DA-10 through its AMAD urges local farmers and agribusinesses to comply with food safety regulations.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), staged an awareness seminar on food safety and regulations on August 15, at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC), in this city.

During which, the agency apprised almost 50 local farmers, agri-enterprises from the provinces of Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and Lanao del Norte on key concepts and relevant laws on food safety.

On behalf of DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, AMAD Assistant Division chief Ferdinand F. Caraballe emphasized its importance for local stakeholders engaged in the production of agricultural commodities and food products.

“[The DA] conducts this seminar annually because we handle food, and therefore it is our commitment to our consumers that what we deliver is safe and free from foodborne diseases,” Caraballe said.

Through Republic Act No. 10611, otherwise known as the ‘Food Safety Act of 2013’, the DA and its attached regulatory agencies, bureaus and corporations are identified as food safety regulatory agencies (FSRAs) responsible for the implementation of laws, standards, and programs on food safety in the primary production and post-harvest stages of the food supply chain.

Said regulatory agencies include the Bureau of Animal Industry, National Meat Inspection Service, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Bureau of Plant Industry, Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority, Philippine Coconut Authority, Sugar Regulatory Administration, and the National Dairy Authority.

Underscoring the role of the local government in the implementation of food safety laws, Andrew M. Calimutan of the Office of the DA Assistant Secretary for Policy and Regulations said that the Department, through the aforementioned regulatory agencies, continues to engage and assist LGUs in the formulation of local ordinances on food safety.

Further, he said that the agency is presently revisiting its regulatory policies to ensure that they are retrofitted to current industry and trade standards, and remain in service to consumer and food safety interests.

Under RA 10611, DA conducts trainings for local producers and food business operators on food safety to ensure their compliance with industry standards, including the Code of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Code of Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP), and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP).

Market Specialist IV Irish O. Ativo from the DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service said that these standards and compliance certifications provide a competitive advantage for food business operators, as it allows for market expansion and builds consumer trust and confidence in their products.

During the session, the farmers were also kept abreast of practical food handling practices for agricultural produce, salient information on the Participatory Guarantee System, and a comprehensive review of the activities and services offered by the Food Safety Operations Unit of the BPI-Plant Product Safety Services Division.

They were also briefed on the strategies for marketing GAP-certified products through the Department’s KADIWA marketing program.

In closing, Caraballe urged the participants to apply their learnings gained throughout the session in their respective enterprises and agricultural production, highlighting its implications in building public trust, consumer safety, and food quality and nutrition.

The said activity is in line with the Department’s refined thrusts toward a ‘Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas’ under the leadership of Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. and President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.# (GDA)

DA-10 supports the nutrition initiative of an association and CdeO City government through the provision of veggie seeds for distribution.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To strengthen its efforts of promoting vegetable production and consumption, at the same time a healthier lifestyle, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) helmed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, provides assorted vegetable seeds to its nutrition partners in the region.

On August 13 at the agency compound, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga together with Engr. Reggie T. Vivas, regional nutrition focal person, turned over 100 packets apiece of Chopsuey, Pinakbet and Sinigang variants of veggie seeds to Gemma Pearl I. Gallasa, nutritionist/dietician of the CdeO City Health Department.

Aligned with the department’s goal of expanding and improving available agricultural areas for increased production and in support to the hunger and mitigation initiatives of the government, Gallasa bared that said provisions will be distributed among the participants in an upcoming Nutrition forum, to be held in Manolo Fortich town.

The event, she added, is spearheaded by the District/City Nutrition Program Coordinators Association of the Philippines, Inc., Region 10 in partnership with CdeO City, of which is expected to draw attendance of some 500 pregnant and lactating mothers, and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS).

“We thank the DA for always supporting our nutrition programs [through the provision of seeds]. This would serve as a big help to our beneficiaries, especially those in the urban areas.

We also hope that they [pregnant and lactating mothers, and BNS] will maximize such for their own food production activities, enabling them to have a steady supply of nutritious vegetables while generating some savings,” the nutritionist/dietician remarked.

Further, said agri inputs is funded under the continuing funds for FY 2023 of the agency’s National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP).# (JLO)

PCAF eyes in strengthening its monitoring activities on the operation of accredited suppliers of NAMDAC.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fishery (PCAF) is set to monitor the operation of accredited suppliers of the National Agricultural and Fisheries Machinery Assemblers, Manufacturers, Importers, Distributors and Dealers Accreditation and Classification (NAMDAC) from August 13-16 in Northern Mindanao.

During a courtesy visit on August 13, Engr. Mara Segreid C. Bustos of the PCAF Policy Development and Coordination Division discussed the monitoring initiative with Carlota S. Madriaga, Regional Technical Director for Operations of DA-10.

The visit also highlighted to conduct and facilitate pre-accreditation validation for non-accredited agricultural and fishery machinery and equipment suppliers in Region 10, aiming to encourage them to seek accreditation.

Bustos emphasized that the initiative is designed to enhance the industry’s capability and ensure that stakeholders receive high-quality products and services.

In Region 10, PCAF collaborates closely with DA-10’s Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) to monitor the status of all accredited and classified suppliers throughout the five-year validity of their NAMDAC Certificate of Accreditation.

The activity includes inspecting operations and after-sales services provided by these suppliers.

Said effort aligns with Section 22 of Republic Act 10601, otherwise known as the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech) Law, and is supported by Department Circular No. 17, Series of 2018, which outlines the “Guidelines for Classification and Accreditation of Agricultural and Fisheries Machinery Assemblers, Manufacturers, Importers, Distributors, and Dealers.”

The guidelines aim to curb the proliferation of unreliable suppliers and serve as a reference for procuring agricultural and fisheries machinery and equipment within the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Through RA 10601, PCAF is mandated to formulate a results-based monitoring and evaluation system for the implementation of the AFMech Law, including the National Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Program (NAFMP), and serve as an external monitoring body to the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering.#(ATC)

Agri-10 together with the DA-IAS hold an internal audit on the implementation of the INSPIRE program in Region 10.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) in coordination with the DA-Internal Audit Service (DA-IAS) hold an internal audit on the implementation of the Integrated National Swine Production Initiative for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) Program in Northern Mindanao.
The audit which commenced on August 5 will include site visit to 11 INSPIRE clustering and sentinelling projects across the region, to assess the present operational conditions of said interventions.

The project sites include those in Sinacaban and Clarin towns in Misamis Occidental; Kolambugan town and Iligan City in Lanao del Norte; Initao, Lugait, and Balingoan towns in Misamis Oriental; Mahinog and Mambajao towns in Camiguin; and Pangantucan and Kitaotao towns in Bukidnon.

According to DA-IAS Director Ernesto C. Enriquez, the audit conference aims to evaluate the degree of compliance of concerned DA-attached agencies and offices with relevant laws, rules and regulations, and other issuances in the implementation of the INSPIRE Program, and assess whether internal controls are well designed and properly enforced.

Further, Director Enriquez said that the undertaking seeks to generate and recommend realistic courses of action to the Secretary, based on the findings and observations of the INSPIRE projects in the region.

During the exit conference slated on September, DA-IAS will be presenting its findings and observations, and make appropriate recommendations for the DA-10, as well as to the Office of the Secretary.

Among the key figures present during the initial meeting was DA National Livestock Program Deputy Program Director Alvin Paul J. Dirain.

The DA-10 management committee was led by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan and Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga; Administrative and Finance Division chief Patrick Ian F. Pedarse; Field Operations Division chief Luz I. Guzman, PhD; Provincial Operations Center – Bukidnon chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM and POC Misamis Occidental officer-in-charge May Shell E. Tumilap, PhD; and Livestock Program regional focal person Jamaica L. Docdoc.

DA-Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 10 (ATI-10) Center Director Ma. Lydia A. Echavez and OIC-Assistant Center Director Noemi Beth G. Macario were also present, representing the DA’s training arm and co-implementer of the INSPIRE program through the Swine Artificial Insemination sa Barangay (SWAIB) and 30 Sow Breeder based project.

The INSPIRE program was implemented by the DA as means to institute calibrated hog recovery and repopulation program in response to the ASF repercussions on the country’s swine industry.# (GDA)

DA aims to strengthen the enforcement of the animal welfare law through capacitating animal welfare enforcement officers.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — To strengthen the enforcement of animal welfare law in Northern Mindanao, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) helmed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan in collaboration with the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) conducted a three-day capability training for Animal Welfare Enforcement Officers (AWEOs) on July 19 to August 2, in this city.

The training aims to capacitate the Philippine National Police workforce, and personnel of the Cagayan de Oro (CDO) City and El Salvador City veterinary offices, and the CDO Animal Welfare Society, Inc. to effectively enforce the R.A. 8485, also known as the “Animal Welfare Act of 1998”.

In her message, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, Cora A. Dumayaca encouraged the participants to take active role in strengthening the implementation of their respective office’s regulatory functions, emphasizing the importance of local government units and non-government organizations’ commitment with respect to the enforcement of the animal welfare law.

Marie Shella G. Orinario, DVM, Veterinarian III of the BAI Animal Health and Welfare Division, discussed the salient features of the Act and its revised implementing rules and regulations, emphasizing the need to understand current animal welfare challenges to drive meaningful changes in enforcement practices.

Stressing practical implications of the law, BAI OIC Chief of the Animal Feeds and Veterinary Drugs Control Division Norman B. Tan underscored the critical role of animal welfare in food safety, public health, and disease outbreak prevention.

In said training participants were apprised on the roles of the LGUs under the Act, basic inquest and prosecution procedures, welfare ethics, and hands-on workshops to reinforce the AWEOs knowledge in handling animal cruelty cases.

Upon completion of the training, the participants will be endorsed by the DA-10 Regulatory Division for formal deputation as AWEOs by the PNP Director.

This collaborative undertaking is aligned with the DA’s commitment to uphold public awareness and cooperation with key stakeholders in marking the agency’s commitment for animal welfare advocacy. # (BJCE)

DA-10 provides an assortment of veggie seeds to the agriculture office of CdeO City in support of their urban gardening initiative.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In a move to strengthen food security and promote sustainable urban agriculture, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) handed over an assortment of vegetable seeds to the Agricultural Productivity Operations Office (APOO) of Cagayan de Oro, here on August 2.

A total of 110 5-in-1 value packets of sinigang seeds, containing radish, tomato, okra, pole sitao, and kangkong, were officially turned over by DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca to APOO Department Head Paterno L. Gonzales, Jr.

According to Gonzales, the seeds will be distributed to beneficiaries of the Urban Container Household Gardening (UCHG) initiative and different Farmer’s Associations, including the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

“This contribution from the DA is a significant boost for households and associations keen on gardening, ensuring affordable and nutritious foods are within reach,” he said.

Through the coordinated effort of the department and its partners, the DA aims to enhance food security and self-sufficiency in local communities through practical agricultural production methods such as home gardening. # (BJCE)

Kibawe town of Bukidnon is seen to further develop the swine industry of the locality through DA’s INSPIRE program.

KIBAWE, BUKIDNON — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) turned over a biosecure swine facility and supplemental agricultural interventions, worth over P4.4-million (M) to the Local Government of Kibawe, Bukidnon on July 26, in Barangay Labuagon, this town.

Funded under the agency’s FY 2022 Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) program, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan turned over the said facility amounting to more than P4-M to Kibawe mayor Reynaldo S. Ang Rabanes, and finally to the LASWIMBA Multipurpose Cooperative through chairperson Haide M. Taray.

Spanning a total area of 291.4 square meters, the climate-controlled biosecured facility houses 16 pigpens, each equipped with a self-feeder and watering mechanisms, and is able to accommodate some 240 pigs. Said facility also features end-to-end industrial exhaust fans for optimal airflow and waste management features.

Under the said program, DA-10 has also allocated PhP299,590 for a package of drugs and biologics, as well as P136,000 for two hog scales.

According to RED Pacamalan, the infrastructure cements the agency’s commitment to boost agricultural productivity in the region, to ensure increased income for local farmers and meet the demands of food security, outlined in the 9-point policy agenda of the Department under the leadership of DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr.

Citing agricultural development as a paramount consideration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., as evidenced in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 22, RED Pacamalan also said that DA-10 will refine its efforts to collaborate with the local government units here, and introduce a digitized reporting of real-time, on-the-ground information, to aid its strategic delivery of services and interventions to farmer-groups in the province and the whole of Northern Mindanao.

Mayor Rabanes also conveyed his thanks to the agency and assured the town’s commitment to make full use of the facility in boosting local swine production.

“[We are challenged] to make full use of this facility that we have received from the DA, to prove how greatly beneficial it will be for our town. For ourselves, especially the recipient FCA, we are excited to deliver great results from this and for [the DA] to witness the development of our swine production,” the local chief executive said.

Further, the LASWIMBA Multipurpose Cooperative through Chairperson Taray has also cited the project’s impact on the livelihood of their cooperative’s farmer-members.

“We see that this project will help generate jobs for our farmer-members, especially our hog farmers, and the rest of the people in Kibawe. The project opens up opportunities to engage in pig farming, and ensures that there is employment and income to be made through this,” chairperson Taray said.

As part of the INSPIRE package intervention, DA has allocated and committed to the provision of breeder swine and swine feeds in the coming months to further operationalize the said facility.

Present in support of the event were Kibawe Municipal Vice-mayor Raymundo A. Batao, Jr., DPA; Municipal Agriculturist Remedios R. Tonacao; Sangguniang Bayan Committee on Agriculture and Cooperatives member Ronan R. Madelo; and Punong Barangay Danilo S. Dausin.

From the DA, Field Operations Division chief Luz I. Guzman, PhD; Provincial Operations Center – Bukidnon chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM; and Livestock Program focal person Jamaica L. Docdoc also supported the event.# (GDA)

DA-10 spearheads the conduct of an InfoCar, at the same time highlighting discussions on soil health.

Mambajao, Camiguin – Consistent with its effort in upholding sustainable agricultural development in the region, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) rallied soil health promotion in Camiguin province during its Information Caravan on July 25.

Such a cause is consistent with the provincial government’s effort in boosting the island province’s agriculture sector through organic farming in light of the organic agriculture ordinance recently passed by the province.

In his message, Governor Xavier Jesus D. Romualdo stressed his administration’s vision in making Camiguin a self-sustaining province capable of producing sufficient and safe food for its residents.

“One way [to boost the agriculture sector] is by going organic. If we refrain from using chemical, synthetic fertilizer, soil health will never be an issue,” he said, emphasizing the benefits of organic products to human health as well as the economic premium in producing such products.

Citing the DA and the provincial government’s combined support, the governor also urged Camiguin farmers to expand the production of livestock commodities such as eggs, chicken, cattle and goat in the island.

As part of the caravan, farmer-leaders and personnel of the municipal and provincial agriculture offices were apprised on the regional soil laboratory services of the DA-10 as well as practical soil nutrient management methodologies for optimal crops production.

The farmers were also briefed on the adverse effects of La Niña and appropriate mitigating measures against La Niña-related animal and crop diseases.

Similarly, the farmers were kept abreast with the Philippine Crop Insurance, Corp. (PCIC) insurance programs, Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) program.

Primarily, the Information Caravan is an interactive information drive for the DA-10 to update the farmers of the various programs and projects of the DA, and consolidate farmers’ feedback and issues and concerns from the ground for appropriate abetting measures.

The undertaking is also an avenue for the DA-10 to advocate digital agriculture system while campaigning for active youth involvement in the agriculture sector in the five provinces of Northern Mindanao.# (ATT)

Agri-10 headed by RED Pacamalan leads the RFFA distribution caravan in Misamis Occidental. to aid rice farmers.

Tangub City – Not less than 1,687 rice farmers in Misamis Occidental received a total of Php8.435-million in cash assistance from the DA-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) on July 28, during the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) Distribution Caravan, here.

As provided under the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), the said farmers are among the 5,214 smallholding rice farmers in the province who are eligible to receive the RFFA this year.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan stressed that the financial aid is consistent with President Marcos’ directive to cascade government’s assistance to the farmers. He said apart from RFFA, the farmers will also be provided fuel assistance to augment their farming needs.

He said such interventions were provided to relieve the farmers of out-of-pocket burden, enabling them to minimize production cost and increase crops yield.

Governor Henry S. Oaminal upheld the DA-10 and the provincial government’s collaboration for optimized assistance to farmers in Misamis Occidental.

Under his administration, the provincial government augmented the fertilizer subsidy provided by the DA-10, and is set to roll out another P5k financial aid to qualified rice farmers as part of the effort to further boost the province’s rice production.

He disclosed in the last harvest season, Misamis Occidental was able surpass the national rice average yield of 4.17 metric tons per hectare with an overall rice average yield of 5.3 metric tons per hectare, stressing the impact of government support to the farmers in the province.

The RFFA is provided to smallholding rice farmers tilling rice area not more than two hectares, and duly registered with the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).

Pursuant to the RTL, excess tariff collected from imported rice shall be granted to rice farmers in the form of RFFA until 2025.#

Agri-10 convenes key stakeholders to advance the TBI program.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) convened key stakeholders on Monday, July 22 for a round table discussion aimed at accelerating the development of its Technology Business Incubation (TBI) program.

The event marked a pivotal step forward in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among local farmers and farming communities.

The TBI initiative, funded by the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) and currently in Phase 2, focuses on equipping incubators with essential capabilities and identifying potential incubatees within the region.

Spearheading the discussion, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, Cora A. Dumayaca underscored the program’s potential to empower small-scale farmers and Farmers’ Cooperatives, Associations (FCAs) as thriving entrepreneurs.

“We believe that the TBI can catalyze economic growth among our agricultural stakeholders,” stated Dir. Dumayaca, emphasizing the role of entrepreneurship in sustainable development.

Joining the discussion, Department of Science and Technology-10 (DOST-10) Regional Director Romela N. Ratilla expressed optimism about the collaboration.

She highlighted the success stories of entrepreneurs supported by DOST-10, envisioning similar achievements through the incubation process for FCAs.

The discussion also showcased best practices from existing TBIs and startup enablers across Region 10, aimed at bolstering DA-RFO 10’s capacity to support local agribusiness ventures.

The event drew participation from key figures, including presidents Rolito Eballe of Central Mindanao University (CMU) and Ambrosio Cultura of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP), as well as officials from DOST-10, the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC), Department of Trade and Industry-10 (DTI-10), Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center X (ATI-10), First Community Cooperative (FICCO), and CDO BITES (Business Incubation Technology Entrepreneurships and Startups).

DA-RFO 10 remains committed to nurturing a culture of innovation and enterprise in agriculture, guided by collaborative efforts aimed at realizing the full potential of the TBI program through DA-10’s Research Division.#(ATC)