Agri-10 supports for a VAW-free Philippines and honors the outstanding rural women across Northern Mindanao.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-NorMin) is one with the government in its campaign for unity toward Violence Against Women-Free (VAW-free) Philippines.

In a symposium organized for the observance of the annual 18-day campaign to end Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) in this city, on Wednesday, November 29, DA-NorMin Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado affirmed the agency’s stand in supporting causes creating safe spaces for the vulnerable segment of the community, the women and children, in particular.

To rally advocacies on the prevention and response to gender-based violence, the youth and women groups in CdeO City were apprised on the salient provisions of the Anti Violence Against Women and their Children Act (RA 9262), and the prevention of early, child and forced marriage among children.

Apart from criminalizing violence on women and children, the symposium highlighted the importance of communicating government programs in education, economy and health as strategic approach to curtail gender-based violence.

To recognize the role and contribution of women in agricultural development, the DA-NorMin’s Gender and Development (GAD) Unit together with the Department of Agriculture Women Employees’ Association (DAWEA) honored NorMin’s Outstanding Rural Women to highlight the 2023 anti-VAWC symposium.

Mylin V. Tayapad of Lagonglong town, in Misamis Oriental was hailed as NorMin’s Outstanding Rural Woman this year.

Tayapad’s awe-inspiring story spread across her triumph in outfighting cancer to founding and leading a women’s livelihood organization in her community, and how she upturned her family’s life with agriculture.

Fe Q. Sangco of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, and Francis B. Malatamban from Malaybalay City, also in Bukidnon, were lauded as the second and third placer, respectively of the search for 2023 NorMin’s Outstanding Rural Woman.

The winners received cash prize worth P50k, P30k and P20k, respectively, a plaque of recognition and token from DA-NorMin.

As the search’s regional winner, Tayapad will represent NorMin in the national leg of the competition, the “Gawad Parangal sa Katangi-Tanging Kababaihan sa Kanayunan” of DA.

“We support the endeavors that uplift women with inclusivity in providing equal opportunity and equipping them with skills to innovate and participate in the development of the (agriculture) sector,” Dir. Collado remarked.

Member agencies of the DA-NorMin Regional Management Committee (RMC) – the ATI, PCC, NFA, NMIS, NIA and Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC-10) also participated in the symposium.# (ATT)

DA-10 turns over P4.78-million worth of agricultural interventions to MARBFC and BLMC of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, grants more than P4.78 million (M) worth of agricultural interventions to two outstanding farm clusters from Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon on December 4, 2023.

This after the Mantibugao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers’ Cooperative (MARBFC) and Bliss Lingion Multipurpose Cooperative (BLMC) took home the coveted championship in the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), in collaboration with DA through its national Corn program’s Corn and Cassava Cluster Management Excellence Awards (CCMEA).

Of which, said awards recognize the laudable feats of cluster organizations in support to the promotion and development of the corn and cassava industries.

Held at the town’s gymnasium during the awarding of its local government’s three-part food- and nutrition-security contests, DA-10 led by Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga together with Manolo Fortich mayor Rogelio N. Quiño and Gemma G. Cania, municipal agriculturist, conferred a certificate of award amounting to P4,015,800 to MARBFC for being adjudged as the top corn cluster throughout the country.

With over three decades since its inception, MARBFC has bolstered partnerships with different entities to ensure maximum and sustainable yield among its farmer-members, and a guaranteed market for their harvest at the same time.

The group’s roster of agri assistance includes a hauling truck (P3.25-M), 100 bags of hybrid yellow (NK6410BGT) corn seeds (P600K), and 100 bags of complete inorganic fertilizer (P165,800.00).

On the other hand, BLMC’s growth from only seven to being a 353-membered group primarily engaged in cassava growing and inking marketing agreements, helped them clinch the highest prize for the outstanding cassava cluster across all regions.

Still handed over by DA-10 RTD Madriaga along with town officials, Bliss earned a certificate of award in the amount of P765,800.00 for various agri inputs, comprising 100 bags of hybrid yellow (NK6410BGT) corn seeds (P600K), and 100 bags of complete inorganic fertilizer (P165,800.00).

In her message, RTD Madriaga gave paramount importance to adopting DA’s clustering approach as a key strategy toward modernized and industrialized Philippine agriculture while uplifting the lives of farmers.

“Atong gi-aghat atong mga gagmay’ng mag-uuma nga maghugpong sila aron maka-access sila og dinagko na assistance, diin ang ilang interventions na ilang ma-avail dili lamang limited to seeds, fertilizers or garden tools, apan ma-akip na ang hauling truck, farm tractor, combine harvester ug uban pa.” Dir. Madriaga said.

With the poured assistance serving as government investments to the winning coops, she reminded the awardees saying “ampingan ninyo ang mga butang [agri interventions] aron molahutay siya ug mapuslan dugay sa mga miyembro sa kooperatiba ug aron mahimo kamong modelo sa inyong komunidad ug madasig pa ang ubang grupo sa lungsod nga molambo pod.”

Besides the presentation of the CCMEA honorees before their hometown, Mayor Quiño lauded them for bringing glory to the municipality, including those who have responded to the LGU’s-spearheaded contests such as the 1st Communal Garden, 2nd Gulayan sa Paaralan and 3rd Utanan sa Tugkaran contests, participated in by 45 schools and 22 barangays, for embodying the spirit of cooperativism that contributes to Manolo Fortich’s quest in achieving food and nutrition security.

The local chief executive also commended their efforts as he recognized their integral role in the advancement of the municipality, even encouraging them to sustain their support in the different development programs of the government.
It can also be recalled that in mid-November in Quezon City, DA and ATI formally honored the champion clusters with each receiving P2-M for the purchase of various agri inputs to help them amplify their farming operations, livelihood and income.

Also gracing the activity are other local officials: Committee on Agriculture Chairperson, Councilor Raquel Bayacag and Committee Chairperson on Farmers, Councilor Elzevir A. Dagunlay; Fe Q. Sangco, second placer of the Search for 2023 NorMin Outstanding Rural Women, still from the said municipality; and the Corn program staff from DA-10. # (JLO)

Pundasan National High School in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental avails agri inputs from DA-10.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In a bid to strengthen its Gulayan sa Paaralan program, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) turned over assorted vegetable seeds and gardening tools to the Pundasan National High School (PNHS) in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental on December 4, 2023 at the agency compound.

On behalf of DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project Deputy Program Director Joel S. Rudinas and High-Value Crops Development Program focal person Kersten S. Pagalan turned over 10 packets each of 5-in-1 Pinakbet and Sinigang seeds, 10 light hoe, 10 shovel, 4 sprinkler, 10 seedling tray and 10 bolo to PNHS Teacher III Joed Ryan T. Pit.

Pit shared that through the provisions, they aim to promote sustainable agriculture and proper nutrition through a hands-on learning experience among students.

“We plan to integrate this to our Grade 7 and 8 students in which they can benefit through the conduct of our feeding programs,” he concluded.# (AMBManto)

Agri-10 through Corn Program turns over hybrid corn seeds amounting to P1.8-million to the 2nd district of Cagayan de Oro.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, turned over P1.8 million (M) worth of hybrid yellow corn seeds to the Office of Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez, 2nd district of Cagayan de Oro City at the Nazareth Barangay Hall on November 22, 2023.

A total of 300 bags were turned over by the agency through Executive Assistant III Joel S. Rudinas to the Office of Congressman Rodriguez represented by Office-in-Charge Lina O. Navarro.

According to Navarro, these will be distributed to 56 barangays in the following weeks, where each farmer is set to receive one bag of corn seeds.

Funded under the Corn program, Dir. Collado said that the department continues to extend interventions to farmers in the region, wherein said agri inputs can cover at least 150 hectares of area to be planted.# (TJTL)

Agri-10 caps off the NRAM celebration with the conduct of an Agri Trivia.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To officially conclude the celebration of the National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM), the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) helmed by Director Carlene C. Collado, through the Rice Program and the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section (RAFIS) conducted an Agri Trivia on November 28, 2023, at the agency compound.

Dubbed as the ‘Grain Brain’, the activity was participated by the different divisions of DA-10 with questions revolving on rice and other related things through different sets, namely: Question and Answer, Visual, Audio, and Audio-Visual.

In his message, DA-10 Executive Assistant III Joel R. Rudinas, emphasized that activities like these are apt for a technical agency, such as DA, especially that it is dealing with rice as a commodity.

“Take this as an opportunity to hone our knowledge about rice while having fun. This is a great time for us to learn more about this commodity.” Rudinas added.

Emerging victorious are the Integrated Laboratory Division, Regulatory Division, and the Field Operations Division, as the champion, first runner-up, and second runner-up, respectively.

Winning divisions earned plaques of recognition and cash prizes, while the rest of the teams have also received consolation prizes.

NRAM is celebrated every November of the year, following Proclamation No. 524, Series of 2004. With “Be RICEponsible” as the battlecry for six years, the movement aims to help the country in its bid for rice sufficiency and strengthened support for local farmers by avoiding rice wastage and providing healthier staple food options for Filipino farmers and consumers alike.# (CRS)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – As part of its continuing commitment to support the government’s reformation projects for rebel returnees, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), under the leadership of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, recently turned over 20 head upgraded goat to the Philippine Army’s 403rd Infantry Brigade and to the Police Regional Office-10’s Regional Mobile Force Battalion.

The intervention worth P231,100 comprised 18 female and 2 male goats granted by DA in support of the police and army’s goat multiplier farm.

Each recipient received 10 breeding stock (9 female and 1 male) as starter kits for goat dispersal project to former rebels.

DA is the lead agency in the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment (PRLE) Cluster of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) created under Executive Order No. 70, a directive institutionalizing whole-of-nation approach to attaining inclusive and sustainable peace in the country.# (ATT)

Agri-10 supports the outreach program of XUCN through the provision of agricultural inputs.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To aid in community development projects, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado turned over assorted vegetable seeds, fertilizers, and garden tools to Xavier University – College of Nursing (XUCN) on November 24, 2023.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga and High Value Crops Development Program focal person Kersten S. Pagalan turned over 30 packets each of 5-in-1 Pinakbet and Sinigang seeds, 2 light hoe, 10 seedling tray, 2 shovel, 4 sprinkler, 10 bolo and 5 bags of organic fertilizer to Level 3 Coordinator Jesusa C. Gabule, RN, MN along with the university’s nursing students.

They also received Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials as guides to complement their vegetable planting.

“As part of our Community Health Nursing Duty, the nursing students will be organizing a livelihood program for the residents of Sitio Macapaya, Brgy. Camaman-an, for which we plan to provide livelihood sustenance through eco-organic gardening,” shared Gabule.

She further thanked DA-10 for the support in helping the school advance its endeavors, at the same time extending support to their chosen benefiting community. # (AMBM)

Farmers undergo training on banana insect pests and disease management, spearheaded by DA-RCPC 10.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC) of the Department of Agriculture RFO – 10 through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado trained farmers on Banana Insect Pests and Diseases Management on Wednesday, November 14-15 in this city.

Eighteen Bukidnon banana farmers finished the two-day training at the Northern Mindanao Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City that immersed them in the field to properly identify friendly and non-friendly insect pests and diseases.

Further, they observed the various Biological Control Agents or Biocon in RCPC to demonstrate the management and production of the technology.

Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, Cora A. Dumayaca highlighted the need for banana farmers to be part of associations and cooperatives to access and benefit various DA programs and projects.

Importantly, she added that it will diversify and be certified through Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) certification, which will potentially be greenlit to market security.

Speakers from DA-RFO 10 focused the discussion on the banana industry roadmap; potential products and market trade and value chain; and, the importance of good agricultural practices, including farmer certification through PhilGap.

Center Chief, Lucille T. Minguez hopes to instill a resilient mindset and commitment among farmers, empowering them to seize every learning opportunity for prosperity and reach their full potential.

RCPC is the arm of DA dedicated to the production and promotion of Biological Control Agents (Biocon) in the region, which are friendly organisms that feed (Earwig, Lacewing, Eocanthecona furcellata) parasitizes (Trichogramma) and infect diseases (Metarhizium anisopliaea, Trichoderma harzianum, Beauvaria bassiana) to insect pest enemies.#

Agri 10 pours P9.3-million for INSPIRE program in San Fernando, Bukidnon.

SAN FERNANDO, BUKIDNON – The Local Government Unit (LGU) of San Fernando is eyed to benefit from the Department of Agriculture – 10’s Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) program worth P9.3 million.

On November 28, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado together with San Fernando Mayor Rogelio Yeke led the groundbreaking ceremony of the biosecured swine facility amounting to P5.5 million.

RED Collado said that the facility is part of the INSPIRE program along with the drugs and biologics worth 75K turned over on the same occasion.

Likewise, 300 head swine piglets (P2.3-M) and 550 bags of feed (P1.3-M) will be given after the completion of the construction of the said facility.

Collado added that the program focuses on increasing the swine and breeder base, and it provides livelihood assistance to its localities through swine production at the same time.

Meanwhile, DA-10 Livestock focal person Jamaica L. Docdoc said that the provided agri interventions will be managed by the LGU in order to help repopulate the swine industry of the province.

Also present at the event were DA-10 Bukidnon Provincial Operations Center chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM, the staff from the Municipal Agriculture’s Office, and other LGU officials. #(MPMT)

DA-PRDP, World Bank and the European Union visits the Crumb Rubber Processing and Marketing Enterprise subproject of MTAC in Damulog, Bukidnon.

DAMULOG, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project, together with the World Bank (WB) and the European Union (EU) visited the Crumb Rubber Processing and Marketing Enterprise subproject of the Migcawayan Tribal Agricultural Cooperative (MTAC) on November 16, 2023, as part of the 16th Implementation Support Mission (ISM).

Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Neil Roque welcomed the WB and the EU team to the province of Bukidnon and thanked them for their assistance to MTAC and to the province.

Mio Takada, WB Task Team Leader to PRDP said that the main objective of the mission is to hear from the proponent group on their preparation for the implementation of the given subproject, which includes addressing their apprehensions and constraints and providing direction to the group.

Further, the apprehension about constraints that they are facing so they can address and provide direction for them.

Meanwhile, Mojca Krisper-Figueroa, EU Programme Manager, is glad that the EU was able to join the ISM for the first time and visit the subproject site.

“It’s great that the existing facilities are running, and there is enhanced workforce labor and enhanced price increase in the production, which is actually good. We are happy to be here, learn from you and exchange ideas with you, and of course, if there is something that we can do for the cooperative, we are happy to assist,” Figueroa added.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations and DA-PRDP Deputy Project Director (DPD) Carlota S. Madriaga affirmed the department’s commitment after noticing the perseverance, dedication, and drive of MTAC towards the success of the subproject.

Funded under DA-PRDP’s second additional financing (AF2) and European Union Co-Financing Grant, the medium enterprise proposed by MTAC has a subproject cost of Php 80,971,551.00 and will benefit greatly from the cooperative members, including a huge number of women, indigenous people, and rubber farmers in the barangay and nearby areas as it provides livelihood for them once the operation starts.

Gracing the activity are the WB team composed of Ning Bondoc, Shubham Singh, Mario Orilla, Cora Dankers, Tomas Sta. Maria, Gomer Tumbali, and Maya Villaluz, with representatives from the PRDP National Project Coordinating Office.

Also present in the activity are the Project Support Office Mindanao team led by DPD Noel Provido, the LGU of Damulog headed by Mayor Melino Buro, the Regional Project Coordinating Office 10 team, Migcawayan barangay officials, and MTAC members. #