Environment and Agriculture by HAZEL BURCE

Grains of Gold

merwyndaletee — 2025-03-06 13:04:35 UTC

Although the Philippines is known for its agricultural cultural heritage, it faces challenges in this sector. The rising local rice prices have become a major issue because the cost of living continues to rise but minimum wage rates remain unchanged. As Filipinos, we should do our best to vote the right leaders as the 2025 elections approaches, because this decision will lead to swift solutions for food safety and protection of both national supplies and public safety.

KEY EXCERPT

merwyndaletee — 2025-03-06 13:07:02 UTC

"On Feb. 3, 2025, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. declared a rice emergency due to the extraordinary rise in local rice prices. The National Food Authority (NFA) will release 300,000 metric tons of rice to stabilize prices. This highlights the ongoing issue of food security in the Philippines, as domestic food prices remain high despite global market stability." (as cited in Navarro, R. L., 2025)

Navarro, R. L. (2025, March 3). Food security and the 2025 elections. INQUIRER.net. https://opinion.inquirer.net/181259/food-security-and-the-2025-elections

MULTIMODAL TEXT

merwyndaletee — 2025-03-06 13:09:16 UTC

This infographic illustrates the strategy that the NFA will implement to stabilize local rice prices in the news article by Lustan (2025).

Lustan, E. (2025, February 7). Food security emergency for rice: The real issues. INQUIRER.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2032518/food-security-emergency-for-rice-the-real-issues

For the dirty hands that fills my empty plate

hazelburce — 2025-03-06 17:11:17 UTC

We feed off of the crops and livestock grown by farmers, so if they struggle with their work due to lack of digitization and mechanization, then as consumers residing in the metro, we directly suffer from the lack of food on our tables or higher prices from low production.

KEY EXCERPT

hazelburce — 2025-03-06 17:31:43 UTC

In a news article by Cervantes (2025) on the expansion of tech-based aid for farmers, he noted:

The lack of access to smartphones and internet is a major barrier to technology adoption among rice farmers," he said. He added that bringing public agricultural services online will provide farmers with valuable data and easier access to government assistance. "The government must invest in programs that give farmers access to digital tools," he said.

Cervantes, F. M. (2025, February 25). Lawmaker pushes for expanded tech-based aid for farmers. Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1243771

Heatwave Havoc: A Public Health Hazard

2025-03-07 00:43:40 UTC

While neighboring institutions like the University of Santo Tomas (UST) AND De La Salle University (DLSU) suspended in-person classes, we Ateneans continued with regular classes, leaving us to face the soaring heat conditions which compromised student health and well-being. Beyond this, the heat wave poses extreme health risk for the broader community and workforce, especially to outdoor workers, underscoring the need for comprehensive measures to protect public health.

Powering the Future

hansgabrielsaw — 2025-03-07 00:54:11 UTC

The Philippines has the potential to harness renewable energy from its abundant natural resources, yet it remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels. Shifting to cleaner energy sources is not just an environmental necessity but also a step toward more affordable and stable electricity for Filipinos.

KEY EXCERPT

2025-03-07 00:56:05 UTC

In the headline news article by the Philippine Daily Inquirer (2025), it was stated that:

"Five areas in Luzon experienced a heat index within “danger” levels on Wednesday,according to the latest figures from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), leading to class and work suspensions in at least two places.

Pagasa also predicted that the heat index in most areas nationwide will range from 33 to 41 degrees Celsius for the rest of the week."

Heat index hits ‘danger’ levels in 5 Luzon areas. (2025, March 6). Philippine Daily Inquirer. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2040858/heat-index-hits-danger-levels-in-5-luzon-areas

KEY EXCERPT

hansgabrielsaw — 2025-03-07 01:12:49 UTC

According to Serquiña (2025), “Following a successful round of the state initiative to facilitate investments in renewable energy (RE), the Philippine government is planning to conduct another Green Energy Auction (GEA) in 2025.”

GMA News Online. (2025, February 19). PH eyes green energy auction in 2025, bullish on solar investments. GMA News Online. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/936746/ph-eyes-green-energy-auction-in-2025-bullish-on-solar-investments/story/?amp

MULTIMODAL TEXT

hansgabrielsaw — 2025-03-07 01:16:25 UTC

Let’s go renewable. (n.d.). Letsgorenewable.Ph. Retrieved March 7, 2025, from https://letsgorenewable.ph/a-101-on-renewable-energy-in-the-philippines

MULTIMODAL TEXT

2025-03-07 03:21:39 UTC

The multimodal text above presents the current issue on the dangerous heat index levels. Furthermore, it provides Ateneans with tips on how to beat the heat (SOSE Sanggunian, 2025).

SOSE Sanggunian (2025, March 3). Heat Index Advisory #1 Forecast for March 3, 2025 Maghanda, Atenista! According to the Weather Channel, the maximum temperature forecast [Images attached] [Post]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/SOSESanggu/posts/pfbid04nVGLyirJhWJ4ApKeV8EfhweinKNXGPr2SF9VUuTgEDggzbxBfSjrTYUtZSjhMH8l?rdid=zD4lw4bKGqtI04lE#

MULTIMODAL TEXT

hazelburce — 2025-03-07 03:59:12 UTC

Department of Agriculture - Philippines. (2021, July 7). The 'OneDA' Reform Agenda: Key Strategies to Transforming Philippine Agriculture In pursuing an inclusive approach to accelerate the transformation of [Image attached] [Post]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=4101052979976111&set=a.521444324603679