Courtesy of Department of Agriculture-Region 11. DAVAO CITY - The Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11) has convened some 210 participants from Mindanao for a five-day Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Program Mindanao-wide Cluster Summit in this city. Abel James Monteagudo, DA-11 regional director, said Wednesday the Aug. 15-19 summit aims to help the small farmers and fisher folks build stronger linkages with their commodity markets. Monteagudo noted that the DA and other government agencies find it easier and more cost-efficient and effective to deal with organized farmers through clustering. 'It is easier to provide them with appropriate training and cutting-edge technologies, including farm inputs like seeds and fertilizers, and farm equipment and machinery,' Monteagudo said in a statement. He said the summit will also pave the way for the establishment of better access to sources of credit and financing, as well as formulate joint ventures
MANILA - The House of Representatives on Thursday ratified a bicameral conference committee report on a bill seeking to institutionalize the practice of extended producers' responsibility (EPR) in waste management. During the plenary session, the chamber approved the final version that reconciles the disagreeing provisions of House Bill 10696 and Senate Bill 2425, which would amend Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. EPR refers to the environmental policy, initiatives, and practices, in which companies and corporations are obliged to have the responsibility for proper and effective recovery, treatment, recycling and disposal of their products after they have been sold and used by consumers aimed at improving ecological management. The bill seeks to institutionalize the EPR mechanism as a practical approach to efficient waste management, waste reduction, recovery and recycling; and the development of environmentally-friendly products and circular
(File photo) MANILA - Deputy Speaker Camille Villar on Thursday said the committee approval of a bill that would hold companies responsible for recycling is a key step to address the growing problem of plastic pollution in the country. Villar made the statement after the House Committee on Ecology approved the substitute bill seeking to institutionalize the practice of extended producers' responsibility (EPR) in waste management. She said there is an urgent need to pass the packaging responsibility or product stewardship bill as consumers generate more single-use packaging and plastics from online purchases amid the coronavirus pandemic. "The pandemic has likewise resulted in a surge in plastic use consequently complicating and aggravating this problem. There is a need for a collective effort and duty to decisively and effectively pass a measure that would address this present situation," Villar said. She noted that plastic waste makes up a significant share of the overal
ROAD PROJECT.Public Works Secretary Mark Villar (center), leads other government officials in the inauguration of the Ciudad de Victoria project in Bocaue, Bulacan on Saturday (Oct. 2, 2021). The project includes the construction of a North Luzon Expressway interchange and a bypass road which is expected to alleviate the heavy traffic along the Bocaue section of McArthur Highway.(PNA photo by Manny Balbin) BOCAUE, Bulacan -Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar led on Saturday the inauguration of the Ciudad de Victoria project in this town. The project includes the construction of a North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) interchange and a bypass road. Aside from Villar, other government officials who attended the inauguration rites include DPWH Senior Undersecretary Rafael Yabut, DPWH Assistant Secretary Wilfredo Mallari, Rep. Gavini "Apol" Pancho, Bocaue Mayor Jose Santiago Jr., Philippine National Railways (PNR) General Manager Junn Magno, DPWH Region 3