Awareness: AMAZING Moringa Olefeira "malunggay

AMAZING Moringa Olefeira "malunggay

Do you know that a cup of moringa oleifera contains the following:
3.1 g - protein
0.6 g - fiber
96 mg - calcium
29 mg - phosphorus
1.7mg - iron
2,820mg- carotene
0.07 mg- thiamine
0.14 mg- riboflavin
1.1 mg - niacin
53 mg - ascorbic acid/vit c
71% - antioxidant activity
45% - atocopherol (vit E)

IBIDS Database

IBIDS Database: "Title: Dietary patterns affecting prostate cancer: medical education.
Author: Ceber,-E; Cakr,-D
Citation: Turkiye-Klinikleri-tp-Bilimleri-Dergisi. 2009; 29(3): 733-739
Abstract: Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer. Studies show that prostate cancer is a preventable disease. The current studies suggest the role of dietary patterns in the prevention of prostate cancer. There are many epidemiological, clinical, case-control and prospective studies about dietary patterns and prostate cancer. These studies indicate that saturated fats, trans fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, meat, whole milk and dairy products, and calcium increase prostate cancer risk, whereas omega-9 fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids, fruit and vegetables, lycopene, selenium, vitamins E and D, soya, pomegranate and green tea decrease the risk. Consumption of meat, trans fatty acids (margarine, fried foods) and whole dairy products (whole milk, cheese, yogurt, or others) should be reduced and high calcium intake should be avoided to reduce prostate cancer risk. On the other hand, consumption of vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts and radish), lycopene-containing foods (tomato and products), adequate amount of selenium (seafood, grains), vitamin E (vegetable oils, wheat germ, nuts, soyabeans, sweet potatoes, and avocado), green tea, soya (soyabeans, tofu, soy cheese, soya milk), and pomegranate juice is highly recommended. This paper reviews the associations of food and increased/decreased dietary risk factors for prostate cancer, and gives recommendations based on these associations.
Review References: None
Notes: None
Language: English
Publication Type: Journal-article
Keywords: None
Permissions: Record courtesy of CABI.
URL: No URL associated with this record.

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Do low-income mobile phone users want mobile money?

Do low-income mobile phone users want mobile money?:

"Do low-income mobile phone users want mobile money?
by Kabir Kumar: Friday, November 20, 2009

Since the official launch of GCASH in early 2004, Globe Telecom’s subsidiary GXI set-up a number of initiatives to help them arrive at a strategy for mobile banking in the Philippines. As part of those efforts, CGAP and GXI partnered to roll-out GCASH in three predominantly rural and low-income provinces of Bohol, Palawan and Surigao. Our goal was to understand how to expand the reach of GXI’s agent network into smaller towns and how customers would use the service. I am writing to share briefly what we learned in terms of customer usage and preferences in the low-income provinces that we have been working in.

In 18 months, GXI signed up 120,000 new GCASH customers in three low income provinces (Bohol, Surigao del Norte and Palawan) and set-up 200 agents to service those customers (GXI has 1.1 million GCASH customers nationally with 3,000 agents). GXI reached over half of the registered base in the first three quarters of 2009 – roughly 72,000 new GCASH accounts. About 2,000 of those customers (under 3 percent of total) have been conducting one or more GCASH transactions a month. The average transaction size was very low at USD 30, reflecting GCASH’s appeal to those looking to transact at low values. In addition, a very small number of customers have used the wallet for storage. We found a small subset (6-7 customers) maintain a monthly running balance.

GXI found that their approach to marketing worked well because they let potential customers just try out the service extensively up front. Their marketing campaigns involved large musical concerts. On-foot sales agents were on hand to sign-up customers and train them on how to use the service. Musical performances would draw people in from surrounding towns and barangays and sales agents would approach people to trial the service. People would be allowed to try out multiple transactions as they discovered the service. GXI also used commission based sales agents (“roving” agents) to reach out to customers in the provinces at their homes. These agents were equipped to promote the SMS-based service as well as the new G-cash menu-based application.

GXI’s experience with an entirely text-based interface has been mixed. Our interviews with GCASH agents did not suggest that either the agents or the GCASH customers they serviced had a difficult time using a text-based service. Philippines is known as the texting capital of the world but we were working in provinces that were poorer and where literacy levels were lower than the national norm. What we found is true in most markets globally: younger people whose social lives involve being connected via cell phones and people with exposure to using computers are more comfortable using cell phones to begin with.

GCASH volumes have been low in these three provinces. There has been a lag between when people register and when they start actively using the service. We met an active user in Palawan who started using six months after registering for the service. She was receiving money from Manila.

There are a number of other factors for the low volume but the bottom line: GCASH as a remittance service was competing with existing well worn remittance providers, in particular the pawnshops.
There are a number of regionally dominant pawnshop chains that provide remittance services. Pawnshops got into remittance in part to deal with having a lot of cash at each of their locations. Pawnshop remittance products like ML Kwarta Padala and Express Pera Padala have 1000 and 300 shops each servicing localized markets. Express Pera Padala is Palawan Pawn Shop’s domestic remittance service. They have 30 locations in Palawan alone and, based on interviews we conducted, we estimated that locations in Puerto Princessa (Palawan’s capital) serviced 150-200 remittances customers a day. Average fees were at 3 percent (6% for smallest at ~ $6 and 1% for highest at $420). In comparison, Drugman, a general goods store and Globe’s airtime sub-distributor for Palawan saw on average of six G-cash transactions a day. Most customers were cashing out in Puerto Princessa. Average transaction sizes were $21.

chart

Because people were already used to remitting using the pawnshops, GXI partnered with some of them to make GCASH available at their stores. GCASH’s performance has not been exceptionally different from other locations, however. It did help to have the GCASH brand associated with existing remittance providers which are well known locally but it was unclear if that drove additional sales.

These providers also compete with informal channels like truck drivers. The small island of Bohol with just over 1 million people has three or four formal options and a slew of informal ones just to send money within the bounds of the island province. The island itself is small enough making it possible for someone to simply carry the money themselves on regular visits back home. I talked to a number of people (domestic workers, fast food chain employees, etc.) who simply do that. Truck drivers are known to ferry cash up the major road that skirt the island. The drivers don’t always charge and the frequency with which these trucks ply that road makes it possible to send money daily.

Poor Filipinos have options to remit but that still does not mean GCASH couldn’t deliver value. M-PESA changed people’s remittance behavior – they remitted more frequently and at lower values. At one percent cash-in, GCASH charges were already far below what the competition charges in the Philippines. GXI could have created a value proposition in the low-value remittance market (see chart and thanks to Ignacio Mas for making it) pursuing a high-volume low-margin business – large numbers of provincial customers sending money domestically paying 3 to 5 percent in commissions and at under $20 per transaction.

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Agris Repository Search Results

Micropropagation of malunggay (Moringa oleifera)

Agris Repository Search Results: "AGRIS record
Record number PH2009000332
Titles Micropropagation of malunggay (Moringa oleifera)
Personal Authors Calinawan, N.M.,Halos, S.C., Arnichem Corp., College, Laguna (Philippines)
Conference 38. Annual CSSP Scientific Conference, , Iloilo City (Philippines), 12-16 May 2008
Publication Date (May 2008)
AGRIS Subj. Cat. Plant genetics and breeding
AGROVOC Terms MORINGA OLEIFERA, MICROPROPAGATION, EXPLANTS, GROWING MEDIA, PROPAGATION MATERIALS, PHILIPPINES, MORINGA OLEIFERA, MICROPROPAGATION, EXPLANT, SUBSTRAT DE CULTURE, MATERIAU DE MULTIPLICATION, PHILIPPINES, MORINGA OLEIFERA, MICROPROPAGACION, EXPLANTES, SUBSTRATOS DE CULTIVO, MATERIALES DE PROPAGACION, FILIPINAS
Language En
Notes Summary only, Received Aug 2008
English Abstract Malunggay is currently promoted as a potential industrial crop by the Department of Agriculture as source of oil for biodiesel, cooking oil or cosmetic ingredient. For the Philipines to be competitive in developing a crop for biodiesel, it must undertake a massive plantation establishment for malunggay, around 500,000. Planting at 10,000 trees per hectare, requires about 5 billion pieces. The massive requirement for planting stock could be met with cuttings from existing trees. Furthermore, there is an existing variation in fruiting and oil quality of the malunggay. Hence, this study was undertaken to develop a tissue culture technology for the micropropagation of seeds collected from selected mother trees that are prolific seed producers and with oil quality and yield acceptable to oil processors. Malunggay seeds collected from the Ilocos region were obtained from Biotech Office, Dept. of Agriculture. These were surfaced sterilized and the kernel dissected and placed on 22 different media formulations. Seven media formula induced the embryo to produce multiple shoots 19 days after inoculation. The number of shoots ranged from 1-13 pieces per seed. The best media produced an average of 9.8 shoots/seed and about 30 explants for the next round of multiplication. Some shoots were transferred to rooting media, others in shoot proliferation medium. Roots were induced in another 2 weeks. Provided that this rate of multiplication is maintained,one seed shall have multiplied into 27,000 plantlets 12weeks after inoculation. A massive production of malunggay planting stock is thus attainable. Experiments are being conducted to verify this projection and develop a protocol for hardening the plantlets prior to distribution to farmers. Selection of prolific pod-bearing trees is also underway.
Type Conference, Summary
Availability UPLB (Philippines)
Availability number 2009000332
Serial Title Philippine Journal of Crop Science (Philippines)
Serial ID - ISSN 0115-463X
Serial number p. 103-104
Serial Date (May 2008)
For document availability, please contact:
UPLB (Philippines)
College, Laguna 4031, Philippines
Contact: Ms Annie EVANGELISTA
Tel: +63049 5362235
Fax: +63 49 5362326
Email: agris_phils@yahoo.com.ph
URL: http://www.uplb.edu.ph/
AGRIS 2010 - FAO of the United Nations

SunPower

SunPower

Summary of Proposed Investment

This Summary of Proposed Investment is prepared and distributed to the public in advance of the IFC Board of Directors’ consideration of the proposed transaction. Its purpose is to enhance the transparency of IFC’s activities, and this document should not be construed as presuming the outcome of the Board decision. Board dates are estimates only.

Project number 27807
Company name SunPower Philippines Manufacturing Ltd
Country
Philippines (IDA)
Sector Industrial & Consumer Products
Environmental category B
Department Global Manufacturing & Services
Status Pending Disbursement

Date SPI disclosed March 13, 2009
Projected board date April 13, 2009
Previous Events Signed: May 6, 2010
Approved: February 1, 2010
View Environmental & Social Review Summary (ESRS), click here
Overview Sponsor/Cost/Location Development Impact Contacts Attachments

Project description
SunPower Corporation (“SunPower” or the “Company”) is a global player in the solar industry. The company was founded in 1985 by Dr. Richard Swanson and his students while he was professor of electrical engineering at Stanford University. In 2008, SunPower generated revenue of $1.43 billion.

SunPower is in the process of completing its second solar cell fabrication facility in the Philippines (the “Project”). The project will result in the completion of twelve solar cell manufacturing lines with an aggregate nameplate capacity of 466 MW.

Project sponsor and major shareholders of project company
The project sponsor is SunPower. The company is a NASDAQ-listed public company with a widely held ownership consisting mainly of institutional investors.
Total project cost and amount and nature of IFC's investment
The total project cost is estimated at $475 million. IFC is considering a financing package of up to $75 million in the company.
Location of project and description of site
The project is located in an industrial park in Batangas, Philippines.

Anticipated development impact of the project
The project will have the following positive developmental impacts:

- Reduction of CO2 Emissions: This investment will support the production of solar cells, which will provide renewable energy. Assuming a module life of 25 years, the project will directly avoid an estimated 90-100 million tons of CO2 emissions, assuming the electrical energy they produce is instead produced through conventional fossil fuel generated electricity.

- Development of the solar industry: This project will increase the availability of high-performance and cost-effective solar cells, which is expected to accelerate the solar PV industry’s goal to reach grid parity, such that solar energy is an economically viable energy source without government subsidy.

- Job creation and other economic benefits: This facility will employ a total of approximately 2,900 skilled jobs in the Philippines and contribute to local economic growth.
IFC's expected development contribution
IFC’s presence in the project will (i) help the company attract other long-term financiers, especially from local financial institutions, and (ii) signal to the market that renewable energy is an important industry to finance in emerging markets.
Environmental and social issues - Category B
This is a Category B project according to IFC’s Procedure for Environmental and Social Review of Projects because a limited number of specific environmental and social impacts may result, which can be avoided or mitigated by adhering to generally recognized performance standards, guidelines or design criteria. Key environmental, health and safety, human resources and social issues that were reviewed included the following: Environmental and social management system; Quality and sustainability of water resources; Emissions to the environment – air, water and subsurface; Solid and hazardous materials management, including transportation; Life and fire safety; Community and occupational health and safety; Energy use and efficiency; and Community engagement. Performance Standards that are applicable for this investment include:

- PS 1: Social and Environmental Assessment and Management System
- PS 2: Labor and Working Conditions
- PS 3: Pollution Prevention and Abatement

The identified environmental, social and healthy and safety issues which require ameliorative measures are summarized in a Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP) that SunPower will implement as part of IFC’s Loan Agreement. Upon successful implementation of the agreed mitigation measures, the proposed Project is expected to comply with host country laws and regulations, IFC Performance Standards and applicable World Bank/IFC guidelines. Additionally, SunPower’s solar cell technology provides a significant positive impact on global climate change and its operations create jobs and opportunities for local communities, with no adverse social impacts.

For inquiries about the project, contact:
Jay Peir
SunPower Corporation
3939 N. 1st Street
San Jose, CA 95134 U.S.A.
Tel: 408.240.5500

For inquiries and comments about IFC, contact:
General IFC Inquiries
IFC Corporate Relations
2121 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20433
Telephone: 202-473-3800
Fax: 202-974-4384
E Mail: Webmaster
Local access of project documentation
City Government of Tanauan
Tindalo Ave. Mt. View Subd.
Barangay Poblacion 3,
Tanauan City, Batangas
http://www.tanauancity.gov.ph