Photo credits: PIA-10/Philip Vincent S. Bautista

CdeO City, May 5 – The agriculture department in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) continues to recognize the selfless dedication and commitment of the Region’s frontliners against COVID-19, as it hands over some 94 trays of balut eggs donated by San Miguel Foods, Inc. (SMFI).

Included in its roster of recipients are the Northern Mindanao Medical Center with 20 trays; Philippine National Police (20); Department of Health (10); Veterinary Quarantine Service (10); National Economic Development Authority (10); Bureau of Plant Industry (10); Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (10); and the Philippine Information Agency (4).

“Today’s distribution is only part of the 10,000 balut eggs provided to us [agency] by SMFI,” OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado of DA-10 said.

Said provisions also marks the third wave of food assistance by SMFI, as they have also previously donated to the agency 28,000 pieces of balut and fresh eggs.

“With the food company’s pouring generosity, we are much driven to also do the same and share it to our frontliners, who risk their lives every single day to respond to the ongoing health crisis,” the DA exec added.

The agency head further said, that for being modern-day heroes, the agriculture community will continue to support them in whatever possible way.

“As you tirelessly carry out your daily tasks at the frontlines, we, [at the department], hope for your safety, so that more help will be underway for those afflicted and to also curb the spread of the dreaded disease,” Collado concluded.

The remaining balut eggs are eyed to be given to the medical workers and frontliners in Bukidnon province while the rest will be divided among the DA-10 personnel. #

Cagayan de Oro City – After receiving report implicating a leading supermarket in the city selling processed food containing pork meat from Luzon, the Northern Mindanao African Swine Fever (ASF) Task Force conducted joint inspection, Tuesday, May 5, 2020.

The team coposed of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10’s (DA-RFO 10) Regulatory Division, Bureau of Animal Industry – Veterinary Quarantine Services (DA-BAI-VQS) and the City Veterinary Office of Cagayan de Oro.

During the inspection, packages of “pork-based special quikiam” manufactured by food company based in Cavite were found on display in the supermarket’s chiller, warranting appropriate action by the ASF Task Force.

As part of government’s effort to curb ASF infestation, pork products from ASF-affected areas are banned in the entire Northern Mindanao (NorMin).

“Based on Executive Order No. 172 goods containing pork coming from ASF-infected areas (domestic or international) will be confiscated and disposed properly. Right now, we will seal these products pending documents showing their delivery details,” Dr. Lucien Anthony P. Acac, Cagayan de Oro City OIC-Veterinarian said.

The food items will be confiscated and buried if they are found delivered after the EO was enforced, on and after September 27, 2019.

“What we are doing is part of the mandate of the ASF Task Force. We are doing this to ensure the food consumed by the buying public is safe, clean and good,” Dr. Acac added, saying his office will remain operational despite COVID-19 quarantine.

To date, CdeO City Veterinary Office has reported a total of six apprehensions as violation to EO 172. All cases involved mischievous movement of pork products from Luzon, Davao and General Santos cities.

ASF is a highly contagious hemorrhagic disease of hogs. The disease has no known cure and is rapidly spreading across many countries, Philippines included.

To protect the local hog industry in NorMin, DA-10 is actively working with the local government units (LGUs) and other line agencies in the region to prevent the entry of the disease.

Following cases of confirmed ASF-caused swine deaths in some areas in Mindanao, DA recently issued Memorandum Circular No. 3 series of 2020 ordering all concerned attached agencies and bureaus, most especially BAI, to implement stricter anti-ASF measures in Mindanao.

DA is pushing for the implementation of 24/7 animal quarantine checkpoints equipped with disinfection facilities, mandatory inspection of docking vessels in Mindanao ports, close coordination with the LGUs to establish and maintain checkpoints to inspect passengers coming from ASF-affected areas, and ultimately, confiscation and destruction of all pork products from ASF-affected zones and countries.

While the COVID-19 pandemic continuously ravaging the country’s economy now, the effort to protect the P25 billion hog industry in NorMin from ASF is imperative.#

With the imposed community quarantine caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the agriculture department gains more partners in implementing its Plant, Plant, Plant, Plant program, as it seeks to scale up the production of food through expansion of areas.

Otherwise known as Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) kontra COVID-19, the DA-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) has also solicited support from the different households across the region, as most are driven to stay in their homes, pursuing to become more productive through backyard gardening.

Fr. Gary D. Igot of St. John Marie Vianney Church of Xavier Heights Subdivision in Cagayan de Oro City, is no stranger in producing food at the comforts of his home. This was further intensified, being one of the recipients of the agency’s distribution of free vegetable seeds.

“Times are tough and I wanted to show and motivate my neighborhood to spend their spare time in worthwhile activities such as gardening, making them more productive during this ongoing health crisis,” Fr. Igot remarked.

“His humble garden is a good model to bare the department’s Plant, Plant, Plant, Plant program. It only shows that anyone can grow their own food, thus ensuring food security at the household level,” DA-10 Regional Technical Director Carlota S. Madriaga said, who has visited in the priest’s garden.

Since the COVID-19 crisis broke out, the region, as of April 30, has distributed a total of about 483 kilograms of assorted vegetable seeds to the local governments through its agriculture offices and walk-in clients through the DA-10’s ALPAS COVID-19 center for distribution.

“In a few days, I will have fresh eggplants and bell pepper to harvest from my garden, of which I can share to my neighbors,” Fr. Igot concluded.#

CdeO City, April 30 – The Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Northern Mindanao converged to provide a wider array of agri-fishery products, basic necessities and other prime commodities thru the rollout of its Kadiwa at Diskwento Karavan (KDK), in DA-10’s parking area.

Integrating DA’s Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita and DTI’s Diskwento Caravan, KDK is a beefed-up marketing initiative, which brings diverse and reasonably priced essential commodities closer to the abodes of Kagay-anons amid the COVID-19 pandemic-prompted community quarantine.

“We have laid out this to help our consumers to have easier access to a one-stop shop offering much needed fresh produce and manufactured goods closer to their homes and decongest major public markets,” Carlota S. Madriaga, DA-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) regional technical director for operations shared.

“Affordability is also a key feature in the items that are being sold in the KDK. Also as establishments were advised to run at reduced capacity for the time being, this is a big help for our consumers, who are trying to get by during this health crisis,” the assistant DA exec said.

The KDK is a marketing platform where agri-fishery and other food products as well as basic goods are being sold at cheaper rates, as trading layers are removed through the joint efforts of the involved agencies to straightly link farmers and manufacturers to buyers.

“We equally value the safety of our personnel, suppliers and consumers. Proper physical distancing and wearing of face masks are being imposed, at the same time, we encourage shoppers to bring along with them their eco-friendly bags and grocery list,” Madriaga elaborated, saying the latter will prevent them from lingering longer in the market.

Further adding, that all the cited measures and the selection of benefitting barangays are undertaken in close coordination with the Agricultural Productivity Office under the city government of Cagayan de Oro and different barangay officials.

Exhibitors included in the kick-off are Canitoan Farmer’s Cooperative, Miarayon Talakag Highland Farmers Association, Farmgrown Association of Claveria, San Miguel, Oyster Mushroom, Municipal Agriculture’s Office of Claveria, CNQ Agriventures, Barra Agro Industrial Multi-Purpose Cooperative, True Chef’s Choice, Inc., Great Grand Intention Foundation, Inc., Ginama and private individual seller, Imee Poklawan.

KDK is set to serve more barangays of CdeO in the upcoming days.#

The 10th Forward Service Support Unit (10 FSSU) of the Army Support Command (ASCOM), 4th Infantry Division (4ID), Philippine Army and Oplan NorthMin Frontliners turned over face shields to the Department of Agriculture – 10 (DA-10) for its “Kadiwa on Wheels” frontliners and vendors on April 29, 2020.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director Carlota S. Madriaga received 250 pieces face shields from 10 FSSU, PA under the command of LTC Lawrence A. Aninag, who was represented by CPL Wine Ve D. Aumbo (QMS) PA and PFC Arsielef Paul C. Cardines (Inf) PA and Oplan NorthMin Frontliners headed by Glenn Dael.

The 10 FSSU has been producing improvised face shields to help Northern Mindanao in its fight against COVID-19.

Their locally produced face shields were distributed to different communities and organizations in the city and other nearby municipalities.

“On behalf of our director, Carlene C. Collado, I would like to extend my gratitude [to the group] for the support provided and considering our agency as one of their recipients,” said RTD Madriaga.

The “Kadiwa on Wheels” is a program rolled out by DA-10 to bring fresh produce of farmers to different barangays in CdeO during the quarantine period.#

To ensure stable rice supply amid the COVID-19 crisis, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) called for a meeting to capacitate enforcers on the classification of imported and local commercial rice on April 29, 2020.

“Following on reports that some rice retailers sell local regular milled rice, but labeled as premium grade rice aside from the prices pegged beyond the price freeze,” said DA-10, Regional Technical Director for Operations of Carlota S. Madriaga.

National Food Authority-10 (NFA-10) Regional Manager John Robert R. Hermano apprised the group on the classification of imported and local commercial rice such as well milled, special, premium, well milled and regular milled.

The enforcement team is composed of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-10 (CIDG-10), DA-Bureau of Plant Industry-10 (DA-BPI-10), National Bureau of Investigation-10 (NBI-10), National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) and Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC) of Cagayan de Oro City and the Regional Bantay Presyo Task Force. #

Under the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2020-01 of DA, DTI and DOH or “Price Freeze under a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019” was implemented for basic necessities as of March 8, 2020 until May 15, 2020, unless earlier lifted by the President.#

A total of 20 trays of fresh farm eggs were claimed by representatives from the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC), region 10’s referral hospital for COVID-19 cases, at the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) on April 29.

This gesture aims to boost the health, nutrition and morale of the Region’s medical workers and other frontliners in the bid to curb the spread of the disease, as they work round-the-clock to save lives.

Said food assistance is shared by DA-RFO 10 thru OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, which was ceremoniously turned over a week ago and is part from the donations of San Miguel Foods, Inc.

Receiving the food assistance is NMMC’s Christerson G. Rafal, nursing attendant and Blisilo A. Sacal, administrative officer, also in the presence of DA-RFO 10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga and other agency staff. #

A total of 440 heads of Itik Pinas were dispersed by the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) to a multiplier farm at Brgy. Kuya, Maramag, Bukidnon on April 28, 2020.

Said area which is managed by the local government of Maramag through its agriculture office serves as a technology demonstration farm for duck culture in the town.

Overall amounting to Php220,000.00, the demo farm is seen to provide livelihood to locals, augment duck raisers’ income and productivity, and increase the inventory of ducks within the municipality.

Present during the delivery of stocks is DA-RFO 10 Livestock Program Project Development Assistant II Johnson C. Petalcurin, of which were received by Agricultural Technician Johann Vincent Obedencio of the Municipal Agriculture’s Office of Maramag. #

CdeO City, April 27 – “DA’s ‘Plant, Plant, Plant’ program is an efficient homegrown and livelihood initiative, enough to sustain the basic needs of the people,” said Lieutenant Colonel Jason M. Saldua of the 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army (4ID, PA).

In support to one of the region’s battlefront against the COVID-19, the DA-Regional Field Office 10, thru OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado supplies the troupe with 150 packets of Pinakbet vegetable seeds.

Said intervention is part of DA’s program, also known as “Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) Laban sa COVID-19.

According to Lt. Col. Saldua, the assorted veggie seeds will not only benefit the armies, but also the locals residing nearby the camp.

“This is timely since the region is under community quarantine (CQ) due to the threat of the pandemic. Even if the government orders to extend the CQ period in the region, in a few months, the locals will still have sufficient and healthy food to eat, fresh from the harvest of their own vegetable garden,” he added.

Aside from the seeds, 16 trays of fresh eggs, donated by the San Miguel Foods, Inc. were also shared by the agency to the army for their daily consumption.# (EMB)

CdeO City, April 27 – “DA’s ‘Plant, Plant, Plant’ program is an efficient homegrown and livelihood initiative, enough to sustain the basic needs of the people,” said Lieutenant Colonel Jason M. Saldua of the 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army (4ID, PA).

In support to one of the region’s battlefront against the COVID-19, the DA-Regional Field Office 10, thru OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado supplies the troupe with 150 packets of Pinakbet vegetable seeds.

Said intervention is part of DA’s program, also known as “Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) Laban sa COVID-19.

According to Lt. Col. Saldua, the assorted veggie seeds will not only benefit the armies, but also the locals residing nearby the camp.

“This is timely since the region is under community quarantine (CQ) due to the threat of the pandemic. Even if the government orders to extend the CQ period in the region, in a few months, the locals will still have sufficient and healthy food to eat, fresh from the harvest of their own vegetable garden,” he added.

Aside from the seeds, 16 trays of fresh eggs, donated by the San Miguel Foods, Inc. were also shared by the agency to the army for their daily consumption.# (EMB)