Pinoy Yan Movement: An Open Invitation to Regain the Greatness of the Brown Race in the succeeding 10 Years and Onwards

Pinoy Yan Movement: An Open Invitation to Regain the Greatness of the Brown Race - Filipino people - in ten years and onwards 

To all Filipino who believes that we can be a better country again;


During the end of the year, part of the activities I have done is to look at how we can be of better use as an individual Filipino citizen in our generation and to make an impact for the next generation to come. In my personal devotional time,  I got the impression that the key to making this country a great nation again in the coming days. From what we have done during the 60's as some other countries have admired the Philippines for being a model, as described by Aseanfocus.com, stated as "By the 60's the Philippines was the most successful manufacturing country in Southeast Asia and appeared to be the most prosperous."-  lifted from "A Short History of Southeast Asia: Philippines"


We were no. 2 then,  second only to Japan based on most of the observers in Asia. But now we are  no. two to the lowest or one of the countries with the lowest level of socio-economic development in Asia. We are left behind by South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, to name some.  


As a people, we need to organized a unified effort to make our "bad image" with the name "Pinoy Kase," which connotes a negative image for us Filipinos or "Pinoy," as it relates to the bad "crab mentality"  attitude. 


An example of this bad image include doing illegal things abroad, doing short cuts in  doing business to attain success, and the "crab mentality" attitude, I have earlier mentioned.  


Crab mentality describes a way of thinking best described by the phrase...."if i can't have it, neither can you."  It is a metaphor referring to a pot of crabs in which one of them tries to escape and instead is pulled down by the rest of them (http://wiki.answers.com). 


Sabi ng Answers.com ang "crab mentality" ay nagsimula ayon sa kasaysayan  noong panahon pa ng Kastila.  Isa itong kaugalian namana pa ng mga Filipino sa Kastila. Ito ay isang kaugalian na hindi kaaya-aya dahil isa itong pangit na kaugalian ng ilang mga Filipino. Kabilang sa nakalakip na masamang paguugali sa "crab mentality" or "utak alimangu"  ay ang  paninirang puri, pag-gawa ng kwento sa kapwa, at inggit sa mga  nakakaangat na kababayan.


The Answers.com gave this example: 

"Ang crab o alimangu pag nilangay mo sa timba ay nag uunahan makapunta sa bunganga ng timba, ngunit sa pag punta nga ilan sa malapit na sa bunganga nito ay hinahatak naman ng ibang alimangu ang ilan para hindi makalabas sa timba. Maihalintulad nito ang tao, pag may nakakaangat na sa buhay, ang ilan ay panag-iisipan ng masama."

We need to remove this bad attitude and start replacing it with a good attitude which basically will support  our country to become a great country again in this time of the 21st century,  not only for this generation, but for the succeeding generation of the Brown Race.

  

As I have put it during my year-end contemplation with this prayer and wishes for each one for  2012:    

"Blessed be the New Year 2012 for each one.  May this serve as a new beginning of more intense journey of all Filipinos for making the Philippines, a great country again.  We move forward so that "Pinoy Kase" becomes "Pinoy Yan" in the next 10 years.  Hurrah! God is good all the time! Purihin sya lagi!" - December 30, 2011

The "Pinoy Kase!" bad image includes the "crab mentality" as something part of the culture which we need to transform into a positive one.  We can transform this crab mentality attitude  into a positive attitude by believing that as Filipino we can unitedly contribute positively in the national and local development of the Philippines. This could start from performing our duties and responsibilities in our individual family, to the performance of our individual duties and responsibilities in our work and vocation in life.  This could serve as our individual reason  and motivation to become a better person God wants us to be, for ourselves, for our  family, for our people and for our country, in the process. 

Furthermore, I am sharing with you this important open invitation, as a demonstration of promoting Pinoy Yan Movement.  It is a movement and a challenge to all Filipinos to collectively contribute in developing a new good image of Filipinos, the Pinoy Yan attitude here in the Philippines and abroad. In my initial promotional sharing time message, I stated that,   

"We can teach ourselves to be happy!  The future begins with whatever is in our hands today! Jesus taught us that giving was one of the ways to multiply what He has given each one, so that he can fulfill His plan in our lives. May the Lord Jesus Christ inspire us to do better in 2012 and onwards for our individual family, for all Filipinos, for the Phiilippines and for the glory of His name. God is good all the time!" -  Pinoy Yan Sharing Time No. 1, January 7, 2012

My advocacy for every Filipino, rich or poor, young or old, male or female, student, professional, housewife or farmer or whatever vocation you are in or you have inclination is to do our own  individual business by giving our best contribution based on the talents, skills, and gifts which was given to us by God,  to demonstrate excellence and to promote best practices in whatever areas of influence we are in as Filipinos. 

Sabi nga, "Trabaho lang  walang personalan" should be our motto, a demonstration that we are doing our own business well as a renewed Filipino citizen during this time and for our country's future in the succeeding generation.     

We say, "let live and let others live as human beings created by God."   If we have done this individually, the blessing of our Great King and Creator will be poured out from heaven, because we have demonstrated the giving of ourselves for others to live - our fellow Filipinos. You will be blessed, I will be blessed, all Filipinos will be blessed because the curse which I call and we all call as the "crab mentality" among us have been removed as part of our culture.    

If we will not eliminate the culture of "crab mentality" among ourselves and among our people, it will be a forever curse, and part of our cultural liabilities, as Filipinos or as a people.  


I personally aim to organize a campaign that "crab mentality" be removed as one of the bad attitudes that hampered us to attain a higher level of  socio-economic growth and development, as a country. 


Yes, we can rise again as a great people and great country in Asia!  We can rise again with a renewed strength, new hope, new commitment and new life changed by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, for the whole world,  for the national economy, for the socio-economic development, for each one my brothers and sisters, for the better life ahead in the next 10 years and onwards. Yes, we can say eye-to-eye to each one, and to our Great Creator, that we have done our part and the best that we can, in our time!  

May the Lord Jesus Christ be our guide along the way in promoting the Pinoy Yan attitude, a positive attitude of developing a God-given confidence that He has provided us as a gift, a blessing and part of His grace and mercy in the Brown Race.  


Yes, we can do better and we can be a great people,  a great country, capable of competing in any areas of expertise, with the rest of the world's different nationalities. These include further improving a sustained socio-economic growth and development in the Philippines in 2012 and in the coming years. 


Your individual contribution will matter a lot, I believed, brothers and sisters, mga Kapuso, mga Kapamilya! 

Salamat so inyong lahat, mga kapwa ko Filipino! "Kapwa ko, Mahal ko" as one TV program says.

Finally, I will leave this new dream which I have conceptualized when I visited Singapore in February of 2011 and will give you statement of pledge for the Philippines for the Pinoy Yan Movement which says: Statement of Pledge for the Philippines of "Pinoy Yan Movement" 

"We, the citizens of the Philippines and inhabitants of this country, pledge ourselves as one united people, regardless of language and local dialect, provincial, regional and racial differences, political affiliation, and religion; to build a democratic, God-fearing, peace-loving, collaborative and interdependent society based on justice, equality, good governance, nationalism, discipline, participation, prayer, faith and sacrifice, so we can contribute for the advancement of our country's societal challenges, needs and concerns at the right time, right place and with the right purpose; and to aim to become “Champion” in the individual God-given calling that we are in, so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation." February 2011 - 

I strongly believe that we can all contribute in this Statement of Pledge if we will only make it a commitment among ourselves for the Brown Race - Filipino people - in the next 10 years and onwards. 

For your comments, please email me at digitalpinoy2038@gmail.com. God is good all the time!

Sincerely,

Elmer R. Esplana 

Convenor, Pinoy Yan Movement  

Development in the Supply Chain of the Philippine Agri-tourism Industry: An Assessment

I am sharing the presentation material I presented during the 1st International Agriculture and Tourism Expo (IATE) at the World Trade Center (WTC), Pasay City, Philippines, July 1, 2011. This is an additional information aside from the Executive Summary I also posted here in Pinoy Online Socio-economics and Agri-tourism Support Blog.

This will be useful for those interested to look for an investment opportunities in the Philippines both for local and foreign investors.

Please click the link below to go to the presentation in slideshare.net.

http://www.slideshare.net/cpr_elmer/development-in-the-supply-chain-of-the-philippine-agritourism-industry

Development in the Supply Chain of the Philippine Agri-tourism Industry: An Assessment

Development in the Supply Chain of the

Philippine Agri-tourism Industry: An Assessment

Elmer R. Esplana

Socio-economist and Interdisciplinary Researcher 
National Secretariat Coordinator,

Price and Volume Watch, Bureau of Animal Industry

Department of Agriculture

Presented at the

1st International Agriculture and Tourism Expo,

World Trade Center, Pasay City, Philippines

July 1, 2011

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The main objective of the study is to document and assess the developments in the Philippine agri-tourism industry supply chain.

Specifically, the study aims to: 1) provide a situation on the tourism industry both in local and international situation; 2) provide a baseline information on the developments in the Philippine agri-tourism industry from input supply, production, processing, marketing and demand/consumption; 3) identify the best practices along the supply chain approach; 4) provide the baseline tourism competitiveness  of  agri-tourism  with some Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries; 5) suggest solutions for the gaps and problems encountered by the industry along the supply chain; and 6) recommend strategic directions for the Philippine agri-tourism industry.

The assessment used the agri-tourism industry supply chain framework in the conduct of this study.  This framework was first developed in 2007 by Esplana, Abao and Vasquez in the study conducted for the goat industry which won the Grand Prize Award in Socio-economic Research category at the National Research Symposium of the Bureau of Agricultural Research in October 2007.  

In 2010, international tourism receipts are estimated at $919 billion worldwide higher than the $851 billion in 2009 (UNWTO, May 2011).  The no. of tourist worldwide was recorded at 880 million in 2009. Top three international tourist destinations in 2010 are France (79 M), China (56 M) and United States (61 M).

In general, during the last five years, the no. of arrivals and total receipts of tourist industry in the Philippines has been in decreasing trends.  The average contribution of the tourism industry in the last five years was posted at two percent of the gross domestic product.

South Korea is the country with the highest no. of tourist arrivals (740,622 or 21%) or source of market, followed by United States 600,165 or 17%, Japan (12%), China (7%) and Australia (3%).  The top five tourist destinations in 2010 include: Metro Manila with 21-percent growth, Camarines Sur, 53%;  Cebu, 6.42%;  Boracay Island, 19.85%;  and Davao City (-24%).  The Standard Room (67.35%) accommodations had the highest occupancy rate while the De Luxe Room (2.63) had highest length of stay for guests.

Agri-tourism is a form of niche tourism that is considered a growth industry in many parts of the world, including Australia, Canada, US, and the Philippines (Wikipedia). It is sometimes called as “farm or rural tourism” which is a fast expanding tourism product that acts as a supplemental activity to the main activity of farming. This is characterized by a link between travel and products, services and experiences of the agriculture and food systems (http://www.gov.nf.ca). 

Agri-tourism concept in the Philippines involve activities which maximizes the potential of income generation of existing farms in the country through tourism related activities.  This on-farm diversification scheme aims to open opportunities for livelihood, business and employment generation, and education of non-farming public about farm and farm products and the preservation of rural landscape.  It is a kind of tourism where the working environment forms as part of the tourist product. It likewise covers attractions, activities, services, and amenities as well as cultural resources of the area.  It is intended to promote an appreciation of local culture, heritage and traditions through personal contact with local people (Department of Tourism (DOT), Philippine Agri-tourism Concept Paper, 1999).

Agri-tourism industry is considered as an emerging industry developed as a niche market both of the agriculture and tourism sectors. There are some agribusiness establishments that offer agri-tourism products and services as a valued-added from their core business in the farms, to increase their profitability or competitiveness as a business entity. While some agri-tourism sites had intentionally developed business models which basically made tourism as their core business,  but only few are doing this at the moment, among the new entrants to the industry due to availability of enough capital investment.

In the input supply subsystem, it is observed that among the agri-tourism sites, the purchasing of raw materials requirement for their operations are either supplied through their existing farm input operation, while some have been purchasing through their regular suppliers.

Some of the players in the input supply subsystem include: breeders and feeds supplier for livestock, seeds and seedlings supplier, fertilizer and pesticide supplier for crops, agricultural/processing machinery suppliers, food and beverages suppliers and other agricultural inputs.  Most of the labor employed in the agri-tourism establishments are sourced from within the area where the agri-tourism sites are located.    

In agri-tourism business, the distribution of production load in the operations of agri-tourism sites include: 70% of production is goods while 30 % of production is services or vice versa depending on the business model. The production subsystem activities in agri-tourism industry include: production of farm and processed products, conduct or participate in trade fairs, exhibit, farm direct marketing, acceptance of farm tours and conducting of training.  Only few have farm stay or overnight accommodation capability.  Some have regular farm tours organized by them or through their network tour guide operators, travel agencies or travel association.  

Others have value-added products such as consultancy services for their farm commodity expertise.  Among the selected agri-tourism sites, aside from the farm tour, only few or 6 out of 17 have the capability to handle an overnight stay for their clients. Facilities for overnight stay include Sonya’s Garden, Bohol Bee Farm, Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-National Apiculture Research and Development Institute, University of the Philippines Los Banos and Central Luzon State University.

When it comes to mode of reservation for farm tour, phone calls (landline/mobile) and email communications are the most widely used means of communication tools. Among the identified 17 selected agri-tourism sites, only Bohol Bee Farm and Ilog Maria Honeybee Farm had the online reservation facility/could purchase their product/service for sale through an e-commerce facility.   

Bohol Bee Farm which is an organic bee farm with hotel resort and restaurant. They have 17 products from honey and honeybee by-products that are currently offering to their clients.  Some of these products include: pure honey, honey spread, bee pollen, honeyed salabat, bee propolis, honeyed muffins.  Bohol Bee Farm is promoting organic farming. 

Ilog Maria Honeybee Farm is an integrated bee farm operator with a website shopping cart as their main mode of purchasing their product.  Being an integrated operator in the honeybee industry, they are the most number of processed products and by-product produced from honey and bee products.  Some of their products include: honey, natural bee pollen pellets, raw propolis,  fresh Royal Jelly, scented beewax candles, beewax, propolis soap and shampoos, honey cedar vinegar, bee venom, to name a few.  Based on their website there are two means of payment for Ilog Maria products such as: 1) the usual way, by making a deposit to their account and faxing the deposit slip to them; and 2) a newer way by GCash and Smart money. As part of their value-added services, they host field trips or conduct tours within the bee farm for a minimum of 50 people. Tour in Ilog Maria is designed for walking through along the fresh cool air and walk around their garden. They have established their own museum which they call “Museo sa Ilog Maria.” There are other value-added services that they are doing that include bee seminar, contract pollination services and bee project consultancy. 

Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) is a private volunteer organization whose main objective is to help all people, especially upland farmers. MBRLC has developed into a 19-ha demonstration farm with seven satellite projects throughout Mindanao. They are involved in local village development programs.   Over 20,000 visitors come to the Center per year with about 2,000 of those being one-week trainees per year.   They are primarily promoting sustainable development for the uplands utilizing agriculture, health care, literacy, and community organizing, among others with tie-ups in over 12 Asian countries. "People who come to the farm don't only see what we do but also learn something“ –  Roy Alimoane, MBRLC, Director.

As to the commodities, MBRLC is into livestock and aquaculture production, organic fertilizer,  seed production, training and agricultural and agroforestry technology promotion. Almost daily, group tour arrives to see their “Disneyland of sustainable farming systems” which according to them, they have developed through the years of experimentations and consultations. Most of their visitors, came from Asia such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, China, East Timor, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. There are also some who came from Australia and Zimbabwe. MBRLC is promoting organic farming and agroforestry technology.

Lao Integrated Farm, Inc., is located in Brgy. Eman,  Bansalan, Davao del Sur has an integrated multi-commodities/crops such as  goat farm under coconut trees, pig production, organic fertilizer, fruits, vegetables and value-added products. Around 700 people visit the farm per month.  Lao Integrated Farms, Inc. is also promoting organic farming and an integrated-farm commodity operation.   

Compared to other five  ASEAN member countries such as Singapore,Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam,  the Philippines competitiveness is second to the last in terms of overall tourism competitiveness index.  Among the six ASEAN countries, Vietnam had the lowest tourism competitiveness.

In the Philippines, marketing of agri-tourism products is lower compared with ASEAN countries. Tourism product in agricultural operation serves as a value-added service. 

Among the five ASEAN countries, identified in the study, the Philippines had a price competitiveness of 7, lower than Singapore (26) and Vietnam (10) but higher than Malaysia (2) , Indonesia (1) and  Thailand (4).   

There are 17.18 million regional travellers recorded in 2009.  Of this total, 13.84 million or 81% are domestic travellers;  3.14 million (18%) are foreign travellers and only one percent (202,940) are Overseas Filipino travellers.  Most of the payment of products/services in the agri-tourism business are in cash basis while those who have the credit card facility accept credit card payment.

An agri-tourism products had a quality, if it had been repeatedly being ordered by their customers who are satisfied with their products/services.

Consuming or patronizing  agri-tourism product is the process of using them in order to satisfy desires and real or imagined needs which had to be either used up, transformed, or deteriorated/consumed, in such a manner as not to be either reusable or recognizable in their original form.  

When it comes to the volume of tourists who visited the country in 2010, the volume of Koreans who travelled in the Philippines which was recorded at 435,701, was the biggest foreign travelers in the country.  The second highest volume of tourists were Americans at 309,493; Japanese ranked no. 3 at 291,385;  Chinese ranked no. 4 at 164,728; and the fifth biggest foreign travellers were Australian  at 79,552.

In terms of the type of occupation for the tourists who are visiting the Philippines, as of  2008 with a total of 3.084 million, professional had the highest volume which contributed 29% (903,880),  followed by students at 11% (348,697);  and those in the clerical/sales jobs ranked no. 3 at 162,617 tourists or 5 percent of the total tourist visitor arrivals.  

According to DOT insider, currently they are waiting for the release of the new masterplan for the tourism industry which they are preparing during this time.  It is assumed that agri-tourism should also be given the higher priority in terms of crafting a program for implementation in the next five years or more, particularly that the strengths of the Philippine basically covers both agriculture and tourism. It is also important to have a complementary support from the Department of Agriculture by providing an agri-tourism-related program in collaboration with DOT and other agencies supporting the tourism development in the country which will help in improving the industry’s performance in the succeeding 5 to 20 years.  It will also help improve the tourism  competitiveness of the country, in general and the agri-tourism, in particular. It is observed that except in 2010, the volume of tourist arrivals had been in the decreasing trends at an average of three percent per year.     

The projected impact to agri-tourism industry with the conduct of 1^st IATE organized by Alinks Events International, Inc. include: 1) Provision of local employment; 2) Support local and national development; 3) Support the growth of both agriculture and tourism sector; 4) Create awareness  and advocacy campaigns, learning seminars, product exhibits and cultural performances;  5) Promote agri-tourism sites;  6) Support the development and establishment of more agri-tourism sites in the country and other Asian countries, as well; 7) Develop more economic activities among the participating LGUs in different parts of the country, particularly, the potential new local and foreign investments. 

There are some developments in the supply chain of agri-tourism industry from input supply, to production-processing, to marketing and demand/consumption. The gaps in each segment of the supply chain could be improved by strengthening the supply chain management of the agri-tourism industry stakeholders.

In terms of production of agri-tourism products/services, the convergence effort of DA and DOT through their program support and improvement in the regulatory and standards in the agri-tourism industry is a must. Based on my interview with a DOT insider, there is no current clear registration mechanism in accrediting/policing the agri-tourism establishments.    

The best practices are demonstrated by selected successful players such as Mindanao Baptist  and Rural  Life Center (MBRLC), Bohol Bee Farm, Ilog Maria Honey Bee Farm, and Lao Integrated  Farm, Inc and the initially developed best practices among some state colleges and universities in promoting agri-tourism in their respective institutions. Some of notable best practices and characteristics/success factors which could be learned from them include: a) a doable business model, b) inclusion of value-added products and services, c) effective supply chain management and d) either integration or diversification from their core business, e) application of agribusiness approach, and f) effective and efficient use of resources in their respective company or agri-tourism farm have contributed for the success of some players.   

In terms of tourism competitiveness,  it is also important to note that the priority support of the government and the industry players should fall within these areas: policy rules & regulation on agri-tourism, air transportation regulation and support programs, ground transport infrastructure,  agri-tourism infrastructure, ICT infrastructure and national & cultural resources, including the participation of local and foreign investors, to further develop the agri-tourism industry in the next 5 to 20 years.   

Below are the recommended strategic directions for the Philippine Agri-tourism Industry.

1. Extensive application of agribusiness management approach and supply chain management in the

agri-tourism industry to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operation of each stakeholder; 2)
Organizing and unifying the concerted advocacy work through the establishment of an agri-tourism industry
association to get bigger bargaining power to demand support from the government, particularly the
Department of Tourism and Department of Agriculture, other departments and agencies, LGUs and  including
policy makers; 3) Conduct trainings that would help agri-tourism players to improve their supply chain
management capabilities and capability in doing competitive strategy; 4) Additional budgetary support from
Philippine government is needed to support the agri-tourism industry in the country, so they can further
strengthen/or expand their services  being provided to the industry stakeholders; 5) It is also important to
develop a specific loan facility or scheme that will support the agri-tourism industry agribusiness stakeholders
in improving their agri-tourism infrastructure through the Food Supply Chain Program of the Department of
Agriculture which is currently lodged at the Landbank of the Philippines, and  6) Develop and implement air
transport infrastructure, agri-tourism infrastructure, ICT infrastructure, national & cultural resources, national 
tourism perception, human resources, environmental regulation, air transportation infrastructure
programs/projects and relevant policy rules & regulations for the institutional strengthening among the different 
government agencies and local government units, and further development and improvement of agri-tourism
industry competitiveness, in particular, and tourism sector competitiveness, in general in the next 5 to 20
years. 

References:

Department of Agriculture, supported by Japan International Cooperation Agency, SADP TEAM.  (2009).  Strategic Agribusiness Development Plan.  First and Second Draft. February & October 2009. Quezon City, Philippines.
Esplana, Elmer, R. Abao, Lary  Nel B. and Rolando M. Vasquez. (2007). Development in the Supply Chain of the Philippine Goat Industry: An assessment. Grand Prize Winner. Socio-economic Research Category. 19th DA-BAR National Research Symposium. Bureau of Agricultural Research and Club of Professional Researchers. October 2007.  
Esplana, Elmer R. (2009). Development in the Supply Chain of the Philippine Honey Industry: An Assessment. Bureau of Animal Industry.  Proceedings. 8th National Beekeeping Convention cum Symposium with the theme Livelihood Opportunities and Environmental Conservation through Beekeeping. December 8-10, 2009. Documentation Committee. Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University. North La Union Campus. Bacnotan, La Union.    
National Statistical Coordination Board. (2009 and 2010). Philippines Statistical Yearbook.   
National Statistical Coordinator Board. (January 2011).  Economic Indicators.
Department of Tourism. Tourism Masterplan. 1991-2010.
Department of Tourism and Department of Agriculture in coordination with Asian Institute of Tourism.  (October 2002). Manual: A Guidelines for Developing Agri-tourism in the Philippines.
Department of Tourism. (June 2011).  Materials provided by the DOT-Public Information Office and Research and Statistics Division. Manila.  
Durano, Ace. Secretary. Department of Tourism. Philippine Tourism:Stimulating Tourist Growth and Capacity Expansion in Key Destinations. 
Gutierrez, Elsie C. (2008). House of Representatives.  Congressional Planning and Budget Department. Maximizing the Potential of Philippine Tourism. Policy Advisory. 2008-03.
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). (May 11, 2011). International Tourism: First Results of 2011 confirm consolidation of growth. Madrid. 

http://media.unwto.org/en/press-release/2011-05-11/international-tourism-first-results-2011-confirm-consolidation-growth Accessed: June 2011 

World Tourism Rankings. Wikepedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Tourism_rankings. Accessed: June 2011.
Other selected websites of some agri-tourism sites in the Philippines. 
Key informant interviews and focus group discussions to selected industry players.

Beekeeping Practices in the Philippines: A book published by Dr. Apolonio Sito for the Filipino beekeepers, students, researchers and extention workers

Beekeeping Practices in the Philippines: A book published by Dr. Apolonio Sito for the Filipino beekeepers, students, researchers and extention workers  

By Elmer R. Esplana, June 2, 2011

According to Dr. Apolonio Sito, the book Beekeeeping Practices in the Philippines is a collective experiences and commercialized results of researches from various beekeepers in the Philippines, particularly, La Union, Benguet, Davao, Cebu, Cavite, Cagayan de Oro and Bicol region. He further said that the very group of individuals that tested most of the cited beekeeping practices was the staff of the National Apiculture Research, Training and Development Institute (NARDTI) at the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU).

Also, the book comprises the consolidated practices, experiences and results of research and extension activities of the NARTDI. These are in the field of brood rearing, prevention and control of diseases and pests, queen rearing, fabrication of beekeeping supplies, tools and equipment, production of colony stocks as well as bee products like wax, honey, propolis and royal jelly of the different species of honeybees.

Dr. Sito emphasized that some of the practices documented in the said book were modifications of practices of beekeepers in Australia, Canada, United States of America, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and Israel brought in the country by NARTDI staff who attended beekeeping trainings, conferences, fora, practical exposures in apiary operation and through the beekeeping consultants of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO-UN), Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and the practices of honey collectors in the case of Apis dorsata, Apis cerana and stingless bees.  The technologies documented in the said book were tested and modified at the demonstration apiary of the NARTDI, accustomed to the prevailing seasons/local conditions like climate, pollen and nectar availability, land holdings and existing farming practices of Filipino farmers.

The book is composed of four chapters. The first chapter had the title “Apis mellifera Linnaeus.”  The second chapter had the title “Apis cerana Fabricius.” The third chapter had the title “Apis dorsata Fabricius” and the fourth and the last chapter had the title “Trigona species.”  Each chapter had a documentation of the cultural management practices in the Philippines.  

Dr. Sito also stressed that this book was published for beekeepers, students, researchers, as well as extension workers for their ready reference.

Source:

Sito, Apolonio S. (April 2009).  Beekeeping Practices in the Philippines.  First Edition. National Apiculture Research  Training and Development Institute. Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University. Sapiling, Bacnotan, La Union, Philippines.   

Dynamics of the Philippine Feedmill Industry: An Assessment

Some Challenges in Agri-tourism Development in the Philippines: Part 1

 Some Challenges in Agri-tourism Development in the Philippines: Part 1

By Elmer R. Esplana, May 24, 2011

1.      Filipino farmers need to be entrepreneurial in order to develop new skills (fundamental business    competencies) required to become successful and become competitive in agri-tourism project or business venture.

2.   Economics activities on farm business advisory processes, training and support of agri-tourism development and agri-tourism business management provider/s should also be developed/strengthened.  

3. Agri-tourism has to enhance and develop community organization and partnership of stakeholders between each other in different parts of the country, based on the competitive agri-tourism resources that they have, and where they can also excel. 

4.    Agri-tourism industry players, as an agribusiness activities in the country, should learn to realize the upgrading of urban or even rural farming from a single-production function to multi-functions (diversification and integration), including comprehensive scientific research to promote agricultural efficiency and increase the farmer's or entrepreneur's income.

References

Palen, Chris and Richard Sharpley.  (April 26-27, 2010).  Agritourism and the farmer as rural entrepreneur:  A UK Analysis.  NeXT Tourism Entrepreneurship Conference. Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Sarian, Zac B. (March 5, 2010). Agri-tourism Park in Marinduque. Manila Bulletin.

Description of Rabies Cases and Deaths in the Philippines: Some Program and Policy Implications*

Elmer R. Esplana

Agriculturist II, Bureau of Animal Industry, Department of Agriculture,

Presented at the 6^th Asia-Pacific Social Science and Medicine Conference, 
Guan Du International Conference Center, Guan Du Hotel,Kunming City, Yunnan, China, October 16, 2002

Executive Summary

Study Objectives

This study aims to describe and analyze the trend of rabies cases and deaths in the Philippines. It also attempts to evaluate the existing programs and policies of the government.  Its specific objectives include:  1) Identification of the programs and policies in rabies control and prevention; 2) Description and analysis of trends of rabies cases and deaths in the Philippines; 3) Determination of factors that contributed or hindered to the eradication of rabies in the country; and 4) Recommendation of strategies for program and policy strengthening.   It will serve also as baseline and advocacy information for rabies researchers, health professionals, and policy makers on the importance of fast-tracking the reduction of rabies cases and deaths in the country.

Description of the Problem

What are some program and policy options that could effectively reduce rabies cases and deaths in the country?  Who are other stakeholders that can contribute in this effort? This study discusses the cases of rabies in the Philippines and the existing programs and policies of the government on rabies control and prevention.  

Methodology

The study used the triangulation method through archival research, trend and comparative analyses, and interview with the organization’s representative.   A comprehensive review of literature was done. All human rabies cases reported at San Lazaro Hospital, Manila, and National Epidemiology Center of the Department of Health, and animal bite and canine cases at the Bureau of Animal Industry from 1998 to 2000 were included in the study to determine the trend of admitted human rabies cases.  

Results

The study shows canine rabies cases are rampant in Regions I, III, IV, NCR, V and VI.  Majority of human rabies in are males (55.56%) while the rest are females (44.44%). The males age ranging from 15 to 49 years old accounted for 22.64 percent while males 1 to 14 was recorded at 19.19 percent. The study also found out that human rabies disease has a 100-percent case fatality ratio. Comparative distribution of human rabies cases from 1999 to 2000 showed that the rabies cases declined in 2000 compared to1999 by 44 percent as a result of the information campaign and rabies control and prevention programs of the government. The different programs were implemented through the concerted effort of Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry, Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Education Culture and Sports,  local government units, civil society organizations and the cooperation of the pet dog owning public through Executive Order No 84, series of 1999.  This Order created a National Rabies Prevention and Control Committee composed of government and civil society organizations to formulate policies and coordinate implementation of the national rabies prevention and control program.   On the part of the Bureau of Animal Industry rabies control program, they have distributed 1,187,481 doses of rabies canine vaccine in 1999; 366, 892, in 2000; and 637,640 doses in 2001. In 2001, they conducted 134 mass vaccination project, 22 lecture/seminars on rabies prevention and control and three rabies public awareness programs.

For the past 10 years, human rabies cases of San Lazaro Hospital, the primary leading hospital for rabies patients in the country showed a continued rise of human rabies cases with 100-percent mortality rate. On the average during the past 10-year period (1992 to 2001), admission of human rabies cases in San Lazaro Hospital has been growing annually by 4.65 percent.  Rabies cases admission in the hospital grew from 85 cases in 1992 to 110, in 1997; 93 rabies cases in 1999 to 128, in 2001. 

Conclusions and Recommendations

Rabies is a major public health problem in the Philippines.  The World Health Organization has identified that the Philippines ranked third among those with the highest incidence of rabies cases in 2000.  The limited supply of animal vaccines being distributed by the concerned agencies has consistently contributed to the transmission of this disease to humans.  Sustainable vaccination requires committed involvement from all important sectors such as public health, veterinary and environmental services. Sustainability of the National Rabies Prevention and Control Program should be undertaken to attain the goal of eliminating rabies earlier than 2020. Efficient and effective monitoring and evaluation of projects at different levels should also be done by close coordination of national government agencies, local government units, civil society organizations, including the participation of communities in the prevention and control of rabies. Improvement of mass vaccination of dogs should be strengthened in the local government level through the technical assistance, support and advocacy of national government agencies. The NRPCP should improve the preparation and implementation of projects of each government agencies involved in rabies control and prevention and the creativity in sourcing funds for possible projects for both local and foreign sources.  The feedback mechanism of government (NRPCP) to its clientele and stakeholders should also be improved.  The crafting of a national program and regulatory policy should be made and implemented by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry in coordination with the local government units throughout the country to control movement of dogs not only in the urban areas but more importantly in the rural areas.  Legislation is needed to control the trade and movements of dogs and to hold owners responsible and accountable for their dogs. 

The Department of Health should lead not only in the vaccination of human rabies cases through the different government hospitals in the country but also in informing the public of the disease. The Department of Interior and Local Government should monitor and strengthen strict enforcement of ordinances relevant to rabies control and prevention and give penalty for non-compliance. 

The Department of Education should educate students by incorporating rabies control and prevention in their curriculum. NGOs should be more vigilant in assisting the government in the surveillance and reporting of rabies cases for animals and humans, and the government will improve its capability in accounting animal bites victims and human deaths cases to get a more comprehensive and accurate reporting of animal bites cases and human rabies victims throughout the Philippines. 

*One of the earlier research output I made in health economics and health social science research.

The abstract of this research was published in the Book of Abstract of 6th Asia-Pacific Social Science and Medicine Conference in 2002 (October 14-18),  when I presented it in Kunming City, China.  It was a very remarkable experience in presenting a paper in the international conference as a Filipino delegate wearing a Barong Tagalog, Philippines national dress for male.  This paper is also one of my first baseline studies on zoonotic diseases in the Philippines.God is good all the time!

Development in the Supply Chain of the Philippine Goat Industry: An Assessment

Development in the Supply Chain of the Philippine Goat Industry:An Assessment/1
Esplana, R. Elmer/2, Lary Nel B. Abao/3, Rolando M. Vasquez/4

ABSTRACT

The study documents the development of the Philippine Goat Industry within the supply chain.The study used triangulation method that comprising of archival research, key informant interviews, benchmarking, competitiveness and profitability analysis. The study indicates that there have been many improvements in the supply chain of the Philippine goat industry from input supply to consumption. There were also some best practices that can be emulated among the goat industry stakeholders. The study also suggests for more investment opportunities for the goat production. Also, it indicates that the Philippine goat meat (chevon) product is competitive compared with other countries, such as Australia, United States and Canada, in terms of price competitiveness and the goat production is a very profitable entrepreneurial project. This underscores for a better outlook of the industry, in terms of better prices and supply, and higher consumption for both the local, and potentially export market in the coming years. The study results support the goals and objectives of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) in contributing to food security, poverty alleviation, improved productivity and increased income and global competitiveness of the livestock sector, in general, and goat industry, in particular.

1/ Received the Grand Prize Winner for the Best National R&D AFMA Paper Awards for Socio-economics Research Category. 19th National Research Symposium (NRS), Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), Department of Agriculture, October 6, 2007. The 2007 NRS had a theme “Agriculture and Fisheries R&D Toward Agribusiness Development and Agro-Industrialization.” The main author can be contacted at email address: elmer.esplana@gmail.com or mobile no. +63 922-8117367.
2/ Agriculturist II, Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and President of the Club of Professional Researchers (CPR), with current organization name now as Corps of Philippines Researchers for Development, Inc. (CPR4DEVT).
3/ Agriculturist II, BAI, CPR Treasurer.
4/ Agriculturist II, BAI, CPR Member

Will you support our country and our next generation? Kaya mo ba?

Will you support our country and our next generation? Kaya mo ba?
by Elmer R. Esplana, January 21, 2008 (www.elmer2007.multiply..com)

If we are going to look at the different lending institutions in the Philippines,  you will seldom see any of them with an interest less than 15 percent.  In most cases, interest rate is more than 15 percent or majority of them from 18 percent to 20 percent or even higher. This is actually bad for the Philippines because a higher interest rate being imposed by any financial institutions both government and private sector are disincentive to Filipino families who have the capability to enter into entrepreneurial or business activities to engage in any business. Some would say that some government agencies are giving interest free loan facilities, in paper that is true, in reality it is not.  You know, what I mean. You asked our business people, they knew the story.

For the government,  the goal should be to encourage more Filipino families to go into business, so that they can also provide employment for those who have no jobs, aside from the jobs being provided by medium to large companies or even multinational companies.  By lowering the lending interest rate, as in the case of developed country (e.i. United States) 5 to 10 percent only,  more Filipino families and potential entrepreneurs will go into business.

Of course being an entrepreneur for every Filipino family is not easy because it requires the integrative skills in business management, economics, financial management, supply chain management, public relations, sales and marketing, to name some.   But all these things can be studied and can be learned (either through formal or informal education) by aspiring or novice entrepreneur, if he/she is really serious with whatever business or economic activities he/she would like to venture into.  More so, if he is a planning to be an entrepreneur within this year (2008) or currently a novice or seasoned entrepreneur.

In economic theory,  when you give a lower interest rate,  it will give signal to the business people to expand in his current business or establish a new business, which in effect will increase  the number of local investment and  the number of economic activities in the country. Any development like these things is positive for the economic growth and development  of any country, like the Philippines.  So, we can say that by having more investment means,  we can generate more jobs, and having more jobs will reduce the number of unemployment or probably, we can attain full employment for the country in the succeeding 20 years.  If there will be less unemployed, except those who make it their personal choice, the standard of living for each family will have an improvement because each one will generate income for the total income of the family. Then, we 
can also say that poverty problem will also be reduced till we finally reduced it to a manageable level.  Government statistics says it is currently at 30 percent, while some economic observers say, it can be 40 percent or higher.  What if we can reduce the poverty incidence in the Philippine to only 5 to 10 percent in the succeeding 20 years from now.  This is a difficult job but this is possible, I believe, if many Filipino families, who have the capability to become a businessman or an entrepreneur will be investing into a worthwhile business opportunity for the Philippines and the next generation of Filipinos,  be it in trading, agribusiness, food service, processing or manufacturing, business process outsourcing, information technology, research and development, education, health sector, to name some. 

So what the government should start doing by this time is, particularly the monetary board is to issue a policy that will reduce the lending interest rate that is currently being imposed by rural banks, commercial banks, universal banks, development banks, etc. to a level that is conducive for the Filipino families to invest and become an entrepreneur by themselves.  Even microfinance institutions, in general, is not conducive to increase the number of Filipino families to go into business, as they are charging even much higher interest rates per month, 2 to 5 percent or even higher. 

Parang lumalabas tuloy na kapit sa patalim ang mga kababayan natin na umuutang sa kanila, kasi kahit malaki ang interest rate kinakagat nila.  Sabi ng isa kung kaibigan, para silang niluluto sa sarili nilang mantika.  I believe, this observation is true and unless the government will step into resolving this issue on imposing a lower interest rate on lending (maybe 10 percent or lower), it will not encourage more Filipino families to participate in any entrepreneurial activities and contribute in fast-tracking the economic growth and development of this country.

Kailan pa tayo magigising sa katutuhanang pinapatay natin ang ating mga kababayan dahil sa mataas na interest na ating pinapataw sa kanila.  Look who are dominating in the national income of our economy, most of them are foreign investors or foreigners, because they have capital, we said. But I don't believe we cannot do what the Chinese people have done in China. They themselves became the investors in their country before foreign investors came in to their country.  They started it first by themselves to be an entrepreneur 

(negosyante, kaya marami sila ngayon sa Pilipinas) and majority of them participated.  So because of this, what is expected for China,  the second super power country in the world.  Of course,  we cannot deny, that Chinese people are nationalistic  and disciplined people, which is gold in the Philippines.   There are only few Filipinos who really love our country, and by imposing a higher interest rate on lending, it is one of the proof that we do not love our country and our people. Kaya nga pinapatay natin sila sa taas ng interest rate.  Plus, the culture of corruption in the government in all levels.  But is it the government only? Even the business sector are doing these things. Marami nga sa kanila konsintidor. We are not following traffic rules, we always wanted convenience that even giving an under the table transaction, we do that. So is there really an end to all of these things?

I hope there is still a way for an improvement of our system, but all of us should participate and serve as an example.   Let's do it individually for our country and the next generation.

Wag na natin isipin ang henerasyon natin, kahit ang susunod na lang na henerasyon na lang, mga kababayan ko, mga kapwa ko manggagawang Pilipino, mga kasama kong negosyanste, mga kasama kung kawani ng pamahalaan.  Wag nating hayaan ang mga banyaga ang mangibabaw sa ating bansa. Ating bansa ito, kaya dapat tayo ang nangunguna sa lahat ng magagandang nangyayari at mangyayari pa lamang sa susunod na mga panahon.  Sabi nga ni former President Fidel Ramos, the best is yet to come. We cannot expect the best to come, if we will not do something about it and give our contribution. And now is the time to do it for our country and for the next generation. - (ERE-economics, 2008)