Cagayan de Oro, March 30 – As the distribution of relief packs is among the initiatives that local governments has been adopting to curb the spread of COVID-19, the agriculture department (DA) urges its officials to consider buying local farmers’ produce.

“Aside from the usual distribution of canned goods and other processed food, we suggest the local government units (LGUs) to engage in buying fresh produce from our farmers,” Carlene C. Collado, officer-in-charge, regional executive director of DA-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), reiterated the DA chief’s appeal.

The DA exec went on to relay that the measure will be ‘a win-win situation for both producers and consumers’.

“By encouraging LGUs to buy directly from our noble providers of food in their respective localities, farmers will have an assured market while we strongly uplift their morale to produce more quality agri-fishery products amid the current health crisis.

Meanwhile, promotion of a healthier diet can also be achieved through the consumption of these agri-commodities by the different households,” the director said.

Dir. Collado also urged the food suppliers, especially those who already have commitments for deliveries across the region to secure foodlane passes from the agency, to fast track their deliveries from production areas to their desired drop-off points.

“Such initiative is coordinated with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), with the foremost intent for a seamless distribution of food and production items amid established quarantine checkpoints,” the DA exec elaborated.

As of March 30, 5:30 p.m., a total of 3,053 foodlane passes has already been issued by the different processing centers located throughout Northern Mindanao:

• DA-10 – Antonio Luna Street, Cagayan de Oro (CdeO) City;
• POC Bukidnon – San Victores Road, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon;
• POC Lanao del Norte – Tubod, Lanao del Norte;
• POC Misamis Occidental – Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental;
• Regulatory Division – Julio Pacana Street, Macabalan, CdeO City;
• Research Center for Upland Development – Barongcot, Dangcagan, Bukidnon;
• Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex – Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon;
• National Meat Inspection Service – El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental;
• Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Macabalan, CdeO City;
• Bureau of Plant Industry – Plant Quarantine Service – Macabalan, CdeO City;
• Research Center for Hillyland Development – Lanise, Claveria, Misamis Oriental;
• POC Camiguin c/o Provincial Agriculture Office – Pandan, Mambajao, Camiguin.

For thorough information and guidance, interested applicants may also opt to access http://agribusiness.da.gov.ph while online submissions can be made to this email: amad1northmin@gmail.com.

“In either way our food and production item suppliers, delivery truckers or other related distribution entities would want to bring their items to consumers, DA continues to laud their efforts for joining the government in ensuring food security during this health outbreak,” the director noted.#

To ensure unhampered delivery of agri-fishery products amid the threat of COVID-19, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its Provincial Operations Centers (POC), Research Stations and Regulatory Division have started catering applications on March 24, 2020 for the issuance of FoodLane accreditation certification and vehicle passes.

Through this initiative, suppliers and truckers may now visit the nearest processing centers in their respective areas:

DA-RFO 10 – Antonio Luna Street, Cagayan de Oro City
POC Misamis Oriental and Camiguin – Antonio Luna Street, Cagayan de Oro City and Provincial Capitol Compound; Pandan, Mambajao, Camiguin (c/o Provincial Agriculture Office)
POC Bukidnon – San Victores Road, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon
POC Lanao del Norte – Tubod, Lanao del Norte
POC Misamis Occidental – Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental
Regulatory Division – Julio Pacana Street, Macabalan, Cagayan de Oro City
Research Center for Upland Development (RCUD) – Barongcot, Dangcagan, Bukidnon
Research Center for Hillyland Development (RCHD) – Lanise, Claveria, Misamis Oriental
Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex – Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon

Clients may also opt to process their applications online through http://agribusiness.da.gov.ph.

With the additional processing centers stationed at the different areas of Northern Mindanao, the agency eyes a huge turnout of applicants amid the implementation of community quarantine in these areas.

Through which, as of March 27, 2020, a combined total of 2,539 FoodLane passes has already been issued from the said processing centers. #

Cagayan de Oro City, March 28 – The agriculture department (DA) encourages the Filipinos in the government’s bid of ensuring every household adequate, accessible and affordable food through the Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat Kontra sa COVID-19 (ALPAS COVID-19).

Complementing the department’s existing regular programs, DA under the helm of Secretary William D. Dar has already sought an additional Php31 billion fund to fulfill its mandate of ensuring a food secure Philippines amid the current health crisis.

The requested budget will be used to provide immediate assistance in scaling-up activities relative to food productivity and availability, food accessibility and mobility, and food price stability.

“In doing so, it will avert food shortage, supply disruptions, and unstable prices as the COVID-19 pandemic challenges even more our farm and fishery production, including the movement of agricultural commodities and products from production to market areas,” said DA-RFO 10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, reiterating the agriculture secretary’s statement.

While the supplemental budget is underway, DA-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its High Value Crops Development Program intensified the distribution of vegetable seeds to the local governments in Region 10.

On behalf of DA-RFO 10 exec Carlene C. Collado, Regional Technical Director Carlota S. Madriaga handed over four boxes of vegetable seeds to the City Agriculture’s Office of CdeO.

Costing more than a hundred thousand, the boxes of vegetable seeds come in different variants (5-in-1 Pinakbet, 4-in-1 Chopsuey, 4-in-1 Salad Green and 5-in-1 Sinigang).

“While most of us are staying in our homes, we could be a lot more productive by planting vegetables in our own backyards or gardens,” Madriaga said, on the provision of seeds to the city government, which is targeted to be given to its constituents.

“Even more rewarding later on, is reaping the fruit of one’s labor, as they can consume their harvest, which are nutritiously good and safe, without going beyond the comforts of their home,” she added.

This Monday, DA-NorMin will continue to distribute more vegetable seeds to the different local governments across the Region, with DA-10’s Provincial Operations Center of the respective provinces through the city/municipal agriculture office expected to facilitate the distribution to its residents amid the imposed community quarantine.

On the other hand, the office has set up the ALPAS COVID-19 center to cater to the needs of walk-in clients interested to go into backyard gardening.

The center is open from Mondays to Sundays, from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

“We urge everyone to be one with us, to reinforce the government’s efforts during this difficult time, to ensure food is set at the tables of every Filipino household,” the director concluded.#

CdeO City, March 23 – Amid the declaration of the country under the state of calamity relative to the COVID-19 outbreak, the agriculture department in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) has implemented workarounds to continue the delivery of its services.

DA-10 has adopted 25 percent skeletal workforce and work-from-home arrangement effective March 23, 2020 until further notice.

Likewise, the agency has tapped technology in the participation of meetings via videoconferencing.

A special meeting was called by DA-Central Office, which was participated in by the agency heads of different regional field offices, including OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado of DA-10, who is on home quarantine in his hometown after his official travel in Manila on the second week of March.

His mandatory home quarantine is in accordance to DA’s memo guidelines on the prevention and control of COVID-19 in the workplace.

Tackled during the meeting is DA’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Executive Committee initiatives in light of the COVID-19 crisis, ranging from service continuity and precautionary measures in the workplace; Foodlane Pass issuances; and alternative working arrangements.

More so, Dir. Collado has attended the recent 121st full council meeting of the Regional Development Council – X.

Highlights discussed is the health department’s preventive measures against COVID-19; the creation of a special regional committee on the programs and projects towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals; and the endorsement of budgets for fiscal year 2021 of state universities and colleges as well as regional line agencies. #

Issuance of foodlane passes to strengthen the food supply links from farms to markets. This is to warrant unhampered movement of food and production items, as these shall also pass through different quarantine checkpoints amid the CoViD-19 crisis.

CdeO City, March 20 – Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) is currently issuing Foodlane Accreditation Certification and Foodlane Vehicle Pass Cards at the agency compound to food and production items suppliers, delivery truckers and other related logistics/distribution entities.

Said initiative is geared towards a seamless distribution of agri-fishery products from production sites to market demand centers, as these goods shall also pass through different checkpoints amid the implementation of community quarantine in the different areas of Mindanao.

As of 8:17 a.m. today, DA-10 through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division has already issued 102 Foodlane Vehicle Pass Cards and has received 137 Foodlane Accreditation Certification applications for processing, which are free-of-charge.

Ultimately, this would aid in the unhampered delivery of food and other agricultural commodities, ensuring that every Filipino household will have available and accessible food at all times, in this most trying times. #

Cagayan de Oro City, 18 March – Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga with the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) staff of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) discussed on the implementation procedures related to foodlane accreditation.

This is to ensure unconstrained movement of agricultural commodities within Mindanao in light of the COVID-19 crisis during the issuances of community quarantine in the different areas of Mindanao.

The “Foodlane Project” is a tie-up program among DA, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) that seeks to institutionalize efficient and seamless distribution of agri-fishery products from production sites to the market demand centers.

This project entails the accreditation of suppliers and truckers of agri-fishery products which covers the following commodities: rice, perishable agricultural commodities such as fresh fruits and vegetables, livestock and poultry, frozen meat and processed food products.

Also included are feeds, fertilizers and other agricultural inputs and fishery commodities.

Eligible applicants are suppliers, delivery truckers and other related logistics/distribution entities registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) or the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with valid business permits that deliver food and/or agricultural produce, products and/or inputs.

Applicants can either apply in person or online through http://agribusiness.gov.ph or http://bit.ly/3aYJkBQ. The application requirements include: 1) official receipt of registration and certificate of registration (OR/CR) of the vehicle, 2) business permit, and 3) filled-up forms namely, foodlane accreditation application form, foodlane reference form and statement of commitment.

Certified true copies of the OR/CR and business permits can be submitted to amad1.northmin@gmail.com or in person.

DA-RFO 10 AMAD will issue the ‘Foodlane Sticker” and the Certificate of Accreditation which is valid for two years from the date of issuance.

For queries, please call Chedy V. Ansale 0917-422-2537/Joy Gementiza 0916-239-8830/Larry E. Paraluman 0915-107-9685.# (ATC)

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Cagayan de Oro, March 6 – Through Proclamation No. 224 s. 1988 declaring the first week of March each year as Women’s Week, DA-RFO 10 through its women’s employee association, held a film showing at the agency grounds, earlier today.

Centered on the theme: “We Make Change Work for Women”, said activity aimed to encourage employees through a brief feature, in contributing towards the promotion of gender equality and women empowerment. #

The Department of Agriculture – Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization finishes its three-day validation of Farmers’ Cooperative and   Associations (FCAs) today, March 06, 2020 in Lala, Lanao del Norte.

The validation of five (5) FCAs in the three towns of Lanao del Norte, namely: Tubod, Kapatagan and Lala was done to assess the FCAs’ needs in terms of provision of agricultural machinery and equipment.

The said FCAs may also avail of farm machinery and equipment through the Mechanization Component of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), as provided in the Rice Tarrification Law (RTL).

Said activity was done a day following the the first anniversary of the RTL which allocates Php5 billion through DA-PhilMech for the said component. # (AMBManto, DA-10)