Linking Small Farmers to Market project 1st Agro-Enterprise Training Course

LGU-Umingan's representatives from the Municipal Agriculture Office attended the CRS Clustering Approach to Agroenterprise Development for Small Farmers facilitated by DAR-CRS (Department of Agrarian Reform and Catholic Relief Services)held at the City Light Hotel,Baguio City last September 7-11, 2015. The group composed of Four (4) Regions namely; Region I ,(Bani,Bautista,Bayambang,Sta Barbara,Umingan,Pangasinan)Region III (Pampanga,Nueva Ecija) Region IV-A&B (Quezon Province,Occ. Mindoro) Region V (Legaspi)  .

The purpose of this Training Course is to help farmers to work more effectively together and build their marketing skills against poverty problem .It also aims for improvement of rural livelihoods, establishment of marketing links between farmers , buyers ,businesses and identification of new sources of consistent supply.

The DAR-CRS agroenterprise Clustering approach is being employed  in  Barangays Luna Este and Luna Weste. The program started in 2013 , with Squash as the selected product and the OTOP (one town one product) of Umingan .

Now, the program is expected to target squash farmers in Barangays Concepcion,Diaz,San Juan and Ricos to meet the target requirement : 600 farmers per Municipality.The selected barangay for expansion will be getting services which will focus on  farm management improvements,market preparation and market engagement through collective marketing strategies.

Contributed by:

Alex C. Abalos    

POPULATION CENSUS 2015 “Magpabilang,Magpacensus!”

The Philippine Statistic Authority will be conducting the 2015 Census of Population all over the country pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1031 declaring “August 2015 as the National Census Month”.

The team  composed of three (3) Census Area Supervisor, sixty four (64) Enumerators and seventeen (17) Team supervisors. he team was divided into two who attended 4^th level of training held at the Municipal Gymnasium from July 27-31 and August 3-8, 2015. 

Census of Population 2015 is a complete enumeration of households in the country. It is designed to take an inventory of the population of the entire Philippines. It  will be the 14^th  census of population to be undertaken in the country since the first census in 1903.

POPCEN 2015 aims to provide government executives, policy and decision makers, and planners with population data, especially updated population counts of all barangays in the country, on which to base their social and economic development plans, policies, and programs. (Lifted from the Philippine Statistics Authority Documents).

Every respondent is expected to cooperate and give truthful data to the enumerators. Any individual who refuses or fails to give truthful and complete answers to statistical inquiries shall be imposed a penalty of one (1) year imprisonment and a fine of one hundred thousand pesos (100,000.000).

  

Vilma Lapuz-Abalos

Mun. Population officer-Designate

Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning

LGU-Umingan conducted monthly Family Development Session for  Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program ( 4P's ) in fifty eight (58) Barangays of Umingan ,Pangasinan. The session was conducted from July 1-31 ,2015 in 58  Barangays of Umingan, Pangasinan.

Responsible Parenting and Family Planning  are the topics discussed during the sessions. It is very important for Filipino Families to know the importance of planning the family for a better future of their children. The Pantawid beneficiaries gamely participated in  the discussion of  Natural and Artificial family planning methods.

There are still a lot of  couples who are engaged in the traditional family planning method like withdrawal and calendar methods, the reasons may be attributed to lack of awareness on the available modern artificial and natural family planning methods. They can even get the services for free at the designated government clinics and hospitals. For more information on Family Planning just visit the Municipal Health Center or the midwife assigned to your barangay.

Vilma Lapuz-Abalos

Mun. Population officer-Designate

Municipal Livelihood Training on Veggie Bread (Moringa Pandesal)

The Local Government Unit of Umingan through the Farmers Information and Technology Services Center (FITS) conducted livelihood training on veggie pandesal  fortified with malunggay powder. The said training is in coordination with DOST and DTI. It was  held at the Municipal Gymnasium last August 6-7, 2015. The participants came from the  4H Club  , (BNS) Barangay Nutrition Scholar, (UFAWA) Umingan Farmers and Women Association ,PANTAWID Parent Leader, MASAGANA FARMERS ASSOCIATION. The  training aims  to reduce unemployment ,promote entrepreneurial skills, fight malnutrition and provide additional source of income.

The participants produced malunggay pandesal during training and sold to LGU employees. The participants learned how to compute the (ROI) Return of Investment, a very important aspect  when engaging in a business. The FITS staff also demonstrated to the group the simple process on how to come up with a malunggay powder.

This training is a product of the FITS Center's Malunggay  seedlings propagation and distribution in fifty eight (58) barangays. To maximize the potential of the malunggay , we just need to be creative in coming up with different recipes using malunggay leaves.

The baking equipment was awarded  by  DTI last 2013 and DOST provided resource person for the training. 

Contibuted by :

Alex C. Abalos

FITS -TSS

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES (DENR) RECOGNIZES LGU- UMINGAN’S SUPPORT TO REFORESTATION PROJECTS OF ITS BARANGAYS

Last June 18, 2015, a special message put into writing was received by the Municipality of Umingan, addressed to its local chief executive, the Hon. Eldred P. Tumbocon, thanking him for the town’s huge effort in giving due attention to its various reforestation projects under his administration. Specifically mentioned in the letter were CBFM People’s Organization of Annam Reforestation Association in Pangasinan, Greener Environment for Maseil- seil, Inc. and Waeg Pamayor Calitlitan Irrigators Association, Inc.

As we all know, issues concerning our environment are as pressing as ever, searching for all types of conceivable solution to timely escape its harsh, and sometimes, even unimaginable retaliation toward those who abuse it in all ways possible. Thus, it is relieving to know that here in Umingan it is the LGU itself that is spearheading such recovery process and protection to serve as a reminder to all Uminganians that ultimately we will depend on our milieu, hence, nourishing it and acknowledging the many blessings it generously bestow upon us can definitely save us one day, perhaps in times when we least expect it.

Sen. Teofisto “TG” D. Guingona III Inaugurated New Water Pumping Station

On June 17, 2015 Senator Teofisto “TG” D. Guingona III returned to Umingan, Pangasinan for the blessing and inauguration of the new Umingan Water Pumping Station at Barangay Cabaruan which was funded by the good senator himself. Together with the father of the town, Mayor Eldred P. Tumbocon, they cut the ribbon followed by the blessing of the new water pumping station by Rev. Fr. Jess S. Prado. Also present at the event were Mr. Simplicio C. Belisario, the Chairman of Umingan Water District, Ms. Malou Ortiz of DILG Pangasinan, who represented the Provincial Director, Ms. Eduviges Villanueva, our MLGOO, Mr. Gil M. Infantado, the Administrator of Quezon Memorial Academy, Brgy. Capt. Cresencio Y. Vergara, and other barangay officials. The newly- completed water project covers San Leon, San Andres, Cabaruan and Gonzales.

            After the activity at Brgy.Cabaruan, they headed to Quezon Memorial Academy for the senator’s meeting with his scholars and then proceeded to Municipal Auditorium where the well- reputed lawmaker was warmly welcomed by more than a thousand Uminganians. The turn over of the new water pump from LGU- Umingan to Umingan Water District which was the highlight of that momentous event transpired there, an extraordinary day which every single individual present thereat could remember and cherish, especially the beneficiaries who were fortunate enough to be granted such valuable piece of equipment, all because of the massive efforts and ineffable concern of the retiring but tireless, as aptly described by Sen. TG Guingona in his own words, Local Chief Executive of this town. The good senator committed also to initiate the possible funding of another water distribution project for five (5) waterless communities: Papallasen, Cabalitian, Sinabaan, Flores and Buenavista.

URBAN VERMICOMPOSTING

Vermi composting is now popular  in Umingan ,Pangasinan. But producing  at the heart of Poblacion East  is no joke because of limited space and resources.Those are some of the challenges that  Mr. Emiliano Robles has gone through.He  learned to convert trash into cash by enganging in vermi composting.There is a great demand for organic fertilizer because farmers are now engaging  into organic farming to minimize using commercial or synthetic fertilizer since vermi cast is cheaper than commercial and have a positive effect to the environment.

Some Barangays in Umingan have prohobited the gathering of animal  manure in the rice fields so Mr Robles buys animal manure from Balungao ,Pangasinan at 13 pesos per sack pick-up price.

He  started his vermi composting last February 2015 with twenty eight (28) kilos of African Night Crawler Eartworm (EUDRILUS EUGENIAE)and after a month he harvested forty five (45) bags of vermicast sold at PhP 180 per bag wholesale price.

To date there are several organizations and individuals that are into vermi composting. They can be found in Don Montano,Calitlitan,Prado, Caurdanetaan and Annam to name a few.

Contributed by:

Vilma Lapuz-Abalos

FITS-ISS

2nd Arbor Day

The Local Government Unit of Umingan has just conducted its 2^nd Arbor Day on June 5, 2015 at Brgy. Annam. Municipal officials headed by Mayor Eldred P. Tumbocon, LGU employees and DepEd teachers trekked through the hilly part of the barangay and planted narra seedlings.

This tree planting activity is in line with the Local Chief Executive’s Six-Point Program of Governance under the Environment and Natural Resources category. Snacks were served right after planting activity. 

HYBRID RICE -Plant Now Pay Later Scheme (PNPL)

The Department of Agriculture (DA)through Regional Field Office grant Plant Now Pay Later (PNPL) Scheme in Umingan,Pangasinan.The hybrid rice varieties  Arize and SL8 were released in different Barangays .The hybrid seeds,partial six hundred (600) kilograms, were delivered last April 30,2015. Farmers received twenty(20) kilos of hybrid rice and one(1) kilo of zinc sulfate for every one(1) hectare.This PNPL was earlier relayed to farmers during the Rice Crop manager(RCM) interview conducted by Agricultural Technician.

Contributed by:

Alex C. Abalos

FITS Umingan-TSS

Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing

The Nampalcan Irrigators' Association (NIA)has been awarded one (1) unit of Multi Purpose Drying Pavement (MPDP) project from the  DA-RFO-I through Local Government of Umingan.A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed by the Irrigators Association Representative  and the LGU Local Chief Executive . This MPDP project will help farmers to improve the  quality of their commodity,thus augmenting their income.

    

The Small Water Impounding Project (SWIP) is located at Sitio Puraw Nampalcan with a total   of 150 hectares service area. It is now the  source of  irrigation water requirements of NIA farmer-members.The SWIP was constructed under the administration of Mayor Eldred P. Tumbocon,CE-GE and Regional Executive Director Valentino C.Perdido,Ph.D of  the Department of Agriculture, Regional Field Office I last 2014 .It started its full operation during the palay production for the wet  season of 2015.

Training on Writing (News,Features,Video Scripts,Blogs) and Photography

Agricultural Training Institute(ATI)conducted training on Writing and Photography to improve the documentation procees as well as the on line visibility of various activities of FITS Center.

The four (4) days training last April 21-24,2015 were conducted at Sta. Barbara ,Pangasinan. Participants came from the Municipalities from Ilocos Sur (Vigan)   Ilocos Norte (Batac),La Union (Burgos,San Juan,San Fernando) Eastern Pangasinan (San Nicholas,Sta Maria,San Quintin,Rosales,Umingan) and Western Pangasinan (Alaminos,Mangatarem and Malasiqui).

Meanwhile not only  writing and photography were accomplished ,all the participants registered and enrolled at the E-Learning course for them to receive certificates. It's so easy to access the E-Learning site,just log-on and register to www.e-extension.gov.ph.The E-Learning has a total of 41 agriculture related courses which are currently updated. Same courses are helpful to Agricultural Extention Workers (AEW) and farmers as well.

Documenting and publishing of the activites are vital among  AEWs, using  photos ,news articles  and video scripts to provide information to our clienteles specially farmers, entreprenuer,homemakers and out of school youth.

Because of this training, FITS –Umingan will now be visible on- line and will be recognized in all related events in terms of Agiculture activities through both print and broadcast media.

Contributed by:

Alex C. Abalos

PCCARRD PROJECT ON PEANUT PRODUCTION in UMINGAN

Umingan-A Techno Demo on peanut production is now being conducted in Umingan, Pangasinan. The activity was initiated by the DA-ILIARC Ilocos Integrated Agricultural Center through FITS Center. (DA-ILIARC) provided free seeds, Organic fertilizer, innoculum as part of intervention. The demo used three (3) varieties of peanut namely: Ilocos Red, Namnama 2 and ICGV 99046, at the end of the trial it will show which among these varieties will adapt to Umingan condition. The farmer’s equity were labor and farm implements. The objective of the Techno Demo is to ensure availability of improved peanut varieties seeds. During planting season peanut growers are having difficulty where to access good quality peanuts planting material.

The peanuts were planted December 18, 2014 and will be harvested on April 25, 2015 according to

Mr. Diomedes C. Pagaduan, the farmer-cooperator.

Contributed by:

Alex C. Abalos

A.T .

Umingan Joins in the celebration of Women’s Month

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation Nos. 224 & 227 and Republic Act 6469, the month of March is observed as Women’s Month and March 8 as the National Women’s Day.

The Local Government Unit of Umingan through the initiative of Umingan Local Council of Women Convenor, Ms. Camila M. Tumbocon, joined in the celebration of Women’s Month. A Women’s Forum was held last march 13, 2015 at the Umingan Covered Auditorium with the theme “Juana, Desisyon mo ay Mahalaga sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw na!” It was attended by more than 00 women coming from the different women’s organization of Umingan namely: Baangay Service Point Officer (BSPO), Barangay Health Workers (BHW), Day Care Workers, Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI), Barangay First Ladies, Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) and Sta. Maria Tribal Women Association.

The UCW Convenor Ms. Camila M. Tumbocon gave an opening remarks while Municipal Councilor Pillar “Liza” O. Onia gave an inspirational talk. Resource speaker Ms. Maybelle S. Beato, Umingan Slaughterhouse Master talks on the Proper Food Handling and Preparation and gave some tips on how to properly choose good meat from the market. Ms. Teresita Tadeo, Head Nurse of RHU II discussed Women’s Health and PCI Rogelio D. Yapes gave enlightenment to the audience on their rights by discussing the Magna Carta of Women and Anti-Violence Against Women. After the talks, the audience were encourage to participate in the open forum.

Contributed by:

Vilma Lapuz-Abalos

Agricultural Technician/Mun. Population Officer-Designate

School-On-The Air Graduation Day

26 farmers from Umingan who are engaged in mango production a part of the 1,113 farmers coming from the 25 participating City and Municipal Local Government Units of Pangasinan graduated to the School-on-the-Air(Sanayang Pangradyo sa Agrikultura)on Suatainable Mango Production conducted by the Agricultural Training Institue-Regional Training Center last March 4,2015 at the Provincial Agriculture Office (PagO) Covered Court,Tebag East,Sta. Barbara,Pangasinan.

The School-on-the-Air  started its airing time last November 4,2014 over the local radio station DZRD Sonshine Radio 981Khz located at Dagupan City,Pangasinan.The program was aired every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:00  To 6:00 in the morning.The farmer-graduates were under the direct supervision of the attending SOA Coordinator Vilma Lapuz-Abalos.

The highlights of the activity was the awarding and distribution of certificates,medals,awards,citations ad cash prizes  to the outstanding graduates by Ms. Antonieta J.Arceo,Chief Information Services of ATI, BM and Liga ng mga Barangay President Amado “Pogi” Espino III, BM Danilo Uy, Dr. Annie Bares of DA RFO I, Cecnter Director Rogelio Evangelista and OIC Provincial Agriculturist Dalisay Moya.

The farmer-graduates were able to learn modern technologies on Mango Production though listening to the radio.It is an effective way of empowering the farmers by giving them the chance to learn even without leaving their homes and farms. The said activity was supported by the Local Government of Umingan headed by Mayor Eldred P. Tumbocon.

Contributed by:

Vilma Lapuz-Abalos

Agricultural Technologist

Mmunicipal Agriculture Office

First Garlic Techno Demo Field Day in Umingan

The First Garlic Techno Demo Field Day of 14 participating Cities and Municipalities was held in Umingan,Pangasinan on March 23,2014. The said activity was initiaated by the Department of Agriculture –Regional Field Office I headed by Director Valentino C. Perdido Jr. in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture Provincial research and Experiment  Center headed by  Gilbert D.Rabara,DVM and Engr. Rosendo So of ABONO Partylist.

A trial demo on a 100 sq m area was conducted in 14 Cities and Municipalities of Pangasinan namely ,Alaminos, City, Bayambang, Malasiqui,, San Carlos City, Mangaldan, Alcala, Bautista, Villasis, Urdaneta City, Pozzorubio, Rosales, Natividad, San Quintin and Umingan,it is a first on the province of Pangasinan since  the province is not  a garlic growing area. The purpose of the trial demo is to see if it is feasible to grow garlic in Pangasinan. Based on the results presented by each participating municipalities, if garlic is considered white gold in the Ilocos Region it will be the white diamond of Umingan.  Meaning,garlic growing is feasible in the province. . A techno forum followed after the presentations to give way to the questions,suggestions and comments of the participants to the said activity.

Regional Executive Director Valentino C. Perdido gave his commitment to expand the 100 sq m Techno Trial to forty (40) has.  on the next cropping season. ABONO Partylist  through  Engr.  Rosendo So   will provide the farmers the inputs on a Plant Now Pay Later scheme. And they are going to buy back their produce at a prevailing retail market price.

Former  5th District Representative attended the event and signify his intentions to help the future garlic growers of Pangasinan.

Contributed by:

VILMA LAPUZ-ABALOS

Agricultural Technologist

ROTARY CLUB OF SAN DIEGO PARADISE VALLEY MEDICAL CAMP 2015

One thousand two hundred sixty six (1,266), that is the total number of patients served last Sunday, March 1, 2015 during the Global Medical Mission (medical, dental. optical, minor surgery & circumcision) of Rotary Club of San Diego Paradise Valley in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Umingan.

Medical, Dental & Optical Missions were held at the Municipal Auditorium while Circumcision and Minor Surgeries were held at our Rural Health Unit I.

There was a brief program right before the conduct of the Medical Mission. Those who gave messages include:

                        Hon. Eldred P. Tumbocon, CE-GE – Municipal Mayor

                        Hon. Alain P. Rabang – Municipal Vice Mayor

                        Hon. Neil B. Andaya – Municipal Councilor/Chair, Committee on Health

                        Dr. Linda Tillotson – President, Rotary Club of San Diego Paradise Valley

                        Mr. Gabriel Perpetua – Medical Director, Rotary Club of San Diego Paradise Valley

                        Ms. Femie Villaflores Cupit – Past President, Rotary Club of San Diego Paradise Valley

Ms. Femie Villaflores Cupit is originally from Brgy Pemienta, this municipality. She was the one who facilitated for the medical mission to be conducted here in loving memory of her brother Alex (sunog baga of Home along da riles of ABS-CBN). The just concluded medical camp was already their second here.

After the medical camp, dinner was served at Bulls ‘n Bears followed by the awarding of Certificates of Appreciation to all Rotarians who served. Mayor Eldred P. Tumbocon headed the awarding ceremony. Our First Lady, Madame Camila M. Tumbocon also graced the awarding and brought different native cakes for the visitors to take home.

In the name of the Local Government Unit of Umingan, our sincerest gratitude to all Rotarians headed by Mr. Gabriel Perpetua (Medical Director) and Dr. Linda Tillotson (President) who served in this medical mission. Thank you also to all personnel from our Municipal Health Office headed by Dr. Michael T. Trinidad and to all employees under the Office of the Municipal Mayor.

      

         Highest Validation Rate, Most Institutionalized Conduct of C/MAC Meetings and Best in Compliance. These are the recognitions being awarded to us by the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office, Region I. These awards were given on December 16, 2014 at Plaza del Norte Hotel and Convention Center, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte during the conduct of the Pantawid Pamilya Program Implementation Review for CY 2014.

           Special thanks and commendations are now on the way to the people behind these recognitions:

                    Municipal Links:

                                    Winalen G. Austria – from Bugallon, Pangasinan

                                    Clarissa Joy C. Camara – from Ifugao, Mountain Province

                                    Janine F. De Guzman – from Lingayen, Pangasinan

                                    Erlinda C. Catabay – from Anda, Pangasinan

           

                     Social Welfare Assistants:

                                    Christine Ann M. De Vera – from Bayambang, Pangasinan

                                    Roselle C. Ancheta – from Bauang, La Union

Umingan Extends Sympathy to Casem Family

        The Local Government Unit of Umingan headed by the Local Chief Executive, Mayor Eldred P. Tumbocon, wishes to extend sympathy and condolences to the bereaved family of the late GENARO DE LEON CASEM, who passed away on October 22, 2014 at Philadelphia, USA

Umingan is DTI Awardee

            Regional Director FLORANTE O. LEAL and Provincial Director PETER O. MANGABAT of the Department of Trade and Industry awarded a check amounting to One Million Four Hundred Seventy Nine thousand pesos (Php 1,479,000.00) to the Local Government Unit of Umingan. Said fund under the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting (BUB) 2014 will be used for the project “Kakayahang Pangkabuhayan sa Umingan”. This is a Shared Service Facility. This project is conceptualized due to: 1) the abundance of squash as prime agricultural product of our so-called Marlboro country in the hilly areas of the municipality; 2) as a support facility for the establishment of One-Town-One-Product (OTOP); and 3) because of the trend on health and wellness wherein people  became conscious on the nutritional value of the food they eat. The LGU saw the potential of the project to create employment for women and to assist farmers market their produce.

            This Shared Service Facility will be housed at the Umingan Livelihood and Training Center, which the LGU will construct at Brgy. Lauren and will be used by United Farmers and Women’s Association of Umingan (UFAWA) and other accredited CSO’s. They will make veggie noodle and veggie-bread products.

            This project aims to:

1.      Serve as venue for product development of different agricultural products

2.      Serve as a training facility for interested individuals to gain knowledge about food processing

3.      To improve standard of Umingan products including our OTOP

4.      To spur livelihood activity among unemployed women and out of school youth

5.      To augment household income through food processing

6.      To supply nutritious foods for the Supplemental Feeding Program of the LGU.

Umingan’s Soybean Trial Demo

The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research through the Ilocos Integrated Agricultural Research Center (ILIARC) in collaboration with the Local Government Unit of Umingan through its Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center  initiated a 1 ha. Techno-Demo on Organic Soybean Production.

Mr. Gil M. Infantado of Poblacion West, Umingan, Pangasinan is the first farmer to try organic soybean production in Umingan who allocated 1 hectare for the trial. He was awarded with 50 kgs. of soybean seeds last September 3, 2014 for this purpose.

Soybean is known for its high protein content not to mention the different medicinal properties.Soybean is included as one of the priority commodities under the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP).It is known as a good source of dietary fiber and it contains anti-cancer and anti-flammatory factors,it also contains components that aid in the prevention of osteoporosis, heart diseases, and diabetes. Among other beans (mungbean,peas, and beans, soybean has the highest protein content. In the Philippines, soybean production is only concentrated in Surigao del Sur and Negros Oriental,that is why a big portion of our soybean needs every year is being imported from other countries. Soybean also plays a vital role in the agricultural system. Just like mungbean, it is a nitrogen fixing plant

Aside from its numerous health benefits, soybean is also an important crop in an agricultural system because of its capability to fixate nitrogen that is present in the air. “The symbiotic relationship between the nitrogen-fixing bacteria [in the root nodules] and the host legume plant provide nitrogen to the agricultural system.

A hectare of organic soybean could fix 300 kilograms of nitrogen in the soil, and only 40 % will be utilized by the plant during its growth cycle. The remaining 60% will stay in the soil and can be utilized by the next crop planted in the field.

The Local Government of Umingan through its FITS Center is in full support in this endeavor. FITS Staff are now preparing  for activities to support the Organic Soybean Production in Umingan. Seminar on the health benefits derived from soybean, production, processing and marketing is in the making.