DA-10 extends cash subsidies through its RCEF-RFFA program to about 653 rice farmers from MisOr and CdeO City.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – About 653 rice farmers from Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City received cash subsidies under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund – Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RCEF-RFFA) from the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 on December 13, 2021, in this city.

In partnership with Universal Storefront Services, Corp., each rice farmer from the municipalities of Alubijid, Initao, Manticao, Naawan, and Villanueva, and the cities of El Salvador and Cagayan de Oro, received cash assistance of P5,000.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado emphasized that the said farmer-beneficiaries till rice areas of two hectares and below and are enrolled in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).

Misamis Oriental including Cagayan de Oro City has a total of 2,322 eligible rice farmers.

Also gracing said cash distributions is DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga with Rice Program Focal Person Chona H. Nacalaban, and CdeO Mayor Oscar S. Moreno. # (AMBManto)

DA-10 receives ASF equipment and supplies from BAI to boost region 10’s diagnostic capabilities.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) received African Swine Fever (ASF) equipment and supplies from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) for the development of its Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL).

Comprising the said items are one unit Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) machine, one box equipment accessories, one unit desktop, one unit monitor, one kit 7500 Chemical Install Kit and three kits Agpath through the National ASF Prevention and Control Program (NASFPCP).

DA-10 Integrated Laboratories Division Chief, Dr. Alanita A. Jumalon, emphasized that the equipment and test kits will be used to further enhance the diagnostic capability of the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL) on the detection of ASF, which will be beneficial in safeguarding the region against the threat of ASF.

DA-10 through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado has been intensifying its disease response against ASF as some areas in Northern Mindanao were affected with the said virus and to prevent its entry in the green zones of the region. #(RDElloren & MPTablon)

DA-10 through its SAAD program hands over agri inputs and equipment to FAs in Kalilangan, Bukidnon with the aim of increasing productivity and reducing poverty among poor communities in the agri-fishery sector.

KALILANGAN, BUKIDNON – Three farmer associations (FA) of Kalilangan, Bukidnon received agricultural inputs and equipment from the Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao through its Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado turned over the said agri assistance worth over P1 million on Monday, December 13, 2021 in Kalilangan, Bukidnon.

The Kinura SAAD FA received 1 unit mechanical corn sheller while the Bangbang SAAD FA and the Malinao Imbariz Pud-ong FA, Inc. (MAIMPU) each received 1 unit mobile corn mill.

The agri inputs comprising of 326 packs open-pollinated variety (OPV) 5 in 1 vegetable seeds and 74 bags complete fertilizer will benefit around 166 farmer-beneficiaries of the said town.

“Maraming magsasaka na nagtatanim ng mais ang makabenepisyo dito sa natanggap naming mobile corn mill. Dahil mobile ito, mas maserbisyohan namin ang aming mga miyembro na nasa iba’t-ibang sitio,” shared Eduardo G. Hubayan, president of MAIMPU farmers association.

Director Collado emphasized that the agri assistance is in support of the thrust of the department to increase productivity and reduce poverty among the marginalized sectors in agriculture and fishery.#(ATC with reports from RDElloren)

KALILANGAN, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao is pushing for increased rice production and sufficiency through cluster hybrid rice techno demo in Kalilangan, Bukidnon.

“With this activity, the farmers will have the options to use hybrid rice varieties that will suit their areas. They will also learn new technologies to adopt, based on the practices of the different seed companies,” said DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado during the official launching of the activity on Monday, December 13.

The different hybrid rice varieties will be showcased in a consolidated 8.6 hectares of the Gamay-gamay Communal Irrigators Association (GCIA) in barangay Pamotolon of the said town.

Aside from the use of high-yielding varieties, Dir. Collado added that the cluster rice farm will demonstrate irrigation technology, use of machinery, and pest/disease and nutrient management.

Dir. Collado bared that the agency will allocate around 45-50 thousand bags of hybrid rice seeds for Bukidnon in 2022 to bolster local rice production.

It is also a quick response measure that addresses food security amidst the pandemic, focuses to intensify campaign for the adoption of hybrid rice technology among local farmers.

He also urged the LGU to facilitate and organize other small rice farmers to avail DA-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PhilMech) farm machinery under the Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund (RCEF).

Meanwhile, Kalilangan Municipal Agriculturist, Teresita F. Buhi-an said that the techno demo will motivate the farmers to plant the hybrid rice varieties adopting the recent technologies.

Eleven participating seed companies include SL Agritech, Corp., Seed Works, RAMGO International, Corp., LongPing, Leads Agri, Green and Grow, Inc., Davao Oriental Seed Producers Cooperative, Corteva Agriscience, Bioseed, Bayer, and AmTrac.

The activity was in partnership with the LGU Kalilangan through Mayor Omaradji C. Pizarro, Municipal Agriculture Office and the farmer associations.# (EMBentulan)

DA-10 through the RCEF-RFFA releases cash subsidy to around 357 rice farmers in Claveria, MisOr.

CLAVERIA, MISAMIS ORIENTAL – Around 357 rice farmers of Claveria, Misamis Oriental received its financial assistance through the Department of Agriculture’s Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund – Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RCEF-RFFA) program on December 10, 2021.

DA-10 through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado has released a total amount of P1.8 million to the farmer-beneficiaries from the town’s 19 barangays who were enrolled in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) with landholdings of two hectares and below.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga led the distribution of the Intervention Monitoring Card (IMC) that will serve as identification and cash cards of the farmer-beneficiaries.

“Malaking tulong sa aming sakahan ang natangap kong pera para sa abono at binhi,” shared Arlene P. Adina of barangay Punong.

Claveria is a landlocked municipality in the province of Misamis Oriental with an estimated area of 420 hectares for rice farmlands.

Supporting RTD Madriaga during the distribution were DA-10 Provincial Operations Center Chief of Misamis Oriental, Chona H. Nacalaban with the PLGU MisOr and MLGU of said town.#(RDElloren)

DA-10 through its RCUD facilitates the training on mushroom production for FRs in Quezon, Bukidnon.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In support to the Executive Order No. 70 or to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC), the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 Special Area for Agriculture Development (DA-10 SAAD) program headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, administered a Mushroom Spawn Production Training on December 2-3, 2021 in Lumintao, Quezon, Bukidnon.

Seventeen SAAD beneficiaries from Lumintao Farmers and Workers Association and Minongan Farmers Organization attended the said training which was facilitated by the department’s Research Center for Upland Development (RCUD).

The two associations are composed of former rebels of Quezon, who are currently aided by the 3rd Infantry Battalion (3IB) of the Philippine Army, headed by Lt Col Juvenal Mark T Tayamen.

With the concerted efforts of DA-10 SAAD and 3IB, the beneficiaries are now capable of producing their own Oyster mushroom spawns (Pleurotus ostreatus), which is a good source of income.

Through the said livelihood training, former rebels can be more productive members in their communities. #(DA-10 SAAD)

DA-10 taps select representatives from FCAs and LGUs for a potential market for yellow corn thru Cargill.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Select farmer’s cooperatives and associations (FCAs) producing yellow corn from the provinces of Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, and Misamis Occidental of Region 10 with their respective local government units (LGUs) met on December 9, 2021, via online for a likely partnership with Cargill Philippines, Inc.

With a shared vision of helping farmers prosper by linking corn growers to a market, the said company has sought aid from the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado in finding potential suppliers to deliver yellow corn to their feed mill located in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.

Cargill has a business scope portfolio that includes poultry products, grain and oilseeds, feed and beverage ingredients, and animal nutrition, of which for the latter, they manufacture premix solutions to primarily serve medium to large livestock farms and feed millers.

The company led by John Jason Rosales, risk management and sourcing director; and merchants Randy Enderes (Luzon and Visayas) and Jesiel Rita Salazar (Mindanao), bared Cargill’s purchase process, quality acceptance parameters, payment process, among others.

DA-10 through its Corn program focal person Richan D. Lacanaria presented the list of probable FCAs duly endorsed by the different provincial governments that could meet the company’s demand.

With the local governments serving as partners of the agency at the grassroots level, he further urged the participating representatives to re-echo such development to farmer-leaders that an additional market option for their yellow corn is at hand. # (JLO)

DA-10 personnel undergo a training on emergency preparedness and disaster and risk reduction management to proactively respond to unprecedented emergency cases in their households and workplace.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A total of 50 employees of the Department of Agriculture – Region 10 underwent a three-day Emergency Preparedness and Disaster and Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Training in Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City.

The training aims to capacitate the agency’s employees to proactively respond to unprecedented emergency cases in their households and workplace, especially noting the aggravating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the event of natural and human-induced hazards.

Cheryl T. Namoc, Civil Defense Officer II of the Office of the Civil Defense – Region 10, emphasized that as the pandemic remains a threat to public health and safety these days, an organization’s DRRM Program must have “new normal” features.

“With this pandemic the thematic areas of the National DRRM – disaster prevention and mitigation, disaster preparedness, disaster response, and, rehabilitation and recovery must be carried out in conformance to new normal standards,” Namoc accounted.

She also purported that an organization must be able to organize and activate its own Disaster Coordinating Group (DCG) to effectively mitigate disaster occurrence.

Osin A. Sinsuat, Jr., Chief Geologist of the Mines and Geoscience Bureau –Region 10 apprised the participants on Basic Information on Geologic Hazards.

For their part, SINSP Arnold P. Lagbas, Chief of Fire Safety Enforcement Divison of the Bureau of Fire Protection – Region 10, and Mr. Jeffrey S. Perez, Supervising Science Research Specialist/Geologist of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) oriented the employees on Fire and Earthquake Safety at Home and in the Workplace during the training.

DA-RFO 10 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga said the agency annually conducts emergency preparedness training for its employees to keep them abreast with recent DRRM guidelines and updates, as it is crucial in capacitating the employees to be prepared responders in times of emergency.

“With this training we wanted the DA staff to be disaster-resilient so that in times of emergency, they can protect themselves and their family while being able to continuously serve the region’s farming communities,” Director Madriaga said.

Actual safety drills were also conducted to gauge the DA staff’s ability to reasonably respond to emergency instances.

The 3-day training capitulated with a workshop on Home and Workplace Risk Assessment.

Through which, participants identified appropriate measures to mitigate potential hazards in their household and workplace, making use of the safety knowledge and skills acquired in the training.#(ATalib)

DA-NorMin extends cash subsidy to rice farmers in Mahinog, Camiguin.

MAHINOG, CAMIGUIN – The Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) conducted its second leg of distribution of cash subsidy under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund – Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RCEF-RFFA) program in Mahinog, Camiguin on Tuesday, December 7.

In partnership with the Development Bank of the Philippines and the Universal Storefront Services, Corp., a total of 208 qualified rice farmers with landholdings of two hectares and below, in Mahinog town received P5k each through DA’s RFFA program totaling P1.04 million.

Mahinog town bears the biggest rice farm areas in said province with 281 hectares.

Nestor T. Tabamo, president of the Mahinog Irrigation Service Association said, the cash assistance will help him and his fellow farmers, especially for the payment of their hired workers and rentals of their farm machinery.

Camiguin Provincial Operations Center Chief of DA-10, Chona H. Nacalaban led the distribution of the said cash subsidy and the Interventions Monitoring Card (IMC) that will serve as their identification card and a cash card for farmers’ access to possible future government interventions.

The DA-10 through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado has scheduled the distribution of RCEF-RFFA to the farmers in other provinces of the region.# (EMBentulan)

DA-10 recognizes its retirees for their commendable contributions in developing the agri sector in R-10 while serving the agency.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) honored 12 retired employees this year on Thursday, December 9, in Cugman, this City.

With the theme Brighter 2022, this year’s Salamat, Mabuhay: Tribute to the Retirees is symbolic of the agency’s resilience amid the pandemic, continuing its legacy in serving the region’s farmers, as the senior employees passed down the torch to the agency’s youngblood.

The event was staged to chronicle the retirees’ commendable contributions to the agency’s effort in scaling up the region’s agriculture sector, all throughout their stint in serving the DA.

The occasion also recognizes the retirees’ exemplary leadership and dedication to their chosen profession, being public servants.

In his message DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director, Carlene C. Collado, commended the retirees’ admirable devotion to their service to the agency.

“Our dear retirees, your contributions are nothing less than a mark of passion, perseverance, and dedication. We are proud to have worked with you, and we value your hard work, extensive knowledge, and invaluable experience,” he said.

He added that they have nurtured and developed their subordinates who in turn, will be the next prime movers of the Department of Agriculture.

“You may have retired from this office, but you will never get retired from our hearts” he remarked.

Meanwhile, DA-RFO 10 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Director Carlota S. Madriaga credited the agency’s success in recent years to the retirees.

“As we give tribute to our retirees today, I am calling everyone to look up to them, and emulate their good practices as we continually strive to attain excellence in our service,” Director Madriaga said.

She also expressed her good wishes to the retirees and reminded them to be cautious of their health especially given the state of the pandemic.

For her part, Director Carmelita Bajarla, DA-RFO 10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations said the retirees’ hard work has rewarded them well, as they endured the difficulties encountered in the early years of their career.

She accounted that the retirees’ legacy will live on in the agency.

“You have worked hard to improve the public service of the DA. The legacy of your work is embedded in the DA-10 now, through the younger generations in the office,” she concluded.

This year’s retirees are:

1. Lester A. Jaducana, Chief Administrative Officer
2. Chedy V. Ansale, Chief Agriculturist
3. Juliet B. Araos, Chief Agriculturist
4. Pedro U. Bergado, Jr., Chief Engineer
5. Ma. Teresa B. Roa, Chief Agriculturist
6. Nilda B. Salas, Agricultural Center Chief II
7. Gloria L. Betonio, Senior Science Research Specialist
8. Victoria A. Cabornay, Science Research Specialist II
9. Jane S. Zamora, Farm Superintendent II
10. Edna R. Uba, Agriculturist I
11. Romeo P. Busangilan, Administrative Assistant III
12. Salvacion P. Villamil, Farm Worker II

The retirees received Plaque of Appreciation, souvenir gold chain and pendant, token and gifts from the DA-RFO 10 and the Department of Agriculture Employees Association (DAEA).#(ATalib)