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Many small-scale fish farms rely on their bodies of water’s resources, mainly fish. Through this, they are able to make a living and provide for their families. Usually, these fishermen are the breadwinner of their household, with the next coming generations expected to follow the fishermen’s path. Over 3 billion people depend on the marine biodiversity for their livelihoods.

However, over 30% of the world’s fish are overexploited. Marine pollution because of land-based materials (e.g. plastics) have caused a rise in ocean acidification. Over 40% of oceans are heavily affected by pollution, depleted fisheries, and loss of coastal habitats.

Recent technology advancements such as glass/metal straws and reusable flasks have grown in popularity and can be found everywhere in the market. This can reduce overall plastic waste. Although, many families who have business that use the mass-production of plastic products won’t exactly be able to afford such alternatives. For example, tons of sari-sari stores and palengkes heavily rely on plastic bags. Additionally, production of these metal straws and reusable alternatives may increase carbon emissions, with one metal straw equivalent to producing 150 plastic straws. Given this, a person may have to use their metal straws more than 150 times to really get the item’s worth.

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Official Portal of the Department of Agriculture

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Author: DA Communications Group | 27 May 2020

The Department of Agriculture (DA) kicked off the yearly Farmers' and Fisherfolk's Month celebration and launch of the Plant, Plant, Plant program by recognizing outstanding farmers and fisherfolk, ceremonial planting of mango and aromatic dwarf coconut, and inspection of aquaponics prototypes, on May 26, 2020 at the DA Central Office, Quezon City.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar awarded certificates to seven outstanding farmers and fisherfolk during the event, with the theme, "Pagpupugay sa Magsasaka at Mangingisda Natin, Tungo sa Sapat na Pagkain."

He said the agriculture sector is important as ever in any situation, commending majority of the country's farmers and fisherfolk who continued on with their farming and fishing activities, despite the grave threat of the Covid-19 pandemic, surmounting roadblocks during the initial days of the community quarantine implementation.

Thus, on behalf of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and the DA family, Secretary Dar recognized their valuable contribution and hard work, represented by seven of their colleagues, namely:

Nemencio J. Concepcion, San Ildefonso, Bulacan - 2017 national Gawad Saka awardee on rice;

Edwin B. Mag-isa, San Ildefonso, Bulacan - 2017 national Gawad Saka awardee on high value crops;

Celestino M. Mananguit, San Ildefonso, Bulacan - 2016 national Gawad Saka awardee on raising large animals;

Juanito T. Rama, San Manuel, Tarlac - 2013 national Gawad Saka awardee on corn;

Evelyn Alegado-Grace, Candelaria, Zambales - 2018 national outstanding rural woman;

Tomy C. Garma, Mayantoc, Tarlac - 2019 regional Gawad Saka winner on organic agriculture; and

Dante C. Noces, Paraoir, La Union - 2019 regional fisherfolk awardee.

In his keynote message, Secretary Dar said the DA will continue to implement modern, science-based, inclusive and market-driven agriculture and fisheries programs, as the country transitions into the 'new normal.'

"Let us reform and reboot Philippine agriculture and move forward to the day when the sector will be much more responsive and anticipatory with the kinds of problems that we have today," he noted.

He urged the public to rally behind the DA family for the reforms to happen, be institutionalized, and funded by the national government, citing the DA's P66-billion stimulus package which is deliberated upon at both houses of Congress.

In adapting to the 'new normal,' he said the DA family will turn challenges into opportunities, which is an important strategy for every department in this country to survive.

For instance, through the DA 'Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita,' he said "we have institutionalized connecting farmers and fishers direct to the market, so those traders who are taking advantage during this challenging period will be set aside."

"Let us ensure that farmers and fishers will get better prices for their produce, and that consumers will have affordable prices of commodities at their end," he added.

In all, he said: "We need food. We need to survive. We need to be healthy. And agriculture will be the source of all of these resources."

The DA also actively promotes the engagement of the younger generation in farming, fishing and agribusiness enterprises through various programs and financing facilities.

Related to this initiative, the DA chief designated singer-actor James Reid as an "Ambassador on Food Security" to help entice Filipino millennials and older generations to engage in agri-fishery ventures.

The twin event - Farmers' and Fisherfolk's Month celebration and launch of the Plant, Plant, Plant program - was also observed simultaneously nationwide by the DA regional field offices, bureaus, and attached agencies.

May is celebrated yearly as the Farmers' and Fisherfolk's Month "to recognize their invaluable contribution to nation-building," as per Presidential Proclamation No. 33, issued on May 21, 1989, by former President Corazon Aquino. ### (Gumamela Celes Bejarin, DA-AFID)

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Farmers, fishers take spotlight as food security frontliners - Official Portal of the Department of Agriculture

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Author: DA Communications Group | 27 May 2020 The Department of Agriculture (DA) kicked off the yearly Farmers' and Fisherfolk's Month celebration and launch of the Plant, Plant, Plant program by recognizing outstanding farmers and fisherfolk, ceremonial planting of mango and aromatic dwarf coconut, and inspection of aquaponics prototypes, on May 26, 2020 at the DA Central Office, Quezon City.

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My family from Surigao del Norte hosting a donation drive to hundreds of victims of the Typhoon Odette.

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Siargao’s Cloud 9, 2021 by Tourist Spots Finder. https://touristspotsfinder.com/surigao-del-norte-tourist-spots/

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Biyahe ni Drew: The unexplored beauty of Dinagat Islands (full episode)

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The beautiful Basul Island, 2014 by surigaocity.gov.ph. https://www.vigattintourism.com/tourism/articles/Hopping-at-Basul-Island

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Aerial view of Surigao del Norte, 2007 by Patrick120603. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/Aerial_view_of_Surigao_del_Norte.jpg

Surigao del Norte can be found in the northeastern side of Mindanao, surrounded by the Dinagat Islands. The province has a land area of 1,972.9 km², with the mainland comprising of mountains, and with its islands containing many caves and tunnels. Its capital is Surigao City, with 20 municipalities, 335 barangays, and made up of the 1st and 2nd districts.

The climate reaches at an average of around 30°C and a low of around 24°C, with rainfall being frequent during the months of November to January. Though, it rains on an average of 181 days a year.

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FISHERY DEVASTATED. Residents who lost their homes and livelihood to Typhoon Odette get their relief goods in Surigao City on Thursday (Dec. 23, 2021). Fishermen are among the sectors most affected by the devastation in Surigao del Norte and Surigao City with over PHP1 billion damage in the fishery sector in the area. (Photo grabbed from Surigao City PIO FB Page)

BUTUAN CITY - Typhoon Odette has left a damage of over PHP1 billion to agriculture and fishery sectors in Surigao del Norte, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) report showed.

In its status report as of December 23, a copy of which was obtained by the Philippine News Agency Friday, the PDRRMO in Surigao del Norte said the fishery sector in the province and in Surigao City suffered around PHP1,122,241,500 losses from the recent typhoon.

The amount includes damage to fishponds worth PHP264 million, PHP23.8 million to fish cages, PHP75 million worth of pump boats, PHP10 million in fishing gears, PHP20 million to other commercial fishing vessels, and PHP2 million to marine sanctuaries.

The remaining figures for damage to fisheries were incurred in other fishery projects and fishery businesses in the province.

The damage to agriculture in the province was placed at PHP144.4-million to fruit trees, PHP84 million to rice farms, and PHP93 million to banana farms.

The typhoon also destroyed PHP838.5 million worth of infrastructures in the province, including provincial roads, bridges, farm-to-market roads, public markets, isolation facilities, and covered courts.

A separate PHP400-million damage was also incurred in the provincial center of the province, including damage to the provincial capitol building, the convention center, and other facilities.

The water supply systems in Surigao City and other municipalities in the province also incurred some PHP35.9-million damage.

Buildings and offices in the different towns in Surigao del Norte also suffered around PHP88.5 million in damage, while the different school facilities also incurred a PHP62-million damage.

The PDRRMO also reported around PHP20.2 million in damage to different tourism facilities in the province.

Private structures in the different towns, including churches, gas stations, and private commercial buildings also suffered a PHP12.7-million damage.

Typhoon Odette made landfall in the province, particularly in Siargao Island on December 16 that displaced around 48,204 families or 157,052 individuals, and left 25 dead, 86 injured, and 26 missing persons, the PDRRMO reported.

Most of the reported deaths were in the town of Santa Monica in Siargao Island with eight, while 25 missing persons were recorded in the town of Del Carmen, also in Siargao.

The PDRRMO said distribution of family food packs (FFPs) was facilitated in the different towns in the province and in Surigao City.

Aside from the FFPs from the local government units and the provincial government (LGUs), augmentations were also provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The distributions were conducted by the LGUs with support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly the Army and the Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police, and the other line agencies of the government.

Private groups and individuals also sent food aid, water, and other necessities to the affected residents in the province, the PDRRMO said.

International humanitarian and relief organizations are also providing support to the continuing efforts to provide the affected residents with their immediate needs.

The PDRRMO said search, rescue, and retrieval operations are still ongoing in areas with reported missing persons. (PNA)

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'Odette' leaves P1-B damage to agri, fisheries in Surigao Norte

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BUTUAN CITY - Typhoon Odette has left a damage of over PHP1 billion to agriculture and fishery sectors in Surigao del Norte, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) report showed.In its status report as of December 23, a copy of which was obtained by the...

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Philstar. (2021). Signal No. 2 up in parts of Mindanao with 'Odette' now a typhoon. Picture retrieved from https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/12/15/2148156

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A powerful typhoon hit the Visayan and Mindanao islands just this December 2021. This typhoon has ruined homes and businesses, leaving thousands of families homeless. This has also affected the economic progress of the region as the same people are still adjusting to COVID-19’s impact.

Climate change has become drastic in the past years, strongly affecting the lives of the people. The average global temperature increased by .85°C in only about 130 years of human activity. Carbon dioxide emission has increased by 50% in just 30 years, with the years 2000-2010 the most crucial years of emission growth. This has caused oceans to warm and with the ice caps melting, this has caused sea levels to increase.

An unknown carbon villain that’s in front of everyone’s eyes is cement, which is what thousands of homes are made of. Limestone needs to be heated to more than 2,700 degrees which in turn releases a huge amount of CO2. That is why a new technology has been made, where a new type of cement that recycles discarded industrial wastes like fly ash can be fired at a lower temperature. This reduces carbon emission by 1/3. This technology can decrease annual CO2 emissions by 1.5 gigatons a year, and people in the Philippines already have access to this technology in the market. The downside is that it still causes an efficient amount of CO2 being released, and families may have financial concerns regarding the use of cement to build their houses.

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A group of girl scouts from Surigao del Norte National High School, 2019 via Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/Girl-Scout-of-The-Philippines-Surigao-DEL-NORTE-National-HIGH-School-281138685766813/

In 2020, the population census was 534,636. Around 96% speak Surigaonon as their first language, with majority adopting Tagalog and English as second languages. A small minority speak Waray, Kamayo, and Manobo. Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion with up to 60% of the people, 30% are Iglesia Filipina Independiente, and 10% for Protestant Churches.

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"Bobo" traps being released one by one by fishermen, 2019 by agrimag. https://www.agriculture.com.ph/2019/12/06/from-the-trap/

Surigao del Norte is the major ecotourism destination, fishery producer, and mineral-based processing industrial center of the region. It is also noted for its wood based economy, extensive water resources, with major crops such as palay, banana, and coconut.

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A Bonok-Bonok Maradjao Karadjao Festival queen smiling through the performance, 2016 by arcymeneses. https://pluviophile1994.wordpress.com/2016/09/10/bonok-bonok-maradjao-karadjao-festival-celebrating-30-years-of-abundance-and-dancing/

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2013 by PSA. https://psa.gov.ph/content/population-surigao-del-sur-increased-almost-60-thousand-results-2010-census-population-and