DA-10 meets with the B-SAFE team for potential areas of work to collaborate on for the further development of export commodities.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In consonance with the efforts to bolster agricultural productivity and the trade of safe, wholesome food and agricultural products, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) through OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, met recently with the Building Safe Agricultural Food Enterprises (B-SAFE) project team to determine potential areas for collaboration to develop export commodities.

With corn and coco sugar of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental, respectively, as the chosen export commodities, the body was apprised of DA’s implementing programs, projects, and interventions through its Corn program and its attached corporation, through the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), at the same time on B-SAFE project’s strides and deliverables to advance such commodities in said areas.

As the aggie department accords a range of support for a major corn-producing province such as Bukidnon, B-SAFE Private Sector Engagement Advisor Olegario Ayensa initially identified possible collaborative key areas to work on.

It includes their participation in the conduct of corn derbies and technology transfers to priority corn farmer-beneficiaries, in establishing certified Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) corn farms, and in developing a capabuild program for DA.

B-SAFE is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under its Food for Progress program, implemented by Winrock International. # (JLO)

The Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project 10 (DA-PRDP 10) together with the National Project Coordination Office (NPCO) and the Mindanao Project Support Office (PSO Mindanao) conducted an appraisal to subproject (SP) proposals for the province of Bukidnon on February 7-9, 2023.

DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director and Regional PCO-10 Project Director Carlene C. Collado, stressed that the activity is vital to enhance the local government units (LGUs) proposals.

Further, it ensures the completeness of the documents and readiness of the proponent for the Regional Project Advisory Board’s (RPAB) review and approval.

The team evaluated proposals for the completeness, consistency, and correctness of the documents. Additionally, site validations were conducted to determine the feasibility and viability of a project in an area.

The AA Abattoir and 2 Farm-to-Market Roads were subject to validation in the towns of Don Carlos and Lantapan, Bukidnon, respectively.

Specifically, it includes the Construction of a Double “A” Slaughterhouse with Cold Storage in Don Carlos; 6.516-kilometers (km) Concreting of FMR with Drainage at Balila Proper to Sitio Gahub to Purok 5 Kaatuan; and the 9.46-km Concreting of FMR w/ Drainage at Sitio Cacawon, Kulasihan to Purok 2 Kangay, Capitan Juan to Purok 4 to Purok 5 Katiguman to Purok 6 Pinamanguhan, Capitan Road with Drainage at Balila Proper to Sitio Gahub to Purok 5 Kaatuan of Lantapan.

Heading the activity was RPCO-10 IBUILD Component Head, Engr. Deliza T. Camaro and representatives from the region’s IBUILD, SES, and GGU.

Joining the RPCO team was NPCO’s Rural Infrastructure Engineer (RIE) Legario B. David and Economist Harry C. Omaña; PSO Mindanao’s Planning Officer Shiela May Ibasco, Economist Imma Requilme, and RIE Danessa N. Llagas. #

Agri 10 hands over the certificate of accreditation to BMMPC  of Pangantucan, Bukidnon.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) headed by OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado turned over the Certificate of Accreditation to the Bayanihan Millenium Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BMMPC) on February 10, 2023 at the agency compound, this city.

The certificate was handed over by DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations and Regional Technical Committee Chairperson for Accreditation of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Carlota S. Madriaga and received by BMMPC Treasurer Marel Rose L. Leones.

A Bukidnon-based cooperative, the BMMPC directs its enterprise and livelihood development efforts towards the coffee farmers and indigenous people in Pangantucan town.

Currently, it sells a wide range of products centered on its Robusta and Arabica coffee offerings through the Kape Napalit brand.

Leones said that their accreditation as an implementing and beneficiary civil society organization will help their cooperative to avail more services and assistance from the government in the future.

Further, he bared that BMMPC plans to secure assistance from DA-Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) to construct a centralized processing facility to expand its coffee processing operations.

Also present during the turnover were the head and member of the Regional Technical Secretariat, Assistant Chief Lourdes P. Rudinas and Project Evaluation Officer II Engr. Rona M. Quiao of the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division, respectively, and DA-10 Consultant Joel S. Rudinas.# (GDAndres)

DA-10 and PHilMech strengthen support to MisOr rice farmers thru the RPS II project.

BALINGASAG, MISAMIS ORIENTAL – The Department of Agriculture – Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech), Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental, and the First Community Cooperative (FICCO) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the implementation of the project entitled “Rice Processing System II” under the RCEF-Mechanization Program on February 8, 2023, in barangay San Isidro, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental.

The RPS II targets to serve around 500 hectares of rice area with a total project cost of around P61.7 million (M), consisting of 1 unit multistage rice mill worth P53.7-M with a milling input capacity of 2-3.5 tons per hour and 2 units recirculating dryer amounting to P8-M (12 tons per batch).

DA-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, said project is funded under the mechanization component of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), as provided under RA 11203, otherwise known as the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL).

The component aims to raise rice farmers’ productivity, profitability, and global competitiveness through strengthened access and use of appropriate production and postproduction mechanization technologies, he added.

In line with the development of a unified and integrated agriculture, DA regional field offices are tasked to issue a certificate that will officially recognize and authorize farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs) as eligible beneficiaries of the DA-RCEF program. # (RDMElloren)

Agri 10 provides MisOr rice farmers with cash aid thru its RFFA program.

The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) kicked off the 3rd Rice Farmers’ Financial Assistance (RFFA-3) for the province of Misamis Oriental, in Gingoog City, Tuesday, February 7.

Some 592 eligible rice farmers from the towns of Magsaysay and Medina, and Gingoog City received P5,000 cash aid during the RFFA distribution.

The RFFA has been rolled out by DA-RFO 10 since 2020. For its third-year implementation, the agency has allocated P15.5-M worth of financial aid to benefit more than 3K eligible rice farmers in Misamis Oriental.

According to DA-RFO 10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the RFFA is granted to RSBSA-registered smallholder rice farmers in Northern Mindanao tilling rice areas of not more than 2 hectares.

Being funded through the Rice Tarrification Law, he said the RFFA is intended to compensate for the plunging palay buying price, and increasing prices of farm inputs, particularly fertilizer.

Razel Amparo, RFFA recipient from the town of Medina and secretary of the Cabug Rice Farmers’ Association said the cash assistance from DA comes in handy for rice farmers like her in providing for their farming needs.

“Gamiton nako kining akong nadawat nga tabang para ipalit og abono ug tambal pang-ispray sa among basakan,” she said. (I will use the cash aid I received in buying fertilizer and chemicals for our rice field.)

The RFFA rollout in Misamis Oriental was graced by Gingoog City Mayor, Erick G. Cañosa along with local officials of the City and DA personnel from the Regional Rice Program and Misamis Oriental Provincial Operations Center.

The RFFA will be rolled out to 10 other municipalities and the cities of Cagayan de Oro and El Salvador on February 8-10.

The DA-RFO 10 has earlier capped the RFFA-3 distribution in the provinces of Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental benefitting 42,844 rice farmers. # (ATTalib)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Coast Guard (CG) district in Northern Mindanao led by CG Commodore Geronimo B. Tuvilla, paid a courtesy visit to the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) helmed by OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, to discuss border measurement against illegal agri product smuggling on February 9, 2023, at the agency compound, here in this city.

The meeting focused on the programs and potential collaborations between agencies, especially on the enforcement of intensive safeguarding and environmental protection along the borders in Northern Mindanao.

Also present in the event is DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operation Carlota S. Madriaga and RTD for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca, along with CG Commander Patrick John S. Cabasag, CG Lieutenant Commander Carina Dayondon and other CG personnel. #(RDMElloren)

 OneDA strengthens inter-agency cooperation in combatting agri products smuggling

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – DA-RFO 10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado discussed with Deputy Collector for Administration, Bureau of Customs Collection District X, Atty. Roswald Joseph Pague in strengthening the inter-agency efforts in curtailing the smuggling of agri products in Northern Mindanao during a brief meeting with CIDG and DA-BPI on February 8.

The DA-Bureau of Plant Industry emphasizes its measures in ensuring consumer safety in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 10611 or the “Food Safety Act of 2013 and other applicable laws.”

In attendance are DA-Bureau of Plant Industry-Plant Quarantine Service Cagayan de Oro, OIC-Manager Arnold dela Cruz and Over-all Operations Asst. Manuel Barradas and DA-BPI SPAL Region 10 OIC Sherlita Olifernes and CIDG Misamis Oriental/Camiguin Prov. Field Unit. (ATC)

DA-10 strengthens coordination with other agencies to fight agri products smuggling.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – DA-RFO 10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado discussed with Deputy Collector for Administration, Bureau of Customs Collection District X, Atty. Roswald Joseph Pague in strengthening the inter-agency efforts in curtailing the smuggling of agri products in Northern Mindanao during a brief meeting with CIDG and DA-BPI on February 8.

The DA-Bureau of Plant Industry emphasizes its measures in ensuring consumer safety in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 10611 or the “Food Safety Act of 2013 and other applicable laws.”

In attendance are DA-Bureau of Plant Industry-Plant Quarantine Service Cagayan de Oro, OIC-Manager Arnold dela Cruz and Over-all Operations Asst. Manuel Barradas and DA-BPI SPAL Region 10 OIC Sherlita Olifernes and CIDG Misamis Oriental/Camiguin Prov. Field Unit. (ATC)

The aggie department is recognized as a staunch partner of the government on drug demand reduction.

EL SALVADOR CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) under the leadership of OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado recently received recognition for its support to the national government’s efforts on drug demand reduction during the Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) Rollout and Caravan on Monday, February 6, 2023, this city.

The BIDA campaign is a nationwide anti-illegal drugs advocacy spearheaded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in cooperation with the Philippine National Police’s revitalized Kapulisan, Simbahan, at Pamayanan (KASIMBAYANAN) program which involves local government units, national government agencies, and other key sectors of society in efforts towards drug demand reduction and rehabilitation.

During the event, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga received the Certificate of Appreciation from DILG Secretary Atty. Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr., who in his keynote speech, enjoined members of the government and the private sector to continuously participate in this ‘whole-of-nation’ approach against the proliferation of drug-related cases in the country.

RTD Madriaga also participated in the signing of the Pledge of Commitment, signifying the agency’s support for the said advocacy.

In support of the BIDA caravan, DA-10’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division also held a Kadiwa exhibit where a variety of agri-fishery products from exhibitors Miarayon Highland Farmers Association, Northern Mindanao Federation of Dairy Cooperatives, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 10 were sold at competitive prices.

These products included vegetables, dairy and fish products.# (GDAndres)

Agri 10 turns over assorted veggie seeds to PNP-RPSB.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — In its continued efforts to strengthen the agency’s provision of seed assistance, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) headed by OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, turned over 50 packets of assorted vegetable seeds to the Philippine National Police (PNP) through its Revitalized Pulis sa Barangay (RPSB) program on February 2, 2023.

Leading the handover of said farm inputs is DA-10 OIC-Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca with Field Operations Division chief Luz I. Guzman, PhD, in the presence of High-Value Crops Development Program focal person Kersten S. Pagalan to PSSG Rommel Jerson C Amor on behalf of Police Captain Raul W Gorra.

Said provisions will be distributed to the participating farmers in the conduct of the police personnel’s livelihood seminar in barangay Besigan which aims to help gain the trust and support of communities. # (RLTolentino)