Vol. XXVI No.

A monthly publication of the Department of Agriculture

February 2011

Farmers, agribusinessmen list smuggling as top concern

Farmers and agribusinessmen rank smuggling as one of the major concerns that hinder the growth of the countrys agriculture and fishery sector. They said the entry of cheap smuggled farm and fishery products continues unhampered, thus adversely affecting the livelihood and incomes of small farmers and fisherfolk. This and other major concerns and problems surfaced during the Agriculture and Fisheries 2025 Summit, held February 10-11, 2011, in Antipolo City. It was sponsored jointly by the Congressional Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization (COCAFM), DA and agri-fishery industry stakeholders. Hence, COCAFM cochairpersons Senator Francis Pangilinan and Rep. Mark Llandro Mendoza led the main guests, along with Agrarian Reform secretary Virgilio de los Reyes, several COCAFM members at the House of Representatives, former DA secretary Senen Bacani, and Agriwatch chair Ernesto Ordonez, and agribusinessmen, and farmers and fisherfolks leaders. On the issue of smuggling, Secretary Alcala said the DA will
(Pls turn to p2)

P29-M fishport, cold storage to rise in Sulu town

A modern integrated fishport and cold storage complex, worth P29.2 million, will rise in Maimbung, Sulu, that will pave to transforming the coastal town into a maj or fish trading center in Western Mindanao. It is funded by the Department of Agriculture through the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), in partnership with the provincial government of Sulu and municipal government of Maimbung. Secretary Proceso J. Alcala led the facilitys groundbreaking ceremony February 24, 2011, along with Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan and his son Maimbung Mayor Samier Tan, newlyappointed PFDA general manager Rodolfo Paz, and director Malcolm Sarmiento of the DASec. Alcala (right) harvests bangus at Bureau of Fisheries and Aurora mariculture park, one of the Aquatic Resources projects by the DA through the Bureau (BFAR). of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources The fishport and cold (BFAR). Joining him are BFAR director storage complex can Malcolm Sarmiento (middle), BFAR handle up to 10 tons of fish asst. director Gil Adora (left), and daily, said PFDA GM BFAR region 3 director Remedios Paz.

Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (3rd from left) hands over the Agriculture and Fisheries 2025 Summit workshop outputs and recommendations to Senator Francis Pangilinan, chair of the Senate committee on agriculture and co-chair of the Congressional Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization (COCAFM). Spearheaded jointly by the COCAFM, Department of Agriculture, and agri-fishery industry stakeholders, the Summit attended by 170 participants. Also shown (from left) are Agriwatch chair Ernesto Ordoez, Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes, COCAFM co-chair Rep. Mark Llandro Mendoza, and Rep. Robert Raymund Estrella.

Alcala orders NIA to hasten irrigation repairs

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala asked the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to speed up the repair of major irrigation systems to further increase the countrys palay production towards selfsufficiency by 2013. He issued the order during the agencys 2011 command conference attended by NIA regional managers and project directors, led by administrator Antonio S. Nangel at the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (UPRIIS) main office, in Cabanatuan City, February 17. To attain 100 per selfsufficiency by end of 2013, the Aquino administration aims to produce over 21 million metric tons (MMT) of palay, equivalent to 13.7 MMT of rice, said Sec. Alcala, a civil engineer by profession. A civil engineer by profession, Sec. Alcala also asked the NIA regional managers and project directors to revise their previous irrigation repair estimates and prioritize national irrigation systems that could immediately
(Pls turn to p12)

Fish cage project to benefit Dumagats, Casiguran fishers

Marginal fishermen and indigenous Dumagats in Aurora will benefit from a P10-million fish cage project in Casiguran mariculture park, initiated by the DA-BFAR. Secretary Proceso J. Alcala led the inauguration of the fish cage proj ect February 18, highlighted with the ceremonial stocking of bangus fingerlings,
(Pls turn to p2)

Ongtangco (partly hidden).

(Pls turn to p11)

Editorial
Agarang aksyon, epektibong solusyon
Tama na ang paglalagay ng band-aid solutions. Dapat gamutin nang tuluyan ang anumang sugat o suliranin. Ito ang malakas na mensahe ng mga lumahok sa makasaysayang Agriculture and Fisheries Summit 2025 upang maibsan at malunasan ang mga balakid at problema na nagsisilbing sugat at pumipigil sa pag-usbong ng pambansang sektor ng sakahan at pangisdaan. Masyadong ambisyoso kung titingnan ang mga binalangkas na kaukulang lunas. Ang tanong ay kung ang mga ito ay magagawa. Ang mahalaga, ani ng karamihang dumalo, ay may kasunduan na tutukuan ang bawat solusyon hanggang itoy maisasakatuparan o maging realidad. Halimbawa, ang mga irrigation system ay karaniwang ginagawa at natatapos ng tatlong taon. Ang iba, umaabot hanggang sampung taon, depende sa daloy ng budget. Hindi rin maramdaman agad ang epekto ng karagdagang ani mula sa paggamit ng mataas na uri ng binhi. Pagkatapos turuan ang mga magsasaka ng mga makabagong teknolohiya, hindi naman kaagad nila makakamit ang inaasahang resulta at karagdagang ani. At higit sa lahat, talamak pa rin ang smuggling--na siyang kumikitil sa paglago ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Ilan lamang ito sa mga problema ng sektor, kasama ang pabago-bagong klima o climate change. Tunay na kumplikado, ika nga, ang mga problema na hinaharap ng bansa upang muling iangat ang sektor ng sakahan at pangisdaan, at bigyan ng magandang bukas ang mga maliliit na magsasaka at mangingisda. Ngunit maganda ang dinulot ng Summit -nagsama-sama ang lahat ng mga katuwang sa pamumuno mismo nina Senador Kiko Pangilinan (Senate agriculture committee chair), Kinatawan Mark Llandro Mendoza (House of Representatives agriculture committee chair), Ernesto Ordonez ng AgriWatch (kumakatawan sa samahan ng mga magsasaka, mangingisda at pribadong sektor), at Sec. Procy Alcala. Sina Sen. Pangilinan at Rep. Mendoza rin ay namumuno sa Congressional Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization (COCAFM). Ani Sen. Pangilinan: Kailangang humanap ng mga solusyon na maituturing na out-of-thebox, o di-pangkaraniwan at hindi pa nasusubukan. Ayon naman kay Sec. Procy, isusulong ng husto ng DA ang pagsasaayos ng mga irigasyon sa bansa upang makamit ang kasapatan sa bigas sa 2013. Higit sa lahat, aniya inatasan siya ni Pangulong Aquino na maging daan upang manumbalik ang tiwala ng mga magsasaka, mangingisda at ng taumbayan sa pamahalaan. Itoy magagawa lamang kung mararamdaman nila ang mga pagbabago sa kanayunan -- na bunga ng paghatid ng kinakailangang ayuda at serbisyo tulad ng makabagong teknolohiya, mataas na uri ng binhi, maayos na irigasyon, kalsada, at post harvest facilities, at mainam na presyo ng mga produktong agrikultural. Kaya naman, si Sec. Procy ay abalang nakikipagugnayan sa lahat ng sektor sa ibat-ibang rehiyon upang alamin kung ang mga programa ng DA ay nararamdaman ng mga maliliit na magsasaka at mangingisda. Ang nais niyay agarang aksyon at epektibong solusyon. Kung ang karamihay susunod, marahil hindi na kailangang maghintay pa ng 15 taon upang muling sumikat ang Pilipinas sa larangan ng sakahan at pangisdaan.

Farmers ...

(from p1)

Fish cage project ... (from p1)

and turnover of initial batch of fish cages to the beneficiaries. A total of 32 fish cages will be installed by the DA-BFAR at the Casiguran mariculture park. The fish cage features a new design, as designed by Secretary Alcala himself, where bangus and sea cucumber will be raised at the same time. Bangus will be raised in the top cage, while the sea cucumber will be at the bottom, to act as bio-filters or eaters of surplus feed and wastes of bangus. The design is aptly called Alcala fish cage model. BFAR Dir. Sarmiento said each fish cage can produce at least four tons (4,000 kilos) of bangus every three months. At a farmgate price of P90 per kilo, the beneficiaries will gross P360,000 per crop. We want the small fishermen and the Dumagats to directly benefit from this fish cage livelihood project, said Sec. Alcala. With this project, we hope to change and transform their lives for the better. We will train them to stock and harvest bangus on a rotation basis, at least every two weeks, so they will earn a steady income year-round. W e will assist them up to the marketing stage, he added. BFAR Dir. Sarmiento said they will also put up a mini ice plant with a three-ton capacity. It will supply the ice requirements of fisherfolk and buyers to keep the fish fresh during transport to markets in Aurora province and nearby provinces such as Quirino, Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya. In addition, Sec. Alcala said the DA will provide a refrigerated truck courtesy of the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech).

work closely with the Bureau of Customs to firmly and decisively address the lingering problem. The Summit participants also asked that the Local Government Code and local ordinances be reviewed and revised to make them conducive in attracting agriculture, fishery, agribusiness and food processing enterprises. Government should also implement innovative and sustainable schemes to make credit accessible and affordable to small farmers and fisherfolk, and small and medium agrifishery enterprises. The participants also asked legislators and local officials to craft and enforce favorable land use and zoning laws and ordinances to encourage investments in the agriculture and fishery sector. Government and the private sector should invest more in putting up post harvest facilities such as dryers, cold storage facilities, grains terminals, and trading posts, among others. In all, the participants identified five major goals that both government and the private should achieve by the year 2025, namely: food security and self sufficiency, food safety and quality, increased j obs, increased incomes, and an educated and trained farming and fishing sector. Sec. Alcala said the DA and COCAFM, along with the designated Summit leaders, will meet again after six months to evaluate the progress of implementation of doable shortterm initiatives. For his part, Senator Pangilinan said the COCAFM will also convene a one-day workshop aimed at tracking the recommendations and proposals during the Summit.

is published monthly by the Department of Agriculture Information Service, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City. Tel. nos. 9288762 loc 2148, 2150, 2155, 2156 or 2184; 9204080 or tel/fax 9280588. This issue is available in PDF file. For copies, please send requests via email: da_afis@yahoo.com.

Editor-In-Chief : Noel O. Reyes Associate Editors: Karenina Salazar & Cheryl C. Suarez Writers: Adora D. Rodriguez, Jo Anne Grace B. Pera, Arlhene S. Carro, Bethzaida Bustamante, Mc. Bien Saint Garcia, Jay Ilagan, Catherine Nanta, Adam Borja Contributors: DA-RFU Info Officers, Public Info Officers and Staff of DA Bureaus, Attached Agencies & Corporations, Foreign-Assisted Projects Photographers: Jose Lucas, Alan Jay Jacalan, & Kathrino Resurreccion Lay-out Artist: Bethzaida Bustamante Printing & Circulation: Teresita Abejar & PCES Staff

P2.25-B grains postharvest facilities eyed in Isabela

The Departments of Agriculture (DA), Agrarian Reform (DAR), and Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the provincial government of Isabela signed an agreement to attract Filipino and foreign firms to invest in post-harvest facilities initially estimated at P2.25 billion that would serve 30,000 hectares planted to rice and corn in the province. The agreement was forged February 23, in Cauayan City during the launch of the an agroenterpise cluster in Isabela, as part the National Convergence Initiative (NCI) among the DA, DAR and DENR, in partnership with concerned provincial and local governments. Executive Secretary Paquito S. Ochoa Jr. served as main guest and speaker. Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said the cost of post harvest facilities (PHF)ranging from mechanical dryers to grain storage facilitiesis estimated at P75,000 per hectare, for a total of 2.25 billion. Said investments when realized will further solidify the position of Isabela as the countrys major grains bowl, and thus play a key role in governments goal to attain food security, particularly rice self-sufficiency by 2013. As agreed upon, the DA, DAR, DENR, and the provincial government of Isabela will facilitate the flow of investments by offering tax holidays, duty-free importation of post-harvest equipment, and easing up on local regulations and taxes. For his part, Isabela Governor Faustino G. Dy III said they plan to acquire 100 4-wheel tractors to develop 500 hectares of farmlands a day. The province also aims to buy dozens of portable mechanical dryers to serve the
(Pls turn to p11)

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. (2nd from right) presides over the launch of an agro-enterpise cluster in Isabela, as part of the National Convergence Initiative (NCI) among the DA, DAR and DENR, in partnership with the provincial government. With him are Gov. Faustino Dy (right), Representatives Rodolfo Albano Jr. (left) and Ana Cristina Go (2nd from left), and DA Sec. Proceso Alcala (standing, in green shirt).

DA to implement climate change program

Agriculture secretary Proceso J. Alcala has directed all DA officials to implement needed policies and programs to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. In a recent memo, he said such climate change program will complement current efforts of the Aquino administration to attain rice self-sufficiency, food security and water sufficiency--as it will address the pressures of extreme weather conditions affecting the agriculture and fishery sector. Under the memo several DA units and agencies are given specific tasks and responsibilities. To ensure coherence in the implementation of DA climate change policies and programs, a Climate Change Program Office will be created at the office of the Undersecretary for Policy and Planning. To start with, Sec. Alcala said the DA needs to institutionalize the Climate Information System for Agriculture and Fisheries, spearheaded led by its Information Technology Center for Agriculture and Fisheries (ITCAF). It is tasked to produce climate change vulnerability maps overlaid on Strategic Agriculture and Fisheries Development Zones (SAFDZs). Further, the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) is tasked to optimize the use of agrometeorology stations in highly vulnerable areas to generate location-specific weather proj ections that will serve as early warning system for local farming and fishing communities. Such weather projections will be very useful in what crop to plants and needed cultural management practices, and make the most of from available farm inputs such as seeds, and other farm chores such as irrigation scheduling, and water management for aquaculture, including insurance risk assessment. The DAs Field Operations Service (FOS) is also tasked to provide adaptation models for climate change-resilient irrigation system and infrastructure, weather-based insurance/risk-transf er mechanism, and extension systems. The DA-FOS will pursue this task under a project called, The Philippines: Climate Change Adaptation Project (PhilCCAP I), funded by the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund of World Bank (GEF-WB). Meanwhile, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and BSW M will assess the vulnerability of national irrigation systems and small dams if these could withstand heavy rains and floodings, or if they could still deliver water during prolonged dry spell. The specific tasks of concerned DA agencies/ bureaus are: Agricultural Credit Policy Council - look for resources and develop innovative financing schemes for wider adoption of climate change adaptation measures; Phil. Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) - develop a weatherbased insurance system, and expand protection to small farmers and fisherfolk; Agricultural Training Institute - conduct information-education(Pls turn to p11)

Farmers registry system is on

To effectively plan, design and monitor agricultural support services, the Department of Agriculture is launching the National Farmers Registry System (NFRS) in collaboration with the local government units. It will be piloted in Quezon, Leyte and Bukidnon. Duting its launch in Quezon, Agriculture Sectary Proceso J. Alcala urged local executives, provincial and municipal agriculturists, and other agri stakeholders to take active part in the program as it seeks to establish a reliable database of farmers, fishers, and farmlands and fishing grounds. I believe this will benefit all of us and so I am encouraging everyone to register, Alcala said. Thru this voluntary system, farmers will be given highest priority in the blueprinting of programs and services by DA and other government agencies, Alcala said. This will include a medium and long-term public investment program which in line with DAs farm-to-table. Also, NFRS can be used in assessing the extent of damage in agriculture and fisheries after a typhoon or drought, making it easier for partner agencies to assess what assistance to provide, he added. The NFRS methodology is a community-based approach which entails data gathering thru interviews. As such, an information campaign on its implementation will be spearheaded by DA and the LGUs. The farmers registry system will be piloted in Quezon, Leyte and Bukidnon--as these three provinces are considered most vulnerable to floods and landslides, and drought due to El Nio by the Natl. Disaster Coordinating Council, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the DA.

February 2011

DA, DepEd to implement Gulayan sa Paaralan

The Department of Agriculture in tandem with the Department of Education will implement a national vegetable program involving public schools, simply called Gulayan sa Paaralan. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said this part of President Aquinos hunger mitigation and poverty alleviation efforts, and help attain food self-reliance among households. Gulayan sa Paaralan will be implemented in all public elementary and secondary schools nationwide, and targets to establish 42,076 vegetable gardens by 2016. Sec. Alcala recently signed the programs implementing guidelines (DA Administrative Order No. 05, Series of 2011). Gulayan sa Paaralan is a component of the DAs Programang Agrikulturang Pilipino (AgriPinoy) framework. It is envisioned that the vegetable gardens will serve as source of additional food for schoolchildren and their families. More importantly, the initiative aims to raise awareness on the health and nutritional benefits of vegetables. The program also aims to encourage families with vacant lots to plant vegetables as source of additional income. Local government units (LGUs) through their respective barangays may also establish community vegetable gardens. Under the program, the DARegional Field Units will provide seeds of preferred and indigenous vegetables, planting materials of rootcrops such as sweet potato and cassava, and technical assistance. Concerned LGUs--in partnership with the DA-RFUs, DA-Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), NGOs and POs--will coordinate with the DepEd in the conduct of training among schoolchildren and teachers alike. These will cover topics like proper way of growing vegetables, organic fertilizer production, pest and disease management, vegetable seed production, and container/backyard gardening, among others. Local agriculture technicians will provide technical assistance especially in raising vegetables. They are also tasked to regularly monitor the vegetable gardens. To sustain the program and generate interest, a competition on Best School Gardens will be launched by school districts. Contest guidelines will be crafted by the DepEd in partnership with the Congressional Representatives and/or Governors. Prizes or incentivessuch as school buildings, computers, potable water systems, garden tools and implementswill be solicited from the Congressmen and local chief executives. Participating schools should have a vacant lot of at least 200 square meters. For schools without vacant lots, they could adopt container gardening technology. The school will be responsible in the establishment and maintenance of the vegetable gardens, as well as the production of seeds for the next cropping. A Gulayan sa Paaralan technical working group (TWG) at the regional, provincial and municipal levels will be formed, composed of representatives from the DA-RFU, DepEd, concerned LGUs and other stakeholders. The TWG will regularly monitor the school gardens, and recommend strategies to further enhance the vegetable program.

Sec. Alcala (right) appreciates a new high-yielding rice variety developed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) at Los Banos, Laguna, in celebration of the agencys Araw ng Magsasaka, Feb. 28, attended by 600 Southern Tagalog farmers. With him are farmer-leaders and IRRI Director General Robert Zeigler (partly hidden).

Alcala woos S. Luzon farmers at IRRI farmers day

Faced with more than 600 farmers and their hundred questions, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala spoke, interacted and lunched with them, leaving a serious appeal of getting their much-needed help to meet the countrys rice-sufficiency target by 2013. We want to correct the wrong impression that many people from various countries studied in the Philippines and they beat us. This time, when you go back to your provinces, help us in explaining that these countries may be harvesting more because they have better irrigation system, but in terms of the skills of farmers, we beat them, Alcala said in Filipino at the International Rice Research Institutes (IRRI) Farmers Day, February 28, 2011. This was echoed by IRRI director general Dr. Robert Zeigler, who said: In the 1960s, Thailand was more productive than the Philippines. Today, the country is far more productive than Thailand. The Philippines is the leader in rice production. He added that Filipino farmers are among the most productive farmers in the world. Banking on these skills and riding on the high trust rating of the Aquino administration, Alcala noted that the implementation of the Philippines Rice Self-Sufficiency Plan is at the right time, as he proposed three interventions to attain the target of increasing palay and rice production, diversify and produce more staple food, and efficiently manage rice consumption. On increasing palay production, Alcala said priority will be given to constructing and repairing irrigation systems that will irrigate larger areas at the cheapest cost. He said the DA will phase out subsidy on seeds and fertilizers, and instead establish seed bank in all provinces, where farmers can go for quality seeds. Through the public-private partnership (PPP) program, Alcala said postharvest facilities will be improved to prevent grains wastage and losses. W hile the countrys rice produiction has continuously increase through the years, the population growth rate also continues to go up. Alcala also encouraged farm ers to continue planting uplandrice varieties that may be exported to Europe and America. About 600 farmers from CalabarzonCavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon

and Oriental and Occidental Mindoro converged at IRRI to learn the latest and best-performing rice varieties developed by the institute. Divided in groups, they were toured inside IRRI in different sites. IRRI experts showcased their newly-released varieties such as Tubigan 18, also known as Rc222 or IRRI 154 that was released in 2010 with the support of the Department of Agriculture and PhilRice. In national experimental trials, Tubigan 18 has produced up to 10 tons per hectare, with an average 6 tons per hectare. IRRI said it is one of the best performers in rainfed areas, especially during wet season, making it widely suitable for all ricegrowing areas in the country. To date, 88 rice varieties developed by IRRI have been released in the country. (Business Mirror)

Agri chief asks PhilRice to help attain rice sufficiency

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala asked officials and staff of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) to help attain governments goal of rice selfsufficiency by 2013. It is possible when we work together and find ways to make it happen. And thanks to the continuing efforts of PhilRice, said Sec. Alcala in Filipino, during his February 17 visit at the agencys central experiment station, Science City of Muoz, Nueva Ecija, In particular, the DA chief commended the skills and ability of the Institutes researchers in producing breeder and foundation rice seeds, which are distributed nationwide to rice seed growers for propagation and distribution to farmers. He also lauded PhilRice engineers for developing innovative farm technologies and machines such as controlled irrigation, windmill pump irrigation system, rice husk gassifier engine system, carbonizer-pump system, and post-harvest storage systems. During a tour, he also met with the agencys Rice SelfSufficiency Officers (RSOs). After graduation in April 2011, they will be deployed to different riceproducing provinces. The agency is continuously developing technologies and strategies to increase the average palay harvests in rainfed and upland areas, and other adverse environments. In 2012, PhilRice is expected to release two inbred direct-wetseeded rice varieties for irrigated lowland areas with a potential Sec. Alcala (right) lisyield of 10 tons per hectare. tens intently as DirecMoreover, two hybrid varieties tor Libertado Cruz of with potential yield of at least 12 the DA-Phil. Carabao tons per hectare will be released Center briefs him on between 2012 and 2014. the capacity and the He instructed PhilRice to various products rapidly produce NSIC Rc222--a churned out by the high-yielding variety for irrigated agencys milk and and rainfed areas--for distribution dairy processing facilto seed growers and farmers ity (inset), in Muoz, nationwide,. Nueva Ecija. He also urged the agency to promote and commercialize--in partnerhsip with local farm transplanter, combine harvester, to speed up the transfer of machine manufacturers--its reversible airflow dryer, and technologies to small farmers, several developed farm electronic grain color sorter. who should benefit most from its equipment and machines. He likewise urged the agency research outputs. (DA-PhilRice) These a mechanical rice

Farmers get dairy carabaos from DA-PCC

Some 200 Nueva Ecija farmers from 10 cooperatives recently received dairy carabaos from the DA through the DA-Philippine Carabao Center (PCC). Secretary Proceso Alcala gave their respective certificate of entitlement in simple ceremonies, February 17, at Tayabo, San Jose City. The farmers are from the towns of Talavera, Gen. Natividad, Aliaga, Llanera, Lupao, Rizal and San Jose City. Said batch of dairy carabaos is part of the 2,000 head that will be distributed by the DA-PCC under its the national carabao genetic improvement program. Last year, 734 purebred buffaloes were given to selected farmers, also in Nueva Ecija. Another 740 are to be entrusted to qualified farmers in other provinces. Sec. Alcala said with the dairy buffaloes, more small farmers will earn additional income and at the same provide their families and other households with fresh nutritious milk. We do not end here but this is just a beautiful beginning of our collective efforts to prepare for a brighter future for our children, Sec. Alcala said, as he assured farmers of continued support and assistance of the DA through the PCC. It is in empowering our smallholder farmers and fishers that we will see a more progressive countryside and national economy, he noted. Before the turn-over ceremony, Sec. Alcala toured the PCC facilities, including the National Gene Pool for riverine buffaloes. He was ushered in and briefed along the way by PCC officials, led by Director Dr. Libertado Cruz. Sec. Alcala witnessed actual demonstrations of machinemilking, artificial insemination, and ovum pick-up for carabaos. As a former Congressman (2nd District, Quezon), he encouraged incumbent Nueva Ecija legislators to help fund carabao milk-feeding and dairy projects to increase farmers incomes and provide livelihood opportunites in their respective constituencies.

Sec. Alcala (right) holds a blue crab being propagated by the DABFAR at its newly-established blue crab hatchery in Baler, Aurora, which can produce up to 1 million crablets a month for distribution to small fishermen and the rest will be stocked in municipal waters for the benefit marginal fisherfolk in Aurora. Sec. Alcala said the DA-BFAR will put up similar hatcheries in coastal areas where blue crab are endemic to provide needed livelihood and additional income to small fisherfolk and their families. Also shown (from left) are Wilfredo Cruz, BFAR Aurora station chief and blue crab project leader, BFAR director Malcolm Sarmiento, Jr., BFAR-MCS group head Dr. Alma Dickson, and BFAR Region 3 director Remedios Ongtangco. February 2011

Bongabon farmer Quirino Francisco shows off part of his white onion harvest, while other farmers (at right) are still busy tending their onion crop in the field.
They say that onions make you cry. But the tears in the eyes of onion farmer Quirino Francisco of Barangay Vega, Bongagon, Nueva Ecija, are not due to the stinging sensation caused by the amino acid sulfoxides that onions emit. Nor are they caused by a feeling of deep sadness. Rather, Mang Quirinos tears are tears of joy. This month, he expects to harvest up to 28,000 kilos of hybrid red onions and 42,000 kilos of yellow hybrid onions from his two-hectare farm, ahead of other growers. With prices soaring to P100 per kilo for red and P60 per kilo for yellow varieties, Mang Quirino will earn millions. As hybrid onions mature earlier than traditional varieties, farmerswho like Mang Quirino planted in November last year will start harvesting by the end of February onto March and April, taking advantage of the maximum peak prices. The current bright prospects of onion farmers in Bongabon and other towns in Nueva Ecija are a result of several initiatives implemented by the Department of Agriculture under the leadership of Secretary Proceso J. Alcala.

Onions make this farmer shed tears

By Adora Dolores Rodriguez
For one, the DA has restricted the entry of imported onions, specifically from China, which bring down the demand for local produce. In December 2010, Sec. Alcala stood firm and did not give in to the clamor of traders to issue a permit. Had he done so, imported onions would have flooded the markets, bringing down the prices of those locally-produced, and adversely affected once again the livelihood of thousands of farmers depending on the commodity. Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) assistant director and concurrent High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) director Dante Delima applauds Alcala for this move. It gave the industry a big push, he said. For some time now, no permits have been issued to the delight of the Union of Onion Growers and Traders (UGAT), a federation of 5,000 onion growers. It has been vigilant in campaigning against the illegal entry and smuggling of onions. Aside from this, the DA is focusing on the development of participatory production technology and appropriate storage techniques in order to maximize areas in the different regions suitable for onion production and attain sufficiency and maximize export potential in the near future. Dubbed as the onion capital of the Philippines, Nueva Ecija provides 57 percent of the countrys total production, with Bongabon as the biggest contributor, with a 3,000hectare production area. The government has been continuously providing interventionshelping close to 2,500 onion growers of Nueva Ecija. Last November 2010, the DA through the HVCDP has provided P15-million worth of hybrid onion seeds and P4.5million worth of Red Creole and Yellow Granex varieties to Bongabon farmers. On top of this, the DA also awarded a total of P500,000worth of seeds to onion growers outside of Bongabon. For 2011, the HVCDP is alloting P25 million to fund inititiaves and programs on spice crops, including onions. Meanwhile, a three-story cold storage warehouse will soon rise in Bongabon to enable farmers store their produce nine months after harvest, thus giving them ample time to wait for better prices. According to municipal agriculturist Lucy Cea, the facility can hold 70,000 kilos of onions. Were still polishing details, and were positive that this project, which aims to serve both individual farmers and cooperatives, will push through, Cea said. The DA has also committed to provide more assistance to onion farmersnot only in Bongabon and other towns in Nueva Ecija, but in Visayas and Mindanaoto include provision of new production techniques and storage facilities to enable them to produce onions year-round, and thus stabilize supply and prices. Other concerned DA agencies--like the BPI, Bureau of Agricultural Research, Agricultural Training Institute, and the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization--are likewise on top of their game to ensure the sustainable growth and development of the countrys onion industry. So why do onions make you cry? Evidently for Mang Quirino, it is because of joy, pure, pure joy.

DA, farmers, other stakeholders join hands to sustain onion industry

The countrys onion industry is on the path towards recovery and self-sufficiency, as farmers, traders and government recently joined hands to form a coordinating body that will chart a roadmap and sustain the industrys current bright prospects. This was the favorable scenario during an onion industry stakeholders forum and workshop attended by about 100 farmers, traders and input suppliers, February 22, 2011, at the DA main office in Quezon City. Initiated by Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, the one-day meeting was convened to gather first-hand information on the current situation of the onion industry, identify needed interventions and strategies to improve and year-round production, and thus stabilize prices, and more importantly ensure farmers reasonable profit. The meeting was presided on behalf of Sec. Alcala by DA assistant secretary Romeo Recide and Director Dante Delima, national coordinator of the DA-High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP). The onion industry coordinating body is composed of about 24 leaders of onion farmers associatons in Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya,Occidental Mindoro, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur, vegetable traders, seeds and farm inputs suppliers, municipal agriculture officers, DA-HVCDP Luzon regional coordinators. Dir. Delima said the immediate concern of Secretary Alcala is to come up with strategies to produce enough onions during off-season in Central Luzon, particularly in Nueva Ecija. Onion supply is short and demand is high in the months of November, December and January. During the meeting, farmers said off-season production could come from Occidental Mindoro, Isabela, and as far as General Santos City in Mindanao. Delima said in general the country lacks 70,000 to 80,000 tons of onions a year. This is the challenge that we have to surmount, he said. To overcome this projected shortage, farmers in other regions should plant 500 to 700 hectares from March to July, which could be harvested during the off-season months of November to January. Another strategy is encourage farmers to plant onions during the off-season under rain shelters and make use of bulblets to shorten the traditonal growing period and thus harvest earlier. Delima said by May this year, the country would expect a

Hundreds of Bongabon onion farmers (foreground) warmly applaud Sec. (top photo, left) for his timely and valuable support and assistance that paved the way to an early and bumber harvest of onions, making most of them millionaires .
minimum surplus of 40,000 tons, which can be stored to meet the demand for the next two months, or until August. He said the DA has allotted P25 million to fund programs on spices including onions, of which P18 million has been downloaded to various regions. Delima said other DA agencies will provide their respective support to revitalize the countrys onion industry. These include the: Bureau of Agricultural Research and Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI). They will establish techno-demo farms to showcase new technologies to onion farmers in Regions 1, 2, 3 and 4B (MiMaRoPa); Agricultural Training Institute will conduct needed training for farmers and agricultural technicians; and the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization will provide needed post harvest and cold storage facilities, especially in Occidental Mindoro. Finally, onion farmers clamor that the DA through the BPI limits the issuance of permit to import onions.

DA conducts HVCDP regional workshops

The Department of Agriculture through its High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) is conducting regional workshops and consultations to identify and promote priority crops. The regional consultations will pave the way to crafting the respective commodity roadmap for each high value crop, according to Director Dante Delima, HVCDP National Program Coordinator. He said the two-day planning workshops, which started in February and will end April, covering all regions, will identify the top three priority crops most suitable in each region. Workshop participants-composed of farmers, entrepreneurs, processors and traders, industry associations, LGUs, and DA officials--will also identify and address major issues and concerns, identify existing service institutions and support being provided, and recommend needed interventions to maximize production, processing and marketing--all to increase farmers incomes. Delima said the workshops also aim to build strong coordination and partnerships among the DA regional offices, bureaus and attached agencies, vegetable and fruit farmers, entrepreneurs and processors, LGUs, NGOs, and other industry stakeholders. For its part, the DA through the HVCDP and concerned bureaus and agencies will provide appropriate technical, postharvest and marketing support services, and facilitate and promote access to local and international markets.

DA officials, led by Asst. Sec. Romeo Recide (2nd from right, top photo) and HVCDP Dir. Dante Delima (right, top photo) preside over the onion industry stakeholders meeting, at DA main office. Also shown are BPI Director Clarito Barron, BAR Director Nicomedes Eleazar, and National Onion Growers Cooperative Marketing Association President Dulce Gozon February 2011

Tramline cuts transport of veggies to just 3 mins!

There is indeed a big difference between 12 hours and three minutes. Through the years, some 80 vegetable farmers in this upland barangay970 meters above sea level, overlooking scenic Zamboanga Cityhave been painstakingly hauling their harvest to the nearest road, taking them half a day, or 12 hours, to traverse a 370-meter distance. Last February 25, 2011, said painstaking travel time was reduced to just three minutes via a tramline. It is simply a steel cable system with a cage that can carry up to 350 kilos of various vegetables. In La Paz, farmers produce such crops as cabbage, Chinese pechay, carrots, banana (latundan), and tomato. It was inaugurated by Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, at Sitio Sta. Rita, to the appreciation of some hundred farmerbeneficiaries and local officials. He said on top of greatly reducing transport time, farmers likewise maintain the freshness and quality of the vegetables, and more importantly save up to P2 per kilo in hauling costs, for a total of P700 per trip, which they used to pay manual haulers. The Sta. Rita tramline was put up by the Department of Agriculture through the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), at a cost of P1.6 million. A similar tramline at Sitio Fortunato was also completed by the DA-PhilMech, serving 25 hectares planted to semi-temperate vegetables and benefitting 75 farm households. La Paz Barangay Kagawad Edgardo Serna thanked Secretary Alcala, PhilMech officials led by Director Ricardo Cachuela and Zamboanga Rep. Ma. Isabel Climaco-Salazar, for the two tramlines. Alcala said the tramlines will encourage farmers to develop more areas into vegetable farms, and thus provide them sustained source of income. Meanwhile, he asked PhilMech to modify the design of the cage to accommodate at least two persons, which could be very useful in times of emergencies or illnesses. The tramline will be operated by the La Paz Farmers Assn. which will collect a minimal fee to maintain the tramline.

Sec. Alcala (2nd from right) receives vegetables transported through the newly-installed tramline from Sta. Rita Barangay Kagawad Edgardo Serna of La Paz, Zamboanga City, Feb. 25, 2011. Looking on are DA Region 9 Dir. Oscar Parawan, DA-PhilMech officials, and La Paz farmers and local officials.

DA, KOICA to put up P196-M rice facility in Davao Sur

A modern rice processing center (RPC) will soon rise in Matanao, Davao del Sur, to benefit thousands of farmers and ruralfolk in terms of increased incomes, ensured supply of quality rice at resonable prices. The facility, worth P196.36 million, is funded jointly by the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), and Provincial government of Davao del Sur. W hen the facility is completed, farmers need only to bring their freshly harvested palay, and avail of the efficient and affordable drying, milling, and processing facilities, said PhilMech director Ricardo Cachuela. The RPC will also have storage rooms for both dried palay and milled rice. For his part, DA Davao region director Carlos Mendoza said the facility will benefit 8,000 to 10,000 farmers in Davao del Sur, and reduce post harvest loses of up to 23%, equivalent to two million metric tons annually. The RPC is one of the four facilities funded by KOICA. The three other are in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan; Pilar, Bohol; and Pototan, Iloilo. (DA-RAFID 11)

DA-BAR, IRRI to train new breed of Pinoy rice experts, workers

The Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), in partnership with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), is offering a scholarship program to produce a new generation of Filipino rice scientists and extension workers. In a report to Agriculture Sec. Proceso J. Alcala, Dr. Carmencita V. Kagaoan, head of BAR Institutional Devt. Div., said the scholarship program aims to improve the capacity of Philippine academic and local government institutions in rice science and development. It is called 2011 Global Rice Science Scholarships or DABAR and IRRI Training Scholarships. It covers an internship and an on-the-job training (OJT) at IRRI. Interested students from state universities and colleges (SUCs) may apply for the internship, while the OJT is open to rice scientists and extension workers, and SUC instructors and professors. This is a good opportunity for qualified applicants as they will be supervised by IRRI scientists, Kagaoan said. The OJT ranges from two weeks to three months, depending on particular research topic. The DA-BAR-IRRI scholarship covers a round trip airfare to/from Manila (if applicable); monthly stipend to cover lodging, laundry and food expenses; medical and accident insurance; local travel, if needed; computer and network access; and research support. Those interested may apply on before 31 March 2011, at DABAR, tels. 9288505 loc 2111.
(Rita T. dela Cruz, DA-BAR)

KOICA Philippines resident representative Kim Jinoh (4th from left) and Davao del Sur Governor Douglas Cagas (3rd from left) lead the signing of documents during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Matanao rice processing center. Joining them (from left) are: DA Region 11 dir. Carlos Mendoza, DA-NABCOR vice chair Atty. Emerson Palad, DA-NABCOR President Allan Javellana, and PhilMech dir. Ricardo Cachuela.

Davao town gets 1st irrigation system

Residents of Sulop town in Davao del Sur will no longer travel to neighboring towns to buy rice. This cropping season, they will buy rice from within, thanks to the recently-completed P10.6million irrigation system, the first in Sulop, that serves some 100 hectares. The Department of Agriculture and the provincial government of Davao del Sur recently turned over the irrigation project to the Sulop Irrigators Assn. Inc. (SIAI), with 35 farmer-members. Fernando A. Cadiansa, Sulop municipal information officer, said the Sulop Communal Irrigation Proj ect (SCIP) at Barangay Talas was constructed through the DAs Mindanao Rural Development Program (DAMRDP), funded by the World Bank. In addition to the total project cost of SCIP, the LGU of Davao del Sur has counterparted or shared P3 million, while the municipal government pitched in P50,000 for a related livelihood project benefiting SIAI members,. It involves a carabao breeding and upgrading project. The irrigation systems main canal has a total length of more than three kilometers (3,140 meters), while its lateral canal is about 1.8 km (1,800 meters). Cadiansa said the project was realized through the efforts of Davao del Sur Governor Douglas Cagas. He turned over the completed proj ect to the SIAI farmermembers on February 4, together with DA-MRDP and WB officials and Sulop municipal officials led by Mayor Jose Jimmy S. Sagarino. Provincial information officer Nilda Anion said the irrigation proj ect is part of the total provincial development program of Gov. Cagas, called I-HELP Plus, Plus, Plus -- for Infrastructure, Health, Education, Livelihood Program, which also includes tourism, agriculture and

Local officials and farmers in Sulop, Davao del Sur inaugurate their first-ever P10.6-M communal irrigation system, jointly funded by the DA-MRDP and the provincial government.
socialized housing. She said Davao del Sur is a major rice-producing province in Mindanao, having Hagonoy as its biggest rice-yielding town.\ Recently, it received a P179 million-worth of modern rice processing complex (RPC) funded by the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the DA. It will be built in Matanao town. The RPC will benefit 8,000 to 10,000 farexpected boost rice production rice production in Davao del Sur. (Carina Cayon,
Phil. Info Agency-Region 11)

DA assists rat-infested farms in Mindanao

The Department of Agriculture in Region 12 has provided assistance to farmers whose rice crops were damaged by rats in South Cotabato, in Surallah and Tantangan towns, totalling 6,000 tons worth P17 million. DA-12 Regional Executive Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan said they have initially distributed 100 kilograms of rodenticides or zinc phosphide in addition to the intervention provided by the respective LGUs. She also instructed the Agricultural Program Coordinating Officers (APCOs) and the Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC) to take necessary measures to lessen the rat infestation in rice and corn-producing areas, and put up systems to prevent similar occurences in the future. The South Cotabato Provincial Agriculture Office said from December 2010 to January 11, 2011, 428 hectares planted to rice in 15 barangays in Surallah were attacked by rats, damaging 2,970 metric tons of palay worth P8.3 million. Rice farms in seven barangays in Tantangan were also attacked, destroying 3,152 metric tons of palay worth P8.6 million. The DA also conducted a massive information campaign among farmers on how to eliminate rats. This is in addition to the regular training in pest management under the Farmers Field School and Palay Check program in palay-producing municipalities. Meanwhile, the Provincial Agriculture Office of North Cotabato also reported that rats attacked some 1,350 hectares, in several towns, damaging P12-M worth of palay and other crops, and affecting 4,881 farmers. From 2010 to February 3, 2011, the DA-12 distributed a total of 425 kilograms of zinc phosphide to affected farmers through their respective municipal LGUs. The rodenticides can serve a total of 20,000 hectares. To encourage farmers and ruralfolk to catch and kill the rats, the South Cotabato Provincial Government conducted a rat tail campaign, where it gives a kilo of rice to farmers for every 10 rat tails they present.

UOA in rice starts in Leyte, Samar

Despite the incessant rains in Tacloban City in early January, the DA-Region 8 launched its University-on-the-Air (UOA) radio program on PalayCheck, catering to thousands of farmer-listeners in Samar and Leyte. PalayCheck is the most effective strategy to increase our rice yield that translate into higher farmers incomes, DA-Region 8 Director Leo P. Caeda said. The UOA on PalayCheck is a radio program course that highlights eight major rice technologies and management practices. These are on quality seed selection, land preparation, crop establishment, nutrient management, water management, pest management, harvest management, postharvest operations to include marketing assistance. The course has a special feature on submergence-tolerant rice varieties adaptable to Region 8, and topics on climate change, particularly La Nia, and how farmers can cope with it. The 30-minute UOA is aired over DYMS Aksyon RadyoCatbalogan, 2-2:30 pm, Monday to Friday. It reaches at least 10 municipalities in Samar Province. It is also aired over DYVL Aksyon Radyo-Tacloban City, also at 2pm to 2:30pm, Monday to Saturday, catering to listeners in Leyte. For his part, Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla said, holding this program is very timely because today, with the impulsive weather condition, farmers are hesitant to cultivate their farms as they are anxious that their time, money and effort may just go in vain. This, for me, is applying the so called climate change economics or making business out of climate change, he added. The radio program also includes an educational tour of the UOA farmer-students to onfarm and on-station trials at DA8 research stations. The tour will enable them to see for themselves results of techno-demo of submergencetolerant rice varieties developed by PhilRice, among other palay check technologies. Leyte and Samar are the regions largest rice areas. Leyte has 58,000 hectares of rice (37% of the regions total), contributing 56% to total regional production. Samar has 32,000 hectares, contributing 12% to the regions total rice output. (DA-RAFID 8)

February 2011

Secretary Alcalas February 2011 travelogue

February was again a heartthumping, busy month for Sec. Procy Alcala as he swung on several regions and provinces, starting in Nueva Ecija and capping a trip to IRRI headquarters in Los Baos, Laguna. On February 17, he held a breakfast command conference of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) at the main office of the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (UPRIIS) in Cabanatuan City. Thereafter, he inaugurated the Benigno S. Aquino Sr. Farmers Training Center. Present during the affair in UPRIIS were NIA Administrator Antonio Nangel, DA undersecretary Antonio Fleta, Asst. Sec. Allan Umali, DA Region 3 Dir. Pedro Jerry Baliang, NIA-UPRIIS Manager Reynaldo Puno and Dante Lazatin, president of UPRIIS federation of irrigators associations, and Nueva Ecija local officials led by Governor Aurelio Umali, Cabanatuan City Mayor Julius Cesar Vergara and Llanera Mayor Lorna Mae Vero. At mid-morning, he proceeded to the Philippine Rice Research Institute, at the Science City of Muoz, visiting several of its facilities, and mingled with agency officials and staff, and farmer-trainees. He was accompanied by PhilRice Dir. Ronilo Beronio, along with Nueva Ecija 2nd Dist. Rep. Joseph Gilbert Violago and Muoz City Mayor Efren Alvarez. He also visited a small ruminants center (stocked with AngloNubian and Boer goat breeds) at the Central Luzon State University, with CLSU Pres. Ruben Sevilleja. Thereafter, he visited the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), where Dir. Ricardo Cachuela showed several of the agencys developed technologioes and postharvest equipment. He had a luncheon meeting and dialogue with farmers and local officials at PhilMech, where he likewise handed over several projects. Local officials present were: Nueva Ecija Rep. Joseph Gilbert Violago, Tarlac 3rd Dist. Rep. Jeci Lapuz, Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Carlos Padilla, ABONO PartyList Rep. Robert Estrella, Muoz Mayor Efren Alvarez, Muoz Vice Mayor Ester Lazaro, Caranglan Mayor Restituto Abad, Sta. Fe Mayor Teodorico DP. Padilla, Jr., and Ambaguio Mayor Moises Amokla. After lunch, he visited the Philippine Carabao Center and toured its facilities, including the gene pool of riverine buffaloes and quarantine site in San Jose City, where he turned over certificates of entitlement to 200 dairy buffaloes to farmer-members of Nueva Ecija Federation of Dairy Carabao Cooperatives. He was accompanied by PCC Exec. Dir. Libertado Cruz and LDC asst. dir. Felix Valenzuela. He visited the Llanera Agricultural Technology Center with Mayor Lorna Mae Vero and dozens of farmers. There, he committed to provide P10 million to repair Llaneras irrigation system. Later in the afternoon, he motored to Baler, where he had dinner and a well-deserved rest, as guest of Senator Edgardo Angara. The following day, he had a breakfast meeting with Sen. Angara, Aurora Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson and BFAR Dir. Malcolm Sarmiento. He then traveled to Dinalupihan on board DABFAR patrol boat MCS 3006, skippered by Phil. Coast Guard Captain Oscar Endona, Jr. At Dinalupihan, he visited the 133-hectare Aurora Province Coconut Development Center (APCDC) in Brgy. Dibaraybay. the facility is joint undertaking of the DA-PCA, DENR, Dinalungan LGU and the Aurora provincial government. He had lunch at Aurora Pacific Economic Zone (APECO), hosted by its deputy director Ramon Fernando, who briefed him on APECOs initiatives and plans He then traveled to nearby Casiguran, where he dialogued with farmers and fisherfolk, and launched a mariculture park and fish cage livelihood project. He was accompanied by Casiguran Mayor Reynaldo Bitong, and BFAR officials led by Dir. Sarmiento, asst. dir. Gil Adora, and Region 3 Dir. Remedios Ongtangco, MCS group head Dr. Alma Dickson, FMRC Chief Nelson Bien, Aurora Mariculture Park Manager Rex Margen, and NIA Region 3 manager Virgilio Ilaw. Thereafter, he visited Dipacu-

Sec. Alcala (2nd from right) leads the launch of a mariculture park and fish cage livelihood project in Casiguran. With him are Casiguran Mayor Reynaldo Bitong (right), and BFAR dir. Malcolm Sarmiento, asst. dir. Gil Adora, region 3 dir. Remedios Ongtangco, and FRMC chief Nelson Bien. lao Multi Species Fish Nursery and turned over a patrol boat to Mayor Reynante Tolentino and Vice Mayor Teresita Obello. Also present were SEAFDEC Region 3 proj. manager Jobert Toledo and APECO Deputy Administrator Roby Mathay. On Feb. 19, he inaugurated the DA-BFARs Blue Crab Breeding and Hatchery and Seaweed Tissue Culture Laboratory at Zabali, Baler, along with Dir. Sarmiento and other BFAR officials, and station head and blue crab breeder Wilfredo Cruz. He then visited a Multi-Species Fish hatchery at nearby Bgy. Cemento, where he harvested bangus and pompano. He was accompanied by APECO Aurora Mariculture Park proj. manager Rex Margen. In the afternoon, on the way back to Manila, he passed by Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, where he had a dialogue with Bongabon onion farmers at the Municipal Office, with Alan Gamilla, representing his mother, Bongabon Mayor Amelia Gamilla; Vice Mayor Ed Aribe, onion group (UGAT) farmer-leader Magtanggol Alvarez, and Bongabon Municipal Agriculture officer Luchi Cea. During the program, the 200 farmers persdent unanimously andprofusely thanked him for what he has done--not issuing a single permit to import onions last year. This paved the way to lucrative onion prices and enabled them to recover from their losses in previous years. On Feb. 23, he visited Isabela with Exec. Sec. Paquito Ochoa, where they launched an agroindustry cluster as part of the National Convergence Initiative (NCI) of the DA, DAR, and DENR. The affair was hosted by Isabela Gov. Faustino Dy III, and attended by DAR Sec. Virgilio de los Reyes, and DENR USec. Demetrio Ignacio. Sec. Alcala was accompanied by USec. Bernadette RomuloPuyat, PADCC Pres. Marriz Agbon, NIA Administrator Antonio Nangel and DA Region II Dir. Andrew Villacorta. On Feb. 24-25, he visited Jolo and Zamboanga City. He had a breakfast meeting with Zamboanga City local officials led by Mayor Celso L. Lobregat, 1st Dist. Rep. Isabelle ClimacoSalazar and 2nd Dist. Rep Erico Basilio Fabian. Also present were OP undersecretary Nabila A. Tan and Regional commander Ramon De Asis, and DA officials: Region 9 Dir. Oscar Parawan, BFAR Dir Sarmiento, and BFAR Region 9 Dir. Ahadulla Sahili and PCA Administrator Euclides Forbes. Going to Jolo, he boarded a PAF plane at Edward Andrews Airforce Base, led by Major Gen. Renato Lorenzo A. Sanchez. He led the groundbreaking ceremony of the P29-M Maimbung Municipal Fish Port and Ice Plant, along with Sulu Gov. Abdusakar M. Tan, his son Maimbung Mayor Samier Tan, PFDA gen. mgr. Rodolfo Paz, BFAR Dir. Sarmiento and DA region 9 Dir. Parawan.
(Pls turn to p11)

10

P29-M fishport ... (from p1)

The facility, when completed in December 2011, will provide small fisherfolk and their families sustained source of income and livelihood, said Sec. Alcala. It will also spur the economic development of Maimbung and Sulu archipelago, one of the richest fishing grounds in the country. To complement the fish catch from the wild, Sec. Alcala said the DA-BFAR will establish mariculture parks (MPs) in appropriate coves and bays in the archipelago. The MPs will contain fish cages that will be rented to small fisherfolk via rent-to-own scheme. Sec. Alcala said the Maimbung fish port and cold storage facility is part of President Aquinos commitment to uplift the livelihood of small fisherfolk in far-flung communities, yet rich in natural and marine resources. Ito po ay isa lamang sa mga proyekto ni Pangulong Aquino upang makinabang ang maliliit na mangingisda at iba pa nating mga kababayan at manumbalik ang kanilang tiwala sa pamahalaan, (This is one of the many projects of President Aquino for the benefit of small fishermen and ruralfolk, and hence win back their trust on government), said Sec. Alcala. For his part, Gov. Tan said the DA-BFAR mariculture parks will also complement the provincial governments joint marine fishery proj ects with fishermens cooperatives that raise prawns, oysters, and seaweeds. Sec. Alcala said the DA-BFAR will also put up a seaweed tissue culture laboratory in Sulu to provide sustainable and continuous source of quality, healthy seaweed propagules or plantlets, along with drying and semi-processing facilities to produce seaweed chips and powder. This twin initiative will further enhance the seaweed industry in Sulu, the DA chief said. He added that fishfarmers should use tissue-cultured or new seaweed propagules every three croppings to avoid diseases such as ice-ice. During a program held after the groundbreaking ceremony, Sec. Alcala distributed various farm inputs and equipment to farmers and fishers groups. These included five units of cassava grater and pressser, and he committed to provide 45 units

more through the DA Region 9 under Dir. Oscar Parawan. He also distributed four shallow tube wells with pump and engine sets, 50 bags of IPB variety 6 white corn seeds, and more than 100 kilograms of assorted vegetable seeds. Further, he committed to provide monthly stipends to 20 students who pursue agriculture and fishery courses in Sulu. This will complement the scholarship program sponsored by Governor Tan. While in Maimbung, Sec. Alcala also visited the vegetable production proj ect of the 3 r d Marine Brigade, under the command of Col. Remigio Valdez.

P2.25-B grains ... (from p3)

needs of farmers. During the program, Sec. Alcala also handed over production loans and farm machinery and inputs to farmer-beneficiaries. These included a P11.3-million loan to two farmers cooperatives; two tractors worth P7.6 M to a Cauayan farmers organization and Isabela State University; P5M worth of coffee seedlings and planting materials (331,000 pieces) to farmers in Echague, San Guillermo, San Mariano, Cordon, and Angadanan; and 700,000 tilapia fingerlings for 14 Isabela municipalities, amounting to P230,000. Sec. Alcala said the proposed P2.25-B post harvest projects form part of President Aquinos initiative to attract needed infrastructure in the countryside through public-private partnerships. These will complement existing drying facilities already established in Region 2, particularly the P500-million corn processing and storage colmplex in Reina Mercedes, Isabela, which President Aquino inaugurated in October last year. It is considered the biggest corn processing plant in the country and in South East Asia, capable of processing 200,000 metric tons of corn and storing 60,000 metric tons of grains. Meanwhile, DA Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat said the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will implement in the country an agri-related climate change proj ect amounting to P473 million. She said the project will be revalidated and finalized in April 2011. In addition to Isabela, the NCI targets to establish eight other

Sec. Alcala (right) leads the groundbreaking ceremony of a P29.2million municipal fish port and cold storage facility in Maimbung, Sulu, funded by the DA-PFDA. With him (from left) are Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan, Maimbung Mayor Samier Tan, DA-BFAR dir. Malcolm Sarmiento, DA region 9 director Oscar Parawan, and PFDA general manager Rodolfo Paz.
convergence sites in Central Luzon, Calabazon, Panay, Negros, Bohol, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao, and CARAGA. During the event, an agreement was also forged to pursue a P12.9-billion 100-megawatt hydro-electric facility in the province. The proponent, SN Aboitiz, was represented by its Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Rubio, who signed the agreement, along with officials of the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce, PhilMaize, and Mindanao Grains.

DA to implement ... (from p3)

communication campaign on climate change, and tap the extension system of the DA RFUs, RIARCs, SUCs, LGUs, and the private sector. Bureau of Agricultural Research - conduct an inventory of available tools, technologies and practices for climate change adaptation and mitigation for use of farmers and fishers. Finally, Sec. Alcala has instructed all DA units, bureaus, attached agencies and corporations to include said climate change initiatives in the Secretary Alcalas ... (from p5) proposed 2012 budget and in the After lunch, he went back to Medium Term (2011-2016)Zamboanga City, where he had Agricultural Development a dialogue with commericial fish- Program (MTADP). ermen and fish canning operators. The following day, he president Grace Rebollos, DAR launched a tramline system and ARD Agnes Mata, DENR Dir. a tea production and livelihood Manuel Layson, and City Agriproject, at the upland barangay culturist Diosdado Palacat. of La Paz, where he was joined After the dialogue, he turned by Rep. Climaco, Councilor Rey over to farmers groups assorted Candido, Bgy. Chair Salvador del vegetable seeds, 50 bags of Mundo, and Brgy. Kagawad white corn seeds, and one set Edgardo Cerna. of shallow tube well. He then visited the DA-Region Before he flew back to Manila, 9 San Ramon Research and he had a brief meeting with DA Tecno-Demo Farm for veg- region 9 officials and staff, led etables and fruit trees and nearby by Dir Parawan. Philippine Coconut Authority On Feb. 28, he visited IRRI Zamboanga Research Center in Los Baos, Laguna, where (ZRC). He was joined by PCA he attended a farmers day and Adm. Forbes, PCA Region 9 Di- dialogue with Southern Luzon rector Ramon Rivera and PCA- farmers. ZRC manager Gerry Baylon. He forged a partnership with Later in the afternoon, he IRRI Director General Robert had a multi-sectoral meeting with Zeigler to train agricultural exfarmers and fisherfolk at the tension workers on seed bankWestern Mindanao State Uni- ing technology that forms part versity, along with Zamboanga of the overall goal to attain rice City Mayor Lobregat, W MSU self-sufficiency by end of 2013.

February 2011

11

Muslim leaders endorse DA halal food standards

Muslim scholars and religious leaders fully support and endorse the Halal food standards proposed by the Department of Agriculture, according to director Sani Macabalang of the DA Halal Food Industry Development Committee. In his report to Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, Macabalang said the show of support was a result of the second round of public consultations on Halal food standards held February 16, 2011, in Gen.Santos City. It was attended by 60 Muslim leaders from Regions 11, 12, 13 and ARMM (Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur). The first batch was held January 24, 2011, in Quezon City. The Muslim leaders have urged the DA to fast-track the finalization of the new harmonized halal food standards and code of practice for halal poultry slaughter, said Macabalang, who is the concurrent DA-BFAR region 12 director. He said the Muslim leaders, especially those who had participated in the crafting of the previous 2008 halal standards, commended the comprehensiveness of the new proposed Halal standards as these have considered many aspects, including issues on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), among others. Muslim leaders from Davao City said they look forward to the adoption of the halal food standards and accompanying accreditation requirements to once and for all stop the proliferation of dubious halal-certified establishments and fake halal products in the country. For his part, Abdurafin Sayedy, head of a local organization of Ulama, enjoined all Muslim leaders at the consultation to support the DA proposed standards to protect the integrity of halal foods. Macabalang ensured the participants that all the inputs raised during the General Santos City consultation will be considered in the finalization of the draft documents. Three more consultations will be conducted in Zamboanga City, Cebu City and Bicol. Macabalang said the new halal standards would provide the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) a basis to craft the guidelines in accrediting halal food certifiers. The NCMF is the government agency mandated to develop, implement and monitor the halal

food accreditation and certification system, in partnership with the DA and other concerned government agencies, Macabalang added. The global halal food market is very lucrative, estimated at US$2.3 trillion, Macabalang said. The Philippine food industry could benefit from this huge market, but it has first to prove its credibility in terms of producing halal foods, he said.

Alcala orders ...

(from p1)

provide needed water to farmlands. Rehabilitation work entails simple repair and maintenance of irrigation canals and tributaries, while restoration involves major civil works like concreting of damaged portions of canal and dam structure. Lets do our repair and restoration works at the most cost-efficient way, and subsequently deliver the needed irrigation water to additional farmlands, the DA chief stressed. He enj oined all the NIA regional managers and directors to diligently perform their respective tasks, as he will personally inspect some irrigation systems being repaired, and gather feedback from local officials and irrigators associations. Kailangan nating ibalik ang tiwala ng taumbayan sa gobyerno. Ang taumbayan po ay naghahanap na ng resulta (We need to regain the peoples trust on our government. They are now expecting results), Alcala said. For his part, NIA administrator Nangel said he is personally inspecting and overseeing ongoing repair and restoration of

Sec. Alcala clarifies a point during a media conference at the NIAUPRIIS, in Cabanatuan City, Feb. 17, 2011. Joining him are Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio M. Umali (middle) and NIA Administrator Antonio S. Nangel.
maj or irrigation systems in various parts of the country. NIA 2011 Budget This year, Alcala said the DA has allotted P12.79 billion, or 37 percent of the DAs total budget, to enable NIA undertake several local and foreign-funded irrigation projects, including repair and restoration of national systems. Altogether, the NIA projects programmed this year will irrigate an additional 156,000 hectares. At two croppings a year and an average yield of five tons of palay per hectare per season, said additional irrigated area will contribute at least 1.56 million tons of palay annually. With the budget, NIA will be able to construct new systems that would irrigate 27,131 hectares; repair and rehabilitate existing systems, servicing 100,680 hectares; and restore old systems that will once again irrigate 28,290 hectares. NIA Budget Frontloading During the meeting at UPRIIS, Sec. Alcala also asked the NIA regional managers and project directors to prepare soonest their respective 2012 budget. He said the DA budget deliberations will commence in March. He said he will also propose to President Aquino and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad to allow the DA frontload in 2012 and 2013 its total irrigation budget for the next six years, so the NIA could complete all major local and foreign projects. Also present during the NIA national conference were Nueva Ecij a local officials led by Governor Aurelio Umali. Other DA officials also attended the meeting, led by undersecretary Antonio Fleta, assistant secretary Allan Umali, DA region 3 director Pedro Jerry Baliang, and director Ronilo Beronio of the Philippine Rice Research Institute. After the meeting, Sec. Alcala inaugurated a farmers training center, named after President Aquinos late grandfather, Benigno S. Aquino, Sr., who once served as DA Secretary in 1939 to 1941. After UPRIIS, Sec. Alcala visited three other DA agencies in Nueva Ecija: the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Philippine Center for Post harvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), and Philippine Carabao Center.

Sec. Alcala inspects rice seeds at the International Rice Research Institutes (IRRI) rice germplasm bank.With him are IRRI Director General Robert Zeigler and IRRI rice curator Ma. Socorro Almazan.