SMFI scholars graduate from farmers’ training
CLARK FREEPORT--The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and NLEX Corporation are accelerating the construction of the first five-kilometer section of NLEX Connector from Caloocan Interchange, C3 to España, Manila as they aim to complete the project by year end.
DPWH Secretary Mark Villar led the project inspection along 4th Avenue in Caloocan City together with NLEX Corporation President and General Manager Luigi Bautista.
“Right-of-way delivery for the whole alignment stands at 81 percent, while construction progress is at 16 percent. With the commitment of both the public and private sectors, we are optimistic that we can finish the project as scheduled,” DPWH Secretary Villar said.
DPWH and NLEX officials also witnessed another milestone for the project, the launching of Super T girders — these are innovative, pre-stressed box girders that are widely used for bridges in Australia and New Zealand but relatively new in the Philippine construction industry.
The newly installed Super T beams span 30 meters and weigh 53 tons. Compared to other types of girders, Super T beams are more flexible, structurally efficient, and aesthetically appealing. They have open flanges that provide a complete working surface and reduce the need for formworks thus help fast-track the construction of the elevated exp r essw ay.
“Innovation is one of the core values of our company. We are using Super T beams to advance our construction progress so we can soon complete this crucial infrastructure that would help decongest Metro Manila and solve truck ban woes,” NLEX Corporation President and GM Bautista said.
Over 1,400 girders will be used for the entire Connector project.
The structural format of a Super T provides an optimal solution to particular challenges posed by the Connector project, which passes through urbanized areas where the roads are already congested, and the right-of-way is constrained laterally. Last year, DPWH, NLEX, and Meralco facilitated the clearing of electric facilities in Sta. Cruz, Manila. More than 300 Meralco linemen
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO--A total of 175 individuals from Pampanga recently completed and graduated fromKabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) Farmers’Training, a project of theSM Foundation Incorporated in partnership with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority ( TESDA) .
More individuals are expected to finish asSMFoundation continues to conduct regular KSK training, effectively rolling out 17 training nationwide.
KSK aims to provide hands-on and seasonlong training on high value crops for smallscale farmers for them to produce better quality and higher yielding fruits and vegetables, increase their food production and improve livelihood opportunities for their families. It also aims to help promote food security as well as provide an extra form of livelihood for the participants but targets the marginalized sector in the urban setting.
The project will also link ordinary farmers with large-scale farmers to create a knowledge sharing network on agribusinesses and will serve as a platform for showcasing and marketing farmers' products to attract potential markets.
With TESDA, St. Isidore the Farmer Learning Center and SM Foundation partner in its KSK programs, conducted the training, the project was envisioned to help teach the participants the concept of smart farming using the limited spaces or backyards of their households. The end objective was to bring nutritious food to every table of its participants.
In Pampanga, SM Foundation farmers successfully finished their training course held in various areas of Talete king Panyulung Kapampangan Inc (TPKI) Nature Farm in Barangay Malpitik in the City of San Fernando, Barangay Calibutbut in Bacolor, Barangay Floridablanca, St. Isidore The Farmer Leaning Center in Sta Ana, Barangay Bitas in Arayat and Pansinao Candaba all in a short distance from SM City Pampanga.