Agri-10 Women’s Month culmination underscores the invaluable role of women in workplace, communities, and homes.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) under the helm of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado capped its observance of the National Women’s Month on March 21 with a talk that recognizes the invaluable role of women in the workplace, communities, and homes.

In a special talk on women empowerment spearheaded by independent human resource practitioner Maristela P. Camaddo, women farmers and members of various farmers’ cooperatives, and associations (FCAs) in CdeO, as well as women personnel from the DA and its attached agencies were apprised of the importance of responsibilities and role of women in creating gender-equal and inclusive communities and societies.

Camaddo said that women have to cultivate their sense of self-worth, strength, and self-determination to be empowered.

As women who participate in nation-building, she underscored that strength and empowerment are important to be receptive and address the needs of our communities.

“You cannot be of help [to your communities] if you are not strong. Therefore, you must work to cultivate this trait in yourselves, and empower women,” Camaddo said.

DA-10 Gender and Development (GAD) Program focal person Berna Rhoda P. Barnido expressed her gratitude for the support shown by members of the FCAs, the local government, and DA personnel for the event.

“Through this month-long celebration, we recognize the role of women and their significant contributions to nation-building. Guided by the celebration’s recurring theme, “WE for gender equality and inclusive society”, we recognize women as one of our biggest partners for fostering inclusivity in the country and the region,” Barnido said.

Through Proclamation No. 227, series of 1988, and Republic Act 6949, the month of March is designated for the celebration of National Women’s Month, which underscores the role of Filipino women in the social, cultural, economic, and political development throughout our history.

From the local level, present in support of the event were members of the Rural Improvement Clubs (RICs) of barangays Dansolihon, Bayanga and Kauswagan; members of the Urban Container Household Gardening (UCHG) program of barangays Macasandig and Gusa, and members of the Tagpuangi Fisherfolks Association.

Also, present were representatives from the Northern Mindanao offices of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA-10), Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC-10), National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS-10), and DA-10 personnel and staff.# (GDA)

Lanao del Norte rice farmers to get input support through DA-Rice program’s Fertilizers Discount Voucher. 

TUBOD, LANAO DEL NORTE – Not less than 14,918 rice farmers in Lanao del Norte will receive fertilizer subsidies from the Department of Agriculture – Region 10 (DA-10) through its Fertilizers Discount Voucher (FDV) this year.

In a meeting with the local government units and partner fertilizer merchants on March 19, Chona H. Nacalaban, DA-10 Rice Program focal person disclosed that the agency has appropriated over P100 million in funds for FDV rollout in said province alone.

Under the DA’s FDV program, rice farmers duly registered with the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) will receive P3,400 worth of fertilizer vouchers per hectare of rice area.

Rice farmers in clustered rice areas are eligible for an FDV up to a maximum of 10 hectares, while rice farmers in non-clustered areas may receive an FDV for a maximum of 5 hectares of rice fields tilled.

At least 29,664 hectares of rice area in Lanao del Norte will be covered under the DA-10 FDV program this year.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, said the DA-10 is fast-tracking the FDV implementation in the region to keep pace with the 2024 wet and dry cropping period.

To address any possible bottleneck, the DA-10 through its Rice program is currently spearheading stakeholders’ meetings and consultation in the five provinces of Northern Mindanao ahead of the full-blown rollout of the FDV.

The FDV is being provided to qualified rice farmers in the region to augment their fertilizer needs.# (ATTalib)

Agri-10 encourages pet vaccination and responsible pet ownership to curb rabies cases in Northern Mindanao.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Aligned with the observance of Rabies Awareness Month, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 through its Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL) urges the public to adopt responsible pet ownership practices as part of its strategy for rabies eradication in the region.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said that the annual observance of Rabies Awareness Month in March sheds light on the coordinated efforts of the Department and its partners in the national government, and in the provincial, city, and municipal local government units (LGUs) to decrease and eliminate rabies cases in Northern Mindanao through rabies testing, mass vaccination, providing spaying and neutering services, and conducting information education campaigns.

Through this cooperation, DA-10 rabies coordinator Oryza Kristy N. Bisahan-Baylo, DVM said, pet owners are seen to become more capable and proactive in ensuring the health of their animals, as well as the safety of their communities in line with the observance’s recurring theme: “Rabies-free na Pusa’t Aso, Kaligtasan ng Pamilyang Pilipino”.

“The services offered under the [National Rabies Prevention and Control Program] are now embedded into the programs of our local government units (LGUs), and we hope that people will proactively avail of these for the health and safety of our pets and their owners,” Dr. Baylo said.

Rabies is among the most deadly animal diseases responsible for claiming the lives of around 250 Filipinos each year.

The virus is transmitted when an infected animal’s saliva enters the skin of a person or another animal through a scratch or bite wound.

In humans, the rabies virus spreads from the bite wound to the peripheral nerves, and spinal cord and brain, and causes the victim to exhibit headache, fever, loss of appetite and other flu-like symptoms that will later progress to excessive salivation, light sensitivity, hydrophobia, and may have aggression. While it is 100 percent fatal, the virus is 100% preventable through vaccination.

According to Dr. Baylo, the provincial, city, and municipal veterinary offices in Region 10 are primarily responsible for conducting anti-rabies vaccinations in their respective coverage areas, which the RADDL complements in its conduct of rabies examination and information and education campaigns.

Through its Rabies Elimination and Eradication Program, the Department extends rabies examination free-of-charge and encourages LGUs to submit samples to monitor the incidence in the five provinces of region 10, namely: Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Camiguin.

Samples encouraged for submission and testing are those from animals, commonly but not limited to dogs and cats, who have exhibited rabies symptoms.

To preserve the specimen’s viability for testing, the RADDL advised following a triple packaging system where the head of the animal is placed inside a leak-proof plastic bag (primary container), placed inside another plastic bag with ice or coolant (second container), and contained inside a sealed, shock-proof, water-tight styrofoam box or cooler (third container).

According to Dr. Baylo, samples are fit for testing for up to 6 to 12 hours from death and remain viable for as long as they are kept in frozen condition.
In 2023, the DA-RADDL recorded around 74 rabies cases in Region 10, to which she reiterated the importance of the combined commitment of the government and the public.

“Anti-rabies vaccination is not the only control measure we have for rabies. We also must take responsibility for the needs of our pets and consider their safety and welfare,” Baylo said.

The DA is among the lead implementing agencies of R.A. No. 9482, otherwise known as the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007, of which it is tasked to oversee the implementation of the National Rabies Prevention and Control Program (NRPCP) in coordination with other government agencies such as the DA-Bureau of Animal Industry, Department of Health, LGUs, and other stakeholders. # (GDA)

DA-10 convenes with LGU Medina for more partnerships on agri development of the locality.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Mayor Donato N. Chan of Medina, Misamis Oriental paid a courtesy visit to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado on Thursday, March 7 in this city.

During the visit, Mayor Chan explored the opportunity of advancing the town’s area for agri development on livestock and poultry, corn, and other feasible agri commodities.

The discussion also focused on the LGU’s proposal for a farm-to-market road (FMR) under the DA-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) in which they requested technical assistance from all PRDP RPCO 10 units and components to fast-track the preparation of their PRDP scale up proposal.

In attendance were Medina Municipal Agriculturist Frederick M. Docdoc, DA-10 Livestock focal person Jamaica Docdoc, PRDP RPCO 10 Rural Infrastructure Engr. Antonio Teves with PRPD RPCO 10 engineers.#(ATC)

Muleta CADP gets approval from the National Steering Committee of the National CI-SRD.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Regional Convergence Initiative for Sustainable Rural Development (RCI-SRD), spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), receives the approval of the National Steering Committee of the National CI-SRD for the Muleta Convergence Area Development Plan (CADP) on March 13, in this city.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga said that the approval of the Muleta CADP will greatly help in providing more opportunities of the benefiting area in Pangantucan town, Bukidnon. “With the approval of the CADP, the direction towards the development of Muleta watershed will be clearer.

The CADP will be our basis on what projects should be prioritized to be implemented in the watershed since these have undergone many processes already,” RTD Madriaga said.

She is also thankful to the members of the RCI-SRD Technical Working Group, composed of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), PLGU Bukidnon for their unwavering support and in helping the Local Government Unit of Pangantucan for the approval of the CADP.

Standing as members of the steering committee during the presentation of CADP, which happened via online meeting, are DA Undersecretary for Operations and the National Focal Person of NCI-SRD Engr. Roger C. Navarro, DILG Assistant Director Maria Angela Monica Salud B. Mamuyac, DAR Undersecretary for Support Services Rowena Niña O. Taduran, DENR Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning and Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Noralene M. Uy, PhD and Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) Director Karen Kristine A. Roscom, PhD.

After being approved by the NCI-SRD steering committee, the CADP will be returned to the region to integrate the comments made during the presentation.

This will then be submitted again to the NCI-SRD TWG for its final refinement.

Present during the Muleta CADP presentation are representatives from LGU Pangantucan, who presented the CADP to the steering committee, and representatives of the regional offices of DA, DAR, DILG, and DENR, Provincial Agriculture Office of Bukidnon, and the members of RCI-SRD 10.# (CRS)

LGU convenes with DA-10 through RED Collado for the availment of agri assistance under its special project.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY- To learn the guidelines for the acquisition of special and foreign-assisted projects of the Department of Agriculture, Tangub City Mayor Sabiniano S. Canama discussed with DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado on March 15, the guidelines for availing these projects, at the agency’s compound in this city.

Aside from the agency’s regular funded banner programs under rice, corn, high-value commodities, and livestock, Director Collado also shared foreign-funded projects that the DA-10 offers which the LGUs can avail.

Said projects include the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) and the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP), of which he encouraged the submission of the letter of intent and compliance with the requirements for validation of the request.

Mayor Canama requested an exclusive orientation and project briefing about the guidelines for banner programs and foreign-funded projects are set to be conducted with the concerned officials of CLGU Tangub next week. #

DA-10 welcomes this year’s second batch of newly promoted and appointed employees.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The second batch of this year’s newly promoted and appointed employees of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) took their oath of office, earlier today, on March 15, at the agency compound.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado administered the oathtaking ceremony of the six employees with their corresponding positions and assignments:

Promoted
1. Nilo C. Panugaling, Jr. – Science Research Specialist II, Research Division
2. Dryan Anthony D. Illana – Market Specialist II, Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division
3. Ralph Rhoyd I. Soco – Agriculturist I, Field Operations Division (FOD)

Newly appointed
1. Caressa Mae D. Pacana – Agriculturist I, FOD
2. Dolly P. Ebio – Agriculturist I, Regulatory Division
3. Edwin Tristan A. Lumawag – Accountant I, Administrative and Finance Division

Also present in the ceremony are Human Resource Merit Promotion and Selection Board chair and Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, RTD for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca, heads and senior staff of concerned divisions.#(MPMT)

DA-10 ranks third in the nationwide financial and cash management performance for FY 2023.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) under the leadership of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado garnered third place across all regional field offices (RFOs) nationwide for demonstrating sustained and effective financial and cash management for fiscal year (FY) 2023.

The recognition, which is based on the monthly utilization of the Notice of Cash Allotment for payables, was conferred earlier this week by the DA-Central Office during the year-end financial evaluation and assessment for FY 2023, held in Baguio City.

On behalf of Director Collado, the Administrative and Finance Division team led by Supervising Administrative Officer Marilou A. Santua, received the certificate of recognition, along with other DA-RFO representatives from the Ilocos and Central Luzon regions, who placed first and second, respectively.

On the achievement, the agri chief exec expressed his gratitude to the DA-10 workforce, who have been instrumental in bagging such a feat, noting the optimum and efficient utilization of funds while meeting the agency’s financial obligations.

“Guided on our mantra ’10 for 1′, which aims for Northern Mindanao to be on top, this award serves as a testament that with the concerted efforts and support of all the operating units of the department, we can always improve toward the better delivery of services to our farmers and other relevant clienteles,” RED Collado added.

Aside from bestowing said honor to performing RFOs, the recognition was also extended to top-performing attached bureaus and agencies of DA throughout the country. # (JLO/Photos supplied)

Agri-10 launches MIADP designed for inclusive agricultural development in Northern Mindanao.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — To signify its commitment toward the inclusive development of the region’s agricultural sector, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) formally launched the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP) in Northern Mindanao, on March 11, in this city.

According to DA-10 Regional Executive Director and MIADP 10 Regional Project Director Carlene C. Collado, the newly launched project is set to implement support programs for organized farmer and fisherfolk groups that address weak market linkages and insufficient agricultural infrastructure in geographically isolated ancestral domains, which have been identified as key factors to the poverty experienced by indigenous peoples (IPs) in said areas.

DA as the lead implementing agency is joined by partner national government agencies (NGAs) and agricultural stakeholders from the provincial, and municipal local government units (LGUs) to enhance productivity, strengthen market access, and champion sustainable development and self-sufficiency among IPs, ultimately contributing to poverty reduction, the director added.

These NGAs include the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), and the Philippine Army (PA).

Also serving as members of the Regional Project Advisory Board are the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC), the Provincial Government of Bukidnon, and the Municipal governments of Impasug-ong and Malitbog.

On the other hand, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga emphasized that convergence, collaboration, and cooperation of the DA and its stakeholders is imperative to the success of the project.

With a total project cost of P6.625 billion, with funding from the World Bank, MIADP 10 Deputy Project Director Joel S. Rudinas said that the project will run for six years, from 2023 until 2028, and covers selected ancestral domains in Mindanao.

He added that in region 10, MIADP’s pilot coverage area includes two ADs in Bukidnon, namely: AD Kalawanan 1 and 2 in San Luis, Malitbog spanning a total 20,083.18 hectares, and AD Bukidnon Tagoloanon in Sitio Kibuwa, Impalutao, Impasugong with a total 2,952.5138 hectares.

Further, Rudinas bared MIADP’s five program components and their corresponding key activities for capacity development and provision of technical support; provision of climate-proofed agri-fisheries infrastructure; production and enterprise development; project management support, monitoring, and evaluation; and contingent emergency response.

Underscoring the launch as a milestone for agricultural development in Northern Mindanao, MIADP Project Director Abel James I. Monteagudo expressed his gratitude to the stakeholders present for the support shown for the activity.

Culminating said activity, partner government agencies and local government units declared their respective offices’ commitment and support for the project through the signing of the Pledge of Commitment.# (GDA)

MisOr farmers attend a training on Oyster mushroom production to consider such as an additional source of income.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) under the leadership of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado recently conducted a training on Oyster mushroom production for Misamis Oriental farmers, held at the Research Center for Hillyland Development in barangay Lanise, Claveria, Misamis Oriental.

Forty-five participants attended the said training, spearheaded by the DA-10 Gender and Development (GAD) program headed by its focal person, Berna Rhoda P. Barnido, which aims to consider mushroom cultivation as an additional source of income.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said that the event encourages growers in a community to get involved in mushroom farming, equipping them with the skills needed to start their mushroom farms, and imparting the nutritional and health benefits in the consumption of mushrooms.

RCHD Senior Science Research Specialist May Shell E. Tumilap provided an overview of the different kinds of mushrooms, and their suitability for cultivation and introduced various sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in mushroom production.

Compared to growing other crops, Barnido added that growing mushrooms requires less energy, water and land, as they can easily be produced and harvested several times a year with a short growth cycle.

Following said training, the same activity is slated to be conducted at the DA-10’s Research for Upland Development on March 13, this year.#(MPMT/Photos supplied)