CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, August 3 – Schools within the city of Cagayan de Oro (CdeO), including Pagatpat National High School (PNHS), strengthens DA’s advocacy to engage in backyard gardening amid the ongoing pandemic thru the ‘My Pet Plant’ project.

The initiative of the Department of Education – CdeO is seen as a psychosocial activity that students can productively and safely do while integrating it to their school subjects, as they adopt to a modular mode of learning triggered by the COVID-19 health crisis.

In support, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office (DA-RFO 10) thru Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga turned over 150 packets of Sinigang composed of Radish, Kangkong, Tomato, Pole Sitaw, Okra seeds to Jovel P. Flores, Teacher I of PNHS.

The granted request is in time for the distribution of said provisions during the school’s Parents’ Orientation of said Project.

“With the given seeds, children can nurture and monitor the growth and development of plants,” Flores said.

He added, that DA has extended a great help with the provision of free seeds.

Aligned with DA’s Plant, Plant, Plant Program (Agri 4Ps), the ‘My Pet Plant’ project is on track towards contributing a sustained food production, accessibility, and affordability, especially during this trying times.

As of August 3, 2020, a total of 3,608 vegetable seed packets were distributed to various city schools for such Project. #(John Carlo R. Anito)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In line with the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10’s (DA-RFO 10’s) thrust to increase food sufficiency across the region, the agency dispensed a total of 585 packets of assorted vegetable seeds to the different offices within the city.

DA-RFO 10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, who handed over the seed interventions said, each packet of the veggie seeds, weighing 36 grams can cover up to 1,000 square meter area.

Said intervention is part of DA Secretary Dar’s Plant, Plant, Plant Program, also known as Agri 4Ps.

It targets to increase the country’s food adequacy level, especially amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Recipients are: Tamboboan and Kauswagan barangay councils; Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP); Philippine National Police – Regional Maritime Unit 10 (PNP-RMU 10); and the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO) received the Pinakbet variant (5-in-1) of veggie seeds, consisting of ampalaya, okra, string beans, squash and eggplant.

Aside from the Pinakbet variant, PCUP has also availed the Sinigang 5-in-1 packet, which consists kangkong, radish, tomato, string beans and okra.

For barangays Tamboboan and Kauswagan, they will hold an urban gardening contest in their respective barangays to showcase the produce of the vegetable seeds obtained from DA.

“Through this activity, the locals will be encourage to start their own vegetable gardens, where they can get nutritious food during the health crisis,” the barangay representatives said.

PCUP-Fields Operations Division for Mindanao Assistant Regional Director Cynthia B. Rosales mentioned, the seeds will be used for their Urban Container Gardening Project in collaboration with the Agricultural Productivity Office (APO).

APO will assist in the provision of technical expertise during trainings in select barangays to pilot the project.

Rosales said, the seeds will be given as start-up seeds to the participants of the training, while PCUP will monitor the commitments of involved barangays who will be engaging the gardening activity.

Meanwhile, PNP-RMU 10 will share the seeds to all its stations for backyard gardening to benefit its personnel and locals nearby.

Further, CLENRO will also distribute the packets of seeds to their beneficiaries in the hinterland barangays of the city, who have their own communal gardens.# (EMBentulan)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Aiming to enrich the students’ mental and social adequacy amid the COVID-19 health threat, more public schools in CdeO City obtained vegetable seeds from the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) on July 27 at the agency compound.

A total of 1,800 packets of assorted vegetable seeds were given to four schools namely: Gusa Regional Science High School (GRSHS); Gusa National High School (GNHS); Bugo Central School (BCS) and Puerto Elementary School (PES).

The Department of Education (DepEd) – Division of CdeO City will conduct mental health and psychosocial support activities to promote school learners, parents and personnel’s well-being.

Through their “My Pet Plant Project”, the students will learn how to grow and appreciate the nature of plants while documenting from planting of the seeds up to its harvest.

According to GRSHS Teacher Shoji-an D. Daradal, all stages in the plants’ growth will relate to the subjects being taught to the students. Meantime, BCS Teacher Elsa Ylanan said, the students will be provided with seeds along with answer sheets, for them to record their observations in the nature of growing vegetables in their respective homes.

Moreover, GNHS Administrative Staff Pio Jaime A. Amigo conveyed, such school activity will uplift the morale and provide psychosocial support for the students and the parents amid the ongoing health crisis.

Overall, more than 5,000 students from these schools are targeted to benefit from the free veggie seeds of DA.# (EMBentulan)

To boost food production and ensure food security, officials of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP), through its Claveria campus, met with heads of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) on August 4, 2020 on the establishment of a TechnoPark.

OIC-Chancellor Ruvel J. Cuasito, Sr. and Vice-Chancellor for Administration and TechnoPark General Manager Clint Django G. Pacana discussed with DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado on the project brief and the inclusion of the agency on the TechnoPark Master Plan and coordinating committee.

“The project seeks to build an agriculture and food innovation hub in Claveria, Misamis Oriental – a municipality that is considered as the ‘food basket’ of the province,” shared OIC-Chancellor Cuasito.

To this, RED Collado signified the agency’s support on the project and shared that it is in line with the agency’s thrust on food security.

“We will be looking into the possible interventions of the agency for this project,” he said.

Also joining the meeting were Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division Chief Cora A. Dumayaca and DA Consultant Joel S. Rudinas.

Another round of meeting will be scheduled later this month for USTP to present the details of their strategic plans and ideas for the said establishment. # (AMBManto, DA-10)

To ensure a stable source of food and livelihood during this health crisis, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) makes its rounds of validating recipients for its livestock and poultry production and livelihood project starting on July 20, 2020.

DA-10 Livestock Program coordinator Ma. Lourdes M. Sypiecco shared, “The program seeks to expand production areas as well as provide assistance to beneficiaries in producing their own food and giving them an opportunity to gain additional income amid the ongoing pandemic.”

Last April, Secretary William D. Dar issued a memorandum directing agencies, bureaus, regional offices and banner programs to refocus all of its activities and budget under the General Appropriations Act to provide programs and activities as response to the effects brought by COVID-19.

With this, the Expanded Livestock and Poultry Production and Livelihood Project for COVID-19 Response is provided under Memorandum Circular no. 21 series of 2020.

Through said interventions, DA through its Livestock Program is set to give out one module Free Range Chicken (1:5 male to female) and 3 bags of feeds per qualified beneficiary around September-October, this year.

Potential beneficiaries are members of farmer-cooperatives and associations, with at least 15 members who were interviewed and evaluated accordingly in the different provinces of Region 10 such as Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte, Camiguin and Bukidnon to be determined after its validation on August 4-5, this year. # (AMBManto, DA-10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To ensure the health and immunity of the livestock ruminants in Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro City, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) handed over a total of 70 vials of Hemorrhagic septicemia (HS) bacterin vaccine at the agency grounds on June 24.

The Large Animal Raisers of Mindanao (LARAMIN) received 25 vials; Don Carlos Municipal Agriculture Office of Don Carlos, Bukidnon, 20 vials and CdeO City Veterinary Office, 25 vials at 25 doses per vial, respectively from DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga.

Hemorrhagic septicemia (HS) bacterin vaccine is used to protect the animals from Pasteurella multocida serotype B that triggers acute disease of livestock animals in tropical countries.

Reportedly, the HS disease is an acute and highly fatal infection, where infected livestock ruminants may be found dead or die less than 24 hours after initial clinical signs.

DA-RFO 10 Livestock Program Coordinator Maria Lourdes M. Sypiecco explained, the vaccine is ideally to be injected to ruminants every year [1 ruminant is to 1 dose] costs Php700 each.

“This is to boost the immunity of the cattle and carabaos that were turned over to the beneficiaries last year, under the Cattle and Carabao Multiplier Farm projects. They aim to increase the production of the livestock industry in the region; thereby augmenting the source of livelihood of local farmers,” she added.

Don Carlos Municipal Agriculturist Merlyn C. Los Baños said, the vaccine will help prevent the cattle and carabao from being infected with the fatal disease, and will help boost profitability in the cattle-carabao industry.

Meanwhile, CdeO City Veterinarian Dr. Lucien Anthony D. Acac stated, the vaccine will not only benefit the beneficiaries of the cattle multiplier farm, but also other raisers of livestock, including goats and horses in the hinterland and coastal areas of the city.# (EMBentulan)

The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) strengthens its call for urban gardening, as it continues to provide 340 packets of assorted vegetable seeds to clients on July 30, 2020 at the agency compound.

Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Carmelita T. Bajarla, who handed the vegetable seeds to stakeholders noted, “With food security concerns due to the ongoing health crisis, the department is pushing for urban gardening through its Plant, Plant, Plant program. With this, we can ensure safe, accessible and available food at the comfort of our own homes.”

Receiving 240 packets of Sinigang (radish, kangkong, tomato, pole sitaw, okra) seeds on behalf of Macasadig National High School is Darcy F. Durban, who shared, they will be distributing said vegetable packets during the school’s parents’ orientation for their “My Pet Plant” project.

Said project is a psychosocial initiative from the Department of Education, Division of Cagayan de Oro which aims to give vegetable seeds to children, who will monitor the plant’s growth and development while integrating such activity to the school curriculum.

For his part, Nicasio Opon, Agriculture Committee Chair from Claveria town, who received 100 packets of pinakbet seeds said, they will be distributing them to their residents to encourage them to plant their own vegetables at their backyards during these trying times.

With this, RTD Bajarla urges the public to visit the agency to avail of the free vegetable seeds while local government units and various groups may send a letter of intent to request for the said seeds. # (AMBManto)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The local government of Tangcal, Lanao del Norte receives agri interventions from the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao in partnership with the Philippine Army on July 27 in said town.

DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado turned over 1 unit four-wheel drive, 95 horsepower farm tractor with implements (disc plow, trailing, harrow and trailer) amounting P2.7 million to the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, Armor Division thru Col Charlemagne F Batayola Jr MNSA PA, Deputy Brigade Commander, Philippine Army for the civil military operations of the 5th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, Armor Division, PA thru its Commanding Officer, LTC Alfonso DS Matias Jr CAV (GSC) PA.

“This activity is a big accomplishment of the Philippine Army in partnership with DA. With their help, we are assured that all communities, especially the conflict areas will be provided with assistance, letting them know that there is a government who will help them,” RED Collado conveyed to the farmers in Tangcal.

Aside from the provision of tractor, DA-10 provided the 5th and 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, each with 50 bags inbred rice seeds at 40 kilograms per bag, 25 bags open pollinated variety (OPV) corn seeds at 20 kg per bag, 150 packets 5-in-1 vegetable seeds and 60 packs forage seeds amounting P238,000 intended for farmers in said town.

The 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade as convergence partner in the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), requested said agri interventions for the implementation of agri-based livelihood projects in communities they cover as part of their efforts to reduce poverty and empower communities to end local armed communist conflicts.

Col Batayola shared, “Natutuwa po kami na maging partner ang DA lalo na sa pagsulong ng adhikain ng gobyerno following the Whole-of-Nation Approach (EO No. 70). Hindi po namin kaya kung kami lang, kailangan namin ang lahat ng partners: stakeholders, NGOs, NGAs, private individuals, NGOs para maisulong natin ang AmBisyon Natin 2040, bawat tahanang Pilipino ay matiwasay, payapa at maalwa ang pamumuhay nila.”

Through a Memorandum of Undertaking signed between DA and 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, Armor (Pambato) Division, strengthens the community-based socio-economic programs to reinforce social cohesion and preserve unity of communities.

Importantly, it addresses poverty and peace vulnerability in conflict-affected areas by providing livelihood and infrastructure projects.

Noting said efforts is in line on the operationalization of EO 70 or the Whole-of-Nation Approach signed by President Duterte that addresses the root causes of insurgencies, internal disturbances and tensions and other armed conflicts and threats by prioritizing ad harmonizing the delivery of basic services and social development.

DA-RFO 10 provided farm equipment and machinery they requested as part of the DA and AFP collaborative efforts to bring government services closer to the communities.

LTC Matias stressed, “Peace at development ay hindi lang nakasalalay sa military lang, kailangan ang bawat sangay ng gobyerno ay magtulong tulong para makaabot ang tulong sa mga nangangailangan. Basically, what is important ay matulongan sila at ma sustain ang farming with DA’s help. ”

RED Collado also challenged the LGU to make use of said interventions to improve their lives, plant their own food, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic and to make food available in every household.

Tangcal Mayor Fatima M. Tomawis extended her appreciation, “Nagpapasalamat po kami sa DA na binigyan nga priority nila ang Tangcal para matulongan ang mga magsasaka at mapabuti ang pamumuhay nila.”

Said town is one of the six priority Muslim municipalities in Lanao del Norte identified by DA-10 for agri development with 9,204 hectares agricultural land area and a potential area of 3,482 hectares.

At present, it has 2,632 registered farmers in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) with coconut as the major agri commodity, followed by vegetables, corn, rice and ginger. # (ATCabig/DA-10)

A total of 1,100 packs of assorted vegetables seeds were given by the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) to stakeholders on July 28, 2020 at the agency compound.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga handed over the 150 packets of seeds to representatives from Camaman-an National High School, 50 packets to Barangay Nutrition Committee of Pagatpat, Cagayan de Oro City, and 450 packets each of sinigang and chopsuey seeds to the Municipal Agriculture Office of Lantapan, Bukidnon.

Kelvin Kent E. Giron, Secondary School Teacher I of Camaman-an National High School said, the Department of Education Division of Cagayan de Oro has recently launched the ‘My Pet Plant’ project which aims to encourage children to venture into urban gardening as they continue to learn their usual subjects.

“The school plans to distribute the vegetables during the opening of classes this August to prepare students and parents to a learning modality during this health crisis,” he detailed.

Meanwhile, Jhon Ketz L. Gayla, Area Technician of the City Agriculture Office in Cagayan de Oro, who received the seeds on behalf of the Barangay Nutrition Committee in Pagatpat, CdeO, shared, they will be using the seeds as tokens to participants in their Household Container Gardening contest during the culminating activity of their Nutrition Month.

On the other hand, Acting Municipal Agriculture Officer Neptali C. Ambos of Lantapan, Bukidnon stated, they will be distributing the seeds during their “Hatod Serbisyo sa Barangay” program.

“We will be giving out the seeds to the 14 barangays and various schools in our area, as support to their ‘Gulayan sa Paaralan’ endeavor,” he added.

RTD Madriaga revealed that the agency has utilized P3.3 million for the provision of vegetable seeds of which 877.092 kgs or 23,508 packets have been provided to clients as of July 25, 2020.

“In line with the directive of President Rodrigo R. Duterte during his State of the Nation Address, the agency continues to strengthen its efforts in providing vegetable seeds to various stakeholders through the Plant, Plant, Plant program,” she added. # (AMBManto, DA-10)

SULTAN NAGA DIMAPORO, Lanao del Norte – In an effort to reduce post-harvest losses and increase farmers income and production, the Department of Agriculture- Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) turns over P10.4 million worth of projects to the local government of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte on July 26.

DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado led the turnover of pre- and post-harvest projects to the LGU represented by Casan P. Colo, committee chair for agriculture, and to the eight farmer-association beneficiaries.

Skylark Farmers Association of barangay Dableston received the P4.09 million warehouse, a component of the agency’s Rice Program for proper storage of agricultural inputs and machineries of said town.

The 200-square meter warehouse with 195 metric tons capacity supports the buffer stocking and bagged grains and seeds of the farmers.

The LGU also received pre- and post-harvest facilities and equipment in enhancing food productivity amounting P6.3 million, comprising two units rice transplanter, two units four-wheel drive tractor, four units water pump and two units cassava granulator.

SND is the fourth rice producing municipality in Lanao del Norte with a yield of 4.86 metric tons per hectare, next to Lala, Salvador and Kapatagan.

The 1,143 rice farmers will benefit said projects covering 2,728.75 hectare rice area, both for irrigated and rainfed areas.

Dir. Collado challenged the farmer-association beneficiaries to maintain and operate the equipment to provide services to its members.

“Dakong garbo namo mga mag-uuma nga nakadawat sa mga proyekto gikan sa DA diin dako ug matabang kanamo,” said Simplicio G. Calapine, Chair of SND Pandanan Farmers and Fisherfolk Association in said town.#(ATCabig)