Tagbilaran Media Bureau reports city’s events and information
City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II takes a breather as he poses after planting a tree. This planting activity is part of the urban agriculture project of the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). The mayor participated in the tree planting activity held at the City Agrivet’s Office in barangay Tiptip. Photo courtesy of City Media Bureau
Mayor Baba pushes for urban agriculture in the city
City Mayor John Geesnell Yap expresses his support to the latest project being pushed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) promoting urban agriculture.
The DA through the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) forged a partnership with the City Government to implement the Urban Agriculture (UA) program, according to a report from the City Media Bureau.
UA is envisioned to produce food that is safe, affordable, and accessible to all. It is also hoped that the project could provide an additional income to households and communities in urban areas.
Mayor Yap in an interview stressed the importance of UA. He said, “In our fight against this pandemic, we want to prioritize food and agriculture as strategic activities of public interest through partnerships with well-meaning stakeholders to facilitate the exchange of information and technical cooperation. We are thankful to the DA through ATI for this opportunity. We will truly benefit from this fruitful endeavor.”
The ATI will implement the program by providing technical assistance and initial agricultural inputs such as seeds, shovel, rake, garden hose, vegetable twine, sprayers, and soil medium (garden soil, vermi compost) for vegetable component.
Moreover, for the individual households, the ATI will provide starter kits which include seeds of common vegetables suited in the area, garden soil, compost, seedling tray, polyethylene bags and information, education and communication (IEC) materials.
ATI Center Director Dr. Carolyn Daquio said that capability building activities including on-line courses will also be produced by their agency, as well as provision of continuous assistance to the community, schools, universities, and public offices in the maintenance and sustenance of the site.
Furthermore, ATI will also conduct regular monitoring of the of the identified sites.
The City Government of Tagbilaran, for its part, will provide the required areas for the establishment of the integrated UA garden, assign people who will manage the integrated UA garden and identify people who are going to be tutored as trainers.
City Agrivet Officer Dr. Genette Egos said that capability building interventions conducted by the DA and ATI will be included in their office’s list of required trainings.
Egos also reiterated that the City Agrivet Office will ensure the project’s sustainability by providing necessary supplies, inputs, and implements to the community garden production activities.
Her office will also assist in the monitoring and evaluation of the Urban Agriculture Project.
City Mayor John Geesnell Yap (right) awards the cash prize to the grand champion of the Visual Arts Competition, Ace Brandon Madera (left). The competition is part of the city’s month-long celebration of the National Arts Month. Photo by City Media Bureau
Tagb celebrates National Arts Month
Despite the public health crisis, the National Council for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) remains steadfast in its mandate to promote arts and culture by celebrating the National Arts Month.
Tagbilaran City culminated its celebration of the National Arts Month through various activities.
The City Government of Tagbilaran held competitions last month highlighting the artistic abilities of the Tagbilaranons.
Spearheaded by Joseph Alexis Cadeliña of the City Events, Culture and the Arts (CECAO) through the City Council for Arts and Culture (CCAC) headed by Prof. Joshibiah Gaa De Juan, the art competition showcased the local culture.
One of the competitions is the “Balitaw.” This Balitaw, as explained by De Juan, who heads Tagbilaran City’s local arts council, is a type of folk song in the form of a dialogue where a man and a woman exchange improvised romantic verses.
De Juan said that the council has been receiving promising entries for this classic art form “Tagbilaranons have exceptionally practiced this entertaining art form. The creative pieces we have witnessed are endearing.” De Juan said.
Michael Cosmod and Claudine Ancog were declared as champions in Balitaw, followed by Shiena Jane Arais and Reymart Paderog.
Clark Louise Palomares was declared as the grand winner of the Balak competition, followed by Allyssa Doncillo in second place and Adriel Limbaroc as the third placer.
Mary Ann Lisay, Rovie Balisado, and Shiela Mae Rizalado finished first, second and third placers respectively in the Nail Art competition.
Cake decorators Restirose Pinanos and Shaina Roque were declared winners in the Cake Decorating Contest.
The group called the “VG Dancers” emerged as the grand winner in the Virtual Interpretative Group Dance Competition followed by The Makers and KMJ Varsity.
The winner in the painting competition, Ace Brandon Madera, touched the hearts of the judges with his artwork featuring a mother with her sick child.
City Mayor John Geesnell Yap personally handed the certificates and cash prizes to all the winners.
The National Arts Month is a celebration of the city residents’ creative efforts for the past year and a way to look forward to a richer and vibrant expression of the Filipino creative imagination.