DA-PRDP 10 hosts a nationwide forum and assessment with partner local government units for the implementation and practices of the safeguards framework.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To strengthen the safeguard implementation process through the local government units (LGUs), the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP), through the Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) Unit conducted a nationwide forum and assessment with the partner LGUs on March 4-6, in this city.

The assembly aimed to assess and gather feedback from the LGUs on the implementation and practices of the safeguards framework and identify the unique challenges of each subproject (SP).

It also aimed to recognize the hard work and commitment of the LGUs for the implementation of safeguards policies.

In the discussion, it was observed that the frequently used frameworks identified by the LGUs during the SP implementation are the Environmental Management Framework Guidelines (EMFG); Indigenous Peoples Policy Framework (IPPF); Grievance Redress Mechanism Framework (GRMF); Mainstreaming and Institutionalizing Safeguards Framework; Implementation of Resettlement Action Plan; Social and Environmental Safeguards Practitioners; and the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Policy Framework (LARRPF).

LARRPF is a framework where in the LGU will properly compensate and/or assist in the resettlement of the Project Affected Persons (PAPs).

Highlighted the event was the recognition given to the model and top performing LGUs, along with the identified representatives with best practices for their application of the Integrated Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework (IESSF) in their respective subprojects.

For Region 10, the LGU of Valencia City in Bukidnon was recognized for this feat and for exemplifying best practice on the Land Acquisition, Resettlement, and Rehabilitation Policy Framework (LARRPF).

DA-10 Regional Executive Director and RPCO 10 Project Director Carlene C. Collado commended the LGU Valencia City for overcoming the challenges in the project implementation.

“I would like to extend my congratulations to LGU Valencia City for being able to perform despite the restraints faced.”

Meanwhile, Angelita D. Martir, Officer-in-Charge – Deputy Project Director and SES Unit Head of NPCO imparted to the stakeholders that the role of safeguards practitioners is vital to the success of the project and the future of the community.

“We must always choose the right path no matter how difficult it may get. There is no shortcut when it comes to the welfare of the people and the environment.”

The stakeholders further discussed the changes in the implementation of the PRDP Scale-Up and the updating of the safeguard status of the pipelined subprojects in the PRDP Scale-Up.

The event was attended by SES units from the National Project Coordination Office (NPCO), Project Support Offices (PSOs), and Regional Project Coordination Offices (RPCOs) along with the identified representatives from model LGUs.#

Valencia City is among the awardees for the Best DA-PRDP SES implementer across the country.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP), through the Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES), recognized the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Valencia City, Bukidnon, and 25 others as Best SES Implementing LGUs of 2023 during the SES Forum with Partner LGUs on March 4, in this city.

The award aims to recognize the LGUs in the country with outstanding performance in employing the SES guidelines in the implementation of the subprojects.

Awardees are selected based on the LGUs’ efforts in adopting the innovations and frameworks of safeguard processes, active participation of SES focal, resolutions of grievances received, and implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Plan, among others.

In an interview with Engr. Carmen C. Doña, ENP, DA-PRDP Focal Person of Valencia City, she was very happy with the recognition they received.

“Accepting this unexpected recognition is an honor. We were not thinking of receiving this award at all because we were simply following the Implementation Management Agreement and closely monitoring the contractors, as well as the stakeholders if they were doing their part correctly. On behalf of Mayor Azucena P. Huervas, we are truly grateful for this recognition.”

Engr. Doña added, “Such an award is just a cherry on top because receiving subprojects from DA-PRDP feels like receiving an award already, knowing that we can help the people, especially our farmers in Valencia.”

She further stressed their commitment to continue applying what they are doing in terms of SES concerns for the ongoing and upcoming subprojects.

Engr. Doña extended her gratitude to DA-PRDP 10 through the leadership of DA-10 Regional Executive Director and DA-PRDP 10 Project Director Carlene C. Collado for the agency’s continued support to the LGU.

The award was given by National Project Coordination Office (NPCO) OIC-Deputy Project Director and NPCO SES Unit head Angelita D. Martir, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations and DA-PRDP 10 Deputy Project Director Carlota S. Madriaga and DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations and the DA-PRDP 10 SES Unit Head Cora A. Dumayaca.#

NorMin hosts a Financial Management Consultative Meeting and Workshop in Mambajao, Camiguin attended by the finance units of different RPCOs of DA-PRDP.

MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN – The Finance Unit of the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) from the different regions in Mindanao holds a Financial Management Consultative Meeting and Workshop on March 4-8, in this town.

The event discussed the financial updates of the RPCOs which includes the operational fund utilization, balances and updates of the AF2 and AF2 -EU financing, CY 2024 Work and Financial Plan for the Mindanao cluster, among others.

Further, the activity aims to refine and harmonize strategies in order to fast track the financial activities which is aligned in the budgeting and auditing rules and regulations.

In his message, Christian Xerxis M. Hernandez, PSO Mindanao Finance Unit Head, said that part of the important matters that needs to be discussed is the changes made for PRDP Scale up for the RPCOs to gear upon.

Hernandez, however, assured the participants that the PSO Mindanao Finance Unit will continue to guide and support them. Hernandez explained that for every amount downloaded to the region should be utilized and liquidated within the allowable period.

Meanwhile, DA-10 Regional Executive Director and Regional Project Coordination Office 10 (RPCO 10) Project Director Carlene C. Collado extends his gratitude to Project Support Office (PSO) Mindanao for choosing Northern Mindanao as the host of this event.

He added that the conduct of the activity is very timely since the RPCOs, including RPCO 10, is already implementing various subprojects under PRDP Scale Up which is a huge factor in managing the respective finances per region.

Director Collado further stressed that the role of the finance is crucial in the subproject implementation as the progress of the project is dependent on the timely utilization of funds.

It is expected that the RPCOs and the PSO will have their respective harmonized strategies on the financial activities at the end of the activity.

Present are the heads and representatives of the finance units of PSO Mindanao, and RPCOs 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and BARMM.#

Agri-10 provides PNP-10 agri inputs in support of their self-sustainability and resilience efforts.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) under the tutelage of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, extends its support to the Philippine National Police-10 (PNP-10) by providing agricultural inputs on March 15, at the agency compound.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca and High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) focal person Kersten S. Pagalan turned over provisions, comprising a tin can each of hybrid squash (Soledad Improved), hybrid eggplant (Checkmate), ampalaya (Makiling) and pechay (Black Behi) to PNP-10 representative Amenodin S. Sangcopan.

Requested by the company commander of the Technical Support Company of PNP-10, which operates as a specialized division within the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10, Police Major Aiman Khuzaimah P. Pantaran said that the agri-assistance will enable them to promote self-sustainability and resilience in vegetable production and also ensure a stable and sustainable food source for its personnel, especially in emergencies and challenging situations.

“We would like to thank DA-10 for its response in providing seeds to the PNP. This would greatly help us in [achieving] food security and also allow us to generate economic benefits through the sale of [any] surplus produce,” Amenodin said.

The assorted veggie seeds is funded under HVCDP’s Production Support Services.# (TJTL)

DA-10 through its AMIA trains agri extensionsists of Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte provinces on climate info service.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – To strengthen agricultural resilience amid climate change, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) recently conducted two batches of Agro-Climatic Advisory Portal (ACAP) Training cum Updating of Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA) at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex in Dalwangan, this city.

Spearheaded by the agency’s Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) program, attendees were agricultural technologists (ATs) from the provinces of Misamis Oriental (March 5-6), Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte (March 12-13).

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado remarked that the training aims to apprise the participants of accessing real-time weather data, climate forecasts, and advisory services to empower them in making informed decisions that are crucial to their locality’s agricultural production.

AMIA-10 Project Leader Joel J. Gabo tackled the agro-climatic portal, in partnership with PAGASA, where one can access the climate outlook and overview in the region for a semester and the ten-day weather forecast.

Likewise, he explained that the CRVA is vital in determining crops that are most vulnerable to climate risk. Said data was assessed under the latest climate change scenarios and incorporated current data on natural disasters and climate stresses.

Moving forward, Gabo pins his hopes that local government offices through the aid of ATs will utilize such tools to create strategic plans and effective investments to enhance resilience and adaptability.#(AMBM)

NorMin’s Coast Guard District and DOH receives agri inputs for their planting activities.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In line with its commitment to nurturing a more sustainable environment, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) helmed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, turned over agricultural inputs to Coast Guard District Northern Mindanao (CGDNM) and the Department of Health – Regional Office 10 (DOH-X) on March 11, at the agency compound.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director Carlota S. Madriaga, together with High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) focal person Kersten S. Pagalan, handed over 30 packets of 5-in-1 sinigang seed and garden tool set, comprising of 2 pieces apiece of shovel, weeding bolo, sprinkler, and light hoe to Ma. Rachel D. Escatron, DOH-Center for Health Development-Northern Mindanao (DOH-CHD-NM) senior health program officer.

On the other hand, CG Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Carina G. Dayondon, CGDNM officer-in-charge, and chief of staff, received 25 pieces each of Rambutan, Mangosteen, Cacao, and Coffee seedlings for their tree-planting activity which is scheduled on March 16, 2024, at Purok 5, Siculon, Barangay Mauswagon, Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental.

According to Dayondon, said activity is in celebration of the 25th founding anniversary of CGDNM, which will help them reinforce their commitment to safeguarding the environment and fostering a greener environment.

“We are dedicated to commemorating this historic event with an activity that celebrates our past achievements and invests in our future. To contribute positively to the local ecosystem, we aim to plant 200 seedlings, promoting biodiversity and environmental sustainability,” she conveyed.

Meanwhile, Escatron said that the garden tools and seeds they have received will be utilized for their vegetable gardening activity in their office.

“I am grateful to DA for giving us seeds and garden tools. With El Niño, this provision will help us a lot in our vegetable gardening activity in the office. This will create a sustainable food source among us employees and it will also encourage them to farm,” Escatron said.

Funded under the HVCDP of DA, it aims to provide farmers and other relevant stakeholders with resources to encourage them to actively engage in agricultural endeavors that will overall contribute to the development of the high-value crops sector.# (RDME)

DA-10 rice farmers to secure fertilizer assistance through the Fertilizer Discount Voucher program.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – RFO 10 (DA-10) is set to provide P380 million worth of fertilizer assistance to rice farmers in Northern Mindanao for the wet and dry cropping seasons this year.

In a meeting with the partner merchants and the Provincial, City and Municipal agriculturists in Bukidnon province, Thursday, March 7, Chona H. Nacalaban, DA-10 Rice Program Focal Person, said the fertilizer assistance will be rolled out through the Fertilizer Discount Voucher (FDV) program of the DA.

She emphasized, “the fertilizer assistance is an augmentation to the fertilizer requirement of the rice farmers, to help them attain optimum yield.”

Through the FDV, the rice farmers duly registered with the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) may choose to avail of fertilizers such as complete, urea, ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate or muriate of potash, whichever suited their farming needs.

RSBSA-registered rice farmers in clustered rice areas are entitled to an FDV for a maximum of 10 hectares each, while rice farmers in non-clustered areas may receive an FDV for a maximum of five (5) hectares rice fields.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, urged the DA’s partner merchants and the LGUs to work in cohesion with the DA, for smooth implementation of the FDV program in 2024.

“We aimed for speedy and transparent implementation of the FDV program. For the farmers’ benefit our main priority is to provide them quality and reasonably priced fertilizer” he said.

Under the FDV program each eligible rice farmer can receive P3,400 per hectare worth of fertilizer voucher, which they can claim from the DA-accredited merchants.

Dir. Collado signed a Supplemental Agreement with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) Vice President, Mary Joyce B. Salgados, setting forth the guidelines for FDV project funds

utilization, particularly for payment to partner merchants.

The FDV program will cover 111,992 hectares of rice area in the whole of Northern Mindanao and is seen to benefit 51,962 rice farmers.#(ATT)

Iligan City farmers are eyed to boost their corn production with the provided agri inputs and facilities from DA-10. 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To improve the local production of yellow and white corn to meet market demand, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) turned over P535,500 worth of corn inputs and facility to the farmers of Iligan City.

Funded under the Corn program, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga together with Provincial Operations Center chief for Lanao del Norte, Abdulharis P. Paporo, handed over said agri interventions to Iligan City mayor Frederick W. Siao during the city government’s flag raising ceremony hosted by its agriculture’s office, held earlier this week, March 4.

The roster of agri assistance includes 35 bags of hybrid white corn (8888) seeds (P3.5K at 9 kilos) and 100 bags of urea fertilizer (P1.4K per bag at 50 kilos), which are intended for 20 farmers of Brgy. Ditucalan.

Rounding up the list is the provision of a mechanical corn sheller unit to the 35-membered Gawgawon Farmers’ Association of Brgy. Mainit with an estimated corn cultivation of 50 hectares.

With said provisions, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado is optimistic that it will help enhance the region’s corn production by increasing the grain yield per hectare of yellow and white corn and closing the gap between supply and requirements of different corn processors, given the increasing demand of corn for food and other industrial uses.

Likewise, he underscored the need for farmers to be part of an active corn cluster organization and have its members be enrolled in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) to be eligible to receive such support.

As development partners of the agri department, the Iligan city government complemented DA’s Organic Agriculture program as it also launched the “Basura ni Juan: Tabang sa Kaumahan Project” as a means to address the solid waste disposal challenges and promote organic farming practices in the locality.

On the same occasion, the Philippine Crop Insurance, Corp. also turned over an indemnity check worth around P120K to 40 Iligan City farmers whose farms were stricken by pests and calamities.# (JLO/Photo supplied: CLGU Iligan)

DA-10 shares laboratory practices to DA-5 in a benchmarking activity.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A team from the Integrated Laboratory Division (ILD) of DA-RFO 5 led by its chief Lorenzo L. Alvina visited DA-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) for the conduct of a benchmarking activity on the latter’s laboratories on March 5, at the agency compound.

On behalf of DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, OIC ILD chief Viralou L. Tuquib, DVM welcomed the group, as DA-RFO 5 ILD embarks on adopting new technologies or methodologies that can further enhance their existing operations.

“I felt honored by your presence, I hope that this activity will provide you with valuable insights about our operational processes, quality control measures, and technological advancements,” she said.

The visiting ILD team went on a guided tour to DA-10’s ILD – RSL, FCAL, and the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, which extends tests and analyses on soil, feeds, animal and plant health and nutrition.

The former group was apprised of the various equipment and facilities employed by the agency, offering an overview of their daily functions and best practices.

According to Alvina, this initiative marks a crucial step in achieving our goal of having a standard laboratory, as it enables us to gain significant insights that would contribute to the overall operational efficiency of our laboratories.

“Through this, we can establish a laboratory that provides accurate and reliable results and services that meet international standards,” he conveyed.
Capping the benchmarking activity, Tuquib pinned her hopes that it has in some ways helped their Bicol region counterpart and is open to the possibility of being of further assistance to them. # (RDME)

DA-10 through HVCDP provides veggie seeds to CdeO lactating mothers.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To provide proper nourishment, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) under the helm of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado intensifies urban gardening through vegetable seed distribution to lactating mothers, in this city.

RED Collado said that urban gardening aims to establish vegetable production areas on the available lands of every household and enhance food security through sustainable practices such as composting, rainwater harvesting, and organic gardening methods.

On March 6, around 80 mothers received vegetable seeds such as pechay and 5-in-1 pinakbet seeds from the High Value Crops Development Program of DA-10, while the City Agriculture Office (CAO) here also provided seedlings on okra, eggplant, and guava during nutrition advocacy, held at the City Hall grounds.

During the event, DA-10 Field Operations Division Agriculturist II Ronald Allan P. Camaddo also tackled the advantages of urban gardening with an emphasis on hydroponics, as it paves the way for easier access to fresh produce and encourages healthier cooking, and at the same time, it promotes water conservation and lesser use of space for crops production.

One of the beneficiaries from Barangay 14 of CdeO, Marie Angelie R. Nalual expressed her gratitude for the opportunity shared, the knowledge on urban gardening and the provision of seeds from DA-10, which will augment the income through their soon harvested crops and ensure children’s healthy growth and development.

“Dako ako pasalamat sa mga seeds nga gihatag sa DA-10 ug sa dugang nga kahibalo kabahin sa urban gardening ug inig harvest sa among gitanum nga utanon kini gyud makatabang kay pwede sab kini mabaligya para sa dugang kita ug ilabina makatabang sa maayong pagdako sa akong anak.”

The activity was spearheaded by Nestle Philippines, Inc. together with the City Council for the Protection of Children of the City Government of CdeO.#(MPMT)