The Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund – Provincial Program Coordinating Team (RCEF-PPCT), in the province of Misamis Oriental thru the Department of Agriculture’s Provincial Operations Center, held a meeting earlier today, March 5, 2020 in Cagayan de Oro City.

DA-RFO 10 OIC-RED Carlene C. Collado underscored the need to assess the extent of program implementation of the concerned respective DA attached agencies.

As agreed, the team will harmonize their strategies and strengthen their coordination, to avoid duplication of assistance to the rice farmer-beneficiaries.# (MGBS)

In response to the national directives to address pressing issues relating to African Swine Fever (ASF), the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 convened Thursday, March 5, 2020 all provincial and city veterinarians in Northern Mindanao for a briefing and consultative meeting on the implementation of Executive Order (EO) No. 105 and Administrative Order (AO) No. 22.

The meeting primarily aims to streamline DA and local government units’ effort to contain ASF from infesting Northern Mindanao provinces by implementing common anti-ASF legal grounds.

DA is pushing for the enforcement of AO 22 to establish National Zoning and Movement Plan for ASF, and EO 105 – a directive creating the National Task Force for the Prevention of Animal-Borne Diseases.

Both legal orders are crafted as stop-gap measure to the spreading of animal-borne diseases in the country at the national level.

Noting some contradicting provisions between AO 22 and EO 105 with that of the local executive orders issued by local chief executives, DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director, Carlene C. Collado encouraged government veterinarians to endorse the national orders to the Provincial Governors and City Mayors in the region for possible consolidation and legal reconsideration.

While the unification of national and local executive orders are on the roll, RD Collado urged provincial and city vets to strengthen border protection by sourcing support from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines and willing private partners.

DA-Bureau of Animal Industry presented the bureau’s online Local Shipping Permit Issuance System during the meeting. The system is a novel approach to battle against ASF by preventing fraudulent animal shipment.

DA-National Meat Inspection Service and DA-BAI attended the meeting-briefing to provide technical and technological assistance in the implementation of appropriate legal measures to control and contain ASF.#

Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, March 3 – The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) – Region 10, headed by Cluster Head Engr. Edgar B. Testa paid a courtesy call to Bukidnon Provincial Agriculturist Engr. Alson G. Quimba.

The team has started its validation of the Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund (RCEF) recipients of 18 towns in the province.

DA-PhilMech is allocated Php5-billion for the mechanization component of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Program, which provides farm machineries and equipment to qualified rice farmers organizations.

Working closely with DA-PhilMech is DA-RFO 10 Provincial Operations Center Chief for Bukidnon Engr. Deliza T. Camaro.# (EMB)

Jasaan, Misamis Oriental, February 26 – The agriculture department in Region 10 staged a two-day Re-Orientation on Republic Act 9184 or otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA) and its associated rules, guidelines and procedures for the Department’s smooth implementation of the said law.

The GPRA was enacted in providing a set of rules and regulations to modernize, standardize and regulate the procurement activities of the government, including national government agencies.

Said capabuild was attended by DA-10 officials and employees involved in the procurement process, particularly the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) members, Secretariat and support staff, including the Technical Working Group.

Serving its resource speaker is DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, Carmelita T. Bajarla.

As part of the agency’s commitment, the activity was conducted to adhere with the processes and timelines provided in the state law towards good governance, transparency, accountability, equity, efficiency and economy in its procurement transactions. # (JLO)

A dry run of activities in preparation for the 10th National Rice Techno Forum and Harvest Festival on March 23-25, 2020 in Kahaponan, Valencia City, Bukidnon.

Local farmers from nearby municipalities were invited to witness the growth stages of the different rice varieties from participating private seed companies. #

The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) developed a training on capacity enhancement and mainstreaming of climate change in increasing the capability of some DA-RFO 10 staff and its attached agencies on February 26-28, 2020.

The three-day activity focuses on climate change risk and its mitigation strategies in the city of Cagayan de Oro.

It also includes updating of technologies and practices for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Carmelito Lapoot, officer-in-charge of DA’s Research Division noted that a more productive and resilient agricultural industry requires better management of resources.

According to Lapoot, adaptation practices for crops is through the use of resistant or tolerant varieties, the use of nextGen varieties for saline, rainfed, lowland irrigated inbreed and hybrid areas, among others.

He further cited the adaptation practices through the use of early maturing varieties, relay or intercropping.

Importantly, he encouraged the participants to explore other climate resilient crops like Adlai, and the use of zero tillage.

Aside from crops, livestock adaptation practices is also important along with the use of resistant or tolerant breed and improvement of forage as source of feeds.

Aside from that, it is important to take note on the production of buffer stock seeds and planting materials.

On the other hand, weather forecasters of PAG-ASA shared on localized climate services and rainfall forecasting.

Noting on DA’s Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) Program enables the agri-fishery sector to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change and build climate-resilient communities and livelihood.

Accordingly, through climate resiliency and vulnerability assessment (CRVA), communities in the country which are most vulnerable to climate change will be identified.

As such, it will ensure that strategic and effective investments can be made.# (ATCabig)

CdeO, February 20 – As its staunch partners in spurring agri-development, DA-10 helmed by OIC-RED Carlene C. Collado bared the allocation for the programs, projects and activities for the province of Misamis Occidental for CY 2020.

This, he said, during the Executive-Legislative-Judiciary-Agenda Workshop hosted by the local government of Misamis Occidental headed by Governor Philip T. Tan, in the presence of the city and municipal local chief executives, agency heads and representatives of national line agencies. #

Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office (DA-RFO 10) called for an emergency meeting on February 17, 2020, on strengthening measures in preventing the entry of the African Swine Fever (ASF) in the region.

To this, discussion focused on ASF contingency plan, zoning plan following the 1-7-10 protocol and marketing concerns.

Apart from strengthening border protocols, the agency is also keen on strengthening the information-dissemination to the public along with the conduct of radio programs, production of radio plugs and audio-visual presentations.

The meeting was presided by OIC-RD Carlene C. Collado of DA-RFO 10 with Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), Local Government Units (LGUs) and the private stakeholders.#

CdeO City, March 21 – Issuance of Foodlane passes is available on weekends, Saturdays and Sundays aside from regular workdays at the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), Antonio Luna Street.

Food and production item suppliers, delivery truckers, and other registered logistics/distribution entities are urged to secure Foodlane Accreditation Certification and Foodlane Vehicle Pass Cards.

Amid the implementation of community quarantine by the different localities in Mindanao, the agency advises them to do so, to avoid long-hour queues at checkpoints.

“More importantly, this will ensure unimpeded delivery and supply of staple and essential food and production items in these trying times,” Carlota S. Madriaga, regional technical director for operations of DA-Regional Field Office 10 said.

Handling the receipt of applications and issuances of such documents will be the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD).

For easily facilitation, eligible applicants should present their DTI/CDA/DOLE/SEC registration as well as their valid business permits, indicating they deliver food and other agricultural produce, products and inputs.

Also required are the following: Official Receipt of Registration and Certificate of Registration (OR/CR) of the vehicle; and filled-out forms, namely: Foodlane Accreditation Application, Foodlane Reference Form and Statement of Commitment.

“Validity of such issuances shall be valid for two years upon release and are free-of-charge,” the director added.

The agency is also accepting online applications by accessing the following links – https:/bit.ly/3aYJKBQ and https://bit.ly/38Z71sc.

Completed forms shall then be forwarded to this email address: amad1northmin@gmail.com.

The different operations centers of DA-10 in the region are tasked in facilitating the issuances of documents throughout the provinces. #

Impasug-ong, Bukidnon, February 11 – To drum up the provision of social and economic services in the countryside, especially to the Indigenous Peoples (IPs), the World Bank (WB) Full Blown Mission for Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP) kicked off today.

Said activity which commenced in this town aims to encourage the IPs to assume leadership roles and solicit full participation in the determination of their respective development needs through a series of focused group discussions.

Ultimately, funding institution WB and the national government through DA can provide agri-fishery livelihoods, investment and various support services that are culturally appropriate and responsive to their development needs. #