Of political dynasties and dairy farms

While I have seemed inclined not to support the proposal of advocates against political dynasties in the country, this does not mean that I have turned a blind eye to abuses of kin and relatives of politicians, and even the politicians themselves.

Definitely, this issue needs to be aired, even if the chances of getting this seriously debated by our lawmakers would be difficult given the number who have family – even if only in the first degree – sitting in the same halls of Congress.

Consolidating clans

One of our readers, a former dean of the Macquarie University Law School in Sydney, Australia, had read my column last month on the dynasty issue in government. Showing interest in the conduct of our politics, Gill H. Boehringer wrote: “I found your column, “Trusting our elected officials,” very interesting, and informative.

“However, I am not convinced by your take on dynasties. In observing the elections in 2007 and 2010, and less formally watching reports on TV and reading the press assiduously this time, my impression is that the trend toward clans consolidating their importance in elections is fairly strong.

“You have made reference to some apparent exceptions to this trend, but I think most commentators would say that there is a huge problem with dynasties. Given that widespread poverty, and indeed hunger, exists in many regions of the country – despite economic growth of significant size – I would not expect to see this problem being removed anytime soon.

Cheating at the polls

“I was surprised that at this early stage that you were prepared to suggest that “computerized voting has drastically minimized cheating at the polls.” Of course, Sixto Brillantes and others claim this to be so. But I would suggest the jury is still out.

“The way the returns have been handled surely leaves open the question whether there has been shaving and padding; and from what I have gleaned, there has been massive vote-buying, perhaps worse than previously (ironically because of the automated elections, at least in part!)

“I trust you would agree that a great deal of serious work has to be done (as it was not after 2010) to ensure that a democratic election is “not only done but is seen to be done” in 2016 when we shall see a super-heated battle with so much more at stake (always assuming Binay does not win in a walkover!)”

Dairy update

Our local dairy industry, despite the absence of enough government support, seems to be carrying on, largely because of the entrepreneurial fervor among some of our cattle raisers who have spread to parts of the country’s verdant pasturelands conducive to this kind of business.

Severino Flores, who had contributed to this column his thoughts about the struggling dairy industry, comes back with some more. Here’s the floor to him.

“I can safely say your column [March 12] has also been touching a responsive chord among our business leaders including the semi-commercial cattle raisers who are already engaged in dairy farming. 

“As a reaction to  your column, I was informed that Laguna famous for its kesong puti, is fast becoming a province where not only the dairy cooperatives are working hard to contribute to the dairy development of the country but more so the commercial and semi-commercial dairy entrepreneurs. 

“We have not only the Hacienda MaCalauan owned by businessman Ed Soriano which has its dairy farm and dairy plant existing for the last decade. Very recently, The Laguna Creamery based in Bay, Laguna is now operational a few years after a group of businessmen led by former Senator Ramon Magsaysay, Jr., put up their Real Fresh dairy farm in the same area.          

First successful dairy cooperative

“Not to be left out are the dairy cooperatives in Southern Tagalog which have established its dairy plant in Calauan, Laguna. This is the first successful dairy cooperative federation in the country with the support of primary cooperatives based in Laguna. It is this cooperative or the Katipunan ng Kooperatiba ng Maggagatas, Inc. (KKMI).

“KKMI is the market outlet for the milk produced by the primary cooperatives, including the milk produced by the cattle breeder and dreamer Ka Emong of San Pedro, Laguna.

“Ka Emong is not alone in his dream of breeding dairy cattle. Last month, some 15 farmers who are members of dairy cooperatives in Luzon completed a month-long training in basic artificial insemination and pregnancy diagnosis in large animals conducted by the Dairy Training and Research Institute, UP Los Baños for the National Dairy Authority.

“It is hope that this group of trained farmers led its topnotch lady farmer Lea Alas of the progressive Malinao Multi-Purpose Cooperative of San Pablo, Laguna would greatly improve the capability of dairy cooperatives to hasten the breeding of more dairy animals in the area.   

“It may be interesting to note that the Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP) based in Cavite indicated to revive its dairy farm after learning of Ka Emong’s dream in your column.

“The university has been sending some of their students and staff in San Pedro for farm practice and exposure in dairy farming. They are now contacting Ka Emong as they would like to do similar breeding scheme in their campus. In fact it was in the ’80s when they adapted the same breeding strategy.

“As a former dairy extension worker of UPLB, I see bright prospects for Ka Emong to realize his dream. It was in a meeting attended by yours truly that NDA [National Dairy Authority] administrator Grace J. Cenas assured him of the technical assistance in his breeding program as the NDA technical and field staff are now evaluating the farm to its milk production and animal breeding performance.

“And with the development I have mentioned above I am pretty sure dairy farming would be very much alive in the Southern Tagalog area particularly in Laguna.

“Again, please accept my sincere thanks for accommodating my write-up and shall keep in touch and share with you some interesting developments in agri-business especially on dairy.”

Collegiate basketball season

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) officially starts the collegiate basketball season with the opening of NCAA’s 89th season this Saturday.

Congratulations to Coach Joe Lipa for his appointment as commissioner for this season and we wish this year’s host, College of St Benilde, the best of luck as the oldest league in the country starts the ball rolling for another year of exciting and spirited collegiate basketball competitions.

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Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected]. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.