ARTA conducts an onsite inspection at DA-10 to check its adherence to RA 11032.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Anti Red-Tape Authority (ARTA) conducted an onsite inspection at the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) helmed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado to evaluate both its internal and external processes in adherence to Republic Act No. 11032, otherwise known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.

Cora A. Dumayaca, Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, together with other agency personnel welcomed the ARTA team led by Supervising Administrative Officer Dominic I. Sanchez and Project Development Officer II Harold Oga.

The ARTA team inspected the external process flow of the services offered by the department under the Integrated Laboratories Division (ILD), particularly the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, which provides services that are vital to the development of the livestock and poultry industry.

Accordingly, Viralou Tuquib, DVM presented the procedure in receiving samples from external clients, at the same time on how they perform prompt and accurate diagnostic tests of major animal diseases that curb disease outbreaks.

On the other hand, the Regional Feed Chemical Analysis Laboratory bared its procedure on how it tests samples on poultry and livestock feedstuff on different chemical testing parameters in compliance with BAI feed quality standard.
The ARTA also lauded the department’s proactive practices, highlighting the presence of the Citizen’s Charter and the Public Assistance and Complaints Desk (PACD).

Notably, the PACD was commended for the delegation of agency staff to be assigned each day through the issuance of a department memorandum. Generally, the department was compliant with minimal findings.

RTD Dumayaca expressed her gratitude to the ARTA team and reaffirmed the department’s commitment to maintaining its good practices and acting on the recommendations made as it moves forward for an enhanced delivery of its services to agri-clienteles.# (TJL)

Opol Mayor Jayfrancis D. Bago receives the certificate for the rice recirculating dryer for OPIA that would help boost the association’s farm productivity and income.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, together with the Local Government Unit of Opol turned over a P2.78 million worth of Rice Recirculating Dryer to Opol Farmer Irrigators Association (OPIA) on November 10, 2023 at Sitio Camaroc, Malanang, Opol, Misamis Oriental.

The recirculating dryer has a 6.2 tons full capacity, and a drying lead time of 8 hours. With such facility, farmers can mechanically dry their produce with reduced postharvest losses, thus optimizing their efficiency and profitability.

RED Collado emphasized the importance of attaining food security through increased productivity and enhanced interventions for the agriculture sector, especially the local rice farmers.

He also urged the farmers to be ecologically-receptive in producing food without putting the environment at risk.

As its counterpart, the LGU Opol apportioned P330K funds for the construction of a structure to shed the recirculating dryer.

Opol town Mayor, Atty. Jayfrancis D. Bago expressed his gratitude to the DA for the grant of the project.

He said the project complements the LGU’s vision to bolster thriving and sustainable agriculture to boost the local rice farmers’ income.

The LGU has identified the OPIA as the recipient of the project being the federation of three major rice farmers associations in the town – the Camaroc FA, Pobibo FA, Taboc FA, with an aggregate rice area of 130 hectares.

The project is funded by the DA-RFO 10’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) under the Bayanihan II: Enhanced Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Inclusive Food Supply Chain Program.#(DLV)

Agri-10 supports the Gulayan sa Paaralan project of MOGCHS thru agri inputs provision.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To promote food security and proper nutrition in schools, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado turned over vegetable seeds and molasses to the Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS) on November 7, 2023.

Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca and High Value Crops Development Program focal person Kersten S. Pagalan handed a total of 20 packets of 5-in-1 (Pinakbet) vegetable seeds and 5 containers of molasses to Maria Fe R. Fernandez, MOGCHS Gulayan sa Paaralan consultant.

Fernandez shared, “This will be helpful in our pursuit of producing naturally grown vegetables and its produce will be used for our feeding program.”#(AMBM)

Agri-10 provides over P533-M agri interventions and services to Bukidnon province during the conduct of the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair. 

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON — In consonance with the national government’s efforts to ensure ease of access to government assistance and services in the countryside, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) participated in the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) on November 11 to 12, 2023 at the Bukidnon State University, in this city.

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez led the turnover of agricultural interventions and financial support, worth more than P533 million to Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque and to the farmers and farmers’ cooperatives, and associations (FCAs) in the province during the opening program of the BPSF.

According to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the agency’s participation in the BPSF manifests its commitment to empowering farmers in Northern Mindanao by providing support through its programs and services.

Furthermore, he said that the interventions and financial assistance turned over during the BPSF form part of DA’s thrust towards a ‘Masaganang Agrikultura, Maunlad na Ekonomiya, Tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas’.

Said agri-interventions include funding support for the establishment of an INSPIRE swine production facility, and a postharvest facility for corn in San Fernando and Dangcagan towns.

The Department also distributed hybrid rice seeds and fertilizers benefitting a total of 14,198 rice farmers, as well as Open Pollinated Variety (OPV) white corn seeds to 200 corn farmers in the province.

Under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Rice Farmers’ Financial Assistance program of the Department, a cash assistance of P5K each was also granted to 18,831 rice farmers in the province, tilling land of less than two hectares.

DA also turned over tractors, harvesters, hauling trucks, plastic crates, and other farming equipment and supplies to select FCAs in the province.

Regional winners of the Young Farmers Challenge 2023 were also awarded financial grants of P150K for the Start-Up category and P300K for the Upscale category.

Moreover, services such as the distribution of vegetable seeds through the agency’s High Value Crops Development Program, as well as the Kadiwa ng Pangulo spearheaded by the DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, were also offered to walk-in consumers during the two-day fair.

Also present in support of the event were DA-10 Executive Assistant III Joel S. Rudinas and Bukidnon Provincial Operations Center chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM.# (GDA)

DA-PRDP 10 holds a coordination meeting discussing IBUILD subprojects in Valencia City.

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Department of Agriculture-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director and PRDP Project Director Carlene C. Collado along with RPCO 10 and PSO Mindanao teams hold a coordination meeting with the CLGU Valencia on November 9, 2023 in Valencia City, Bukidnon.

The meeting aims to discuss the updates and concerns regarding the implementation of the four IBUILD subprojects under the European Union grant. Further, to fast-track the targets during the implementation period of the subprojects (SPs).

Currently, CLGU Valencia has two ongoing warehouses with multi-purpose drying pavement (MPDP) and two ongoing farm-to-market road SPs.

The said SPs include: the Construction of a Warehouse with MPDP in Sitio Tandacol, Brgy. Lilingayon and the Construction of Warehouse wwith MPDP in Brgy. Banlag, the 7.73 km Concreting of Mt. Nebo-Sitio Migtulod FMR; and the 16.27 km Concreting of Jct. Brgy. Mabuhay to Brgy. Banlag Proper to Sitio Pantaron FMR. #

ADB targets to boost assistance for DA-10’s AMIA Village. 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A team from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Technical Assistance Project paid a courtesy visit to DA-Northern Mindanao (DA-NorMin) Regional Executive Director, Carlene C. Collado, for a table discussion on the possible scaling up of agribusiness value chain of DA-NorMin’s Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) Village, in the province of Bukidnon, Tuesday, November 7, in this city.

The Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) Program of the Department of Agriculture is designed to capacitate agri-fishery dependent communities to be resilient to Climate Change through the provision of strategic interventions for site-specific climate information and decision-making, access to credit and insurance and market linkages.

The ADB has identified the DA’s AMIA villages among its priority localities for the institutionalization of Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA) through its Technical Assistance Project.

Together with DA-NorMin AMIA Program Focal Person, Carmelito Lapoot, ADB’s Value chain expert, Mr. David Moles and Ms. Eleanore Lantican visited AMIA Village in barangay Lingion, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, to survey the village’s condition and viability of agricultural enterprise in the area.

Based on the survey, appropriate recommendations will be endorsed by the experts for possible intervention under the ADB Technical Assistance Project, to bolster agricultural potential of the AMIA Village.

In a post survey meeting, Director Collado and DA-NorMin Executive Assistant for Operations and Planning, Joel S. Rudinas also apprised the ADB experts on the prospects and bearing of foreign and locally-funded DA programs implemented and pipelined in the region, highlighting projects such as construction of post-harvest facilities and strategic programs for the youth and Indigenous People (IP).

Partnership, consolidation and clustering, and technology-based agriculture are among the subjects underscored in the meeting as possible groundwork for collaborative and inclusive agricultural development.

The Lingion AMIA Village has been established and supported by the DA-NorMin for a period of 4 years to date.

The village is one of the four AMIA Villages in Bukidnon that are actively engaged in Cassava and Corn enterprise.#(ATT)

DA-10 through its OA program spearheads the conduct of the 7th ROAC in CdeO City, mustering  70 organic practitioners, advocates and other relevant stakeholders regionwide to exchange knowledge, experiences and strategies to further OA farming.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) helmed by Director Carlene C. Collado through its Organic Agriculture (OA) program convenes about 70 organic practitioners, advocates and other relevant stakeholders regionwide for the conduct of the 7th Regional Organic Agriculture Congress (ROAC) on November 6-7 here.

With this year’s theme: “Kabuhayang OA, Kinabukasang OA”, the activity sought for the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and strategies to further promote and develop the organic agriculture industry in Northern Mindanao pursuant to OA of 2010, as amended by RA 11511.

It also highlighted organic farming as a potent tool for the development, environmental conservation, and health protection of farmers, consumers and the public, at the same time serving as a venue for farmers and agripreneurs to showcase their organic and naturally grown harvest and products.

As the Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change chair, Senator Cynthia A. Villar rendered a message to the ROAC participants via a short video clip emphasizing the salient feature of the amendment of the organic law as well as the benefits in the adoption of OA.

“Ang RA 11511 ay naglalayong palakasin ang OA sa bansa sa pamamagitan ng Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) accreditation ng mga small farmer ay maparami sa pamamagitan ng kanilang mga community-based organic agriculture organizations,” the official remarked.

Likewise, the senator detailed that the PGS is an alternative and cheaper option compared to the third-party organic certification and is seen to help about 165K small organic farmers throughout the country.

“Maganda mag produce ng organic products dahil ito’y nabebenta na mas mahal ikompara sa conventionally produced agricultural products lalo na kung ito’y certified at dahil marami ng health conscious na naghahanap ng ganitong produkto,” she quipped.

Senator Villar further noted that OA practices help improve the quality of our soil and water.

“Malaki ang maitutulong nito sa degradation ng ating soil na ngayon ay nasa 38% at ma-save ang environment.”

Offering a supportive environment towards the advancement of OA, the confab featured presentations focused on RA 11511, updates on the implementation of OA program at the national and regional levels, guidelines on the implementation of OA Livelihood Projects (OALP), and Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 1, Series of 2022 between DA and the Department of the Interior and Local Government which underscores the pivotal roles and responsibilities of local government units (LGUs) in propagating and developing further and implementing the practice of OA in the different localities.

Of which, the latter provides the provision of subsidies and incentives to practicing organic farmers, technical assistance and support to LGUs for the establishment and strengthening of local organic seed centers, distribution of organic seeds, planting materials, animals, and aquaculture for organic farm inputs, among others.

During the event, the provincial OA focal persons from the provinces of Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte and Misamis Oriental also presented their respective OA industry profiles, roadmap and plans for a minimum of three years to help set a direction for the implementation of OA across the region.

“DA needs strong coordination among relevant government agencies, LGUs, and stakeholders through the conduct of sustained and massive national and community-based action,” DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga noted, saying this is the key to an effective and successful implementation of OA programs and its components.

Also highlighted in the Congress is the awarding of certificates of recognition to ten PGS organic certifying bodies in Region 10, namely: the Molijon Family Garden, Villa de Pietro Agricultural Farms, Lo Osting Farmville, Pendato Integrated Organic Farm, Rama’s Nature Farm, Green Wonder Farm, Garrucho’s Garden and Diversified Farm, Engallado Nature Farm and Natural Food Products, Anpa’s Farm, and the Umanika Eco-Cultural Farm.

Further, recognized were the five OA youth scholars under DA-Agricultural Training Institute’s Youth Scholarship Grant on Organic Farming program. These are Roel B. Omega, Jeriel E. Canonigo, Najer J. Mama, Jenny Jamisola and Rey Mark U. Anggoy. # (JLO)

As observance of the OA month, organic farming practitioners showcase their organic and naturally grown harvest and products during the 7th Regional Organic Agriculture Congress.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Some organic agriculture practitioners from Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental provinces gathered last November 6-7 to feature their organic and naturally grown harvest and products during the 7th Regional Organic Agriculture Congress.

Said activity coincides with the observance of National Organic Agriculture Month per Presidential Proclamation 1030 issued on May 21, 2015 declaring the month of November as Organic Agriculture Month.

The celebration underscores the importance of organic agriculture as an alternative farming system that ensures environmental preservation and health protection of farmers, consumers, and the public. # (JLO)

R-10 government agencies convene for a validation of CdeO-Opol gold exploration project. 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In line with the proposed Cagayan de Oro-Opol Gold Exploration Project of the Philippine Mining Development, Corp. (PMDC), the Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao (DA-NorMin) convened a validation team from the Mines and Geoscience Bureau – Region 10 (MGB-10), Bureau of Soils and Water Management – Central Office (BSWM-CO), City Government of Cagayan de Oro and the PMDC for a joint ground validation on Tuesday, November 7, in this city.

In a pre-validation meeting presided by DA-10 Regional Executive Director, Carlene C. Collado, the inter-agency validation team leveled off in carrying out the ground validation in light of pertinent legal mechanisms and guidelines.

The ground validation mainly aims to identify and ascertain the presence and location of the Strategic Agriculture and Fisheries Development Zone (SAFDZ) covered within the 992 hectares prospected tenement of the PMDC’s exploration project.

As prescribed under Executive Order No. 79 series of 2012, areas classified as SAFDZ are no-go zones for mining.

Results and findings of the joint ground validation will be subsequently endorsed to the MGB-10 and its national directorate office as the basis for Exploration Permit issuance.

The PMDC’s Cagayan de Oro-Opol Gold Exploration Project covers barangay Taglimao, Tuburan, Pigsag-an, and Tumpagon in Cagayan de Oro City, and barangay Tingalan, Nangcaon, and Cauyonan in Opol, Misamis Oriental.# (ATT)

A joint team assesses the composting facilities for biowastes in Region 10.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The assessment team for the composting facility for biodegradable wastes (CFBW) paid a courtesy visit to the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado discussing their field assessment for Composting Facility for Biodegradable Wastes (CFBWs) in Misamis Oriental, at the agency compound.

The team is led by the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering, Bureau of Soils and Water Management, National Organic Agriculture Program, High Value Crops Program with the UPLB- Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center (AMTEC).

AMTEC Director Dr. Arthur L. Fajardo said that it aims to determine the operational status of said agricultural facilities, as well as to further optimize their use for converting agricultural wastes into biomass to be mixed with other organic materials.

It covers the CFBWs distributed in Cagayan de Oro City, the cities of El Salvador and Gingoog, and from the municipalities of Talisayan, Balingoan, Sugbongcogon, Salay, Lagonglong, Balingasag, Jasaan, Tagoloan, Villanueva, Claveria, Gitagum, Initao, Libertad, Lugait and Opol of Misamis Oriental.

Results of the said validation will be presented to the DA-10 management for recommended action, Fajardo said.

Meanwhile, RED Collado underscored the importance of said activity in determining the impact of agricultural facilities provided by DA to the communities, especially in line with the agency’s bid to promote and develop organic agriculture within the region.

“Through this assessment, we strive to engage with our local communities, not only to determine the state of these CFBWs, but also to foster a renewed appreciation and understanding for organic agriculture, and address concerns accordingly,” RED Collado said.

AMTEC is responsible for conducting laboratory and field tests on all agricultural machinery to verify machine specifications, performance quality of manufacturers, and their suitability to local farming conditions.

Said meeting was attended by DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga and members of the validation team, including Engr. Madel E. Vidallon BAFE, and Science Research Specialist I Raffy Reydado from the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Standards (BAFS), and supported by DA-Regional Agricultural Engineering Division and Organic Agriculture Program.# (DLV)