DA-10 recognizes Halal industry dev’t partners

ILIGAN CITY – In recognition of advancing the agency’s Halal program, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through its Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan recognizes the City Government of Iligan for the institutionalization of Ordinance No. 24-7458, also known as the Comprehensive Halal Ordinance of the City of Iligan, on December 9, here.

Entitled “Instituting the City of Iligan Halal Industry Development and Promotion, Requiring the Segregation of Halal Products from Non-Halal/Haram Products in Businesses and Establishments Selling or Involved in the Sale of Halal Products through Halal Lanes, Establishing the Iligan City Halal Council, and for Other Purposes,” the said ordinance reinforces the department and the city’s collective drive of regulating business establishments that are involved in the processing, production, marketing, selling or offering of Halal products within the locality.

This is also aligned with Republic Act No. 10917, otherwise known as the Philippine Halal Law.

As development partners, DA-10 led by RED Pacamalan together with Lanao Norte Provincial Operations Center chief, Engr. Abdulharis P. Paporo, who concurrently serves as the alternate Halal focal person, presented plaques of recognition to Iligan City Mayor, Frederick W. Siao; Co-Chair of the Committee on Agriculture and author of the Halal Ordinance, Atty. Maria Paz Teresa V. Zalsos, CPA; City Agriculturist, Marie Ann J. Beley; and Agriculture and Fisheries focal person Kevin R. Fernan, for their support and commitment to sustainable and inclusive agricultural development.

Under its Halal program, the DA-10 aims to further develop the Halal industry by partnering with local government units and other stakeholders through the conduct of trainings and seminars, establishment of Halal facilities, provision of Halal Certification assistance, among others. # (MAC/Photo supplied)

Cadayunan abaca farmers receive P9.1-M worth of DA-PRDP enterprise

ILIGAN CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project 10 (DA-PRDP 10), through its Enterprise Component (I-REAP) officially handed over the Abaca Fiber Processing and Marketing Enterprise to the Cadayunan Tribal Farmers Association (CaTriFA) on December 9, in this city.

The enterprise, worth P9.1 million (M), includes a delivery truck (P2.09-M), a hauling tractor with trailer (P1.94-M), baling machine (P1.3-M), spindle stripping machine (P800K), decorticating machines (P600K), weighing scale (P140K), and raw materials worth P2.2-M.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director and DA-PRDP 10 Project Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan expressed optimism that through the said intervention would yield significant benefits for CaTriFA members, given the continued strong demand for abaca fiber.

“We believe this intervention is necessary for the proponent group because the demand and buying price of abaca is still high to this day. I hope that through this intervention, your cooperative will continue to be operational and prosperous.”

CaTriFA President Marlyn M. Cubaynon, highlighted the timeliness of the intervention, emphasizing its potential to boost their productivity and profitability.

She added, “Currently, we can only deliver a small volume of abaca fiber, but with this support, we can significantly increase our market deliveries and benefit from the high buying price.”

Cubaynon also expressed gratitude to DA-PRDP and the City Local Government of Iligan for their assistance which could greatly help the abaca farmers in their community.

The abaca fiber processing and marketing enterprise turned over to CaTriFA is funded under the Second Additional Financing with EU Co-financing Grant (AF2-EU). #

DA backs Oro’s solo parents urban gardening drive

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — As a way of encouraging civic group’s involvement in advocating urban food production, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through its High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) supports the community garden project of Barangay Consolacion Solo Parents Association (BCSPA).

Recently, DA-10 Senior Agriculturist Richan D. Lacanaria and HVCDP focal person Kersten S. Pagalan handed over 30 packets of assorted vegetable seeds, 5 pieces light hoe, 3 pieces shovel, 4 pieces sprinkler and 10 pieces seedling trays to Rubelyn B. Lumbab, BCSPA president.

According to Lumbab, the BCSPA is an association of 38 solo parents who decided to establish a community garden to make use of their time productively since most of their members are stay-at-home parents.

“Having a garden will help us provide fresh vegetables for our children and an added source of income by selling our extra harvest.” Lumbab said.

She added that their group is maximizing the use of an idle space in their locality as a communal garden, while other members are employing pot gardening methods.

As food sufficiency is a shared responsibility of the government and private stakeholders, the DA welcomes any form of partnership and collaboration advocating self-reliance and self-sustaining food production initiatives at the community level.# (ATT)

DA-10 convenes stakeholders, partners for stronger Halal food industry in NorMin

ILIGAN CITY — The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) recently convened with sector stakeholders and partner government agencies to discuss refined strategies and initiatives geared toward the development of the region’s Halal food industry.

In an assessment spearheaded by the DA through its Halal Food Industry Development Program (HFIDP) on November 27 to 28 here, various micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), hotel and restaurant owners, representatives from the Local Government of Iligan City and its City Agriculture Office, as well as partner government agencies and other stakeholders bared their programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) in line with the shared goal of developing the Halal food industry in Northern Mindanao.

Launched in 2018, the HFIDP is among the Department’s banner programs that aims to develop the country’s Halal Industry and enhance the global competitiveness of existing and potential exporters of Halal products, processes, and services.

DA-10 Provincial Operations Center chief for Lanao del Norte Engr. Abdulharis P. Paporo, who also serves as the alternate focal person of the HFIDP, said that the activity enables the Department as well as its partners to position themselves to better serve the public, particularly entrepreneurs and consumers of Halal products.

Further, Paporo said that the two-day activity serves as an opportunity to benchmark on best practices to ensure consumer protection and safety, enhance the capabilities of Halal enterprises and exporters, thereby increasing participation in the global economy.

As the event’s resource speaker, Halal International Chamber of Commerce and Industries of the Philippines President and CEO Ustadz Alexander M. Sultan, PhD also discussed the general concepts and principles of Halal, the goals and objectives of Halal certification, as well as its detailed certification process for interested enterprises.

Capping off the assessment, participating partner agencies expressed their commitment for the program and the Halal food industry as a whole, especially in the promotion of Iligan City as one of the country’s leading Halal-Certified hubs.# (GDA)

NorMin agri, fishery FCAs take stage in first KADIWA ng Pangulo Expo

PASAY CITY — Two farmers cooperatives, associations (FCAs) from Northern Mindanao recently showcased local agri-fishery produce during the first-ever KADIWA ng Pangulo (KNP) Expo spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture, on November 26 to 28, at the Philippine International Convention Center, in this city.

Staged for the first time, the KNP Expo highlighted the feats achieved by the government in advancing agri-entrepreneurship and increasing the income of farmers through the KADIWA program, as well as the high-quality agri-fishery products of 65 participating FCAs, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), KADIWA consolidators, and government agencies from all over the country.

Assisted by the DA-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, exhibitors, Miarayon Highland Farmers’ Association from Talakag, Bukidnon, and Fisherfolk of Agusan Aquatic Agriculture Cooperative (FAACO) from Cagayan de Oro City, sold their fresh vegetables and processed fishery products at economical prices throughout the three-day fair.

Aligned with the vision of a ‘Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas’, the KADIWA Program continues to link local producers of agri-fishery commodities and the public, in a bid to enhance access to safe, affordable, and nutritious food for every Filipino.

DA Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs Atty. Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra, who is also the Overall Lead for the KNP Expo, emphasized the importance of supporting local producers in the shared endeavor for expanding market opportunities for Filipino agripreneurs.

“The KNP Program is not just about helping our farmers; it is about helping the Filipino people. Every time we purchase a product through our KADIWA, we are making a choice to support our farmers to invest in our local economy and to take part in the journey toward a Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas,” Asec. Velicaria-Guevarra said.

Supported by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. through a Memorandum of Agreement signed on July 17, 2023, the KNP is co-implemented by the DA, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), and the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) as members of the KNP Convergence.

To which, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. lauded the convergent efforts of the national government in advancing the interests of farmers and fisherfolk through the KNP program.

“The combined expertise and resources of these agencies have been instrumental in the success of the KNP Program and its beneficiaries. Ang Kadiwa ng Pangulo ay isang mahalagang bahagi ng adhikain ng ating Pangulo na palakasin ang sektor ng agrikultura. Sa pamamagitan ng KNP, natutulungan natin ang mga magsasaka na direktang makabenta ng kanilang produkto. At dahil dito, napapataas ang kanilang kita habang natutulungan naman natin ang mga mamimili na magkaroon ng access sa mas mura at masustansiyang pagkain,” Secretary Tiu Laurel Jr. said.# (GDA)

DA-NorMin signs MOA with NorMinHog for Modified INSPIRE Program

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), under the leadership of Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Northern Mindanao Hog (NorMinHog) Raisers Association through its president, Leon G. Tan, Jr., to implement the Modified Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (Modified INSPIRE) Program, a continuing program for the swine sector that was affected by African swine fever (ASF), through the establishment of a production farm in Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon, on December 3, here.

As part of its strengthened efforts to support the calibrated repopulation and enhancement of the local swine industry, the said Program per DA Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 28, Series of 2024, aims to rationalize and streamline its implementation, with focus on establishing breeder farms with high-quality breeder stocks and adopting a compartmentalized biosecurity management scheme.

Agreed total project cost is set at PhP100 million (M), with PhP90-M for the acquisition of 2k heads of 5-6-month-old gilts, and PhP10 million for animal zoological supplies.

Further provided in MC 28, Series of 2024, is enjoining the private sector to adopt clustering strategies in contributing to the repopulation and expansion efforts, thereby reviving the swine industry.

Under the Modified INSPIRE program, NorMinHog is entitled to receive ten units under the production farm package with 200 head per module, as full grant.

Witnessing the MOA signing were Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga; Administrative and Finance Division chief, Patrick Ian F. Pedarse; Livestock focal person, Jamaica L. Docdoc; and NorMinHog secretary, Daisy C. Tagaan.# (MAC

Agri dept supports children’s month celebration

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10), through its Women Employees’ Association (DAWEA) and in collaboration with the Gender and Development program, supported the observance of the 32nd National Children’s Month (NCM) on November 29, here.

Bearing this year’s theme: “Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Philippines”, the activity focused on a talk on Children’s Rights, which stressed the need to safeguard and fulfill children’s rights to survival, protection, development, and participation in the choices and decisions concerning and impacting children.

Speaking before a crowd of 80, comprising of children together with their parents and guardians from DA-10, and members and officers of DAWEA-10, Atty. Rachel L. Borres-Thurdis, DAWEA-10 chairperson said that a child’s right refers to a set of legally binding norms and standards for care and protection of child that can be applied to all children at all situations.

She imparted that children’s rights has evolved, as it has largely been influenced by philosophers, especially in areas like early education, socialization, and meeting children’s age-appropriate needs that differ over time.

Essentially, Atty. Borres-Thurdis highlighted on how to engage both duty-bearers, either parents or guardians, and children in nurturing a safer, healthier, and more inclusive environment, sharing the four core children’s rights as espoused in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN-CRC) — survival rights (right to life and most basic needs for existence), protection rights (protection from all forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation, and rehabilitation), development rights (right to education, play, and leisure), and participation rights (right to express opinion).

Recognizing the range of child rights relating from family, health, education, identity, privacy, among others, the DAWEA chairperson urged for parents and guardians to prioritize what is best for their child, including their role to discipline their children for the formation of their good character.

“Child rights are essential for creating a more equitable and just society, where all individuals are valued and respected, regardless of their background or circumstances.” she furthered.

As provided in Republic Act No. 10661, the NCM in the Philippines is yearly observed every November, coinciding with the adoption of the UN-CRC on November 20, 1989, to uphold the promotion and protection of children’s rights and welfare.#

NorMin aggie dept honors tenured employees

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Adhering to Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 6, Series of 2002, twenty tenured employees of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) were honored in a Loyalty Awarding Ceremony on Wednesday, December 4.

Spearheaded by the agency’s Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) committee, employees who have rendered continuously and satisfactorily for 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years in government service were lauded for their contribution to the DA’s directives and thrusts throughout their enduring career.

Anchored to this year’s theme: “DA in DEEP (Drive, Engage, Elevate, Pioneer)”, it also underscored the department’s continued mission to ensure food security, enhance rural development, and promote sustainable practices, overall strategizing the need to address the challenges of modern agriculture.

Leading the awarding rite is DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, who noted the influence of the loyalty awardees to the agency and the agricultural sector’s strides, as a whole.

“I only have the highest degree of appreciation on how you [honorees] have passionately worked with the DA with high performance, and with that, I congratulate you all [in doing so with much] dedication, passion and hard work,” RED Pacamalan remarked.

Likewise, he cited that their longstanding service is in itself a milestone, as they have time and again toiled to respond in providing programs [and other interventions] that will allow us [DA and the public] to secure our food needs.

For her part, DA-RFO 10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, Cora A. Dumayaca, who concurrently serves as the PRAISE chairperson, also applauded the length of service extended by her fellow loyalty honorees.

Although that struggles and pressures may be a staple to one’s work, the DA official said: “We [awardees] still have the dedication and commitment in the attainment of our organizational goals, especially in serving our clients – farmers and fisherfolk.”

During the program, distribution of plaques and tokens to the honorees was also done headed by RED Pacamalan along with the assistant directors and the agency’s division chiefs, and witnessed by the Commission on Audit – Cluster 8 – Agriculture and Environment – Team 07, department personnel, and other guests.

Capping off the event, DA-RFO 10 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga, further commended the loyalty awardees, alluding that their commitment, dedication, and compassion, have been the keys of being devoted to the agency.

Below is a complete list of the loyalty awardees:

40 years
Lorenzita Z. Caumban – Agriculturist II, Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD)
Helen B. Galang – Agriculturist II, Integrated Laboratories Division (ILD)
Editha U. Olifernes – Project Evaluation Assistant, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division

35 years
Janniver C. Chua – Supervising Agriculturist, Regulatory Division
Elisa C. Dal – Administrative Officer II, Administrative and Finance Division (AFD)
Maria Lorijean L. Diaz – Farm Worker I, AFD
Cora A. Dumayaca – Director III, Office of the Regional Director (ORD)
Joel J. Gabo – Senior Science Research Specialist, Research Division
Jaime P. Jerusalem – Farm Worker I, Research Division
Judith A. Maquiso – Senior Science Research Specialist, Research Division
Larry E. Paraluman – Chief Agriculturist, AMAD
Elena C. Susaya – Chemist IV, ILD

30 years
Jocelyn M. Ellevera – Senior Science Research Specialist, Research Division
Roberto S. Libarnes, Jr. – Science Research Specialist II, Research Division
Roberto L. Casilac – Laboratory Aide I, Regulatory Division

25 years
Tomas I. Manatad – Security Guard I, Research Division
Lucille T. Minguez – Supervising Science Research Specialist, Regional Crop Protection Center

20 years
Angelilah T. Cabig – Public Relations Officer II, ORD
Delta F. Doria – Administrative Assistant III, AFD
Mae Odimyrl A. Morales – Science Research Specialist II, Research Division

DA-10 turns over PhP5.78-M Biosecured swine infra facility to CdeO City

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), through the Livestock Program, officially turned over the biosecured swine fattening facility worth PhP5.78 to the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Cagayan de Oro City on November 29, in Brgy. Tuburan, here.

The 2,500-square meter infrastructure facility with perimeter fence is part of the Biosecured Swine Facility project package under the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) program.

Said package also includes 300 head of piglets as initial stock worth PhP2.4-M, 639 bags of feed amounting to PhP1.59-M, and drugs and biologics worth PhP143K awaiting to be delivered.

In her message, Acting CdeO City Veterinarian Helen Ann P. Tacandong, DVM said that they will do their best in maintaining the given facility and ensure its sustainability in order to revive the local hog industry in the city after the onslaught of African swine fever (ASF) which greatly affected the whole country.

For his part, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan added that the project package is given to aid the city in repopulating hogs, thus following the rules and regulations of the facility should be adhered.

“We should be strict in implementing our measures with our biosecured facility in order to not contaminate our hogs; no one should be exempted. This being said, we can ensure that our facility will remain pure and will help a lot of our hog raisers in the city.

” Meanwhile, Cagayan de Oro City councilor Jay R. Pascual expressed his gratitude to the DA-10 for the said intervention, enabling to help farmers who were greatly affected with the ASF.

The INPSIRE program is implemented in order to repopulate and enhance the local swine industry after experiencing the ASF in 2021. This program aims to recover the sector’s capacity to produce sufficient supply of hogs and pork in the country. # (CRS)

DA-10 honors 2024 retirees for decades of service

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Aiming to pay tribute for their years of loyal service to the agriculture sector, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) holds its Salamat, Mabuhay program today, December 4, here.

Centered on this year’s theme, “DA in DEEP: Drive, Engage, Elevate, Pioneer,” the program celebrates the retirees’ unwavering dedication in shaping the agricultural landscape of Northern Mindanao through decades of service.

In his message, DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan expressed his gratitude to the retirees for their invaluable contributions toward the attainment of DA’s initiatives for agricultural development.

This year’s retirees are:

Evangeline U. Sabellina, Administrative Assistant II – 26 years
Heide S. dela Cruz, Senior Science Research Specialist – 31 years
Marilou A. Santua, Supervising Administrative Officer – 33 years
Judith A. Maquiso, Senior Science Research Specialist – 35 years
Willie D. Nacalaban, Supervising Science Research Specialist – 38 years
Claudia B. Artazo, Accountant III – 39 years
Greg D. Pagaduan, Administrative Aide III – 42 years
Sansen O. Tejano, Agricultural Center Chief II – 43 years

As incentive to the retirees, they were provided with cash gift, token of appreciation and plaques. # (AMBM)