CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY– Amid the ongoing pandemic, schools within the city of Cagayan de Oro, carries on with their health and nutrition as well as environmental preservation advocacies through their ‘Gulayan sa Paaralan’ project.

Now, Cagayan de Oro National High School – Senior High School (CdeO NHS-SHS) and Lapasan National High School (LNHS) have add-on and start up provisions to do such initiative, as they have received their requested assorted vegetable seeds from the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) on July 22 and 23.

Turning over the seeds assistance, comprising 300 packets pinakbet (okra, eggplant, squash, string beans and ampalaya), and 20 packets pinakbet and 5 packets pechay seeds, were DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga and OIC, Operations Division Chief Audy G. Maagad.

The garden inputs were received by school representatives: Administrative Officer II Ellen D. Somosierra of CdeO NHS-SHS and Lovellie C. Neri, a SPED teacher coordinator of LNHS.

“Through the Program, we basically teach our children on how to live. While they are temporarily learning from their homes, they can be more productive by planting vegetables. And, after months or in a few weeks, they can value the essence of such activity, as they can eat their homegrown products,” Somosierra remarked, adding it is opportune, especially this Nutrition Month.

Likewise, the Gulayan aims to strengthen the integration of environmental education in the school curriculum, said its Secondary School Principal III Marlon Francis C. Seriña.

“This will sustain environmental consciousness and action among learners while instilling them the values of unity, teamwork, volunteerism, nationalism, and community service for environmental protection and conservation,” the CdeO NHS-SHS official expressed.

Meanwhile, with the ongoing health crisis, Neri said, the teachers and parents alike are eyed to plant the vegetable seeds in available spaces of their school.

“For now, our focus is on how to abundantly grow vegetables, and eventually, these will be used as supplement to the food being provided in our feeding program activities,” Neri explained.

Since the coronavirus contagion, DA-RFO 10 has intensified and even gained, various group implementers, in drumming up the Plant, Plant, Plant, Program (Agri 4Ps) of the government, to ensure sustained food production, availability, food accessibility and affordability.

As of July 18, 2020, a total of 877.092 kilograms of veggie seeds were already provided to 54 local government units, 32 groups, and individuals. #

The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) continues its collaboration with the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) for a research on the socio-economic profile of the farmers in Northern Mindanao.

Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Carmelita T. Bajarla along with Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division Chief Cora A. Dumayaca met with Professor Edgar Allan C. Po, PhD of the USTP on July 21, 2020 to critique on the draft of the study entitled ‘Socio-Economic Profiling of Farmers in Northern Mindanao’.

A total of 35,000 respondents from the 175 municipalities and cities of region 10 were surveyed during the study.

Data on their crop/animal being produced, socio-economic profile, cropping practices, farm power preferences, market support and extension services, including the challenges to productivity were gathered.

RTD Bajarla said the collaborative research project will significantly impact the policy directions of the agency, with DA as the funding agency and USTP, as its implementing agency.

“This analysis will be used as a reference tool to help management in deciding priority programs, projects and interventions to stakeholders,” she detailed. # (AMBManto)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 20 – The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao provided seed interventions to the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division (6ID) of the Philippine Army (PA) to boost military reservations and promote peace and development in conflict affected areas.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado handed 100 packets assorted vegetable seeds and 36 packets forage seeds to 6ID-PA thru Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics, G4, Colonel Ciriaco A Lomas-e, Jr GSC (INF) PA and Major Ralph Vismen D Macasarte, Chief, Division Real Estate Office.

Col. Lomas-e said, they will benefit from the forage seeds (indigofera, flemingia and rensonii) which will serve as forage for their livestock animals such as cattle, horses and goats at their reservation camps, in the provinces of Bukidnon, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Maguindanao, and Lanao del Sur.

He added, the assorted vegetable seeds (amplaya, eggplant, okra, squash and string beans) will be distributed to all its units for propagation, enabling them to become self-sustaining, especially during emergency lockdowns.

They will also share some packets of vegetable seeds to other communities, especially in the far-flung areas, where local rebels are identified to make them productive.

“We need to make these people understand that the government, under the administration of President Duterte is supporting communities living in remote areas. With this, we can lessen the recruits of the government agitators,” he added.

The troop has also requested agricultural machineries and equipment, livestock and poultry animals to further achieve the command’s goal in developing the camp’s 3,000 hectare potential agricultural land.# (EMBentulan)

Eyeing to elevate the standard of delivering its services toward its clienteles, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) conducted a two-day training on Basic Customer Service Skills on July 9 via teleconferencing.

DA-RFO 10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Carmelita T. Bajarla, extended her appreciation to the participants and the staff of Human Resource and Management Section, who took part in conducting the training despite the difficulties in holding the activity with health precautionary measures.

RTD Bajarla stressed that it is embodied in RA 6713 that public officials and employees should observe standards of Code of Ethics to honor the principle of “a public office is a public trust.

“The promotion or appointment of employees relies on the consistency of one’s good performance; higher knowledge and proficiency; increase in duties and responsibilities with passion and dedication,” she related.

A customer is anyone internal or external to the organization for whom the work, products or services are produced and intended.

There are various kind of customer treatments cited, of which one is being friendly and caring. With this, people want to feel that their needs are important, and they are treated in a friendly way.

This includes simple things as giving information and answering questions. For the other speakers, participants learned skills in building customer satisfaction; keys to good interpersonal communication, among others.

They likewise shared their insights and personal experiences in dealing with DA’s clients in their respective divisions and sections, which are seen to also help fellow participants in dealing with such situations.

Other speakers who also shared their expertise in customer service skills were, Livestock Program Coordinator Ma. Lourdes M. Sypiecco; OIC Chief of Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section (RAFIS) Angelilah T. Cabig; and General Services Section Chief Lester B. Apag.

In compliance to Republic Act 9485 otherwise known as “Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, DA uses its “Malasakit Help Desk” as a platform to cater the needs and queries of locals on agri-fishery information and data, including those involving registration and accreditation, among others.

The activity, which was spearheaded by the agency’s Human Resource and Management Section (HRMS) picked 24 regular and Contract Service Worker employees from its nine divisions, Office of the Regional Director (ORD); Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD); Integrated Laboratories Division (ILD); Administrative and Finance Division (AFD); Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (PMED); Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED); Field Operations Division (FOD) and the Research Division.# (EMBentulan)

CdeO City, July 20 – The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao strengthens quarantine measures of its borders in preventing the entry of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the region.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said, that the agency will closely coordinate with the provincial governments in the region, particularly in Bukidnon to strictly implement veterinary quarantine measures.

This move is in line with the confirmed ASF cases in three barangays of Magpet, North Cotabato. Magpet is bounded on the North by the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon.

Accordingly, an emergency meeting was conducted with the DA-Bureau of Animal Industry-National Veterinary Quarantine Services (DA-BAI-NVQS), City Veterinary Office of Cagayan de Oro, Provincial Veterinary Office of Misamis Oriental and NORMINHOG to initially come up with recommendations in strengthening the protection of the region’s borders.

NORMINHOG President Leon Tan, Jr. said, that stricter implementation of the quarantine checkpoints in Alae, Manolo Fortich, Libona, Talakag, San Fernando, Kalilangan, Damulog in the province of Bukidnon should be enforced.

The group recommended to request Bukidnon Governor Jose Ma.  Zubiri to augment personnel to be stationed at each identified entry points in the province and further request the Philippine National Police to assign its personnel to assist the veterinary quarantine checkpoints.

As of April 1, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported, Northern Mindanao has a total of 1.113 million metric tons of hog inventory.

ASF is a dreaded hog disease that has devastated farms in China and continues to threaten the livestock industry of some European countries.

Collado appeals to the consumers to refrain from bringing in the region pork and meat products from ASF affected areas.# (ATCabig)

Cagayan de Oro City, July 21 – Sixteen employees from the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-RFO 10) have taken their oath after their appointments and promotions were issued, in a simultaneous ceremony, held at the agency compound and virtually, in one of its research stations in Claveria, Misamis Oriental.

The oathtaking was administered by DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, wherein 13 newly promoted, 1 re-employed and 2 newly appointed with Salary Grades (SG) 4 to 24 took part in the simple rites.

Included in the newly promoted roster are Pedro U. Bergado, Jr. (Engineer IV, SG 24); Lorena V. Duna (Supervising Science Research Specialist, SG 22); Berly F. Tatoy (Agricultural Center Chief III, SG 22); Catalino S. Soriano, Jr. (Agricultural Center Chief III, SG 22); Cherlie A. Simene (Senior Science Research Specialist, SG 19); Willie D. Nacalaban (Senior Science Research Specialist, SG 19); and Lucille T. Minguez (Senior Science Research Specialist, SG 19).

Also rounding up the list are Joel J. Gabo (Senior Science Research Specialist, SG 19); Maridith A. Flores (Senior Science Research Specialist, SG 19); Betty G. Betonio (Science Research Specialist II, SG 16); Albert R. Adaptar (Engineer II, SG 16); Carol Christine C. Allanic (Engineer II, SG 16); and Maria Christine G. Cabillo (Engineer II, SG 16).

Meanwhile, Ronald M. Orbeta (Engineer II, SG 16) is re-employed while Bryan R. Cubita (Engineer II, SG 16); and Elena B. Sta. Cruz (Science Aide IV, SG 4) are newly appointed.

In his message, Dir. Collado emphasized that the oathtaking serves as a milestone for DA-10, saying that amid the 15-year moratorium in the filling-up of positions and the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the department persevered, resulting to the appointments and promotions of agency personnel.

“Based on the records of the Human Resource Management Section starting October 2016, we have already appointed and promoted a total of 99 employees,” Collado remarked, adding that since taking helm of DA-10, such feat was realized with help from the agency’s Placement and Selection Board (PSB).

Addressing the promoted and entrant employees, he expressed, that they have earned it with their exerted efforts, and similarly, challenging them to assume increased responsibilities and even leading their respective teams for the newly appointed and senior officials, respectively.

“Prove that you are worthy, that you are capable of doing more. Show more interest and sincerity in your functions because we are considered frontliners, and we should implement our project as desired and planned, as funds unutilized will be services undelivered,” the agency head further challenged.

As the department continues to operate under the new normal, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Collado reminded them to also put premium their health.

“In the conduct of the performance of our duties and responsibilities, we should always see to it our safety and the safety of our personnel, as well,” the agri-executive underscored.

Also present to witness the event were Personnel and Selection Board Chair and Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Carmelita T. Bajarla, and joined by the division and section chiefs of the different operating units. #

DANGCAGAN, Bukidnon– Aiming to scale-up Northern Mindanao’s corn production, the agriculture department of Region 10 features genetically modified hybrid corn varieties in the corn derby at the agency’s Research Center for Upland Development (RCUD) in barangay Barongcot.

Eight participating seed companies, Bayer Crop Science, Corteva-Pioneer, Syngenta, Asian Hybrid Seed Tech, Inc., Bioseed, RJR Agro-Industrial, AMTRAC, Green and Grow Tech Company engaged in the corn derby with 14 genetically modified (GM) hybrid corn varieties with an aim to determine the best and promising corn varieties and other component technologies appropriate for specific location.

It also aims to assess the productivity and profitability of the different varieties and component technologies demonstrated.

Carmelito R. Lapoot, OIC- Research Division of the Department of Agriculture RFO 10 said, the corn varieties are genetically engineered to adopt different agro climate condition across locations and have high tolerance/resistance to insect pests and diseases.

Richan D. Lacanaria, Corn Program Focal Person of DA-10 shared, the farmers will learn on the advantages of adopting the technologies presented by each seed company, and can choose their preferred varieties suitable in their respective areas.

“Importantly, the derby will also generate significant results of its yield, return of investment and its tolerance to the pests and diseases in the area, especially the invasive fall armyworm, which has already affected some areas in the region,” he added.

The first site of the regional corn derby was conducted at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, using varieties that thrive in mid-elevated areas, 800 meters above sea level.

The third site of the derby was conducted at DA-10’s Research Center for Hillyland Development (RCHD) demo farm in Lanise, Claveria, Misamis Oriental.# (EMB)

Committed to ensuring available food for all, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) continues its distribution of vegetable seeds to various stakeholders on July 16, 2020.

A total of 810 packets of 5-in-1 pinakbet vegetable seeds were turned over to Abante Mindanao Party-list (ABAMIN) with 500 packets, Pakitunol, Bai, 210 packets and Department of Social Welfare and Development – Region 10 (DSWD 10) with 100 packets.

Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Carmelita T. Bajarla and Senior Agriculturist Wilson V. Lagdamin handed said vegetable seeds to representatives of the various groups.

ABAMIN congressional staff Junriel Escobido said, the seeds they have received from DA will be given to the different communities in Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental in support to their livelihood.

Meanwhile, Philene Moreno, a volunteer of Pakitunol, Bai shared, the seeds will be given to the Public Utility Jeepney (PUJ) drivers that they are assisting.

On the other hand, the DSWD-10 facility Regional Haven for Women will become the beneficiary of the vegetable seeds to support their backyard gardening endeavors, shared Manpower Development Officer I Maycel D. Jandayan.

“The agency has been advocating urban gardening through the Plant, Plant, Plant program to ensure available and safe food during these trying times,” said RTD Bajarla who further encouraged clients to avail of the agency’s vegetable seeds distribution.

As of July 11, the agency has distributed a total of 22,308 packets or 833.892 kilograms of vegetable seeds to 33 local government units, 23 associations and walk-in-clients since the start of the pandemic. # (AMBManto)

IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon – With the aim of empowering communities in far-flung areas, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) continues to pour agriculture and fishery assistance worth more than P10 million to Impasugong, Bukidnon.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado turned over two units floating tiller-mudboat type amounting P350,000.00, two units corn sheller worth P205,400, and 200 bags Open-Pollinated Variety (OPV) white corn seeds amounting P240,000, where farmers from barangays Kalabugao, Hagpa and Bulonay of said town could benefit.

RED Collado also turned over the P1.860 million worth Solar Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) in barangay Kalabugao, which can service 8 hectares of high valued crops.

Meanwhile, the DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 10 (DA- BFAR 10) also distributed 10,000 tilapia fingerlings through their Provincial Fishery Office in Bukidnon.

In his speech, RED Collado said, the assistance is aligned with the agency’s thrust towards increasing farmers’ productivity and income, covering different crops in the town which include, rice, corn and high value crops.

Impasugong Mayor Anthony A. Uy, lauded DA for their fast action and continuous support to the farmers in said town.

The team visited previous interventions of the agency for the town’s rice production, such as the electronic rice mill in barangay Bulonay and the solar dryer in barangay Hagpa, under the Special Area for Agricultural Development program.

Impasugong has 5,364 corn farmers with an average corn production of 18,000 metric tons and 1,008 rice farmers with an average rice production of 5,694.55 metric tons in 2019.

Importantly, in support to the civil-military operations of the Philippine Army and in line with Executive Order 70 which aims to end local communist armed conflict, RED Collado turned over three units 100 horsepower farm tractors with trailing harrow, disc plow and trailer amounting to P7.470 million the 403rd Infantry (PEACEMAKER) Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army (PA) for its military units 8th Infantry (DEPENDABLE) Battalion, 88th Infantry (MARINGAL) Battalion and 1st Special Forces (Anytime Anywhere) Battalion. # (AMBManto)

In preparation for the upcoming rice derby in the province of Bukidnon, the DA-Regional Field Office 10 equiped the seed companies on seeds preparation for the mechanized walk-behind rice transplanter, at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC), Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

Six seed companies, Syngenta, Bayer Crop Science, Bioseed, Longping, Ramgo and SL Agritech participated the orientation on the actual preparation of the rice seeds which was facilitated by Rice Program staff and DA- Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PhilMech).

The participants learned the proper ratio of the hybrid seeds and the soil media using well screened top soil, vermicast, rice hull and carbonized rice hull that will be placed in the machine’s seedling trays.

The actual planting of the seedlings will start within the month at Central Mindanao University (CMU) demo farm in Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon.

Various hybrid rice varieties will be showcased to the farmers during the farmers field day in CMU which is targeted on October 29, this year.# (EMBentulan)