic, to forego that which is basic and normal, and ethical.
“Which redound to unbearable reverberation of pain, bitterness, insolence, dismay, disbelief and yes, disgust.
“And so, after more than a decade, travel time has but to stop, for good, for posterity, for peace.
“And since here we are in this forlorn crossroads, we’ve got to look low in a bit of agony and emptiness; there is no more need to look back at the memorable (both positive or negative) events our feet have trodden upon. They just now serve as statistics on a once clear and spotless paper. Talk of history and you ‘re right. Talk of courage and you’re wrong. It is just plain destiny; nothing more, nothing less…”
This is one facet of nature’s preservation--for mankind. There are constraints along the way which may tend to degrade our faith but we should not lose hope as we perform our respective functions. For it is incumbent upon us to persevere--as employees, as citizens, as human beings, to hand-in-hand help in the sustainability of nature’s resources for the benefit of the whole and upcoming generation. Let old habits metamorphose into modern, realistic and attainable goals for Earth’s preservation and conservation.
Who cares about turning back? Beyond the crossroads I’m hoping against hope that there is no cul-de sac
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
DA, DAR, DENR to implement convergence initiative by racquel m. caldez
ILAGAN, Isabela – The agriculture, agrarian reform and natural resources will implement the National Convergence Initiative (NCI) to substantially contribute to the rural development sector outcomes of equitable access to abundant resources and increasing rural incomes. The three agencies are jointly responsible to ensuring that these outcomes are attained.
PENRO Isabela William C. Savella said that Convergence is a response to the fragmented delivery of agriculture and rural development services towards improved governance and maximize use of resources in support to one of the programs of the Aquino Administration.
Savella also encouraged stakeholders identified to support the implementation of the program as he said they are directly benefited.
Series of workshops was conducted in Isabela province with the Regional Technical Working Group to come up with Project Briefing Kit of the identified Local Convergence Agro-Enterprise Clusters (LCAEC) that will be launched on February 23 in Cauayan.
As stipulated in the joint Memorandum Circular on policy and implementation framework for the enhance national convergence initiative among DA, DAR and DENR, the convergence strategy shall focus interventions to the small , fisherfolks and marginalized upland dwellers especially those within the areas covered by the tenurial instruments of DENR and NCIP.
The administration of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III remains committed to ensure countryside development as the strategy for poverty reduction.
PENRO Isabela William C. Savella said that Convergence is a response to the fragmented delivery of agriculture and rural development services towards improved governance and maximize use of resources in support to one of the programs of the Aquino Administration.
Savella also encouraged stakeholders identified to support the implementation of the program as he said they are directly benefited.
Series of workshops was conducted in Isabela province with the Regional Technical Working Group to come up with Project Briefing Kit of the identified Local Convergence Agro-Enterprise Clusters (LCAEC) that will be launched on February 23 in Cauayan.
As stipulated in the joint Memorandum Circular on policy and implementation framework for the enhance national convergence initiative among DA, DAR and DENR, the convergence strategy shall focus interventions to the small , fisherfolks and marginalized upland dwellers especially those within the areas covered by the tenurial instruments of DENR and NCIP.
The administration of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III remains committed to ensure countryside development as the strategy for poverty reduction.
IEPTF MEETING by racquel m. caldez
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) William C. Savella answers environmental queries in a meeting with the Isabela Environmental Protection Task Force (IEPTF) chaired by Philippine National Police Provincial Director Jimmy Rivera held at the provincial Capitol in Ilagan.
DENR, DAR, DAR Convergence launched by racquel m. caldez
DENR Usec for Policy and Planning Demtrio l. Ignacio distributes land title to individuals during the Local Convergence launching witnessed by PENRO Isabela William C. Savella (left) Regional Executive Technical Director for Forestry Wilfredo Malvar and District II Representative Ana Cristina S. Go.
CAUAYAN, Isabela – The Convergence project of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) was launched here, February 23 aimed at delivering the right program to support the food self-sufficiency program of the country.
The Local Convergence Agro-Enterprise Clusters in Isabela is a joint project of the agriculture, agrarian reform and natural resources in support to one of the programs of the administration of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to ensure countryside development as one strategy for poverty reduction.
DENR Undersecretary (Usec) for Policy and Planning Demetrio L. Ignacio who represented Secretary Ramon Paje of the DENR said in his message during the launching that the three main institutional players in rural development have a shared resolution to adopt the convergence strategy for a more focused and unified interventions. He vouched support through forest and climate protection project to the cluster as he gave emphasis on the National Greening Program of the Department.
Under the Handog Titulo Progran, land titles were awarded to 11 individuals in the three municipalities of San Mariano, Naguilian and Benito Soliven. Likewise. seedlings/planting materials for the Coffee Industry Development Project in Isabela were turned over to the municipalities of Echague, San Guillermo, San Mariano, Cordon and Angadanan by DENR USec Ignacio and DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala.
During the launching, Department of Agriarian Reform Secrtetary Virgilio delos Reyes distributed Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) to 138 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) covering 429 hectares.
Governor Faustino G. Dy III expressed gratitude to the three department secretaries for choosing Isabela as one of the recipients of the convergence initiative that will surely benefit Isabelinos.
These contributions of the three rural development agencies are being formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding among DA Secretary Proceso Alcala, DAR Secretary delos Reyes and DENR Secretary Paje with Isabela Governor Dy III.
The convergence initiative is a multi-sectoral and integrated planning approach wherein the three rural development agencies will undertake joint planning, programming and budgeting.
The Coffee cluster in Isabela covers 23 barangays in five municipalities of Angadanan, Cordon, Echague, San Guillermo and San Mariano. This cluster will be concentrated on 2,100 farm households to develop 700 hectares.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
DENR, stakeholders to undertake greening program By racquel m. caldez
ILAGAN, Isabela - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 2 with partner stakeholders shall undertake the tree planting of 1.5 million seedlings in a total targeted area of 3,170 hectares starting this July to mitigate climate change, ensure water supply security, conserve biodiversity, establish agroforestry and alleviate poverty as part of the Greening Program of the Department dubbed as ‘Forests for People, Food Security, Poverty Alleviation and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.”
PENRO Isabela Forestry Specialist Arnold D. Frogoso explained during the Monday Convocation held at the DENR Office here, that forging of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) will be done continuously within the lifetime of the program specifically during the implementation phase of the social mobilization and project launching with volunteers/walk-in and interested adoptors.
“Planting activities will be undertaken regionwide within the identified areas for planting. The PENRO/CENROs with the stakeholders/adoptors shall conduct survey mapping of the specific sites identified during the pre-plating activities”, Frogoso further said.
Environment Head in Isabela William Savella likewise discussed the implementation scheme of the Greening Program.
He said that social mobilization strategies shall be adopted from the Regional, Provincial, Municipal and Community levels to ensure committed support participation of partners or adoptors in the different phases of the program.
The Region will coordinate with the 90 municipal mayors and 3 city mayors and other stakeholders in the implementation of the program.
In Isabela, PENRO and CENROs Cauayan, Palanan, Roxas, San Isidro, Cabagan and Naguilian will establish 990 hectares fruit orchard with a total seedling of 396,000 in watersheds, protected areas, urban and other open within access areas.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Editor-in-chief of Kalikasan updates
Mindo N. Aquino is a self-made protector of trees and natural landscapes brought about his childhood life in a rustic environs teemed with fruit trees as well as forest trees where birds of various breeds fed, lived and nested.
Later, as he studied B.S. Forestry at Isabela State University in Echague, Isabela - - his hometown, he self embarked on a mini-forest experimental plantation with indigenous and some exotic species as well as other fruit trees and medicinal plants.
These activities inspired his penchant to write ecoliterature in tri-lingual fashion. His writing skills were boosted when he took up Professional Writing in the International Correspondence Schools. As a result, he has co-authored six book anthologies in Iluko with his co-members in the GUMIL (Gunglo dagiti Mannurat nga Ilokano) Isabela, an umbrella organization of GUMIL Filipinas. He is also co-editor in 1998 of “Daton-Lagip iti Wayawaya,” another anthology commemorating the 100th year of Phil. Independence, during his incumbency as GUMIL Isabela president and Board of Director of GF.
MNA is a pioneer member and charter vice president and charter vice president in 2004 of Timpuyog dagiti Mannurat iti Iluko iti Filipinas (TMIF), another group of Iluko writers. As member, he is sometimes invited as lecturer in Iluko fiction writing in various seminars sponsored by TMIF. He has also won several writing contests (short stories and poems) in the vernacular focused on environmental and biodiversity preservation. Aside from these, he is a part-time columnist in the Valley Times and City Star – both newsweekly tabloids in Isabela.
Presently, he is editing KALIKASAN Updates where this book was conceptualized. He also edits, “Northeast Beacon,” publication of Freemasons in southern Isabela and Quirino province where he is a member and past master.
His novel, published in Bannawag---weekly Iluko magazine---in 2003 is now being translated into English for possible book publication upon the prodding of DILG Regional Director Baldovino Ab. Valdez, CESO III.
He considers as his writing mentors Juan S.P. Hidalgo Jr., former Bannawag Associate Editor and Clesencio B. Rambaud, the present Editor.
He is married to former Teodora T. Gomez of San Mariano, Isabela. Their nuptial is blessed with three children: Xerox Jeoffrey –married to Dr. Michelle Agatep with son Xervylle Dirnt, Avery Roxanne—a pharmacist married to Noriel Balisi with son Xymone Dwyane and daughter Savannah Clyde, and Starrjazz Excel, a registered nurse working in Riyadh, KSA.
MNA is presently the OIC, CENRO of the DENR in San isidro, Isabela. He has been working in the agency for more than 30 years being assigned in many places which all the more enriched his writing skills on ecoliterature. He finished his Masters degree in Public Management at ISU, Echague. A Career Service Executive eligible, he is now pursuing a doctorate degree in Public Administration at the same university.
Later, as he studied B.S. Forestry at Isabela State University in Echague, Isabela - - his hometown, he self embarked on a mini-forest experimental plantation with indigenous and some exotic species as well as other fruit trees and medicinal plants.
These activities inspired his penchant to write ecoliterature in tri-lingual fashion. His writing skills were boosted when he took up Professional Writing in the International Correspondence Schools. As a result, he has co-authored six book anthologies in Iluko with his co-members in the GUMIL (Gunglo dagiti Mannurat nga Ilokano) Isabela, an umbrella organization of GUMIL Filipinas. He is also co-editor in 1998 of “Daton-Lagip iti Wayawaya,” another anthology commemorating the 100th year of Phil. Independence, during his incumbency as GUMIL Isabela president and Board of Director of GF.
MNA is a pioneer member and charter vice president and charter vice president in 2004 of Timpuyog dagiti Mannurat iti Iluko iti Filipinas (TMIF), another group of Iluko writers. As member, he is sometimes invited as lecturer in Iluko fiction writing in various seminars sponsored by TMIF. He has also won several writing contests (short stories and poems) in the vernacular focused on environmental and biodiversity preservation. Aside from these, he is a part-time columnist in the Valley Times and City Star – both newsweekly tabloids in Isabela.
Presently, he is editing KALIKASAN Updates where this book was conceptualized. He also edits, “Northeast Beacon,” publication of Freemasons in southern Isabela and Quirino province where he is a member and past master.
His novel, published in Bannawag---weekly Iluko magazine---in 2003 is now being translated into English for possible book publication upon the prodding of DILG Regional Director Baldovino Ab. Valdez, CESO III.
He considers as his writing mentors Juan S.P. Hidalgo Jr., former Bannawag Associate Editor and Clesencio B. Rambaud, the present Editor.
He is married to former Teodora T. Gomez of San Mariano, Isabela. Their nuptial is blessed with three children: Xerox Jeoffrey –married to Dr. Michelle Agatep with son Xervylle Dirnt, Avery Roxanne—a pharmacist married to Noriel Balisi with son Xymone Dwyane and daughter Savannah Clyde, and Starrjazz Excel, a registered nurse working in Riyadh, KSA.
MNA is presently the OIC, CENRO of the DENR in San isidro, Isabela. He has been working in the agency for more than 30 years being assigned in many places which all the more enriched his writing skills on ecoliterature. He finished his Masters degree in Public Management at ISU, Echague. A Career Service Executive eligible, he is now pursuing a doctorate degree in Public Administration at the same university.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
The Managing Editor of Kalikasan Updates
Racquel M. Caldez Is a writer by heart. It is incidental that her passion to write has come to light when she was appointed in the DENR, many of her write-ups dealing with natural resources, biodiversity, environment, GAD, etc. saw print in various newspapers in Isabela and Cagayan Valley region.
For her feat, she has received commendation for intensifying advocacy campaign of the DENR and recognition for exemplary performance with partner agencies.
She is a recipient of various awards, adjudged as “Most Outstanding Information Officer” in DENR Region 02 for three consecutive years extolling her in the “Hall of Fame” of DENR awardees and Outstanding Employees.
She was involved in the parish’ Home Study Program where she was recognized as “Outstanding Volunteer Learning Facilitator” of the CSU-Archdiocesan Home Study Program (HSP) Re-Entry Education Alternative for the Poor (REAP) from Year 200-2005, helping to tutor the out-of-school youths in their desire to finish the secondary level of education.
A young employee, she was invited as Lecturer in the symposium on Environmental Threat on Children’s Health and seminar workshop on Environmental Education.
She is a new PAPI (Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc) member and an active correspondent, contributor and columnist in local newspapers and DENR publications.
She is a managing editor of the DENR Isabela publication and a mover of truth and social issues. Her editorial and writing skills have been exceptional due to her expertise on environmental concerns and issues.
RMC is a graduate of the degree of Bachelor of Arts major in Political Science at the University of St Louis in Tuguegarao City and hopes to finish her masters in public administration after she shall have enrolled the last 12 units to complete the academic requirement for the degree. She is still looking for a certified bachelor. She also plans to migrate to the United States in the near future.
For her feat, she has received commendation for intensifying advocacy campaign of the DENR and recognition for exemplary performance with partner agencies.
She is a recipient of various awards, adjudged as “Most Outstanding Information Officer” in DENR Region 02 for three consecutive years extolling her in the “Hall of Fame” of DENR awardees and Outstanding Employees.
She was involved in the parish’ Home Study Program where she was recognized as “Outstanding Volunteer Learning Facilitator” of the CSU-Archdiocesan Home Study Program (HSP) Re-Entry Education Alternative for the Poor (REAP) from Year 200-2005, helping to tutor the out-of-school youths in their desire to finish the secondary level of education.
A young employee, she was invited as Lecturer in the symposium on Environmental Threat on Children’s Health and seminar workshop on Environmental Education.
She is a new PAPI (Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc) member and an active correspondent, contributor and columnist in local newspapers and DENR publications.
She is a managing editor of the DENR Isabela publication and a mover of truth and social issues. Her editorial and writing skills have been exceptional due to her expertise on environmental concerns and issues.
RMC is a graduate of the degree of Bachelor of Arts major in Political Science at the University of St Louis in Tuguegarao City and hopes to finish her masters in public administration after she shall have enrolled the last 12 units to complete the academic requirement for the degree. She is still looking for a certified bachelor. She also plans to migrate to the United States in the near future.
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