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APO assures no anomalies in passport printing

Susan De Leon

QUEZON CITY, March 21 (PIA) -- “There are no anomalies in the printing of passports,” this was guaranteed by Chairman Michael J. Dalumpines, also the acting chief operating officer of the Asian Productivity Organization or APO productions amidst the controversy recently thrown at the agency.

In an interview by PIA-NCR, Dalumpines said the APO Production Unit strictly follows proper procedures in its task to print the Philippine passports.

Dalumpines added that APO cannot be blamed for the delay in the processing of passport applications since they are capable to print the passports within the prescribed timeline.

“Once the processed applications are given to us, we do the printing immediately. APO can print 28,000 passports per day,” Dalumpines said.

On the issue of entering a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with a private entity, the United Expression Corporation (UGEC), Dalumpines said they adhere to the guidelines set forth by the National Economic & Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Science & Technology (DOST), Department of Budget Management (DBM), Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG), and the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC).

He further stressed that APO is on top in the management and printing of passports, while UGEC only provides financing and provision of machineries and supplies.

Dalumpines added APO also passed the performance conducted by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA).

He also confirmed that the security paper used in passport printing is being sourced from Slovenia, but it doesn’t add up to the alleged “slow processing of passports.”

“The lead time for materials sourced from Slovenia is usually thirty (30) to forty-five (45) days. In any event, we are able to ensure that any raw materials sourced abroad arrive in the Philippines with enough time for APO to comply with its delivery schedule as agreed upon with DFA,” Dalumpines said.

The Philippine passport is printed in Asian Productivity Organization or APO Productions under the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) since 2015.

On August 15, 2016, the new generation e-passport was released by the DFA with advanced security features such as the upgraded microchip to capture the personal data of the applicant, invisible ultraviolet (UV) fluorescent ink and thread, and elaborate design when subject to UV light. Security inks were also used to print the passports to prevent forgery.

Other security features include watermarks, perforated passport numbering, embedded security fibers among others. Aside from making the new e-passport tamper proof, each page of the document depicts Philippine artifacts, cultural icons, historic places, renowned tourist destinations, and even lyrics of the national anthem. (EPC/SDL/PIA-NCR)

Kawayan ug Kanding Fiesta sa NOMCAARRD, Bukidnon

Ginanap ang Farm and Industry Encounters Through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA) ng Northern Mindanao Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (NOMCAARRD) na sinoportahan ng Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) nitong nakaraang Marso 21-22, 2018 sa Brgy. Musuan Maramag, Bukidnon.

Ang nasabing okasyon ay pinangalanang KAWAYAN UG KANDING Fiesta sa NOMCAARRD, at ito ay may tamang: Celebrating The Fruits of S&T In Northern Mindanao. Ito ay ginanap sa Central Mindanao Universuty Convention Center.

Naka sentro ang pagdiriwang sa pagtatanim ng kawayan at pag-aalaga ng kambing na siyang tinitingnan na isa sa potensiyal na pagkakakitaan sa Region X.

Sa Openning Ceremony, si Dr. Maria Luisa R. Soliven, NOMCAARRD RRDCC Chairman at Presidente ng Central Mindanao University (CMU) ang nag welcome sa mga bisita at nagbigay ng Introduction at nagpakilala na rin sa NOMCAARRD member Institution.

Si Director Marita A, Carlos, Applied Communication Division, DOST-PCAARRD ang nagbigay ng mensahe para kay Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, Executive Director, PCAARRD. Kasunod nito ang Launching ng NOMCAARRD Logo na pinangunahan din ni ACD Director Carlos na inasistihan naman ni Dr. Soliven. Sa Launching ng NOMCAARRD Video Story, si Dr. Locerne M. Rasalo naman ang nanguna rito.

Sa Ribbon Cutting, para sa opisyal na pagbubukas ng Kawayan ug Kanding FIESTA sa NOMCAARRD at exhibits, muli itong pinangunahan ni ACD-PCAARRD Dir. Carlos, NOMCAARRD Chairman Dr. Soliven, Dr. Maria Estella B. Detalla (NOMCAARRD Director) at iba pa.

Kasunod nito ang Technology to People, Farmers Forum1 hanggang Farmers Forum4 na kinapapalooban ng mga sumusunod na topic: Goat Production Technology, ni Dr. Reynaldo L. Intong, CMU Researcher; Smallholder Goat- raising: A. Farmers Perspective, Mr. Nonito Cordero, NFC Farm Owner; Mushroom Production Technology, Dr. Guia G. Saludares, CMU Researcher; Adlay Production and Management, Dr. Agripina R. Aradilla, CMU Researcher; Bamboo Production Technology, FOR. Myrna S. Decipulo, Germinants Farm Owner; Village-level Establishment of Bamboo Nursery, Mr. Antonio Duminao, Dominao Bamboo Nursery Owner; Prospects Engineered Bamboo, Ms Lilian T. Valencia, Technology Application and Promotion Unit, MSU-IIT and Mitigating Soil Erosion Through Bamboo Plantation, Dr. Rico A. Marin, CMU Researcher/ Dean, College of forestry.

Best practices for mango sought for better quality production

PAUL ICAMINA

The prospect of planting mango has been made sweeter to farmers.

Multi-location research has identified natural control for common pests and diseases as well as other interventions benefiting mango, a highly valued crop that brings income to small farmers and dollars to the nation’s coffers.

The Philippines is the world’s seventh leading mango producer. Fresh mango is the leading dollar earner, consisting 59 percent of total mango export, followed by dried mangoes, mango puree, juice concentrates and mango juices.

Mango production dropped by 10 percent during the fourth quarter of 2017. The decline was attributed by the National Statistics Authority to farmers who were discouraged to conduct flower induction activities due to the occurrence of intermittent rains in the Zamboanga Peninsula (Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur).

Frequent rains also led to lesser fruits developed during the flowering stage in Northern Mindanao, especially in Misamis Occidental.

The top mango producers last year were Zamboanga Peninsula (where a fourth of national production came from), followed by Caraga (Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur) then Northern Mindanao.

These provinces will benefit most from a project funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), Department of Science and Technology.

Mango is one of the priority commodities listed in PCAARRD’s National R&D Agenda and is included in the ACIAR-PCAARRD Horticulture Program on Fruits and Vegetables.

The project aims to improve the quality and yield of mango in order to reduce product losses due to pests and diseases and decrease production costs. It aims to prevent the decline in production and quality of fruits attributed to pests and diseases.

The research is geared towards improving fruit quality by developing effective insect control and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) solutions. Adoption of sustainable IPM practices could improve quality and yield of mango and increase farmers’ income by 156 percent.

Another target is to improve fruit size and yield by optimizing nutrition and canopy management. The project initiated a demonstration and training on canopy management in Davao Occidental and Davao del Sur.

Spraying trees with plant growth regulators (PGR) could also reduce the incidence of blossom blight compared with multiple sprays of fungicide and could give higher average yield per tree. Auxin, cytokinin, gibberellic acid and salicylic acid were the PGRs used in the study.

PGRs are potential controls for mango fungal diseases, according to Dr. Virgie Ugay of USeP.

PGRs, commonly known as plant hormones, are chemical substances that promote the growth of plant cells, tissues and organs. Auxins, for example, stimulate cell elongation and influence root initiation and the development of auxiliary buds, flowers and fruits.

Ultimately, the research project aims to improve mango farmers’ livelihoods and profits by developing and implementing an integrated management package of “best practices.” A national survey in eight major mango growing areas of the Philippines was completed and is expected to provide information as foundation of “best bet” management guidelines.