MisOcc rice farmers receive financial aid at P5K each thru DA-10’s RFFA program.

MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) helmed by OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, launched the third distribution of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund – Rice Farmers’ Financial Assistance (RCEF-RFFA) Program for CY 2022, in the province of Misamis Occidental from January 18-20, 2023.

Under the RFFA program, P5,000.00 cash assistance is allotted to each rice farmer, with one qualifying for being enrolled in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and tilling or owning a cumulative rice area not exceeding two hectares.

According to Dir. Collado, the RFFA continues to be among the priority interventions of DA with P45 million budget for Misamis Occidental’s 9,070 eligible rice farmers alone.

The director added that the RFFA aims to cushion the impact of the Rice Tarrification Law among rice farmers through financial aid, with the vision of increased quality and productivity for farmers, and affordable rice for consumers.

During the outset of the RFFA program III on January 18 at Bay Araneta, Oroquieta City, MisOcc Governor Henry S. Oaminal, together with other local officials and its Provincial Agriculture Office, municipal agriculture offices of benefitting city and towns, and DA-10’s Rice Program led by its Supervising Agriculturist and Focal Person Chona H. Nacalaban, spearheaded the distribution.

On the first day of the distribution, 3,007 qualified recipients from Oroquieta City, Lopez Jaena, Panaon, Aloran, and Jimenez received cash assistance.

Subsequently, 2,874 eligible farmers from Plaridel, Calamba, Baliangao, Sapang Dalaga, and Concepcion were catered at the Calamba Multi-Purpose Building on January 19.

Furthermore, 3,189 qualified farmers from Sinacaban, Tudela, Clarin, Bonifacio, Tangub and Ozamiz cities also received financial aid at the Tudela Municipal Civic Gymnasium on January 20, 2023.

The third rollout of the RFFA in MisOcc was realized In partnership with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and the Universal Storefront Services, Corp. (USSC).# (RLTolentino)

One of the highlights of the ABEMIS annual targets encoding and data collection for FY 2023 is the handing over of the 2022 Terabyte Award from BAFE to DA-10.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) recently conducted the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Management Information System (ABEMIS) annual targets encoding and data collection for 2023, this city.

DA-10 RAED Programs and Projects Management Section chief Engr. Romil G. Española, reported the annual targets of interventions lodged under DA’s banner programs such as agricultural machinery and infrastructures for the current year, to be inputted in the ABEMIS, a web-based information system that serves as an inventory for agricultural and fisheries machineries and infrastructure projects of DA.

Importantly, it also helps to accelerate the monitoring of project implementation from the proposal, validation, procurement, construction, and completion to operation.

Further highlighted in the event is the conferring of the Assistant Division Chief for the Programs and Projects Management Division of the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering, Engr. Arnel L. Tenorio, of the ABEMIS 2022 Terabyte Award to DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and to RAED chief Engr. Deliza T. Camaro, with the agency, was declared as a winner last December 22, 2022.

The Terabyte Award is a nationwide search for the most outstanding ABEMIS implementing unit with Northern Mindanao topping the competition, garnering a score of 99.41%.

The criteria for judging were based on the completeness and accuracy of the data and documentation requirements (60%), completeness of the inventory (20%), and completeness of targets (2022) encoded in the ABEMIS (20%).

Recognizing the feat, RED Collado commended the effort of the RAED team and hoped the division to maintain the momentum, and fast-track the recording of DA’s various interventions for all banner programs into the ABEMIS.

Also attending the event were provincial operations chiefs of Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte, respectively, Janet D. Lopez, DVM, and Engr. Abdulharis P. Paporo, and representatives from the different banner programs of the agency. #(MPMTablon)

The agri department in NorMin grants P5,000 each rice farmer in Bukidnon as cash aid thru its RFFA program.

Kibawe, Bukidnon – A total of 3,472 rice farmers in the towns of Kibawe, Dangcagan, Kadingilan, Don Carlos and Pangantucan in Bukidnon received P5,000 in cash aid on January 11-13, as the Department of Agriculture – Region 10 (DA-10) continue rolling out the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) in said localities, for the 2022-2023 dry cropping season.

The RFFA is given to smallholder rice farmers tilling rice areas not exceeding two hectares and registered to the Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture (RSBSA), the DA’s official registry of farmers, fisherfolk and farm laborers.

According to DA-10 OIC- Regional Executive Director, Carlene C. Collado, the agency is fast-tracking the RFFA distribution to the rice farmers in Northern Mindanao in the aftermath of shear line to agricultural areas in the region late last year, and the continuing weather disturbance early in 2023.

“We intend to roll out the RFFA in the fastest way we can. We assure our RFFA beneficiaries they will receive their aid as soon as we have ironed out our coordination with the LGUs” Collado said.

For the 2022-2023 Dry Cropping Season the DA-10 has allocated Php237-M funds for the RFFA, to benefit 46,161 eligible rice farmers across the region.

The RFFA is funded under the Rice Competitiveness Enhance Fund (RCEF) by virtue of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) and is intended to compensate for the increasing farm inputs prices and fluctuating palay buying price.

With the RFFA, it is hoped that the rice farmers will be able to sustain their farm production and augment their earnings.#

Agri 10 undertakes a final inspection for the renovation of the CPC project in barangay Malagana.

The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA- RFO 10) through OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado conducted the final inspection for the renovation of the Corn Processing Center (CPC) in Malagana, Claveria, Misamis Oriental, on January 7, 2023.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga along with the agency’s engineers led by Regional Agricultural and Engineering Division chief Deliza T. Camaro along with General Foreman Jessie Arazo from the Municipal Economic Enterprise and Development Office (MEEDO) met with Dong IL Engineering Consultants Co., Ltd. Project Manager Son Sea Chul to assess the current status of the project.

Said project was turned over in 2013 as part of the Multi-Industry Cluster program funded by the Korean government (Php37 million) in collaboration with DA and the Provincial Local Government Unit of Misamis Oriental (Php26 million).

In November last year, the CPC underwent repair and expansion to sustain its operation and functionality, and is expected to be completed by February this year.

With the facility, the corn farmers in Claveria and its neighboring municipalities are eyed to produce quality corn, and reduce postharvest losses, overall helping them to earn more income. # (AMBManto)

Agri 10 exec Collado and Plaridel town mayor Handumon of MisOcc convene to further develop the agri-fishery sector under his locality.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The agriculture department in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) through its OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, welcomed Plaridel Mayor Gadwin E. Handumon of Misamis Occidental on January 24, 2023, to tackle agricultural development plans for farmers and fisherfolk of the said town.

In his courtesy visit, the local chief executive bared the agri development plans for MisOcc and under his locality and correspondingly sought various interventions from the agri department.

Mayor Handumon eyes enlisting DA’s support to redefine focus for their farmers and fisherfolk, which is to be aligned to the province’s intent on implementing their so-called Rice Farmers’ Full Financial Assistance (RFFFA) that aims to provide farmers with financial aid for their production and marketing to attain higher productivity and income.

In return, Dir. Collado recognizes the official’s plan for agri-fishery development with emphasis on strengthening DA and the LGU’s partnership, especially on implementing projects revolving around economic enterprises.

With the recent rollout of the Rice Farmers’ Financial Assistance in Mis Occ, Mayor Handumon also expressed his gratitude to DA-10 for the provision of cash aid to 2,051 qualified rice farmers from Plaridel.#(RLTolentino)

DA-10 bares its programs and projects for farmers during the 1^st Regional Farmers Summit of the Kilusang Pagbabago – Lead Organization, Inc. in barangay Macasandig.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – With a common goal to strengthen and harmonize farmers in the region, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), joined the 1st Regional Farmers Summit of the Kilusang Pagbabago – Lead Organization, Inc. (KP-LOI) on January 19, 2023, held in barangay Macasandig, this city.

Carrying the theme “Panaghiusa sa mga mag-uuma ang bag-ong hagit sa kaugmaon para sa mapadayunong kalambuan”, different farmer cooperatives, associations (FCAs) and other local farmers across Northern Mindanao convened to increase awareness on the programs and projects offered by DA and its other line agencies.

According to OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, providing farmers with accessible agricultural assistance will help and empower farming communities by increasing agricultural productivity and profitability, resulting in a more sustainable and resilient agri-sector.

DA-10 SAAD Focal Person, Lana May S. Racines presented the agencies programs and services, particularly technical support services; agri-fishery machinery, equipment, facilities and infrastructure; regulatory services; and locally funded program and foreign-assisted projects.

Meanwhile, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform Chair Cynthia A. Villar assured the farmers that the Senate is always open to listen to their needs and suggestions regarding the appropriate legislative measures for the development of the agricultural industry in the region.

Also presenting their respective programs are the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine Crop Insurance, Corp. (PCIC), First Community Cooperative (FICCO) and DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.# (RDMElloren)

Agri 10 conducts a field visit and spearheads the harvest soybean in Maramag town.

MARAMAG, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) under the helm of OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado conducted a field visit and spearheaded the harvest of soybean in barangay Base Camp, Maramag, Bukidnon.

The said harvest follows the agency’s distribution of more than 300 kilos of Manchurian soybean seeds to some 15 farmer-beneficiaries in the locality.

Said effort aims to increase their income and contribute to the growth of the poultry and livestock sector thru the local production of quality feed ingredients, pursuant to DA Memorandum Order No. 15, Series of 2021.

According to DA-10 Soybean focal person Samuel C. Natindim, Jr., the agency reinforces its assistance to soybean as provided in the cited issuance, to ensure good crop harvest, especially since its inclusion under the National Corn Program extending the continuous provision of farm technologies, training, marketing and other forms of postharvest assistance to interested farmers.

For assured market and stable prices of soybean harvest, Natindim underscored that the agency pushes for the clustering of soybean farmers and consolidation of their yield for bulk delivery and sale.

To date, DA-10 has linked some soybean farmers to buyers based in Cagayan de Oro City, and Valencia City, Bukidnon.

During the field visit and harvest, farmer-beneficiary Joven Maniego thanked DA for the support extended for growing soybean.

“Giawhag gyud nako ang ubang mga mag-uuma sa pagtanum og soybean kay gawas sa taas nga demand niini, maka-ani naka sulod sa tulo ngadto upat ka bulan human sa pagtanum,” he said.(I really encourage other farmers to plant soybean because aside from its high demand, farmers can expect harvest within three to four months of planting.)

In 2023, DA-10 will expand its assistance for soybean farmers consistent with the agency’s mandate to support the production of agricultural crops for food, animal feeds, and industrial uses.# (GDAndres)

DA-10 welcomes another batch of newly promoted and appointed personnel.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Three newly promoted and three newly appointed employees of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado took their oath of office on December 22, 2022, at the Municipal Trial Court (MTC), in this city.

The oathtaking ceremony was administered by Hon. Anabel Carmen S. Casiño-Baluran, presiding judge of MTC in Cities, Branch 3, and witnessed by Human Resource Merit Promotion and Selection Board committee headed by its chairperson, Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga.

Below is a list of the promoted DA-RFO 10 personnel with their corresponding positions and assignments:

Newly Promoted

1. Willie D. Nacalaban – Supervising Science Research Specialist, Research Division
2. Milamar R. Aragua – Senior Science Research Specialist, Research Division
3. Jolee D. Develos – Science Research Specialist II, Research Division

Newly Appointed

1. Nilo Jr. C. Panugaling – Science Research Specialist I, Research Division
2. Amiel Rhyan S. Pakino – Engineer I, Regional Agricultural Engineering Division
3. Daryl Jan S. Lorono – Agriculturist I, Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division

Also present during the ceremony were senior officials from the concerned divisions of the promoted DA-10 employees.# (RDMElloren)

NorMin’s DA and ATI conduct a workshop for the crafting of the CPAFEP.

MAHINOG, CAMIGUIN – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), together with the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 10 (ATI-RTC 10), conducted a three-day workshop for the crafting of the Collaborative Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Program (CPAFEP) for the province of Camiguin.

On December 14, around 32 participants comprising of Local Government Units (LGUs), Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs), and other stakeholders coming from the five towns of Camiguin convened to map out various programs and other related support services in agriculture and fisheries at the grassroots level.

According to DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, PAFES aims to establish a pluralistic extension system that will enhance LGUs’ capacities in delivering strategic agri-fishery interventions in their respective localities under CPAFEP.

With the establishment of the Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System (PAFES), the province of Camiguin will serve as the center for operations, organizing and co-funding Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Centers (PAFECs), as well as outlining and implementing CPAFEP in the region.

Meanwhile, DA-RFO 10 Consultant Joel S. Rudinas discussed and spearheaded the PAFES orientation along with DA-10 F2C2 focal person Gay Nanette R. Aleria for the Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Program of DA.

Present in the activity is ATI-RTC 10 Assistant Director Noemi Beth G. Macario, and other ATI-RTC X and DA-10 personnel. #(RDMElloren)

Agri dept in NorMin awards the certificate of turnover to LGU CdeO City for the P1.1-M free-range chicken multiplier farm project in barangay Balubal.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, December 28 – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), under the helm of OIC Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, awarded a certificate of turnover to the Local Government Unit of Cagayan de Oro City (LGU CdeO) for the P1.1 million free-range chicken multiplier farm project.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga handed the certificate to City Administrator, Atty. Roy Hilario P. Raagas, representing CdeO mayor Rolando A. Uy.

Funded by the agency’s Livestock program, the package of assistance covers infrastructure and the provision of animals and other various agri supplies for the City Vet mini-stock farm in barangay Balubal.

Of the total amount, P625K is for the completed poultry house; 350 head of free-range chickens (50 males and 300 females) valued at P200K; and P275K for feeds, drugs, and biologics.

Dir. Madriaga expressed her gratitude to the city LGU for the strong partnership in support of the agency’s agricultural programs, projects, and activities that will help establish a solid and sustainable industry for poultry raisers, at the same time maximizing the city’s huge potential in expanding the agriculture industry in terms of jobs and income generation.

On the other hand, CdeO Veterinarian Perla T. Asis said, the project will serve as a breeder farm for the dispersal program of native chicken to be implemented by the city through its veterinary office.

Dr. Asis added that their dispersal (1 male:10 female) will start in early January of next year for distribution to their 10 select Livestock Farmer Field School program participants.

As soon as the dispersal commences, the 20 beneficiaries who are graduates of the livestock field school as the first in-line beneficiaries of the project will each receive a 10-meter net as part of their start-up kit.

Also witnessing the activity is DA-10 Livestock focal person Jamaica L. Docdoc, Balubal barangay chair Pablo M. Bactong, and other DA-10 and LGU CdeO personnel. # (RDMElloren)