CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness and Marketing Kristine Y. Evangelista leads the groundbreaking ceremony of the P20 million dome-type storage and packing facility in Cagayan de Oro City, earlier today, March 25.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and CdeO Mayor Oscar S. Moreno with other local officials assisted in capsule laying, marking the start of the construction of the facility.

The project aimed to extend the shelf life of highly perishable commodities and reduce post-harvest losses of farmers in Cagayan de Oro City and Northern Mindanao as a whole.

Mayor Moreno emphasized, Cagayan de Oro is the strategic location of the facility with the seaport in Macabalan and vegetable bagsakan center in barangay Bulua.

The whole facility has an area of 1,300 square meters which is the counterpart of CLGU CdeO, with a maximum capacity of 300 metric tons of vegetables (in crates and palettes).

On December 21, 2021, CLGU CdeO and DA-10 signed the Memorandum of Agreement for the agriculture projects funded under CY 2020 – Agriculture Stimulus Package Bayanihan II of DA High Value Crops Development Program.

RED Collado shared, the project ensures to establish a resilient food system, especially during this pandemic.

DA is gearing up the project to increase the productivity and profitability of the farmers in Northern Mindanao, from the production areas of Cagayan de Oro City, Bukidnon and some parts of Misamis Oriental.

DA-RFO 10 Regional Technical Director Carlota S. Madriaga, Commissioner Rosario Bernardo Sagadal of the 8th Division of the National Labor Relations Commission representing the office of Senator Lawrence Go also supported the event. #(ATCabig)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY–  Aiming to increase farmers and fisherfolk productivity and income, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) turned over one unit of Hauling Truck to Pastor Marlon Masong, Sr. of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental realized thru the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF).

Masong has availed a loan grant of P1 million for the procurement of truck and other poultry equipment to improve his native chicken project in said town.

Representing on behalf of DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, Carmelita T. Bajarla together with Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) representative Julius Vasallo, officially handed over the said agri-assistance to the ACEF beneficiary.

ACEF is DA’s lending program, which provides necessary credit to qualified farmers and fisherfolk for the acquisition and establishment of production, postharvest, and processing machineries, equipment and facilities, farm inputs and improvement.

ACEF thru LBP as its conduit bank can offer P1 million for individual farmers and fisherfolk while farmers and fisherfolk cooperatives, associations, and micro and small enterprises can avail a maximum of P5 million with an interest rate of two percent per annum payable in five years.

Masong expressed, with the minimal interest, individual smallholder farmers like him will be motivated to produce more and quality agricultural products that contributes to economic growth.

Said program was first implemented in 1996 and will end in December 2022.

Beneficiaries of said credit lending program are listed under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and requires the submission of an agri-based project proposal, which will be thoroughly reviewed by Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division of DA.

Its funding source is from all tariffs and duties collected from the importation of agri-products (except for rice) to enhance the agri-sector through credit, research and development, and scholarships of students pursuing agriculture-related courses.# (EMBentulan)

DA-10 RED Collado spearheads in the finalization of the ‘One DA’ Adopt a Community during an RMC meeting on March 24, here in the city of Cagayan de Oro.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Department of Agriculture – 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado presides the DA Regional Management Committee (RMC) meeting on March 24 with heads of DA attached agencies and bureaus in Northern Mindanao in finalizing the ‘One DA’ Adopt a Community and updates of PCIC hog insurance.

RMC member-agencies have respective commitments in rehabilitating the areas of sitio Kalahaan, barangay Minalwang, Claveria, Misamis Oriental and Mintapod, Impasugong, Bukidnon with great potentials in the farming industry with its rich agricultural land.

Said effort is geared to agri-fishery interventions in support to EO 70 or institutionalizing the whole-of-nation approach.

DA-RMC is composed of DA and its attached agencies and bureaus which include, ATI, BFAR, BPI-SPAL, BPI-NSQCS, BPI-PQS, BAI-NVQS, ACPC, NFA, NDA, BSWM, NMIS, PCIC, PCA, PhilFIDA, NTA, FPA, SRA, PhilRice.#

The agri dept in NorMin convenes with DAR, BFAR, ATI and TESDA to look into where the agency can provide agri-assistance to identified ARBs in R-10.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture 10 convened the DAR, BFAR, ATI and TESDA on Friday, March 19 in response to presidential Directive  No. 2021-012 or the awarding of remaining land titles and provisions of assistance to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs).

Said government agencies will assess the beneficiaries given with certificate of land ownership award (CLOA) to determine what interventions or assistance will be provided to them.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga said, DA has been directed to provide agricultural assistance to identified ARBs in Northern Mindanao.

She added, those who were awarded with land titles, specifically those in conflict affected areas will be the department’s official reference in the provision of agri-related interventions to the bonafide ARBs.

However, the beneficiaries need to be registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) for availment of any agri-fishery projects and other assistance

She emphasized, the effort is in support to Executive Order 70 (EO 70) or whole-of-nation approach in addressing the root causes of insurgencies.# (JCAnito)

The agri dept in NorMin thru its Regional Soils Laboratory spearheads an online training on proper sampling of inorganic fertilizers.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To ensure the quality and grades of procured fertilizers, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) conducted an online training on proper sampling of inorganic fertilizers.

Participating in the webinar were the banner program coordinators and representatives from DA-10 operating untis, including the Accounting Section, research, regulatory and integrated laboratory divisions.

Spearheaded by DA-RFO 10 Regional Soils Laboratory (RSL) of the Integrated Laboratory Division, the training focused on the standards set by the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) thru Fertilizer Regulations Division Chief Julieta B. Lansangan, as basis for leveling off with DA-RFO 10’s specifications of farm inputs procurement.

FPA regulates and controls quality of the different grades of fertilizer; and sets new minimum percentage of Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium (NPK), and other macro/micronutrients that are present.

FPA-Region 10 Manager Ma. Sonia C. Calleja illustrated the appropriate number of bags to be collected for every corresponding total number of bagged fertilizers.

She underscored precautionary measures in the gathering of samples, among others in avoiding the collection of samples from damaged or torn bags and from hard or lumpy fertilizer.

Said samples, as she further explained can cause inconsistency in the laboratory test results due to its impurities.

DA-RFO 10 RSL Section Chief Engr. Elena C. Susaya, who is also a member of the department’s Bids and Awards Committee-Technical Working Group (BAC-TWG) said, that the training is necessary since DA procures volumes of farm input for its different banner programs.

“All fertilizer procurements of DA undergo series of sample tests and analysis, from post-qualification until its final delivery. BAC-TWG has to be equipped thoroughly to ensure the proper gathering of samples from various points of the bagged fertilizer, which will be brought to the laboratory,” Engr. Susaya shared. # (EMBentulan)

A CSO named as ab2cd, Inc. receives vegetable seeds assistance from DA-NorMin intended for the farming communities in the hinterland areas.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – With the aim of reaching farming communities in the hinterland areas, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) turned over packets of vegetable seeds to the Alternative Bridge to Community Development (ab2cd, Inc.), a civil society organization on March 18, 2021 at the agency compound.

A total of 520 packets, worth P67,000 of 5-in-1 Sinigang vegetable seeds (Kangkong, Okra, Pole Sitao, Tomato and Radish) was handed by DA-10 High Value Crops Development (HVCDP) Program Focal Person Kersten S. Pagalan to ab2cd, Inc. thru Chairperson Bernardo R. Roa, IV.

He expressed, their organization is thankful to DA for accommodating their request as they will be sharing it to other beneficiaries.

“This will greatly help those in the hinterlands, especially since they have limited access to resources like these,” he said.

Roa also shared, the vegetable seeds will be distributed to farmers in the hinterland areas of Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon while teaching them to engage in value-adding activities for their source of income and livelihood. # (AMBManto)

Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) executive Carlene C. Collado met DA-RFO 9 Regional Executive Director Rad Donn L. Cede and staff at the agency compound, here in Cagayan de Oro City.

On Thursday, March 18, the group discussed policy matters on issues affecting the agricultural sector, particularly on hog shipment to Metro Manila to stabilize pork prices, African Swine Fever (ASF) protocols, and the coordination with DA’s attached agencies and local government units concerning rice procurement. # (AMBManto)

R-10’s agri dept hosts the review and finalization of FY 2022 activities and budget proposal of the Mindanao cluster for NLP on March 15-17, 2021 at the agency’s research station, NMACLRC. 

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The agriculture department in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) hosted the review and finalization of FY 2022 activities and budget proposal of the Mindanao cluster for the National Livestock Program (NLP) on March 15-17, 2021.

Held at the agency’s research station, Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex, said activity was participated in by the island-region cluster members which include regions 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 purposely for the delivery of a more strengthened livestock and poultry development programs and its seamless implementation.

At the helm of being the host region, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado lauded the efforts of the agri regional offices in Mindanao in helping stabilize the food supply and prices in Luzon and Visayas, as the need arises.

A workshop was conducted for projects budget allocation, services and interventions, including the refining of proposals which are overall aligned with NLP’s vision for a meat, egg and milk-secure Philippines anchored on a vibrant, robust and globally competitive livestock and poultry industry and prosperous farmers.

From DA-Central Office, the team was led by NLP Senior Technical and Planning Officer Jonathan V. Sabiniano, DVM. # (JCAnito)

RCI-SRD launches the CADP for the Mt. Balatukan Cluster to provide a framework for its advancement.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To provide framework for the advancement of the Mt. Balatukan cluster, the Regional Convergence Initiative for Sustainable Rural Development (RCI-SRD) launched the Mt. Balatukan Range Cluster Convergence Area Development Plan (CADP) on March 11, 2021 at Lunotan, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental.

The CI team with the Department of Agriculture (DA) as the lead convenor, together with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) prepared the CADP with an aim to have an improved ecological integrity and prosperity, intensified eco-tourism and agro-forestry development, and strengthened communities within the cluster.

With the development plan, Claveria Mayor Meraluna S. Abrogar expressed her hopes to resolve issues on illegal land conversion with establishments sprouting in their town due to booming tourism.

She also extended her gratitude to the cluster towns who worked for the protection, preservation, and prosperity of the environment of the province.

Meanwhile, DAR Secretary, Atty. John R. Castriciones committed to work hand-in-hand with the local governments and all the other agencies to protect the Balatukan Range.

Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano is hopeful that the CADP will lead to utilizing the available resources properly which will greatly benefit the people in the province.

“I hope that with the synergy that we are doing, we will be able to advance what our people need and we will be able to protect the future of the next generation as we protect the last frontier which is the Mt. Balatukan. We have to work together if we want to see a better future for Misamis Oriental,” Gov. Emano added.

DA Undersecretary for Special Concerns and the lead convenor of NCI-SRD, Atty. Waldo R. Carpio said, in a message delivered by DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the agri department together with the other agencies, is committed to strengthen regional efforts and enable the environment to accelerate the implementation of the Mt. Balatukan Range CADP to achieve its goals.

“The CI emphasizes to end poverty and hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Further, to take action to combat climate change and its impact, and for the conservation and sustainability of our resources aside from its protection and restoration.”

He emphasized, the goal of the RCI can’t be achieved without the support from the LGUs and other stakeholders.

“Together, let us build a stronger platform in helping us in making a progress for the Mt. Balatukan Range cluster,” he concluded.

Constituting the cluster are the towns of Balingasag, Balingoan, Binuangan, Claveria, Kinoguitan, Lagonglong, Magsaysay, Medina, Salay, Sugboncogon, Talisayan and Gingoog City, all from the province of Misamis Oriental. # (CSeraspe)

In support to EO 70, the agri dept in NorMin turns over prod’n and marketing assistance amounting to more than P3.4-M to FRs in Bukidnon. 

IMPASUGONG, BUKIDNON – In support to the whole-of-nation approach to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC), the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 turned over production and marketing assistance worth over P3.4 million to former rebels in Bukidnon.

On Thursday, March 4, DA NorMin distributed over 900 packets of assorted vegetable seeds (P117,000) in three variants: pinakbet, chopsuey, and sinigang, and 520 mushroom fruiting bags (P31,200).

The agency signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Impasugong Mayor Anthony A. Uy for the P2 million financial grant under DA’s Enhanced Kadiwa Inclusive Food Supply Chain program.

Similarly, a certificate of allocation worth P1.3 million was also handed to the 403rd Infantry Brigade (IB) to provide training, logistics and agricultural equipment for Adlay production and marketing in support to former rebels.

“DA’s assistance will greatly help farmers, especially those in far-flung barangays. These interventions would greatly help in boosting their production and increasing their income; thereby also improving their standard of living,” shared 403rd IB Commander BGEN Ferdinand T Barandon, PA.

It can be recalled that an Adlay ceremonial harvest was held in December, last year at the Peacemaker Farm of the 403rd IB, Camp Osito Bahian in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon which is maintained by former rebels.

Representing DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, OIC-Chief Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division Larry E. Paraluman stated, said initiative aims to bring the government closer to the people.

He also encouraged participants to send in their letter of intent for their proposed livelihood projects. Participating were around 900 beneficiaries from the towns of Maramag, Kibawe, Damulog, Kitaotao, Quezon, Manolo Fortich, Lantapan, Pangantucan and Malaybalay City.

Apart from DA, the Office of Senator Lawrence T. Go and other government agencies such as the Philippine Army, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also provided their respective interventions to participants. # (AMBManto)