Ibaan Barangay Chairmen Sent To Vermiculture Training

By Taga Ibaan Ako

Tons of garbage are being produced and thrown by a community posing danger to environment and making it more difficult to manage one’s wastes. One of the reasons why Metro Manila gets flooded during rainy days can be attributed primarily to its wastes that were clogging the latter’s drainage system. This shouldn’t be the case and should not happen in Ibaan.

The thing is, wastes can actually be managed. By proper segregation of bio and non biodegradables, wastes can turn rusts into gold. And since Ibaan is basically agricultural by nature, vermiculture can be of great help in waste management. And the present administration seems to recognize this.

Barangay Chairmen went on a tour at Kahariam Realty and Farm Inc. for a short training and visual introduction of vermi culture at Brgy. Calamias, Ibaan, Batangas, January 25. Prior to this, a seminar on vermiculture was held in Ibaan which is attended by all of the municipality’s barangay chairmen.

According to Mayor Danny Toreja, “Vermiculture may not only provide solutions and ease on the town’s waste management problems. Much more, such trend may even generate income for everyone, even the barangay itself. That’s why we’ve sent our Barangay Chairmen to said tour at Kahariam”.

Kahariam Farm is 14 hectare agricultural land that specializes in vermiculture. The farm has several structures built to support its diverse production activities. These include a windmill to pump up underground irrigation water, an organic hog farm, nine tropical greenhouses that supports the growth of high value commercial crops, greenhouses that harbor valuable worm compost, a vermin processing shed that stores tons of vermmi compost, a vegetable processing area, fish ponds for hito, tilapia, and koi, and a gazebo.

Mayor Toreja’s friendship with Kahariam Farm owner Nonong Bagatsing made the said tour and seminar on vermiculture for Barangay Chairmen possible. Talks are still being made on the possibility of Mr. Bagatsing giving and donating one kilo to one ton of worm (African Nightcrawler or eudrilus eugeniae) for ibaan to start with. This is condition that for every worm production, either one kilo of it will have to be shared with others interested on vermiculture or that Kahariam Farm will buy them.

Mayor Toreja on the other hand is hopeful that the Barangay Chairmen will take the initiative in cultivating vermiculture in their area and have it introduced as well to their residents.

IMAO’s Vermi

In an interview with Ms. Ethey Joy Caiga, Ibaan Municipal Agriculture Officer-in-Charge, her office has actually started cultivating vermiculture. They have created vermi plots where African Nightcrawler worm are being bred.

According to Ms. Caiga, although her office still fall short of top of the line technology used in vermiculture, she is optimistic that Ibaan will embrace the idea of vermiculture itself. He agrees that such can contribute to every household’s waste management system. Moreover, she believes that Ibaan can highly benefit from vermiculture.

Worms break down organic matter. And when they eat, they leave behind castings that are an exceptionally valuable type of fertilizer. The castings of earthworms also known as vermicompost is an excellent soil enhancer and bioactive high quality fertilizer for organic farming. This is a perfect alternative to using chemical fertilizers, and has been proven in field tests.

Backyard Production of Earthworms (Vermiculture)

The “vermi” or earthworms are important in enriching the soil with organic matter which comes from biodegradable materials such as dead plants and animals which the earthworms ingest. Besides this,there are other benefits from earthworms.

The castings of earthworms also known as vermicompost is an excellent soil enhancer and bioactive high quality fertilizer for organic farming. This is a perfect alternative to using chemical fertilizers, and this has been proven in field tests. Earthworms can also be made into feed for fish and other domesticated animals called vermimeal.

The “African Nightcrawler” (Eudrilus eugeniae) is the earthworm species suited to be grown in the Philippines for the production of vermicompost and vermimeal. Vermicompost is used or sold as organic fertilizer for plant and crop farming. Vermimeal is used as an alternative for imported fish meal that we feed to fish and other farmed animals.

Vermicompost Production

The first step in vermicompost production is to gather and prepare all the materials to make the vermi bed. The biodegradable materials may be sourced from the backyard or kitchen. In the backyard, use dried leaves, newly cut grass or plant trimmings. From the kitchen, discarded vegetable parts, fruit peelings and fish entrails may also be used.

Before stocking the earthworms, make sure that all the materials in the vermi bed are prepared. To start, mix the dried leaves and kitchen waste thoroughly with enough water. Cover the materials with a plastic sheet, old sacks or banana leaves to start the “anaerobic process”. This process is completed after one to two weeks.

After the “anaerobic process”, remove the cover and stock the vermi bed with one kilo of earthworms or approximately 1,000 pieces for every one square meter of vermi bed that contains 100-200 kilos of materials.

Vermicompost is harvested when most of the materials have been consumed by the worms. This takes about 30-45 days, depending on environmental and culture conditions. Maintain the moisture content and temperature of the vermi beds through regular checking. Protect the earthworms from predatory animals.

In harvesting, separate the “vermi” from the vermicompost either manually (hand-picking) or by using a screen. Properly pack vermicompost in sealed bags or sacks and store in a cool dry place.

Vermimeal Production

Harvested “vermi” from the culture beds may either be used for the next vermicomposting cycle or made into vermimeal through the following process:

1. Wash the worms thoroughly with clean flowing water to remove dirt.
2. Kill the “vermi” by putting them in a basin with warm water (40-60ºC).
3. Dry under the sun until brittle.
4. Grind dried worms manually or through a grinder into meal form.
5. Store in sealed polyethylene bags with proper label and store in cool dry place.

Advantages of Vermicomposting:
• Environment friendly since earthworms feed on anything that is biodegradable, vermicomposting then partially aids in the garbage disposal problems.
• No imported inputs required worms are now locally available and the materials for feeding are abundant in the locality as market wastes, grasses, used papers and farm wastes.
• Vermicompost is more effective as an organic fertilizer than ordinary compost
• Has auxin, a naturally occurring growth hormone
• Improves soil health
• No overdosage
• Turns trash to cash
• Highly profitable both the worms and castings are saleable

Market Potential:
• World and local markets for vermicomposting are big.
• World consumption of organically grown foods is estimated at US$ 100 billion per year.
• In 1993, the potential use of organic fertilizer covered 2.5 million hectares in the Philippines.
• The demand for organic fertilizer in 1993 was 6.25 billion bags (50 kg/bag) compared to actual consumption of only 62,000 metric tons.

(Source: Vermi Action Center, Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (DoST), http://bit.ly/hHFY9B)

Taga Ibaan Ako: Centralized Drainage System For Ibaan

Taga Ibaan Ako: Centralized Drainage System For Ibaan: "By Taga Ibaan Ako In the past years, administration of previous Barangay Chairmen of different barangays in the Municipality of Ibaan have ..."

Centralized Drainage System For Ibaan

By Taga Ibaan Ako

In the past years, administration of previous Barangay Chairmen of different barangays in the Municipality of Ibaan have been constructing and installing open canals and open drainage system in an effort to beautify their area of responsibility. This may have afforded number of benefits to the residents, but there still a long prevailing problem that needs to be addressed.

In a meeting with Barangay Chairmen, Mayor Danny Toreja called for one centralized drainage system that will connect and identify the water floods flow and direction during rainy season. He considers this to be an issue that needs to be addressed since some of the barangays, particularly those situated along high ways often times get flooded, causing risks and danger not only to residents but also to motorists.

According to him, the efforts spent with regard to drainage systems were done with the intention of developing the social environment of the people. However, there are times when these open canals hardly perform their purpose. He attributed this to the some uneven leveling of drainage system that disrupt the continuous flow of water, including their last stop or as to where the canal will end.

To have a clearer picture of the situation, he has tasked the Municipal Engineering Office headed by Engr. Mario Samson to go around different barangays to inspect existing drainage system and to determine possibilities of constructing canals in barangays without drainage system. Along with this, Mayor Toreja also informed the Barangay Chairmen that he has asked and coordinated with Provincial District Engineering Office that they be furnished with an inventory of drainage systems in Ibaan. His office will also seek help and assistance in assessing and in drafting plans for a centralized drainage system, focusing on barangays along highways.

Engr. Samson, on the other hand, said that there are factors that contribute for some drainage system’s failure to perform their purpose. Based on his observations, after their construction, either plants or flower/plant boxes were placed in front of open canal, hindering the water from going to open canals themselves. This result for rain water to stay on the road which affects the latter’s integrity. Also, old “natural” water ways were neither covered nor redirected causing changes on their elevation –ending up with an overflow with water spilling around the area. The size of culverts installed in converging point of the drainage system also contributes to the problem.

Mayor Toreja further explained that for a municipality to attract investments, its social infrastructures must be improved and developed. Drainage systems might be the least of investors’ concern, but if the municipality can perfect even the simplest infrastructure, this can deliver a good impressions for the municipality to probable investors.

Barangay Chairmen for their part, as represented by ABC President Hano Portugal, pledged their support on the said project.

Barangay Road Inventory

In the same meeting, Mayor Toreja also asked the Barangay Chairmen to make an inventory of their barangay roads for possible government funding in the future. He also asked them to submit to Sangguniang Bayan and Engineering Office for assessment any planned road openings in their area.

According to him, barangay road problems often stem from the barangay administration’s failure to secure Deed of Donation from the land owner where the roads are constructed. He explained that without the said Deed of Donation, the family members of the land owner will always have the right to claim any donations made to the barangay. If this prevails, no matter how much the residents clamor for any infrastructures, funding from the government will not be made. Worst, in case government funds were used on private property, this might result to a malversation of public fund or falsification of public document case filed against the concerned elective municipal or barangay official.

In line with this, both Mayor Toreja and Engr. Samson convinced Barangay Chairmen to draft their Development Plan to provide directions as to where their leadership will be and for easier identification of priority projects.

Taga Ibaan Ako: Initial Plans for Ibaan 179th Foundation Celebrati...

Taga Ibaan Ako: Initial Plans for Ibaan 179th Foundation Celebrati...: "By Taga Ibaan Ako As per instructions by Municipal Mayor Danny Toreja, initial plans were made for a week long 179th Ibaan Foundation Cele..."

Initial Plans for Ibaan 179th Foundation Celebration Underway

By Taga Ibaan Ako

As per instructions by Municipal Mayor Danny Toreja, initial plans were made for a week long 179th Ibaan Foundation Celebration slated to bring life down town on February 5 - 11, 2011. In line with this, a Steering Committee was created headed by Atty. Francisco Guerra.

In a meeting last January 20 at Municipal Administrator's Office, the celebration will officially commence on February 5 with lines of activities to be held until the founding day itself on February 11. The said day will feature an 8K Fun Run dubbed as "PATIKARAN SA IBAAN" with expected participants of not less than 500 persons.

Accordingly, the route will cover eight (8) barangays starting with Poblacion, Sandalan, Balanga, Dayapan, Lucsuhin, San Agustin, Matala, and will end at Brgy. Pangao.

Nestle MILO is currently being eyed as the event's sponsor to provide refreshments to the participants.

A Logo Making Contest based on the Celebration's theme, scheduled on February 8 with works to be displayed at Medrano Plaza, will also be part of the celebration. However, this year's celebration theme is yet to be identified.

Other members of the Steering Committee include Dra. Pat Toreja, Engr. Mario Samson, Ibaan DILG Officer Lorna Silva, Gina Cayetano, DepEd District Supervisor Eloisa Samson, Engr. Nelson Guerra, Municipal Administrator Rico Caringal and Franciso Pabito.

Other activities are yet to be determined on the next round of meetings.

Ka Peping and Ka Atang

By Taga Ibaan Ako

The lines on their faces show how far they've come. Old age has forced them to stay home after tirelessly shepherding the family.

Ka Peping, a native of Brgy. Mabini, Lipa City and Brgy. Sampaga, Batangas City, due to lung failure, has long retired from driving his jeepney for almost 30 years. His jeepney, the first in Brgy. Munting Tubig, along with that of Ka Rading Porillo's jeepney, has taken residents to distance and places from Aparri to Bataan, earning their living as traveling merchants (maglalako). Rain or shine, he would drive for and fetch students going to St. James Academy or Talaibon National Highschool. If it might not be too much to say, Ka Peping and his jeepney were the barangay's pillars of socio-economic development.

Ka Atang, on the other hand, was a strict public elementary school having taught at former Munting Tubig Elementary School, now Gregorio Sison Memorial Elementary School. Together with her sister Florencia Sison and Mrs. Rosing Ilagan, Ka Atang was was a pioneer teacher in the said school. Not even her children were spared from her stick and old Spanish style of teaching during elementary days. She then transferred to Ibaan Central School where she had her retirement some 10 years ago.

Currently, both of them stays in Sito Sta. Margarita, Munting Tubig, Ibaan, Batangas. Ka Atang busy herself by rearing her grand daughter and grand son, at the same time cultivate their backyard by planting agricultural crops. Ka Peping, slowed down by his sickness, can hardly walk around the place and takes time resting from life's long journey to silver hair.

(Their autobiographies are currently being written.)

Viva Sto. Nino ng Batangan

By Taga Ibaan Ako

Batanguenos again reaffirmed and celebrated their devotion to Sto. Nino with a fluvial parade at Calumpang River in connection with Batangas City Fiesta, January 7.

Hundreds of devotees waited patiently around Calumpang River and Calumpang Bridge to witness Sto. Nino being paraded aboard boat with Church and government officials.

The fluvial parade is done in commemoration of the finding of Sto. Nino by a deaf-mute kid playing in the banks of Calumpang River in the mid-1180s. It is to be recalled that during that time, the river is full of floating logs with which the image of Sto. Nino was found.

Batangas City's more than 200,000 Catholic devotees again thanked the Sto. Nino for blessings they received throughout the year.

Man Almost Hanged To Death With Electric Wire

By Taga Ibaan Ako

Almost three weeks ago, a resident of Brgy. Munting Tubig, Ibaan, Batangas almost got himself killed when his neck got entangled with electric wire hanging down from its post after a truck loaded with sugar cane cut it out from its source.

According to Dandoy Mendoza, he was on his way to Sito Sta. Margarita late night on his motorbike when the incident happened. The road was half-illuminated with lights and a hanging black wire is hardly noticeable. He was running at around 30-40kmphr when the wire caught his neck, almost choking him to death. The wire caused wounds around his neck and is still trying to recover from it.

Acres of land in the area has been used and cultivated as sugarcane farm. Majority of which are on an "ariendo" or lease basis by sugar planters. It is a common knowledge to the residents of the barangay that trucks loaded with sugarcane passing the barangay road have been cutting their electric wire lines, particularly those hanging low across the road, causing brownouts to some households

Worst, some of them would just leave the barangay without fixing the loose electric wires, or at least give notice to barangay officials what they have done. Wires were left hanging at the risk of the residents and other motorists in the area.

Mr. Mendoza's near death experience should serve as a reminder to all barangays with sugarcane farm. It might be beneficial to all sugar planters, truck owners, drivers and, more importantly to residents to have a discussion so as to avoid the same incident. Then may be, they can establish limit on the sugar cane loaded on trucks since, aside from cutting electric lines, they have been causing cracks and eventually breaking barangay roads which are not designed for their combined weight.

Ibaan Electric's attention should also be called upon to fix low hanging electric wires since it's part of their duties and responsibilities to have them installed in safe places.

Up to this time, no sugarcane planters or truck owners has come forward to take responsibility of the accident. Mr. Mendoza has been personally shouldering his medical expenses. Wound marks can still be seen around his neck.

Taga Ibaan Ako: Coliat 2 Pancit Special: The Guisado Guru

Taga Ibaan Ako: Coliat 2 Pancit Special: The Guisado Guru: "By Taga Ibaan ako Tamales was the first to engrave Ibaan’s place in the food map. The Municipality of Ibaan became immensely popular for t..."

Coliat 2 Pancit Special: The Guisado Guru

By Taga Ibaan ako

Tamales was the first to engrave Ibaan’s place in the food map. The Municipality of Ibaan became immensely popular for this cuisine of Hispanic origin. Then came along Lomi, claiming popularity back in the 80s with Top Taste Resto in town. Lomi booms like a bomb and breaks everyone’s throat and tummy timbre when gorged smoking hot. I myself is a big fan, hardly taking notice of this “guisado” thing.

I have to admit, I can’t cook lomi. That must be the reason why I go for lomi every time I feel empty. However, I can still feel thickness on my tongue after almost being baked red swallowing an oven-hot spoon of lomi. So I decided to change my routine. From Batangas, reaching Coliat 2, I noticed motorbikes, some vehicles and people stopping by on the right side of the road. I remember a talyer doing body repair jobs. I slowed down approaching the talyer. From there, I realized where they’re going. The billboard reads “Coliat 2 Pancit Special”.

I went straight to the counter and ordered for a guisado (I was actually craving for caldo). Taking a peek inside, I saw them preparing Pancit Bihon on bilao and Pancit Guisado on plate. And I was stunned with what I saw. So I gate crashed into their kitchen and took pictures of them.

This is a monster bilao. Really. They got this hill of pancit bihon, surrounded by fortress of home-made “bola-bola” made of pork meat. On top, it’s erupting with vegetable toppings and diced onions. But best part is yet to be seen. For its crowning glory, sliced steak atay with luscious souce were poured on top, slowly kissing the soft-stir-fried noodles, giving them a whooping taste as if you’re taking complete meal in one shot. Quail eggs? They’re all in there.

The same adornments were made with guisado, although not that lucrative since it’s just an ordinary, or should we say, regular order. However, when I ordered mine, I actually tasted the difference. The noodles are definitely soft-stirred. The steak atay, along with its sauce, gave the noodles some real scrumptious taste all the way down to my throat. Then I still got this caldo that for. Oh, don’t forget a bottle of soda, they complement each other.

Coliat 2 Pancit Special definitely is able to give guisado a different ring. For me, it’s “goodbye lomi, hello guisado”. I’ll have to walk away from cassava flour that has been pushing my shirt off its shape. It’s too heavy on tummy. With this guisado, I can have the real thing –the noodles themselves, the veggies, diced onions and steak atay.

I can’t explain further how much I love Coliat 2 Pancit Special now. I adore their guisado. And if you’ll ask me further, I’m sorry guys, I can’t talk right now. I’m still full with guisado. So if I were you, take a hike a be at Coliat 2 Pancit Special.

You can contact them at mobile number 0928-211-8603 and look for Ate Ellen. She’s the suspect for this glorious guisado.