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RSBSA 2025 midyear assessment paves way for agri info system refinement

 

Cagayan de Oro City – The Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) convened its National Program Management Office (NPMO), Regional Program Management Office (RPMO) from 16 DA regional field offices, DA operating units, DA-attached agencies and partner government offices for its midyear assessment on July 21 to 25, here.

The assessment mainly aims to gauge the RSBSA financial and physical accomplishment committed for the first half of the year, particularly farmers and fisherfolk’s profiling, georeferencing of farm parcels, and the development of integrated interventions monitoring system.

More significantly, the gathering is an avenue to lay down a refined mechanism and protocol for agricultural information gathering, storing and application as foundational data in developing and implementing agricultural programs of the government.

In his message, DA-Northern Mindanao Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan stressed the importance of the information system as a functional tool for decision-making. In foresight, he called for the reinvention of the RSBSA allowing the DA to decide, respond, and see the landscape of the agriculture system.

The RSBSA is the official registry of bonafide farmers, fisherfolk, and farm laborers in the country. It serves as a reference platform in programming agricultural programs and identifying farmers eligible for the DA assistance.

As of June 30, over 10.9 million farmers nationwide are registered to the RSBSA. In NorMin, more than 753k farmers are duly enrolled in the system.

To optimize farmers’ registration and verification, the RSBSA assessment allows the NPMO and RPMOs to craft action plans to address bottlenecks in ground implementation.# (ATT/Photo Credits: CRS)

DA-10 bolsters postharvest management, turns over storage facility to Libona farmers

 

LIBONA, BUKIDNON — Seventy-two (72) farmer-members of the Gango-Kinawe Community-based Participatory Action Research Producers Cooperative (GKCPAR) in Barangay Kinawe, this town, gains improved postharvest management following the turnover of a Storage Building from the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) on July 24.

Funded through the DA-10’s Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (CC-AMIA) Program, the PhP1.683-million storage facility is poised to secure farmers’ income through a climate-resilient postharvest storage facility.

With a collective 278 hectares of corn and cassava, the coop is positioned to curb postharvest spoilage, market in bulk, and time sales for a favorable market.

“In past cases where harvests were thrown away due to low buying prices, I urge our farmers and MAOs [municipal agriculture offices] to coordinate in registering the crops [during planting seasons],” DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan said, in a message.

“This will allow us at DA-10 to anticipate harvest periods, prepare for potential oversupply, and ensure our farmers receive fair value for their harvest in the market,” the agri chief exec furthered.

In an interview, GKCPAR Chairperson Angelito M. Atillo conveyed their gratitude for the turnover of the storehouse.

“Dili gyud masukod ang among kalipay nga dinhi sa among lugar gibubo kining tabang. Plano usab namo nga makatabang sa uban pinaagi sa among kooperatiba aron mas mudaghan pa kami,” the farmer-leader said.

(We are very thankful that we received this facility in our community. Through this, we also plan to support others through our cooperative so we may continue to grow.)

On the same day, the DA-10 also turned over another storage building to Bliss Lingion Multipurpose Cooperative in Manolo Fortich town in Bukidnon.

This initiative forms part of the DA’s continuing support under the “Bagong Pilipinas” campaign of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr to modernize and equip rural communities with resilient agri-infrastructure that uplifts local farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs).# (BJCE)

DA-NorMin turns over climate-resilient storage facility to farmers’ coop in Manolo Fortich town

 

MANOLO FORTICH, BUKIDNON — In its effort to strengthen post-harvest support for local farmers, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), helmed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, turned over a newly constructed storage building to the Bliss Lingion Multipurpose Cooperative (BLMPC) on Thursday, July 24, in Barangay Lingion, this town.

Costing PhP1.69 million, the project was implemented under the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (CC-AMIA). It is designed to enhance farmers’ storage capacity and safeguard their produce from spoilage and market disruptions caused by extreme weather events.

In his message, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan emphasized that the department continues to work with local governments and organized groups to empower farming communities across Northern Mindanao.

“Kami sa DA, sa ngalan sa atong Presidente Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, kanunay mi nga maningkamot nga matagaan og serbisyo ang mag-uuma, pinaagi usab sa tabang sa atong local government, cooperatives, ug associations nga kanunay nakiglambigit sa atong programa,” he said.

He further introduced the agency’s digital marketing platform as a new avenue for farmers to access broader markets.

“Karon naa tay ginatawag nga digital marketing platform. Kinahanglan i-register ang produkto sa mag-uuma ug naa mi gi-organize nga distribution center sa Cagayan de Oro ug urban centers. Aron kung mahibal-an lang namo daan ug ma-validate kung asa gikan ang produkto, makatabang kami gamay sa pagsugod og merkado niadtong mga harvest,” the director added.

Following this, BLMPC Chairperson Dante M. Dosayco expressed his gratitude on behalf of the cooperative:

“This mini warehouse represents a significant leap forward for BLMPC. It provides our farmers with secure, accessible, and climate-controlled space to store our produce, protecting it from spoilage and market fluctuations. This is not just about storage – it’s about empowering our farmers, strengthening our local economy, and building a more food secure future for Manolo Fortich.”

The recipient cooperative has been operational for 30 years, with 464 members, most of whom are corn and cassava growers, cultivating around 400 hectares of farmland.

The initiative is among the many projects under DA’s broader agenda to promote resilient and inclusive agricultural development at the community level.# (EJLG)

Agri-10 facilitates orientation for enumerators on coffee, cacao agri-machinery inventory in NorMin

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), through its Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED), facilitated a two-day orientation for enumerators on July 22 to 23 to support the inventory of coffee and cacao agri-machinery and infrastructure in Northern Mindanao (NorMin).

The activity, held in coordination with the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering – Programs and Projects Management Division (BAFE-PPMD), intends to capacitate enumerators tasked with conducting a comprehensive inventory across NorMin. Their role is crucial in gathering updated data that will be crucial in planning, policymaking, and future interventions aimed at boosting these high-valued crops in the area.

The training equipped participants with skills in data collection using the Open Data Kit (ODK) mobile system, ensuring accurate and efficient field reporting on the availability, condition, and utilization of agricultural equipment and facilities.

The activity also covered the use of survey manuals, physical questionnaires, and familiarization with various agri-machinery to support thorough reporting.

This initiative is anchored on Republic Act No. 10601, or otherwise known as the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech) Law of 2013, which promotes the use of modern agricultural technologies to enhance the productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers.

Overall, it supports the national government’s broader agenda of achieving agricultural modernization and inclusive rural development. # (NQA)

DA-10 hosts HR harmonization workshop to enhance personnel management

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To strengthen and streamline human resource (HR) practices across the Department of Agriculture (DA), the DA – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), through its Administrative and Finance Division (AFD), hosted the Harmonization and Updates on the Human Resource (HR) Operations and Management workshop.

The activity aims to streamline and standardize HR processes across DA’s various units by identifying best practices, aligning them with the DA-Central Office’s existing guidelines, and ensuring compliance with the Civil Service Commission’s policies.

In his message, DA-10 Administrative and Finance Division Chief Patrick Ian F. Pedarse, underscored the significance in enhancing the department’s overall service delivery.

“The effective delivery of services by each personnel to their respective stakeholders is rooted in the strength and responsiveness of our human resource management systems (HRMS). By bringing together the best practices from various regional offices and attached offices, this collaborative effort seeks to elevate the standards of our HRMS, enabling us to more effectively support and respond to the evolving needs and performance targets of each unit within the organization,” Pedarse added.

The activity is attended by the human resource officers of DA regional offices, bureaus, attached agencies and corporations.# (CRS)

DA-10 holds consultation to strengthen livestock programs

 

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON –The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10, through its Livestock Program, conducted a consultation meeting for the beneficiaries of the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) and Livestock Economic Enterprise Development (LEED) programs from July 16 to 18, at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex, in Dalwangan, here.

The activity aimed to assess the implementation of the LEED and INSPIRE programs, identify challenges in managing multiplier farms and swine production, and discuss strategies for sustainability.

Further, it sought to enhance coordination among beneficiaries, the government, and other stakeholders for continued technical and financial support necessary for the development of the region’s livestock sector.#

DA-NorMin fine-tunes rice projects rollout in Bukidnon

 

Malaybalay City, Bukidnon – The Department of Agriculture – Region 10 (DA-NorMin) Rice Program convened the local government units (LGUs) of Bukidnon to fine-tune the rollout of pipelined projects and activities under the National Rice Program (NRP) for 2025.

In a consultation-meeting held on Thursday, July 17, guidelines for the selection of farmer-beneficiaries, distribution of agricultural inputs, and mechanism to avail agricultural drone services under the NRP were cascaded to the personnel of the Provincial, City, and Municipal Agriculture Office of Bukidnon province.

To streamline the NRP projects implementation, the DA presented a strategic process flow, a timeline for documentary compliance, and a coordination mechanism between the DA and LGUs.

Similarly, status and concerns for the rollout of the Rice Farmers’ Financial Assistance (RFFA) and Fertilizer Discount Voucher (FDV) were tackled to address potential implementation bottlenecks.

This year, eligible rice farmers will receive up to PhP7k cash assistance under the RFFA. As a matter for compliance, the deadline to claim the 2024 spillover FDV was set on July 31.

The LGU agriculturists were also apprised of the Crop Diversification Program (CDP) of the NRP, under which qualified smallholding rice farmers may avail up to PhP10k worth of farm inputs subsidy for rice seeds and fertilizer.

The DA-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) and the DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) also joined the consultation-meeting to share updates on the implementation of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) agricultural mechanization and seed programs.

The meeting also paved the way for proactive mitigation of concerns relative to farmers’ registration to the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).# (ATT)

DA-10, CMU ink deal for PhP9.2-M multiplier farms

 

MARAMAG, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) and Central Mindanao University (CMU) signed three Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) on July 17, for the establishment of livestock multiplier farms under the Livestock Economic Enterprise Development (LEED) Program.

Funded by the DA-10, the project will support the establishment of multiplier farms for swine (PhP5.6-M), duck (PhP3-M), and a goat (PhP681k) within the university.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan and CMU President Rolito G. Eballe, PhD, led the ceremonial signing held at the CMU campus.

According to Jamaica L. Docdoc, DA-10 Livestock Program focal person, the initiative aims to produce quality breeding animals that will be distributed to qualified beneficiaries, as part of the government’s livelihood support in the area.

“As agreed with the DA-10 and the CMU, once these farms produce their first batch of offspring, they will be distributed to our priority beneficiaries, particularly the former rebels,” Docdoc said, in an interview.

The LEED program is one of the DA’s key strategies to boost the development of livestock-based enterprises, raise farmers’ income, and promote inclusive and sustainable rural growth.# (CRS)

Agri-10 grants nearly PhP15-M worth of agri assistance to Lantapan town farmer groups

 

LANTAPAN, BUKIDNON – As part of the agency’s continuing efforts to empower rural communities and strengthen its agricultural sector, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) turned over nearly PhP15-million (M) worth of agricultural interventions to different farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs) on July 18, held at the TESDA Building, Motorpool, Babahagon, here.

The support, pooled from the department’s Rice, Corn and High Value Crops Development programs, includes farm machinery and inputs, designed to boost the production, marketing and processing efficiency of farmers in the locality.

Specifically, the roster of interventions includes a hauling truck, cassava grater, 110 bags of hybrid rice seeds, 1,181 bags of corn seeds and complete fertilizers, a tractor, and 4 units of chainsaws.

In her remarks, Bukidnon Provincial Operations Center chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM of DA-10, stressed the importance of unity, cooperation, and a positive attitude among FCAs to sustain their chosen agricultural activities.

“Magtinabangay ta kanunay, [aron magpadayon ang atong unity]. Kinahanglan maayo ang atong mga batasan [aron makab-ot nato ang panaghiusa]. [Mag]-uban tang tanan, para ma sustain atoang mga produkto,” the provincial chief said.

Likewise, the DA-10 official expressed her gratitude, on behalf of Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, to the farmers of the municipality who continue to plant amid challenges while they also pin their hopes for the availment of more support from the agency.

“Ang DA is proposal-based, kay unsa ang inyong gikinahanglan, isulat na ninyo, i-endorse dayon sa Municipal Agriculture Office [of Lantapan] ug ang atong mayor, ug pagkahuman dayon, ang atong vice-mayor ug ang iyang konseho mao sab na mo-allow sa inyong mayor na mopirma og mga agreement.” Dr. Lopez added.

Neptali C. Ambos, Lantapan municipal agriculturist, said the various agri assistance are meaningful additions to the FCAs, bringing much-needed support and hope to the local communities.

“Sigurado ko nga dako kaayo ang kalipay sa mga farmers sa nadawat nilang interventions kay this is a life-changing opportunity for them, ilabina sa mga nakadawat og hauling truck ug tractor. Dugay na nila kini gipangayo, ug pinaagi sa ilang pasensya ug sa kaikag nga gihatag sa DA, nakuha na gyud nila. Kining tanan maka-fuel sa economic activities sa ilang organization, makahatag og employment, ug mas makapalig-on pa gyud sa ilang grupo.” the town’s agri head pointed out.

Underscoring the grassroots’ efforts, Lantapan Mayor Ricky James D. Balansag also outlined the role of the FCAs and the synergy across all levels of government.

“Bunga ni sa inyong tanan na pagpaningkamot…ang kanunay nato na panaghiusa maoy mohatag nato og kalambuan,” the local chief executive conveyed.

Among the highlighted beneficiaries was the Cooperatiba sa Pobreng Mag-uuma (COPOMA) from Bugcaon, Lantapan, which received a hauling truck and cassava grater valued at nearly PhP2.8-M.

“Dako kaayo ang among pasalamat sa dakong grasya nga among nadawat ug sa ngalan sa COPOMA, walay kabutangan ang among kalipay nga nakatungtong nami sa sakyanan na sukad wala gyud namo damha nga among maangkon,” Juanita C. Lumalad, COPOMA chairperson shared.

To ensure comprehensive support for farmers, the Philippine Crop Insurance, Corp., an attached agency of the DA, also distributed application forms for crop and life insurance, offering protection for their livelihood and well-being against potential risks.# (JLO)

DA-NorMin seals PhP1.375-M rice prod’n techno demo with CMU

 

MARAMAG, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-NorMin) has formalized its partnership with Central Mindanao University (CMU) through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for a rice production technology demonstration, held at CMU’s Office of the President Conference Room, on July 16.

The MOA marks the establishment of a techno demo on the use of biofertilizers and soil ameliorants for rice production within CMU’s 80-hectare irrigated area.

This initiative is poised to benchmark a modern, technology-driven rice cultivation in the region, with the goal of boosting yields and optimizing input use.

The agreement was signed by DA-NorMin through Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, and by CMU through its University President Rolito G. Eballe, PhD.

Under the agreement, DA-NorMin pledges to provide PhP1.375-million (M) worth of production inputs. These include 160 bags of hybrid rice seeds (PhP800k), 240 bags of fertilizers (PhP379k), and 160 bottles of crop protection chemicals (PhP196k).

The agency will also lead the project coordination and monitoring of the techno demo farm—from geo-tagging and site validation to planting and harvest data collection.

For its part, CMU shall ensure site readiness—from land preparation to harvest—and shall provide irrigation, labor, and field security. The university shall also designate caretakers for each participating company and fully implement the techno packages endorsed by the respective companies.

In his message, Dir. Pacamalan acknowledged the collaboration in advancing rice production.

“Partnering with CMU allows us at DA-NorMin to optimize our science-based approach in rice production through [their] research and development capabilities,” he said.

The agri official also stressed the agency’s shared vision with CMU to empower agriculture students with the knowledge and competencies needed to become future stewards of the agricultural sector.

Further, Dr. Eballe expressed the institution’s intent to scale up the project.

“This synergy realizes the core functions of our university: Instruction, Research, Extension, and Production.

This initiative is highly relevant, and if this will be successful, we envision to expand and extend its benefits to our adjacent communities,” the university executive said.

Further solidifying the holistic agricultural partnership between the DA-NorMin and CMU, the event also featured the signing of MOAs for the establishment of swine, duck, and goat multiplier farms.

These initiatives, with the DA at the forefront, align with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive under the “Bagong Pilipinas” campaign to champion local production through modernization, mechanization, and partnerships, ultimately working toward more affordable food prices for every Filipino. # (BJCE)