The government seizes smuggled red onions in MCT to prevent the carry of possible pests or diseases that will affect local farmers’ production of crops and the health and safety of consumers.

TAGOLOAN, MISAMIS ORIENTAL – Around P50 million worth of smuggled red onions were seized by the Sub-Task Group Economic Intelligence (STGEI) and the Bureau of Customs-Port of Cagayan de Oro at the Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT), Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental on November 8 and 9, 2021.

This was bared by the Department of Agriculture Asst. Secretary and the co-chair of the STGEI on Food Security, Federico E. Laciste Jr. during a press conference on Tuesday, November 9 at BOC Office in Tagoloan town.

Following the verification and examination of 18 forty-footer container vans, consigned by R2H Trading with declared imported commodities as breaded shrimp, flavored nuts, curdled cream milk, crustaceans, acidified cream, smoked crawfish, and breaded improver were found as red onions from China.

Smuggled agri products have no Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) issued by the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry, which may carry possible pests or diseases that will affect the local crops and health safety of the consumers.

Laciste emphasized that they are not fit for human consumption and must be properly disposed of.

BOC Sub-Port Collector John Simon acknowledged the concerted efforts of the SGEI composite team in Northern Mindanao comprising the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), DA-BPI Plant Quarantine Service (DA-BPI PQS), and DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) which yield a positive turnout on its relentless efforts to curb smuggling of agri products.

The OneDA team headed by DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado with Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, DA-BPI-PQS 10 Regional Manager Manuel A. Barradas witnessed the said activity together with the other concerned agencies.#(ATCabig)

DA-10 provides agri inputs to Maramag rice farmers.

MARAMAG, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) distributed P83.6 million worth of farm inputs for the wet and dry planting seasons to 4K rice farmers in Maramag, Bukidnon on Friday, November 5.

Said agri inputs comprised 10,100 bags of hybrid and 900 bags of inbred rice seeds for the 2021 wet and 2021-2022 dry planting seasons.

Together with the seeds, 32.1K bags of fertilizers amounting to P32.1 million were also given.

Maramag has an estimated 7,000 hectares planted to rice, 2,000 for rainfed and 5,000 for irrigated with an average yield of 6 tons per hectare.

DA-NorMin provided farm inputs to Maramag town, following Valencia City in terms of leading in rice production province-wide.

Also leading the turnover is DA-10 Rice focal person Chona H. Nacalaban, representing agency head, Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado. # (JCAnito)

DA-10, PLGU MisOr and USTP inks an agreement for the implementation of the BP2 program in said province.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Returnees or balikbayan to Misamis Oriental can start anew with available agricultural livelihood projects under the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) Program.

The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), together with the Provincial Local Government Unit of Misamis Oriental (PLGU MisOr) and the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) Claveria Campus signed a Memorandum of Agreement on November 5, for the said program.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado hoped for the success of the program with Misamis Oriental as the pilot area in the region, in partnership with USTP.

“I hope that the implementation of BP2 will be a success so that our balikbayans will be encouraged to return to the province with livelihood projects available for them,” said RED Collado.

The BP2 Program is a socio-economic program developed by the Duterte administration that seeks to address Metro Manila’s congested areas by encouraging people especially informal settlers to return to their home provinces.

Food security and agricultural productivity is one of the four key result areas of BP2 program.

For Misamis Oriental, interventions under the BP2 Program include the establishment of cattle multiplier farm, goat multiplier farm, poultry farm, and vegetable farm and mushroom production amounting to P9.163 million.

Receiving the program, Chancellor of USTP Claveria Campus, Dr. Renato O. Arazo shared, “We are thankful with this opportunity to serve the community, particularly those who are affected by the ongoing pandemic. Rest assured that the university will support and will take care of the BP2 Program.”

Also receiving the program, Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano assured his support in the implementation of the said program.

Witnessing the MOA signing are DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, PLGU MisOr Veterinarian Benjamin S. Resma, USTP Claveria Campus Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. Alexander L. Ido. # (CRSeraspe)

DA and BOC drum up its efforts vs smuggling of agri commodities.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Customs heightened their joint efforts in curtailing entry of smuggled agri commodities in Northern Mindanao.

The DA with DA-Bureau of Plant Industry, Plant Quarantine Services (DA-BPI PQS) in NorMin, and the Bureau of Customs-Port of Cagayan de Oro conducted an inventory and inspection of smuggled red onions on Thursday, November 4.

An estimated P5 million worth of smuggled onions were seized after the warehouse was raided on October 22 headed by the BOC-CDO team.

Atty. Roswald Joseph Pague BOC-CDO Deputy Collector for Administration and Senior OSM, said that its disposal will be set after completing the inventory of the warehouse along Corrales Extension in Cagayan de Oro City.

The Department of Agriculture has not issued a Sanitary Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) for the said agri commodity; thus they are considered as smuggled.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, who at the same time the chair of DA Regional Management Committee discussed with DA-BPI PQS 10 Regional Manager Manuel A. Barradas and Atty. Pague in setting plans and strategies for its proper disposal in ensuring consumers’ safety.

RA 10845 otherwise known as the ‘Anti- Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016’ states that seized smuggled agricultural products, shall be disposed of in a manner to be determined by the appropriate regulatory agency. #(ATC)

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office (DA-RFO 10) turned over rice seeds and fertilizers worth P48 million to rice farmers in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on Wednesday, November 3.

Rice farmers from the 27 barangays of the said city received the agri inputs comprising of inbred and hybrid seeds for the dry planting season.

Also distributed were 16,575 bags of inorganic fertilizer amounting to P16.57 million.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said that the agency aims to lower the production cost and improve the rice productivity and adequacy of farmers.

He added that the combined outcome of government interventions and continued strong partnerships with farmer cooperatives, associations, rice industry stakeholders, and local government units will boost rice efficiency.

“Ang mga binhi at abono ay malaki ang tulong at epekto nito sa pag-unlad ng aming sakahan,” said Wilfredo L. Ayre, president of Paiwaig Lalawan Communal Irrigators Association, Inc. of barangay Linabo.

Malaybalay City has an estimated 4,999 hectares of rice fields with an average yield of around 5.7 metric tons per hectare.

Leading the turnover was DA-10 RED Carlene C. Collado together with DA-RFO 10 Rice program focal person Chona H. Nacalaban, and Malaybalay City Agriculturist Remedios R. Sarzuelo, and local officials. #(RDElloren)

MSU-LNAC receives assorted veggie seeds from Agri NorMin to help promote food security and sufficiency among students.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY– The Mindanao State University – Lanao del Norte Agricultural College (MSU-LNAC) in Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte received 70 packets of assorted vegetable seeds from the Department of Agriculture Region 10 on Thursday, November 4.

Comprising the assorted vegetable seeds are 20 packets each of garden salad (lettuce, tomato, cucumber), Chopsuey (pechay, radish, carrots, cauliflower), Sinigang (kangkong, pole sitao, radish, okra, tomato); and 10 packets of Pinakbet (eggplant, okra, ampalaya, pole sitao, squash) seed variants which will be used for the school’s “Bahay Kubo” project.

MSU-LNAC Head Dr. Indihra B. Dimaporo-Tawantawan, said that each school department will be provided with the seeds to vie for the school’s best garden competition.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado emphasized that DA’s Plant Plant Plant Program, thru its High-Value Crops Development Program, continuously support the different sectors’ urban gardening programs to scale up the region’s food sufficiency level amid the pandemic.

Earlier this year, they received a goat multiplier farm worth P5 million through DA-10’s Livestock Program.

“DA-10’s agri-interventions has been instrumental in improving research and instruction, and extension services that primarily aim to provide farming knowledge and skills to the Muslims and other cultural minorities in order to cope with the national standard,” shared Dr. Tawantawan.# (EMBentulan)

DA-10 partners with farmer-cooperators by capacitating them on the risk factors for pest outbreaks to address them accordingly.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The agriculture department of Northern Mindanao (DA-10) through its Regulatory Division conducted an orientation on Pest Risk Identification and Management (PRIME) to the farmer-cooperators of Maramag, Bukidnon.

PRIME focuses on allowing rice farmers to understand risk factors for pest outbreaks and determine appropriate management strategies and tactics to minimize crop losses.

It is a four-year collaborative project among DA, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), and the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI).

With the promotion in the adoption of best crop health management practices, farmers are eyed to reap higher yields and income. #(RDElloren/Photo supplied: CLQuiamco)

DA-BPI and BOC intensifies its collective efforts against the smuggling of agri-commodities in Region 10.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In a joint effort to deepen the anti-smuggling of agricultural products, the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry- Plant Quarantine Service (DA-BPI PQS) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in Northern Mindanao conducted verification and examination of the three containers at the Mindanao International Container Terminal, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental on Friday, October 29.

The verification is an outcome of the strengthened partnership of the said agencies on the declared imported commodity as frozen malt from China that arrived on October 20, 2021, but was found as fresh red onions and wonton skin.

The BOC team was spearheaded by BOC Intelligence Officer Abdel Sultan, Jover Umpar Customs Officer III, Customs Police, and a representative from Chamber of Customs Brokers, Inc., and DA-BPI PQS 10 Regional Manager Manuel A. Barradas with Plant Quarantine Officers Arnold Dela Cruz, Jr. and John M. Ermina.

It can be recalled that DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado earlier met BOC District Collector 10 Atty. Elvira Cruz with BOC Deputy Collector for Administration and Senior OSM, Atty. Roswald Joseph Pague, DA-BPI and DA-BAI in the presence of solidifying partnership in curtailing smuggled agri commodities in Region 10.

“In view of the report on the undocumented consignment that was transported into the country through sea and air, the DA-BPI pushes its fight against agricultural commodity smuggling in coordination with the Bureau of Customs to curb these illegal activities,” said Barradas.

The BOC examiner will submit his recommendations to BOC legal officer for issuance of a warrant of seizure and detention of the said commodity. The schedule of proper disposal will be set later. # (ATC/Photos supplied: AdelaCruz/JERmina)

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The agriculture department in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) conducted an operational demonstration for the three units of mechanical corn sheller amounting to P1 million at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Livestock Research Complex in Dalwangan.

On October 25, a total of six operators from select farmer-association recipients were capacitated on the proper operating procedures, maintenance, and management for the sustainable use of said facilities for their respective groups.

Funded by the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program, the units will be distributed to three FAs, comprising about 105 farmers. #(RDElloren/Photo supplied: SAAD-10)

Agri dept in NorMin hosts the 1^st Nat’l. Livestock and Poultry month to laud those people who continue to contribute to the promotion and development of the livestock and poultry industry.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) capped its first-ever National Livestock and Poultry (NLP) month celebration on October 28, 2021 at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex in Dalwangan.

With the theme, “Paghahayupan, Kabuhayang may Ani at Kita kahit pandemiya,” the observance aims to laud the people continually contributing to the promotion and development of the livestock and poultry industry.

Leading the event are Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga and RTD for Research and Regulations Carmelita T. Bajarla, and Management Committee members of DA-10.

“This culmination signifies the importance of the livestock and poultry industry, considering that Region 10 is one of the top producing regions of livestock and poultry. By giving such importance, we can also extend the celebration to our private stakeholders,” DA-10 Livestock focal person Maria Lourdes M. Sypiecco conveyed.

The closing activity was filled with a string of contests such as tug of war, sack lifting, live weight estimates, chicken, itik, and pig catching.

Ahead of the culmination, a Virtual Barn Dance Competition, Country Song Competition, Longganisa Making Contest, demonstrations on Meat Processing and Artificial Insemination for Goat and Dehorning, and other NLP activities were also conducted.

These were participated by DA-10’s Field Operations, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Administrative and Finance, Regional Agricultural Engineering, Integrated Laboratory, Agribusiness, and Marketing Assistance, Regulatory and Research divisions, and the Office of the Regional Director.

Sypiecco added, that their participation is a manifestation of their commitment and passion towards contributing to the program and to the industry, as a whole.

Meanwhile, DA-10 RED Collado commended the program for its exemplary implementation of the agency’s livestock and poultry-related programs, projects, and interventions.

With the NLP month celebration, the department eyes to empower more livestock and poultry farmers, at the same time helping Northern Mindanao attain food security and sufficiency. #(RDElloren)