by  Ma. Catherine C. Arzobal

Glued. Lived. Saved.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) showcased its project “Filipinnovation on Coral Reef Restoration,” an initiative to restore broken and degraded coral reefs, during the three-day celebration of SyenSaya 2013 at the University of the Philippines Baños (UPLB) Copeland Gymnasium on July 31 – August 2, 2013.

Filipinnovation on Coral Reef Restoration is a project which started on June 2011 mainly funded by DOST. This innovation is a process of cultivating the tissues of corals through a special type of nursery installed on the surface of the sea with a width size of 3 meters x 1 meter and half meter in height. In the cultivation process, the corals are tied on the nursery to let it grow until it is ready for planting.

According to Mr. Eugene Afalla, Science Research Specialist from PCAARRD, it takes 2-3 months for the corals to restore their tissue and grow its branches. The divers who are trained and guided by PCAARRD determine if the corals are healthy and ready for planting. A special type of epoxy called ‘marine epoxy’ is used to permanently attach the broken fragments of corals to the hard substrates of the ocean. These substrates are reefs which are ridges of rocks in the sea. After some time, the coral naturally attaches itself to the substrate and eventually branch out again providing additional habitat for thousands of aquatic species.

Along the one-year run of the project, Mr. Afalla said that they find the epoxy costly and is only limited for certain areas. PCAARRD’s team addressed this by using concrete nails to secure the broken coral fragments on the surface of the rocks by binding them on the nail using rubber or ordinary knot. This allows the corals to attach itself on the rocks after a period of time.

Using the coral nursery, degraded and broken fragments of coral reefs can now be retrieved instead of letting it die. PCAARRD tested and proved its effectivity to protect the shoreline and restore habitat for school of fish along the one-year run of the project. They are coordinating with local government units, local universities, hotel owners and divers as the project targets tourism hubs such as beaches in the country.

On May 2012, the project was piloted in various areas of the country. Among these are: Baler, Aurora; Bagac, Bataan; Laiya and Anilao in Batangas; Ticao, Masbate; Panglao, Bohol; Malay and Tangalan in Aklan; Sogod, Southern Leyte; and Tawi-Tawi.

Meanwhile, Mr. Afalla added that PCAARRD already has the technology package but the study is still ongoing. He also explained that the innovation has no particular limitation since the area of implementation is assessed before the installation.

Coral reef restoration will benefit the country by providing habitat, income, food, protection and even medicine as researches show that coral reefs can be a source of potential treatments for many of the world’s serious illnesses. But further researches are still needed to prove this claim.

The installation of nurseries in certain areas is not purchased because it is a government project. PCAARRD wants the people to be aware of this project because they believe that people are capable of saving the coral reefs for a rich marine ecosystem.

by Mary Rose B. Manlangit

The Sangguniang Baranggay of Batong Malake is now becoming stricter in its implementation of peace and order measures.  This September, seven sets of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras will be installed in Umali Subdivision, El danda, Agapita, Raymundo and F.O. Santos. This is Phase 2 of the camera system installation project according to Brgy. Captain Nilo Lapiz.  The 1st phase was already done during the first quarter of this year.

The installation will run from first week up to the third week of the month. A team from Tremendous Communication Incorporated (TCI) will install the seven CCTV cameras.

The CCTV system project

The goal of the CCTV system project is to ensure the peace and order situation of Batong Malake, Councilor Alan Leron explained in an interview.

Organized by the Sangguniang Baranggay, the project was already planned in 2010 but materialized only this year. Councilor Leron said that the arrangements with the bidding corporations and fund raising for the project were the reasons of the delay.

Councilor Leron said that contrary with what most barangay residents assumed, the CCTV systems were installed not just because of the various incidents that happened in UPLB such as the death of UPLB students Given Grace Cebanico and Rey Bernard Penaranda. He explained that it was already planned even before these happened. However, he admitted that the incidents triggered the faster implementation of the project.

On the other hand, Councilor Janus Lapiz said that among all the barangays of Los Baños, Batong Malake was the first to implement CCTV system. They are hoping that they would serve as an example for the other barangays to also include CCTV system in their projects.

According to Councilor Lapiz, the Phase 1 of the project had a budget of Php 500,000 where a complete unit of CCTV camera approximately costs Php 65,000 – Php 70,000. The budget included a high definition television monitor and antennas. “Now,” he said “the same amount will be spent for the Phase 2 project.”

The bidding for the Phase 2 of the project was already completed. Currently, legal arrangements with the winning bidder and equipment testing are being done to ensure the efficiency of the camera units.

The main source of fund for the project is the Baranggay Development Fund under the Peace and Order Committee of the Sanggunian. It accounts for the 20% of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) coming from the national budget.

CCTV cameras, the eyes of the barangay

“With the CCTV cameras, conflict on vehicular accidents were solved, masterminds of crimes such as budol-budol gang cases were arrested and street fights among teenagers were responded,” Alan Mabolo, a tanod of the barangay said.

Mabolo said that he and the rest of the tanods shift schedules to watch the CCTV monitor in the barangay almost all day and all night.

“In the monitor,” Mabolo said, “you can see almost everything that people do in the areas. In fact, every night we see teenagers dating in dark areas.” He said that they could respond more quickly because they can now see the place of an incident via the CCTVs rather than just relying on verbal descriptions via two-way radio.

Councilor Leron said that the CCTV cameras also helped in easing the flow of traffic. Traffic build-ups are prevalent along Lopez Avenue to UP gate. With the help of CCTVs, traffic enforcers could devise ways on how to moderate the flow of traffic congestion.

He also narrated that last July 21, a mother complained that their laptop was stolen in their house by three men believed to be members of akyat-bahay gang. She was able to identify the men with the help of the CCTV.  The complaint was immediately coordinated with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Los Baños. Thus on July 26, when one of the suspects was seen walking along the 7eleven store in Agapita, the police arrested him immediately.

Councilor Leron said that the CCTV also helped a lot in the arrest and eventual imprisonment of the drunk driver who hit the UPLB BS Nutrition student Nhelette Gonzales last August 7, 2013 along Lopez Avenue. He said that there was a concerned resident who tipped the barangay right after the accident. To identify if the car would turn towards Agapita or F.O. Santos Avenue, they played back the CCTV. There they have seen a fast moving car turning to Agapita. With this, the PNP Los Baños and the barangay tanods were able to strategize how to arrest the driver by analysing his possible exit points.

Information on the system project is not widely disseminated to the barangay residents because this would defeat the purpose of hidden cameras. However Councilor Leron said that sooner people will learn about it and in turn it will serve as a preventive mechanism for the residents not to do crimes and be wary of their actions.

by  Magno C. Ardenia Jr.

Concerned individuals from the Los Baños community extend their help to the needy children of Brgy. Anos, Los Baños, Laguna by providing the budget needed to continue the barangay feeding program until December 13, 2013.

Barangay officials, Los Baños citizens and several students from UPLB worked together to sponsor the weekly food budget for the participating children every weekday afternoon. According to Brgy. Anos Capt. Celerino Balasoto, these sponsors saw the feeding program sponsorship schedule posted on the barangay hall and volunteered to offer help by giving amounts coming from their own pockets.

Prior the July to December feeding program project, the Catholic Women’s League (CWL) of Los Baños already facilitated a three month feeding program from April to July of this year. When the CWL’s feeding program ended, the barangay officials of Anos, led by Brgy. Captain Balasoto, felt the need to continue the program.

The barangay officials of Anos made a list of the foods that will be served every week, together with the cost of each menu, for the sponsors to see. A week of feeding program costs one thousand pesos. The list includes arrozcaldo, champorado, sopas and pansit lome. The menu is based on barangay officials’ observation that these “meryenda” type of foods are enjoyed more by the children than the full meal served by CWL.

“Kaya ko naman nilagay yun (weekly feeding program schedule), para malaman nila (people willing to help) na natanggap kami ng sponsor para sa feeding program, na kailangan ng sponsor dito.” The Brgy. Captain knew that he needed to set an example so other people would be motivated to extend help too. After shouldering the budget for the first two weeks, help from different individuals came in.

Out of Love 

Mrs. Edith Lozana is the Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) assigned to facilitate the overall conduct of the feeding program. She is the one responsible for cooking and serving the food to the children.

Mrs. Lozano’s two decades of experience as BNS made her fit for the work as she is already familiar with the different ways on how to serve vegetables to the children.

She shared that everyday, an average of 25 children coming from the needy families of Brgy. Anos, come to the barangay hall to participate in the program. Some children come with their parents.

She further shared that it is very fulfilling to see improvements on the children’s health. Many of the participating children used to be sickly before the implementation of the program.

She also monitors the weight improvement of the children every end of the month. On the average, the participating children gain 3 grams every month. However, others who have chronic malnutrition do not gain weight easily.

Mrs. Lozana does not get tired of feeding the children. She has come to love the children who are always cooperative when they go to her for food every day. “Masisipag pumunta yung mga bata,” she shared. Seeing those kids’ happy faces motivates her to continue the work.

Feeling the need 

According to Mrs. Lozano, the children really need support. Many of them comes from a family who cannot afford to eat three times a day. That is why sponsors are a big help to continuously improve the children’s nourishment.

Kagawad Nona Umali, one of the sponsors, extended help because she can see that there are many malnourished children in Brgy. Anos. She wants to share some of her allowance from government service.      

“Syempre masaya kame,” she said seeing that the children are really happy with the program.

A student from UPLB who also sponsored the program shared that it is very fulfilling to be able to help. 

“Menos-menos sa gastos” 

Andrela Lapitan, a 30 year old dialysis patient from Rhoda Subdivison Brgy. Anos, is really thankful to those who are helping to extend the feeding program.  Her child is one of the program’s beneficiaries. 

Suffering from kidney problems, most of Andrela’s money is spent for her medicine.  She is also separated from her husband.  Thus, it is difficult for her to provide the needs of her child.

She is happy to see her child’s improvement in weight and performance.  Her child used to be selective on what food to eat but now enjoys the different foods served in the feeding program.

Registered Nutritionist and Dietitian Joyce Parco said that it is positive when a child learns not to be selective on food anymore due to the variation of food served.

Child’s Confession 

“Nakakabusog!” This what the 7 year old, Bea Pantallion, said when asked on how she feels about the feeding program. “Masaya! Ang sarap e,” the smile on her face shows that she really enjoys the food.

Bea, a grade two student from BN Calara Elementary School, said she has been part of the program for five months now. She already gained weight and is not as sickly as before anymore.

Just like the other participating children, she likes champorado the most.  When she gets home, she usually does not eat anymore as she is already full.

“Salamat,” she uttered as she expressed how grateful she is to the people who are giving supports for the feeding program.

“Madami ng bata ang nagugutom, hindi na kayang pakainin ng gobyerno, so kailangan yung private sector, yung may kaya, o yung mayaman, e tumulong, yung may magandang loob para dito sa feeding program,” said Capt. Balasoto.  “Hindi lang ‘to sa barangay lamang, kailangan nating magtulong-tulong,” he added.

Slots for the remaining unsponsored weeks are still open to those who would like to help and participate in the program.

The Los Baños Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested Glen Nocum and Anidem Medina in Brgy. San Antonio, Los Baños, Laguna on September 11 during the conduct of operation against illegal drugs . Nocum, a 22 year old service crew, and Medina, a 23 year old laborer, both from Purok 3, Brgy. San Antonio, were caught having a pot session at the residence of William Greso (aka Wences).

Prior to the operation, PCI Andres O. Simbajon Jr., Officer in Charge, received a text message from one barangay official of Brgy. San Antonio informing him that a pot session is on-going at Greso’s residence. The police officers were able to confiscate one strip of aluminum foil and three small transparent plastic sachets, all with white crystalline substance. Recovered substances were brought to the region crime laboratory at Camp Vicente Lim, Canlubang, Laguna for laboratory examination.

Nocum and Medina, on the other hand, were subjected to drug test and medical examination prior to inquest proceedings.

The recovered substances were found to contain Methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) while the two suspects tested positive for the banned substance.

The suspects were criminally charged before the Provincial Prosecutors Office in Calamba City while Greso, who was able to escape from apprehending officers and is still at large, is subject for preliminary investigation.  Nocum and Medina are now detained at the Los Baños PNP’s detention cell while waiting for their commitment order and transfer to Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-Los Baños. (With reports from PNP Los Baños)