Improvements in the UPLB Main Library

Posted on December 12, 2014 by Kabzeel Sheba Catapang

By: Christjohn Reyniel B. Pelejo

Gone are the days when long lines of students crowd the waiting area of the then combined computer and special collections sections in the library basement. Now, not only the students but also the faculty and staff enjoy wider areas and improved services the library has to offer because of the recent basement renovation.

According to Concepcion Saul, the university librarian, the library is now a go-to place of students who need to do research, complete assignments, or hang out with study groups.

“Sa library ngayon kahit wala kang assignment, marami kang matututunan,” she said by way of encouraging UPLB constituents to come and use available resources in the newly renovated basement.

The renovations were done to provide additional space and for proper allocation of services, such as the discussion room, viewing room, leisure reading area, and computer section. All of these are available to UPLB students, faculty and staff for free.

The renovation started in the last quarter of 2013. It had an estimated budget of 2.5 million pesos. The basement services became operational in August this year, the start of the first semester of academic year 2014-2015.

The University Special Collections Section now offers a very spacious area where students can study, read theses, or borrow other university publications. The Computer Section was transferred to the new basement division on the other side.

Read more about the library services and facilities here.

According to Marcelita Pureza, the head of the university special collections section, the improvement was a big help in terms of organizing the thesis collection and giving enough room for other publications of the university. She said that the section now has better working space for the staff, and additional tables for students who wish to study and charge their laptops.

“Kailangan malaman nila [mga estudyante] na dito sa library marami makukuhang sources at maa-access yun para sa research nila,” Pureza added.

Students avail computer services in the computer section now located in the Learning Commons. Photo by: CJ PELEJO

The Computer Services and Multi-media Section, now called the Learning Commons, deployed additional computer units since the area got additional space. Before, only 50 computers were available; now, 66 computer units are fully functional, including iMacs and iMac minis. There are 30 desktop computers running on Linux, 24 on Mac OS, and 12 on Windows 7.

With all the computers deployed in the new setup, more users can be accommodated, hence no more waiting lines. The area also houses a discussion room and a viewing room which students can use for group meetings and film viewings, respectively.

An hour before the exam, students use the viewing room to discuss and review previous lessons. Photo by: CJ PELEJO

Rea Antenor, a BS Electrical Engineering student, said that it was her first time to use the discussion room when she and her friends reviewed for an exam. She said that having a room where she can discuss freely with her friends is good for learning.

“Gusto lang namin yung place kasi pwede kaming makapagtanungan nang malakas. Kasi pag sa library, hindi makapagturuan nang maayos kasi medyo makakapag-ingay,” Antenor said.

When asked what he thinks about the new library basement, Kendrick Faronilo, a BS Food Technology student, said that it is “very beneficial… It’s the only place where you can discuss freely. Good facilities, more computers for students. Friendly and accommodating ang staff.”

He goes to the library Mondays to Fridays to avail of computer services and e-journal subscriptions.

Faronilo also said that to be comfortable and cozy while doing paperwork is also one of the main reasons for going to the library, especially now that he is working on his thesis. He said that the 5^th Information Literacy Program “Level Up Your Research” workshop he attended last September helped him to learn more about the library and its services.

“Effective yung lecture series for surfing the library page. Naging aware ako sa library services. And I learned how to use the journal subscriptions,” he said.

According to Pius Murillo, the head of the computer services and multi-media section, there was a significant increase in the volume of users of this section, particularly with regard to use of desktop computers and acquisition of e-journals.

From 2,800 users of the computer and Internet service in November 2013, the logbook showed an increase by 300% last September 2014. There was also a notable increase in the downloads of e-journals, particularly in the Elton B. Stephens Company (EBSCO) subscription, which provides a wide range of library database services for general reference collections to subject specific databases. From 3,300 last October, the number of successful full-text downloads on EBSCO alone doubled last September.

Even with 50,000 full-text downloads overall since October last year; Murillo said that the library is still expecting more students to maximize the resources available in the library particularly the e-journal subscriptions.

LB showcases agri produce in the Laguna organic agri congress

Posted on November 13, 2014 by rbvillar

by Nykyle Patricia Buenviaje, Renz Louie Celeridad, and Victorena Diesta

The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, in partnership with the Region IV-A Agricultural Training Institute, held the first Laguna Organic Agriculture Congress at the Cultural Center of Sta. Cruz on October 28-30.

The organic agriculture congress, themed “Sa Organiko Panalo Tayo, Kaya’t Lagunenyo para sa iyo ito,” was open to all offices, departments, organizations, and individuals who were interested in organic agriculture — a “natural” way of growing crops, vegetables, and other agricultural products.

According to Lydia Estrada, the Laguna assistant provincial agriculturist, organic agriculture aims to create a farming system that will grow various chemical-free crops. The promotion of organic agriculture, such as holding the congress, is in line with Republic Act (RA) No. 10068 or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, which mandates the state to “promote, propagate, develop further, and implement the practice of organic agriculture in the Philippines.”

The organic agriculture congress also aimed to help address gender awareness issues, recognizing the need to change the traditional belief that farming is only for men and to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor through technology transfer.

Los Baños GAD Office staff help farmer cooperators sell their produce during the three-day organic agriculture congress. (Photo courtesy of the GAD Office)

Laguna cities and municipalities took part in the provincial congress on organic agriculture. The local government unit (LGU) of Los Baños was represented by the Gender and Development (GAD) Office, the implementing agency for the organic agriculture component of the gender-sensitive livelihood project between the LGU Los Baños and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).

From the PhP 4.6 million project “Enhancing Gender-Sensitive Sustainable Agriculture and Aquatic Science and Technology (S&T)-based Livelihood Enterprises in Los Baños”, PhP 2.2 million was allotted for organic agriculture projects.

The implementation of the organic agriculture component started in March and covered five barangays, namely: Bagong Silang, Timugan, Maahas, Tuntungin-Putho, and Lalakay. According to Karen Lagat-Mercado, head of the Los Baños GAD Office, their unit started the project implementation by conducting seminars about organic agriculture in the five barangays in partnership with PCAARRD. These seminars were followed by trainings for the farmer cooperators.

According to Mercado, the organic agriculture project not only provided additional source of income for the cooperators, it also helped the women – especially the housewives – develop greater confidence, build their self-esteem, and become more independent. With their own earnings, the women now depend less on their husbands’ income.

Through the congress, Los Baños was able to showcase organic produce from the farmer-cooperator and present the LGU Los Baños-PCAARRD collaboration to representatives of various cities and municipalities in Laguna.

For more updates on the LGU Los Baños-PCAARRD project, visit the Gender Sensitive Organic Vegetable Prod’n for Low-income Communities of LB Facebook CommunityPage.

KASAMA nagsanay sa vermiculture

Posted on November 11, 2014 by rbvillar

ni Ma. Emily P. Alforja, KASAMA President

Nag-organisa ng pagsasanay sa vermiculture ang local na pamahalaan ng Los Baños na isinagawa ng Gender and Development Office at ng Department of Agriculture para sa mga miyembro ng Kapisanan ng mga Samahan ng Malinta (KASAMA) noong October 18 sa Brgy. Malinta.

Sa pamamagitan ng pagsasanay sa vermiculture, natutunan ng mga kalahok na napakadaling mag-alaga ng bulate gayundin ang paggawa ng vermicast o organikong pataba. Maliit lamang ang kailangang puhunan at hindi nangangailangan ng mahabang oras o panahon para sa pag-aalaga.

Ang pagsasanay ay bahagi ng proyektong vermiculture kung saan tinuturuan ang mga kalahok sa tamang pag-aalaga ng mga bulateng African night crawlers at pag-ani ng vermicast na nagsisilbing organikong pataba.

Natutunan ng mga miyembro ng KASAMA ang pagpapabulok ng tira-tirang pagkain, iba’t-ibang klaseng gulay, tuyong dahon, suha ng saging, at dumi ng baka o kalabaw bilang bahagi ng proseso ng paggawa ng vermicompost.

Ang vermicompost ay ginagamit bilang organikong pataba para sa mga pananim ng mga miyembro ng KASAMA at maaari ding mapagkuhanan ng karagdagang kita.

LB opens a Friday organic market

Posted on November 10, 2014 by rbvillar

by Johanna Marie Drece, Joie April Lanuzga, and Yunika Ysa Lasic

On October 24, the Los Baños launched its Friday organic market at the Los Baños Municipal Hall Activity Area. The organic market manageed by the Gender and Development (GAD) Office opens at 9am and closes at 3pm.

The establishment of the organic market was part of the project entitled “Enhancing Gender-Sensitive Sustainable Agriculture and Aquatic Science and Technology (S&T)-based Livelihood Enterprises in Los Baños” between the Los Baños LGU and Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD). The project aimed to empower the local farmers of all genders to take on organic farming as a livelihood option, as well as to enhance community entrepreneurship and marketing.

The Friday organic market provided farmer-cooperators an integrated and accessible venue to sell their organic produce. Karen Mercado explained that the Friday Organic Market has helped the farmers gain additional income from selling their products.

The organic produce from the farmer cooperators are also sold at Herb Republic along Lopez Avenue every second and fourth Friday and Saturday of the month.

Since its launch in October, the Los Baños Friday organic market has gained patrons from the municipal employees. Joyce Del Valle of the Los Banos Budget Office said that purchasing organic produce assure her the vegetable her family would be consuming is healthy and free from harmful chemicals. “Kesa pumunta sa palengke at bumili ng mga di-pesticide na gulay, dito ka nalang,” she added.

Adelaida Castillo, an 85-year-old farmer from Brgy. Maahas, explained that aside from being chemical-free, the produce sold at the Friday organic market is relatively cheaper since the products are directly delivered to the market and no middleman is involved. Farmer cooperators also take home higher earnings. Shifting to organic farming also reduced the cost of farm inputs on pesticides and fertilizers. “Sadyang malaki ang ipinagbago dahil hindi na kami bumibili ng pang abono. Sariling compost na namin ang ginagamit namin,” Castillo shared.

Nestor Pamulaklakin, a farmer from Brgy. Maahas said, “Maganda ang kita ko ngayon. Lamang kaysa noong dati na hindi ako gumagamit ng mga organic. Saka dati, kailangan ko pang bumili ng pesticide. Ang ginagamit kong spray ngayon ay sili at kung anu-anong herb. Hindi na ako gumagamit ng mga pesticide na binibili.” Mang Nestor also said that vegetables grown with the aid of chemical pesticides are hazardous to the health of the consumers so they have stopped using them.

Communities involved in Friday oranic market include Barangays Tuntungin-Putho, Lalakay, Timugan, Maahas, and Bagong Silang. The GAD Office staff regularly visits farm sites to get updates and to hold farmer consultations. The farm visits also ensure that farmers are provided the resources and technical assistance needed and that the crops are grown organically.

The farmer cooperators were provided with technological knowledge through a series of trainings before they were granted the resources for setting up an organic farm. The farmer cooperators underwent trainings on vermicomposting, organic methods and pest control, organic vegetable crop production, as well as postharvest, packaging, and marketing skills. Farm materials, seeds, and planting materials were provided as part of the LGU Los Baños-PCAARRD livelihood project.

Karen Mercado (rightmost) and Ellen Ramos of the GAD Office in a posterity shot at the organic produce booth manned by farmer cooperators and GAD Office staff during the first Friday Organic Market at the Municipal Hall. (Photo courtesy of KLMercado)

The organic produce from the farmer cooperators are also sold at Herb Republic along Lopez Avenue every second and fourth Friday and Saturday of the month.

For more updates on the LGU Los Baños-PCAARRD project, visit the Gender Sensitive Organic Vegetable Prod’n for Low-income Communities of LB Facebook Communtiy Page.

LB LGU to hold Kasalang Bayan 2014

Posted on November 7, 2014 by rbvillar

by Natasha Mae Arañez, Czarina Joy Arevalo, and Renee Marsha Babao

This coming December 12 at 4pm, 88 Los Baños couples will tie the knot – for free.

The local government of Los Baños, through the Gender and Development (GAD) Office, will hold the Kasalang Bayan 2014 General Paciano Rizal Park in Los Baños, Laguna.

The Kasalang Bayan is a free mass civil wedding ceremony for the residents of the municipality held every February and December. The event coincides with the quadrocentennial celebrations of the municipality.The brides will be wearing the Filipiniana dress while the groomsmen will wear their barong tagalog or camisos de chino.

According to Nanet Saldaña from the GAD Office, the Kasalang Bayan is part of the municipality’s implementation of Act No. 2013-1240, also known as Kasalang Bayan Act, which was first enacted in 2013.

Eighty-eight out of the 100 slots were secured during the October 30 registration for this year’s Kasalang Bayan. Saladaña shared that aside from enjoying a free wedding and reception, the 88 couples will benefit from a joint Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) that is extended to their children.

The future couples’ age ranged from 18 to 60 years old. The youngest bride and groom for this year’s Kasalang Bayan are both 18 years old. Saldaña noted that applicants who are below 26 years old were required to secure their parents’ consent. Most of the couples come from Brgy. Bambang, with 15 pairs.

A Collaborative Work

According to Saldaña, this event will be a product of the collaboration of municipal offices. She further noted that this is an activity of almost every staff of the municipal office. The flow of the program will be handled by the Kasalang Bayan Core Group, which is composed of sub-committees, will be led by Atty. Genalyn Bagon-Soriano, the Municipal Administrator of Los Baños. Municipal Accountant Lolita Leviste heads the project’s sub-committee on finance. The total cost for the Kasalang Bayan, including the required seminars, amounts to an estimated PhP 460,000. Engr. Ricky Estopace, the municipal engineer, will oversee the event’s physical arrangements.

Dr. Fe Banasihan, the municipal agriculturist, will be in charge of event decorations. Banasihan’s committee is envisions a traditional ambiance, in accordance to the quadricentennial theme. The decoration committee is also responsible for the entourage and the photo booths.

Dr. Alvin A Isidro, the Municipal Health Officer, will lead a medical team consisting of at least 15 nurses and two doctors to stand by in case of emergencies. No serious injuries have taken place in the previous mass weddings. The medical team is preparing for cases of dizziness, heatstroke, hypertension, anxiety attacks, minor wounds, and other accident-related injuries. An ambulance will also be on standby.

Los Baños Police Chief Insp. Ricardo Dalmacia will be in charge of traffic and security. Police Chief Dalmacia said the event is unlikely to cause heavy traffic in the area and that there will be no need to close or block any roads however, the Los Baños PNP will deploy 60 policemen to implement the security plans for the event.

Each couple is entitled to a reception table which accommodates up to eight persons – for the bride, the groom, the parents of the bride, the parents of the groom, and a pair of principle sponsors. Aside from the food and catering during the reception, the municipality will also shoulder the couple’s wedding pictures, give-aways, invitations, bouquets and the video coverage. However, the couples will shoulder their respective wedding rings, which are optional.

The municipality scheduled the event orientation on November 4, followed by the mandatory seminars on November 11. The marriage license application will start by the third week of November, and the general rehearsal is set on December 10.

The holding of the biannual Kasalang Bayan aims to give couples who are unable to afford the requirements of a marriage ceremony the opportunity to get married. By helping couples with the costs of their certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR), marriage license, wedding ceremony, the reception, invitations, souvenir items, and pictures, Saldaña believes that they are able to deal with the barrier of poverty that hindered them from this process.

Los Baños Times

Serving Los Baños and Nearby Communities since 1983

Improvements in the UPLB Main Library

LB showcases agri produce in the Laguna organic agri congress

KASAMA nagsanay sa vermiculture

LB opens a Friday organic market

LB LGU to hold Kasalang Bayan 2014