DA-10 aids in boosting nutritious food production thru the provision of veggie seeds.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To grow and produce nutritious food, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) under the leadership of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado distributes vegetable seeds to Mambuaya National Highschool (MNHS) on February 6, at the agency compound.

Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project Deputy Director Joel S. Rudinas together with Ronald Allan P. Camaddo, Agriculturist II of DA’s High Value Crops Development Program (DA-HVCDP) handed over 50 packets of 5-in1 pinakbet seeds to Lynne D. Soleria, Teacher I of MHNS, in this city.

Soleria said that the provision will be utilized in the school’s garden and its feeding program for the benefit of the students in the said institution.

By allocating vegetable seeds, the beneficiaries can foster the production in the range of crops, enhancing the diversity and nutritious diet for local communities. #(MPMT)

DA-PRDP turns over 5th warehouse with MPDP to Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. 

MANOLO FORTICH, BUKIDNON – With a vast agricultural land that the municipality has to offer, the fifth Warehouse with Multi-Purpose Drying Pavement was handed over by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project 10 (DA-PRDP 10) through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and PRDP Project Director to the Local Government Unit of Manolo Fortich on January 30, here.

In her message, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations and DA-PRDP 10 Deputy Project Director Carlota S. Madriaga said that Cebukawan deserves to have the subproject in the area.

“With large areas dedicated to agriculture, it is indeed ideal to have a warehouse with MPDP in place here. This will help our farmers have an access to post-harvest facilities that will maintain and improve the quality of their produce, thus increasing their income,” said Madriaga.

She added that the effort is the ultimate goal of DA-PRDP: bridging the gap and touching lives. She pinned her hopes that the local officials, the farmers, and the residents would give importance to the subproject.

Manolo Fortich Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño is thankful for the continuous support given by DA-PRDP, especially the numerous interventions.

“We already received various subprojects from DA-PRDP and we will continue availing projects that will bring progress to our farmers.”

Meanwhile, the son of the lot owner and one of the beneficiaries, Charles A. Relosa, expressed his heartfelt thanks for the subproject that will bring better lives to farmers in Cebukawan.

“This will be beneficial to us, farmers, having the facility close to our area. We will no longer travel to other places to dry our produce; thus, we can already save hauling costs and with that, we are thankful. “

He emphasized that his father was happy having donated his land so other farmers can also benefit from it.

Under the IBUILD Component, the warehouse with MPDP is located in sitio Cebukawan in barangay Lunocan in this municipality with a contract amount of Php 4,653,734.95 that will greatly benefit corn and cassava farmers in the area.

The same subproject can be found in barangays Sto. Niño, Kalugmanan, Mambatangan, and Minsuro of Manolo Fortich.

Gracing the activity are Manolo Fortich Vice Mayor Reynaldo L. Bagayas Jr., the members of the Sangguniang Bayan, local officials, farmers, residents of Lunocan, and DA-PRDP 10 staff. # (CRS)

DA-10 and LGU Iligan City meet to discuss the availment of more agri interventions for the development of the agri sector of said city.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) under the leadership of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, convened with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Iligan City, led by Kevin R. Fernan, consultant focal on agriculture for the availment of more agricultural assistance.

Held on February 1 at the agency compound, the meeting focused on developing the city’s agriculture, especially in upland areas targeted to be planted with rice and corn at the same time as their proposed small-scale irrigation project.

Also in attendance is Katrina Mercado from Pilmico Foods, Corp., DA’s partner in aiding various farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs) by serving as an assured market of farmers’ produce.

To warrant quality harvests and meet market demands among farmers, the agri department eyes the provision of agri inputs such as seeds and fertilizers to test trial varieties that are best suited in highland farming.# (TJL)

Manolo Fortich rice farmers receive financial aid from DA-10’s RFFA.

MANOLO FORTICH, BUKIDNON – Some 38 rice farmers in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon received their Farmers’ Interventions Monitoring Cards (FIMCs) from the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through the Rice Farmers’ Financial Assistance (RFFA) on January 30, this town.

During the turnover of the greenhouse project and various agricultural inputs, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, together with the Local Government Unit of Manolo Fortich headed by Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño and Municipal Agriculturist Gemma G. Cania, handed over the FIMCs worth P5-K each to eligible rice farmers of Barangay Dicklum, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

According to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the cash assistance is accorded to qualified rice farmers, tilling an area ranging from 0.5 to 2 hectares, and are duly registered in the updated Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).

With the card in their possession, the RFFA shall be deposited directly to the rice farmers’ account and withdrawable in any USSC outlet or Automated Teller Machine (ATM) of any BancNet-recognized Philippine banks across the country.

To date, DA-Normin has a total of 10,351 top-up accounts under RFFA 4 for Bukidnon province, of which 148 accounts were for Manolo Fortich rice farmers.

Said activity is part of DA’s continuing effort and strategy to increase rice production volume in the country amid the observed increase in prices of farm inputs and challenging weather conditions.# (RDME)

Agri-10 aids Manolo Fortich town corn farmers thru the provision of hybrid corn seeds.

MANOLO FORTICH, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) helmed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado handed over 28 bags of hybrid yellow corn seeds (NK 6410) to graduates of the Farmers’ Field School (FFS) on Corn Production, on January 30, in Barangay Dicklum, this town.

Funded under the agency’s Corn program, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga led the turnover to Manolo Fortich Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño, which will benefit the corn farmers to cushion the impact of the rising costs of agricultural inputs.

Further, said turnover aims to provide farmers with access to improved corn seed varieties to enhance their crop productivity at the same time reduce the overall cost of cultivation.

The activity was supported by Municipal Agriculturist Gemma G. Cania with local officals and DA-10 staff. # (RDME)

DA-10 turns over the greenhouse project to the municipality of Manolo Fortich

MANOLO FORTICH, BUKIDNON – Aligned with the government’s initiative in pushing for modernized agricultural farming methods, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado hands over the Greenhouse project with Micro-sprinkler to the Local Government Unit of Manolo Fortich on January 30, in this town.

Located in Barangay Dicklum, the said project costs P914,529.08 and is funded under the High Value Crops Development Program.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga lauded the LGU Manolo Fortich for being consistent in availing projects from the department.

“Manolo Fortich is one of the municipalities in the region which is very active in terms of requesting for agriculture interventions. We always wanted to support those who make an effort to continuously develop the lives of our farmers and the efforts of Manolo Fortich is very evident. This project is in line with the goal of DA Secretary Francisco T. Laurel, Jr., which is mechanization and digitalization for our farmers to increase their production and profitability more efficiently.”

Meanwhile, Manolo Fortich mayor Rogelio N. Quiño thanked DA-10 for the continuous support the agency has given to the farmers in their municipality.

“I am very thankful to DA-10, especially to the Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, for their never-ending support to the farmers of Manolo Fortich. We will continue to develop our agriculture landscape here in the municipality for the betterment of our farmers,” the local chief executive said.

Manolo Fortich Vice-Mayor Reynaldo L. Bagayas, Jr. added that the six-hectare area where the greenhouse is built will be developed into a center for agriculture, where farmers in the town and its neighbors can visit to learn, train, and be educated with new farming technologies.

Various agricultural production support worth P715,700.00 from DA-10 HVCDP was also distributed to the farmers during the said turnover program.

This includes 10 units of battery-operated knapsack sprayer, 30 units plastic water drum, 175 units plastic crate, 21 units fermentation crate, 10 rolls of plastic mulch, 10 rolls of polyethylene UV film, 50 bags of organic fertilizer, and 120 bags of flower inducer.

The event was attended by the members of the Sangguniang Bayan, officials and staff of LGU Manolo Fortich, officials and residents of barangay Dicklum, and other farmers from the different parts of the municipality, and DA-10 staff.# (CRS)

Agri-10 RED Collado administers the oathtaking of the first batch of newly promoted and appointed personnel for this year.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – For this year’s first batch, nine newly promoted and appointed employees of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) took their oath of office earlier today, January 29, at the agency compound.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado administered the oathtaking, in the presence of Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga, who also chairs the Human Resource Merit Promotion and Selection Board, RTD for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca, concerned division chiefs and other agri staff during the Monday mini program.

Below is the list of the DA-RFO 10 personnel who have advanced with their corresponding positions and assignments:

Promoted:

1. Racines, Lana May S. – Project Evaluation Officer V (Planning and Monitoring Evaluation Division – PMED)
2. Baja, Jeffrey B. – Project Evaluation Officer IV (PMED)
3. Chiu, Rhea Villa R. – Veterinarian III (Regulatory Division)
4. Polina, Kenneth D. – Science Research Specialist II (Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex – NMACLRC)
5. Tejada, Ralph Vincent A. – Agriculturist II (Field Operations Division – FOD)

Appointed:
1. Largo, Decheryvie P. – Warehouseman I (Research Center for Hillyland Development – RCHD)
2. Bedro, June Vencent B. – Agricultural Technician I (NMACLRC)
3. Dagondon, Zyrelle Mae C. – Administrative Aide IV (Administrative and Finance Division)
4. Elle, Cheryll D. – Laboratory Aide II (Integrated Laboratory Division – Regional Soils Laboratory)

According to Dir. Collado, the oathtaking ceremony holds great significance, as it symbolizes the commitment and dedication of individuals toward their roles and responsibilities in serving the nation and upholding the values and principles of DA.
Per records of DA-10 through its Human Resource Management Section, a total of 304 personnel have been already appointed and promoted since October 2017 under the helm of Dir. Collado.# (RDME)

Agri-10 provides veggie seeds and garden tools to Don Victoriano, Misamis Occidental.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To foster sustainable agriculture through community-based gardening, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) turned over some vegetable seeds and garden tools to the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of Don Victoriano, Misamis Occidental, on January 23 at the agency compound.

DA-RFO 10 through Joel S. Rudinas, Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project deputy director and Ronald Allan P. Camaddo, Agriculturist II of the High Value Crops Development Program, handed over six packets of 5-in-1 Pinakbet seeds, 8 light hoes, 8 shovels, 8 sprinklers, 50 plastic seedling tray, and 8 weeding bolos to Evangelina B. Blaya, Field Extension Worker of MAO Don Victoriano.

According to Blaya, said intervention is intended for their identified schools, namely: Don Victoriano Central Elementary School and Petianan Integrated School.

“Ako ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa DA-10 kung saan ang aming mga kahilingan tulad ng mga kagamitan sa hardin at mga seeds ay natugunan. Malaking bagay po ito para sa aming lugar lalo na sa mga paaralan at komunidad, dahil ito ay nagbibigay-daan sa kanila na magtanim ng mga pananim at matiyak ang isang kasaganaan ng masustansyang pagkain,” Blaya said.

DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said that the provision of seeds and garden tools is a holistic approach of the agency that enhances agricultural productivity, and at the same time educational, environmental, and personal development among communities.# (RDME)

DA-PRDP through RPCO 10 hosts the IBUILD Component Technical Workshop and Year-End Assessment in Camiguin province to assess the component’s progress on its project implementation.

MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN – To assess the component’s progress on its project implementation and to set targets for the year 2024, the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP), through the Regional Project Coordination Office 10 (RPCO 10), conducted an IBUILD Component Technical Workshop and Year-End Assessment for the year 2023 on January 23-26, in this municipality.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director and DA-PRDP 10 Project Director Carlene C. Collado welcomed the participants in the province, being the first time of the RPCO 10 to host a national IBUILD event.

“We are privileged to be your host, for this event is crucial in determining our success in the previous year that will serve as our benchmark in setting our targets for calendar year 2024, to reach more farmers in our country,” Director Collado added.

Engr. Ariodear C. Rico, National Project Coordination Office (NPCO) IBUILD component head, stressed that the activity will focus on the assessment and evaluation of the physical and financial performances of the IBUILD component at all levels.

He added to come up with a “Status of Activities” at the NPCO, PSO, and RPCO levels containing the targets, timelines, and strategies to focus on and achieve the targets.

“With a total of 603 approved subprojects amounting to Php 41.88 billion, there is a need to assess its impact in relation to the PRDP Development Objective such as reduction to transport cost, reduction in travel time, increased intensity of cropping in areas with PRDP intervention, among others,” Director Rico stressed.

Further, agreed actions tackled during the 16th World Bank in Support Mission were also discussed by NPCO IBUILD Alternate component head, Engr. Roy M. Abaya.

It also includes the reorientation of all implementing units on contract management, among others.

PSO IBUILD heads presented issues and concerns encountered in project implementation and was given solution during the activity.

Gracing the activity is Camiguin Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member and the Vice-chair of the Committee on Agriculture Peter Dann F. Romualdo, Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) Assistant Director Juana T. Tapel, Camiguin Provincial Agriculturist Aida G. Chan, heads of the IBUILDs in PSOs and RPCOs in the country and the RPCO 10 consultants. # (MIACA/CRS)

DA-NTA unveils a five-year roadmap for STEP during the first ever Mindanao Tobacco Industry Summit, held in El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental.

EL SALVADOR CITY, MISAMIS ORIENTAL – To lay down a fresh perspective for Mindanao’s tobacco industry, the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) unveiled a five-year roadmap for the Sustainable Tobacco Enhancement Program (STEP) during the first Mindanao Tobacco Industry Summit, Thursday, January 25, in this city.

Tobacco industry key players, particularly tobacco farmers and local government executives from tobacco-producing provinces in Mindanao such as Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Zamboanga Sibugay, Maguindanao del Sur, North Cotabato and Agusan del Sur, attended the summit for a multilateral dialogue in mobilizing Mindanao’s Tobacco Industry Development Plan.

DA Undersecretary Deogracias Victor B. Savellano said the summit is a significant event to tackle strategic national initiatives for the expansion of native tobacco production in the southern part of the country.

As a potential export commodity, he stressed the viability of native tobacco in contributing to the country’s revenue and foreign exchange earnings, support to the local economy and in sustaining tobacco farmers’ livelihood.

Under the STEP, NTA is set to rev up Mindanao’s tobacco industry by closely working with LGUs to strengthen and expand the existing tobacco areas, aiming for sustainability of the industry.

Within a five-year period, NTA will implement projects such as irrigation and water management, provision of farm machinery, value-added processing and marketing assistance, credit and financing, training and capacity building for tobacco farmers as part of Mindanao’s tobacco industry development plan.

Based on NTA’s data, Mindanao accounted for 7.5 million kilograms of tobacco produced in the country in 2023, which sold for an average price of P379 per kilogram.

The record also showed that the industry has been providing livelihood to at least 2.1 million Filipinos.

In 2022, the tobacco industry is among the main contributors to government revenue with P160 billion in excise tax collection.

In the same year, around P74 billion worth of fund derived from tobacco excise tax was earmarked for the government’s universal health care program.

Recognizing the challenges in the tobacco industry, DA Undersecretary for BARMM, Engr. Zamzamin L. Ampatuan urges for a forward-thinking strategy to sustain the industry.

He pushed for collaboration between government bodies and the business sector, while involving the farmers in the discussion.

NTA administrator Belinda S. Sanchez and other NTA key officials, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga and local chief executives of tobacco-producing towns and provinces also graced the said event.# (ATT)