Quezon, Philippines

Lucena City, Quezon Province (29 May) — In line with her thrust to enhance the teaching of Science, Math and English to prepare students to be globally competitive, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo inspected the science laboratory room of West 1 Central Elementary School in Lucena City.

“What is this?” the President asked Mrs. Remedios Yu, the science teacher and mentor of the school’s science club.

The President seemed awed with the laboratory equipment bought by the Department of Education when she was informed of the microscope that could magnify the atrium, a part of the heart, among other kinds of microscopes.

Yu informed the President that the laboratory equipment are very expensive that they would not be able to have one if not for DepEd.

There were around 20 microscopes in the laboratory room, among many more equipment that included a telescope, test tubes, weighing scales, flocharts and other teaching aids in science.

The President informally interacted with 15 of the 300 student-members of the science club.

“What’s in your microscope?” the President asked a student who answered that he is in the process of viewing a leaf.

The science building which houses the science laboratory was constructed from funds donated by Lucena City Mayor Ramon Talaga, Jr. (PIA-MMIO)

Sariaya, Quezon (29 May) — The Sentrong Pamilihang ng Produktong Agricultura ng Quezon (SPPAQ) supplies a large portion of the vegetable requirements of Metro Manila, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said.

The SPPAQ, which was inaugurated by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, provides farmers here a modern and centralized buying, selling and distribution hub for their agricultural products.

The project is the brainchild of Quezon 2nd District Rep. Proceso Alcala to provide his constituents in the farming areas, and at the same time create a source of livelihood for Sariaya residents.

Yap said because large volumes of agricultural products from the farming communities in Quezon are brought to the SPPAQ, they are readily shipped to supply the vegetable requirements of Metro Manila.

He said the SPPAQ now supplies vegetables and other farm produce to the 17 Bagsakan and Barangay Food Terminals located in Metro Manila such as the ones found in Caloocan (Bagong Silang), Quezon City (Batasan Hills, Payatas, Holy Spirit, Project 6), and Manila (Baseco).

“Madam President, we have tracked the requirements of Metro Manila and the commitment of Quezon province is to supply 65 percent of the 23,000 metric tons of vegetables needed by the National Capital Region,” Yap said.

He added that Quezon province has pledged to supply 95 percent of the 62,000 metric tons of chicken required by Metro Manila residents.

Other farm products the province of Quezon will supply Metro Manila are eggs – 98 percent out of the 137,000 metric tons required; ampalaya, 40 percent; tomatoes, 60 percent; eggplant, 30 percent and tilapia, 60 percent.

“Kaya ang Quezon, napakalaki ng potential niyo. Tuloy tuloy lang ang produksyon sa pagkain,” Yap said. (PIA-MMIO)

Sariaya, Quezon (29 May) — The Sentrong Pamilihan ng Produktong Agrikutura ng Quezon (SPPAQ), an “agricultural trading post” for selling farm products, is a perfect example of the benefits derived when government and people work together, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said.

In inaugurating the SPPAQ this afternoon, the President gave credence to the old saying that it is better to work together, than against each other.

“Ito (SPPAQ) ay isa namang patunay ng tagumpay na nakakamit natin pag nagtutulungan ang pamahalaan at ang ating mamamayan,” the President said in her keynote speech.

A brainchild of Quezon 2nd District Rep. Proceso Alcala, the SPPAQ, was constructed in 2004 in response to the farmers’ clamor for a centralized trading and distribution hub.

With the SPPAQ, the so-called “middle man” in the buying and selling process is eliminated, thus prices are reduced and all profits go directly to the farmers themselves.

“So, bukod sa pagtatag nitong kalakalang bayan, malaki ang naitulong ng pagsa-sama-sama ng pamahalaan at mamamayan sa paglatag ng makabuluhan at maka-masang proyekto at pag-kilos tulad ng mga pautang na walang interes at tulong teknikal na tumulong din ang Department of Agruiculture, yung libreng gamit (sa facilities) ng kalakalang bayan at libreng transportasyon,” the President said.

She pointed out that the SPPAQ is a good example of the government’s program to fight poverty, and at the same time improve the lives of the community.

“Kasi gusto nating magkaroon nga malakas at lumalagong ekonomiya. Pinagsisikap nating itong malikha upang tumulong na matiyak ang kapayapaan, katiwasayan at katatagan ng ating bansa,” the President said. (PIA-MMIO)

Sariaya, Quezon (29 May) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo unveiled an infrastructure/ education package projects for the local government and residents of one of Quezon province’s most progressive municipalities – Sariaya.

The President unveiled the infra-educ package during ceremonies formally opening the Sentrong Pamilihan ng Produktong Agrikultura ng Quezon (SPPAQ) located along the national highway in Barangay Sampaloc II here.

Included in the package are: a certificate of ownership of a cold storage and reefer truck from the Department of Agriculture (DA), a P5-million check for the research project of the South Luzon State University (SLSU), another P5-million for the construction of a farm-to-market road here and various certified and hybrid seed and fertilizers with which the farmers can use in the next planting season.

The President, who was assisted by DA Secretary Arthur Yap, presented the infrastructure and education package to 2nd District Rep. Proceso Alcala the proponent of the SPPAQ.

After the presentation, the President then awarded Tenurial Rights to beneficiaries from Barangay Mamalaog-no of the 110-hectare land under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – Protected Area Community Base Resource Management Agreement (PACBARMA).

The right certificates were handed over to barangay chairman Ernesto Remo who would in turn distribute them to the beneficiaries.

The President also awarded 55 certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs), covering 70.30 hectares, to beneficiaries of three Quezon municipalities – Sariaya, Candelaria and Tiaong.

The CLOAs were awarded by the President to Barangay Agrarian Reform Committee chairman Ernesto Solomon.

The President congratulated the new land title holders saying, “you are no longer tenants in your own land.” (PIA-MMIO)

Sariaya, Quezon– President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will inaugurate today (May 28) a one of its kind “agricultural trading post” that will provide sellers and consumers here a modern and centralized buying, selling and distribution hub for agricultural products.

Dubbed the Sentrong Pamilihan ng Produktong Agrikultura ng Quezon (SPPAQ), the project is the brainchild of Quezon 2nd District Rep. Proceso Alcala to provide his constituents in the farming areas a market for their products, and at the same time create a source of livelihood for Sariaya residents.

Upon her arrival here, the President will conduct a tour of the SPPAQ’s facilities, witness the operations of the trading center and view the various agricultural products on display.

Aside from being a marketing venue, the SPPAQ, which is administered by the SPPAQ Foundation, Inc. (SPPAQFI), also provides interest-free loans to farmers to cover their needs during the planting season.

The foundation also provides technical assistance to the farmers, particularly the latest, proven farming methods to increase crop production.

In addition, farmers are allowed free use the SPPAQ’s trading station and transport services.

Built at a cost of close to P29 million, the SPPAQ sits on a 10,000 square meter lot located along the national highway in Barangay Sampaloc II here.

Construction of the facility started in 2005 and was completed in 2006. (PIA-MMIO)