Lauro Braganza, Author at Sustainable Agriculture

Apr142024 by Lauro BraganzaNo Comments

From Local Gem to Global Fame: Bago City’s Agroecological Recognition

News & Opinion

The City of Bago, nestled in the heart of Negros Occidental, Philippines, has once again captured international attention for its remarkable commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly tourism. On a Monday night in Tallinn, Estonia (Tuesday morning back in the Philippines), the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories for 2023 were unveiled. To the delight of many, Bago City secured a place on this prestigious list. This marks the second time Bago City has been included in the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories. The initial recognition came in 2022 when the Green Destinations Foundation, based in The Netherlands, acknowledged the city’s remarkable efforts in promoting responsible and eco-conscious tourism. However, this year, Bago City’s dedication to sustainable practices, as expressed throug...

Apr142024 by Lauro BraganzaNo Comments

Legal Action Taken Against Onion Price Manipulation in the Philippines

News & Opinion

In a significant development, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on Wednesday that charges had been filed against six individuals, including three Department of Agriculture (DA) officials, for their alleged involvement in manipulating onion prices in the Philippines. This move is a crucial step towards addressing the issues of hoarding, falsification, and profiteering that have impacted the country’s onion market. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) spearheaded the efforts to bring these individuals to justice. Charges have been filed against the Bonena Multipurpose Cooperative (Bonena) officials, namely Israel Reguyal, Mary Ann Dela Rosa, and Victor de la Rosa Jimenez. These charges revolve around allegations of hoarding, falsification of documents, and profiteeri...

Apr142024 by Lauro BraganzaNo Comments

The Laws and Legalities of Cockfighting in the Philippines

News & Opinion

When it comes to sports, Filipinos cannot live without basketball and, of course, cockfighting. Although the latter is more of a gambling than a sport, many people are also involved in breeding gamefowls as both recreation and business. But the big question that many people, especially foreigners, ask is, “Is cockfighting legal in the Philippines?” We will discuss the answer in this article. Cockfighting in the Philippines is both legal and illegal, depending on where the game is held and to what level. The “Cockfighting Law of 1974” under former President Ferdinand E. Marcos regulates the game in the whole country, and since then, it has never been amended. The following is clearly stated: NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, under the powers ...

Apr142024 by Lauro BraganzaNo Comments

Apple Farming: Can Apple Grow in the Philippines?

News & Opinion

Benzone Sepe has proven that apple farming in the Philippines is possible. His farm now has over 300 apple trees. In 2014, Benzone Sepe planted three seeds in their backyard in Barangay Kapatagan, Digos, while eating an apple. Two plants died after a few months, while the only one that survived could not bear fruit. Benzone did not stop there as he conducted further research on apple farming. In an interview with ABS-CBN News, he said he pruned the plant, but it didn't end there. "I found out on the internet that the branch should be bent for sunlight exposure," he said. Benzone first noticed flowers on the apple tree in January 2018, and the following month, he discovered four pinkish and fist-sized apples hanging from it. He said it still has the same juiciness and crun...

Apr142024 by Lauro BraganzaNo Comments

ASF in Antique: San Jose Prohibits Backyard Slaughter of Hogs

Food and Health

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique—Starting Tuesday, backyard hog slaughter is prohibited in San Jose de Buenavista to prevent the spread of African swine fever (ASF). Executive Order 42, issued by Mayor Elmer Untaran on June 27, 2023, states that hogs will only be slaughtered at the municipal abattoir in Barangay San Pedro and will require a health certificate from the barangay where they were raised. On June 23, ASF was confirmed in a hog farm in Barangay Bugarot, the provincial capital. Dr. Marco Rafael Ardamil, chief of the Public Health Division at the Antique Provincial Veterinary Office, said swine slaughter and boar circulation were considered "super spreaders" of ASF. In Hamtic, where index cases have been recorded, hogs were slaughtered in backyards and sold to ambul...

Apr142024 by Lauro BraganzaNo Comments

African Swine Fever in Zambales: Candelaria Steps Up Biosecurity Measures vs. ASF

News & Opinion

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – To contain and prevent the spread of African swine fever (ASF), the municipal government of Candelaria in Zambales has ordered stricter biosecurity measures. ASF was confirmed in three villages in the town following a confirmed report of infected hogs. On Tuesday, Byron Jones Edquiling directed all barangays in Candelaria to establish ASF prevention and biosecurity measures in consultation with the Municipal Agriculture Office. Following reports of ASF-infected pigs in Libertador, Panayonan, and Taposo villages, Edquiling called for stricter measures to prevent the spread of the disease. The mayor said in a radio interview on Wednesday that a validated laboratory test revealed traces of the ASF virus in blood samples taken from the hogs. ...

Apr142024 by Lauro BraganzaNo Comments

Chinese Tourists Land in Jail for Damaging Choral Reefs in Thailand

News & Opinion

During a diving trip in Phuket, Thailand, three Chinese tourists allegedly touched a starfish and stepped on coral reefs, violating a marine protection law and facing up to two years in prison. According to the Bangkok Post, two were jailed after their selfie with a starfish went viral on social media. While diving off Koh Racha Yai, they stepped on coral reefs and held up starfish for selfies. According to the police, a travel agency representative took Sanyang Qin and Wen Zhang to meet investigators at the Chalong station. On Thursday, three Chinese tourists were accused of holding up starfish and climbing on coral reefs to snap photographs while diving at Ao La off Koh Racha Yai. An investigation conducted by the Phuket Marine and Coastal Resource Conservation Centre reveal...

Apr142024 by Lauro BraganzaNo Comments

Pinanga Subterranea: New Rare Palm Species Found to Flower Underground

News & Opinion

Researchers at the Royal Botanic Gardens (RGB), Kew, and their partners discovered a new palm species, which flowers and fruits almost entirely underground. According to the report published in PALMS on Monday, given the new-to-science species' unique characteristics, it is called Pinanga subterranea, which means 'underground' in Latin. What was the location of the plant? It is native to Borneo in Southeast Asia, where it is well known to locals. Some of them consume the bright red fruit, which is said to be sweet and juicy. Scientists have found approximately 300 different palm species on the island, but Pinanga subterranea has been overlooked for years. Locals refer to the plant in three Bornean languages: Pinang Tanah, Pinang Pipit, Muring Pelandok, and Tudong Pelandok. The ...

Apr142024 by Lauro BraganzaNo Comments

DBM: New Slaughterhouse in Ormoc City to Strengthen Meat Industry

News & Opinion

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said Friday that the groundbreaking of the new slaughterhouse facility at the Valencia Satellite Public Market will help bolster the meat industry in Ormoc City, Leyte. According to Pangandaman, the construction of the slaughterhouse will ensure that Ormocanons receive high-quality meat products. "With the construction of the new slaughterhouse, we hope to revitalize the meat industry in Ormoc and ensure the quality of meat coming from Ormoc," Pangandaman said. According to Pangandaman, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. prioritizes the agriculture sector due to its enormous impact on food security. It was only during the Marcos administration that agriculture was included in the country's priority expenditures. I didn't see agriculture...

Apr142024 by Lauro BraganzaNo Comments

Iloilo Island to Get P12.8-M Solar-Powered Water System

News & Opinion

Two hundred thirteen households will benefit from a PHP12.845 million solar-powered desalination water system to be constructed on an island barangay in Concepcion, Iloilo. A groundbreaking ceremony for the project funded under the Philippine Rural Development Project with a counterpart fund from the Department of Agriculture and the provincial government was held in Sitio Danao-Danao of the island barangay of Polopiña on Thursday, led by Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. It has a population of about 1,000, but there is no potable water on the islet. “Our governor has laid the groundwork for a pioneering project, the first time the provincial government has embarked on a solar-powered water desalination system project,” said Provincial Administrator Raul Banias in an interview on F...