DA-10’s 2025 proposed budget gets approval from RDC-X economic development committee.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao’s (DA-NorMin) P20.32 billion proposed budget for the year 2025 was approved for endorsement Tuesday, February 20 by the Economic Development Committee of the Regional Development Council – Region 10.

As presented by DA-NorMin Regional Executive Director, Carlene C. Collado, 24% of the said budget is proposed under Tier 1 of the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), while the remaining 76% will be lodged under Tier 2.

As part of its priority programs for 2025, DA-NorMin seeks to fund catalytic projects such as farm-to-market road development; agricultural machinery, equipment, and facilities support services; irrigation network services; production support services; Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD); metropolitan and agri-based products cluster approach; corn processing center expansion; and biosecurity and climate-resilient production facility.

According to Dir. Collado, the proposed budget is a product of consultative planning, encompassing the needs and priorities of the agricultural stakeholders in the region.

“We craft the budget using a bottom-up approach. The projects we propose are mainly based on the endorsement of the LGUs and the validated intents we received from farmers’ cooperatives and associations in the region,” Collado said.

Statutory appropriation for gender and development, PWDs, elderly and the youth, capacity development programs and capacity building for devolved functions and services (Mandanas-Garcia ruling implementation) are also among the programs proposed for funding by the agency in 2025.

Under the proposed budget, DA-NorMin also seeks to complete the construction of its regional office, upgrade its research facilities, and establish a new Integrated Laboratory complex in the region.

This year, DA-NorMin secured a 19% GAA-approved budget from the RDC-X endorsed budget proposal.# (ATT)

DA-10 and Philippine Army support IPs in Misamis Oriental by the provision of carabaos for sustainable livelihood.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Five Indigenous Peoples Organization in Misamis Oriental received carabaos from the Department of Agriculture-Northern Mindanao through the efforts of the 58th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army on Thursday, February 8 in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

A total of 10 head of carabao worth P373,290 with farm tools, vaccines and vitamins were provided to the Anlag Ani Tapukanan Consumers Cooperative (Claveria), Dansuli, Kibanban (Sitio Lantad, Balingasag), and Camuayan Farmers (Balingasag) and Minabtan Sumonda Higaonon Tribal Organization (Eureka, Gingoog City).

The groups were also oriented on how to conserve, propagate, and promote the carabaos as a source of milk.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said the department’s endeavor through its Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (4K) program aims to provide a sustainable livelihood for the members of the IP community in a bid to improve their living conditions and fight poverty among their communities.

The 4Ks is a special project in advocating an enhanced provision of agricultural and fisheries-related livelihood aside from investments and services to the Indigenous Cultural Communities.

Gilbert Apa-ap, 4Ks focal person of DA-10 shared that the program aims to help IPs maximize the use of the ancestral agricultural lands and turn it into productive, profitable, self-sustained and developed resilient agricultural enterprises.

DA’s partnership with the Philippine Army through LTC Christian C Cuy INF PA, Commanding Officer of the 58th IB supports providing dependable livelihood to fight against insurgency with the implementation of EO No. 70 or to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC).#(ATC/Photos 58th IB & DA 4Ks)

BAFE and DA-10 convene to ensure implementation of after-sales service compliance monitoring in Region 10.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To assure the implementation of the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Law (AFMech), the DA-Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Engineering (DA-BAFE) strengthens its coordination with the Department of Agriculture-RFO 10.

Engr. Mark Twain A. Limbo of the DA-BAFE discussed with DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado on the After-Sales Service Compliance Monitoring (ASSCM) in the region during his courtesy visit today, February 15 in Cagayan de Oro City.

Through DA-10 RAED’s Standards, Regulations and Enforcement Section, an interview were conducted in Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro City with agricultural and fisheries machinery manufacturers, fabricators, assemblers, distributors, dealers, importers, exporters (MFADDIEs) and project beneficiaries as respondents for the regulatory compliance monitoring.

The monitoring complies with the implementation of Section 17 of the Republic Act No. 10601, otherwise known as the AFMech Law, which stipulates that all agricultural and fisheries machinery assemblers, importers, suppliers, distributors and dealers are required to provide after-sales service and warranty to their respective clients which shall be monitored by the agriculture office of the Local Government Units (LGUs) and the BAFE.

The activity aims to assure consumers, industries and other stakeholders that the MFADDIEs provide the appropriate aftersales service under the law and standard.

Present at the discussion are RAED chief, Engr. Deliza Camaro, chief SRES Engr. Alden Tapio, and Engr. Ronald Orbeta.# (ATC)

Maramag, Bukidnon-based cooperative receives plant nursery project from DA-10.

MARAMAG, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) together with the Philippine Coconut Authority – 10 (PCA-10) turned over a plant nursery to the Narukdukan Kisanday Banana Cassava Corn Farmers Association (NAKBACCOFA) on February 20, in Barangay Kisanday, in this town.

According to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the turned-over establishment amounts to a total of P465,001.15, and is eyed to benefit almost 100 farmer-members of said cooperative, consonant with the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Program (CFIDP).

Leading the nursery turnover, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga urged the member-beneficiaries to take on a unified approach to utilize and maintain said establishment, so that it may continuously serve the needs of the community.

Further, she mentioned that the nursery manifests the agency’s commitment and call to farmers to boost income-earning opportunities, foster agricultural development, and promote modernized agriculture under the Department’s ‘One DA’ advocacy.

On behalf of PCA-10 Regional Manager Manuel G. Octobre, PCA Bukidnon division chief Ma. Cherilyn A. Pace congratulated the recipients and encouraged them to comply with the documentary requirements to register as a cooperative, which will allow them to avail of additional funding and support from the DA and PCA for infrastructure and processing needs.

For her part, NAKBACCCOFA president Lilibeth P. Galendez expressed her gratitude for the assistance granted to their organization, citing its significance in increasing their current production and their capacity to follow through with plans to intercrop cacao and Liberica coffee variety under coconut.

Joining the ribbon cutting ceremony were DA Provincial Operations Center – Bukidnon chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM, and High Value Crops Development Program focal person Kersten S. Pagalan.

The event was also supported by the Office of the Municipal Vice-Mayor represented by Administrative Assistant VI Roger Olagir, Municipal Agriculturist Armand S. dela Cruz, Punong Barangay Luciano R. Omas-as, and association members.# (GDA)

Agri-10 through its HVCDP aids Kauswagan town school’s Gulayan program.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Consistent with its goal of attaining food self-reliance and self-sufficiency, the Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) through the leadership of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, intensifies its support to promote self-help food production activities and values among schools in the region.

On February 20, at the agency compound, in this city, DA-10 Supervising Agriculturist Chona H. Nacalaban together with Sr. Agriculturist Richan D. Lacanaria, handed over agricultural inputs to Cheryl Chona N. Baguhin, Teacher III of Tacub Elementary School (ES) of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte (LDN).

Said provision consists of 4 pieces of light hoe, 25 pieces of plastic seedling tray, 4 pieces of shovel, 4 pieces of sprinkler, 4 pieces of weeding bolo, and 3 packets of 5-in-1 Pinakbet vegetable seeds, which will be utilized for the enhancement of the school’s garden in support of the Gulayan sa Paaralan program of the Department of Education (DepEd).

In her message, Baguhin expressed her gratitude to DA-10 and to the Municipal Agriculture Office of Kauswagan, LDN, which supported the school’s availing of these agricultural inputs.

“I would like to thank DA-10 for granting us these seeds and garden materials. This provision will benefit our young learners and instill in them the value and importance of agriculture and the role it plays in sustaining our communities,” she said.

Tacub ES has been a three-peat winner in the Kauswagan town’s Agri-Aqua Livestock Trade Fair for the school gardening category. # (RDME)

DA and LGU Balingasag support Balingasag school town’s Gulayan program.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture-RFO 10 continued to strengthen its partnership with the Department of Education with the implementation of the Gulayan sa Paaralan Program with the provision of vegetable seeds and garden tools to San Juan Elementary School of Balingasag, Misamis Oriental.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca handed some packs of vegetable seeds and garden tools which include a light hoe, plastic seedling tray, shovel, sprinkler and weeding bolo to Balingasag Agricultural Technician Jose Maria R. Salvane on behalf of said school at DA-10 compound, this city.

According to Balingasag Municipal Agriculture Officer Karen May P. Sabugaa, the LGU through their office endorses the school’s request to DA, being one of the partners in the implementation of the said program.

DepEd’s Gulayan sa Paaralan Program is an activity that aims to promote proper nutrition and mitigate hunger among learners.

In 2023, the High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) of DA-10 provided 50 schools in the region with said interventions.#(ATC)

Agri-10 continues to manifest support for agri development in 2nd district towns of Misamis Oriental.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — In a shared commitment to sustain its support for local farmers here, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) under the leadership of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, convened with the Congressional Office of Rep. Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano of the 2nd district of Misamis Oriental, on February 19, at the agency compound.

Said meeting tackled the agency’s projects and interventions through its banner programs and other special programs, slated for implementation in 2024.

It also discussed points for future collaboration between the Department and the congressional office, including infrastructure, distribution of seeds and fertilizers for major crops like rice, corn and other high-valued crops, and expanded livestock support, all of which are eyed to address issues and needs of farmers in the district.

Also tackled during the meeting was the availment of funding and support from the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) for the construction of farm-to-market roads and other sub-projects that would largely benefit the district’s agricultural stakeholders.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director Carlota S. Madriaga, who presided over the meeting, expressed her gratitude to the congressional office for their enthusiasm in partnering with the agency in fulfilling its mandate to empower the farmers in the region.

“We are so grateful that the office of Cong. Bambi is here to converge, coordinate, and cooperate with the Department for the implementation of its proposed programs and projects this year, and our plans for 2025,” RTD Madriaga said.

In consonance with the discussion, the Congressional Office of Rep. Emano conveyed its usual support for the agency, underscoring the importance of this cooperation in recognizing the needs of its constituents, pursuing opportunities to augment existing interventions, and ensuring the sustainability of these interventions.

Present in support of the meeting were DA-10 Field Operations Division chief Luz I. Guzman, PhD, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division chief Lana May S. Racines, Regional Agricultural and Engineering Division chief Engr. Deliza T. Camaro, Provincial Operations Center – Misamis Oriental chief Wilson V. Lagdamin, banner program focal persons, and staff.# (GDA)

Agri-10 supports IP groups through the provision of livestock and poultry assistance.

DALWANGAN, MALAYBALAY CITY – The Department of Agriculture-RFO 10 through its Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (4K) Program extends livestock and poultry assistance to three Indigenous Peoples organizations in Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon on Tuesday, February 13 in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado emphasized that DA continuously assists the IPs in the region to develop their ancestral agricultural lands through a sustainable livelihood program.

The Baclig Farm Workers Association of Maramag, Bukidnon received 10 carabaos that will serve as draft animals in their farm production with drugs and biologics (Fenbendazole).

Meanwhile, the Minabtan Sumonda Higaonon Tribal Organization Inc. (MISHTRIOR) of Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental and the Tagmaray Empowered Womens Association of Malitbog, Bukidnon availed 1 package (100 heads) ready to lay (RTL) chicken with electrolytes and disinfectants, respectively.

MISHTRIOR Chair Datu Tinikdawan Freddie M. Sumonda shared, “DA’s interventions provide us with opportunities for sustainable livelihood.”

Gilbert A. Apa-ap, DA-4Ks focal person said that DA, in partnership with the local government unit, is helping the IP turn their lands into productive, profitable, self-sustained, and developed resilient agricultural enterprises.#(ATC)

DA-10 continues to support the agri development of Sugbongcogon, Misamis Oriental.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado manifests its continued support to the agricultural development of Sugbongcogon, Misamis Oriental.

This after Sugbongcogon mayor Mildred L. Mondigo paid a courtesy visit to RED Collado on February 19, at the agency compound, in this city.

With the local chief executive’s clamor on the availment of various interventions to jumpstart the municipality’s agri development, Dir. Collado recommended the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Sugbongcogon to finalize their proposal before submission to the agency for eventual site validation and evaluation.

Initially included in their proposal is the availment of fertilizers, hybrid corn seeds, expansion of livestock output, and livelihood projects, among others.

Also in attendance in the brief meeting are Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division chief Lana May S. Racines and Livestock program focal person Jamaica L. Docdoc of DA-10, and other personnel from LGU Sugbongcogon. # (MPMT)

Agri-10 through its AMIA program promotes climate-resilient agriculture in Iligan City.

ILIGAN CITY – A team from the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through the Climate Change – Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (CC-AMIA) Program recently promoted Climate-Resilient Agriculture (CRA) to the Iligan City Agriculture’s Office (CAO).

Headed by AMIA focal person Carmelito R. Lapoot and Joel J. Gabo, project leader, DA-AMIA 10 apprised the head and technical staff of Iligan CAO on the Climate Resiliency and Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA) framework and hazard analysis that overall aids in identifying and prioritizing the most vulnerable crops and communities to climate risks.

Ensuing the presentation, a field visit was undertaken in barangays Mainit, Digkilaan, and Rogongon, which were identified as the most vulnerable to climate change impacts of said city.

Noting the vulnerability of the cited barangays together with the city’s agri development plan, also discussed was the potential of coffee, coconut, and abaca cultivation as climate-resilient crops that can provide various benefits such as carbon sequestration, soil and water conservation, biodiversity enhancement, and income generation.

As way forward, the Iligan CAO expressed its interest to continue collaborating with DA-AMIA 10 for future partnerships in order to further develop the agricultural areas in the locality while putting a premium on climate-resilient agriculture. # (AMIA)