Professional Documents
Culture Documents
February 2012
Editorial
Idinaos noong ika-10 ng Pebrero ang kaunaunahang Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers Awards sa pangunguna ni Kalihim Procy, Assistant Secretary at National Rice Coordinator Dante De Lima at ng buong pwersa ng rice program. Ang patimpalak na inilunsad noon lamang nakaraang taon ay naglalayong bigyang pasasalamat at parangal ang mga Bosing ng Palayan na nagsisilbing matatag na sandigan ng pamahalaan sa marangal nitong mithiin na kamtin ang kasapatan sa pangunahing butil ng bansa. Ani Alcala, di matatawaran ang pagsisikap ng mga magsasaka, irrigators association, agricultural extension workers (AEWs) at lokal na pamahalaan na matagal nang ka-partner ng DA sa mga proyekto nito na nakatuon sa pagpapaunlad ng kabukiran.
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 Contributors: DA-RFU Info Officers, Public Info Officers and Staff of DA Bureaus, Attached Agencies & Corporations, ForeignAssisted Projects Photographers: Jose Lucas, Alan Jay Jacalan & Kathrino Resurreccion Lay-out Artists: Bethzaida Bustamante Printing & Circulation: Teresita Abejar & PCES Staff
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to total agriculture output, decreased by 4.1%, as commercial and municipal fish production dipped by 16.3% and 2.9%, respectively. Aquaculture production, however, grew by 2.4%. The fishery subsector grossed P225.1 billion at current prices, 1.85% more than in 2010. Commercial and municipal fish catch declined due to overfishing, illegal fishing activities, and rough seas and strong winds during the 2nd semester caused by several typhoons. Thus, the DA through BFAR will implement conservation policies and measures, like imposing no fishing during breeding season at selected seas to allow fish stocks to regenerate. In fact, the DA-BFAR has implemented a three-month no fishing season for sardines in the Sulu and Visayan seas, starting December 1, 2011. The policy is implemented in consultation and coordination with commercial and municipal fishermen and industry stakeholders.
Sugarcane production also grew significantly to 28.38 MMT, 58.3% more than in 2010 (17.93 MMT). Tobacco, pineapple and rubber also posted positive gains. Total gross value of production of the crops subsector reached P804 billion at current prices, 19.4% more than in 2010. The livestock subsector, which contributed 16% to total agricultural output, registered a 1.99% growth. It was led by the hog industry which produced 1.94 MMT, 2.2% more than in 2010 (1.89 MMT). Cattle and dairy production also increased by 1.8% and 3.7%, respectively. The livestock subsector grossed P212.9 billion at current prices, 1% higher than in 2010. Chicken production increased by 4.5%, while chicken egg production moved up by 4.2%. Total value of poultry products amounted to P158.8 billion at current prices, 4.8% than in 2010. The fisheries subsector, which accounted for one-fifth or 20.7%
Overall, farmers, fishers and ruralfolk were better off in 2011, as farmgate prices of various farm and fishery products increased by about 9%. Farmers of major crops enjoyed higher average prices, at 14% more than in 2010. For instance, prices of palay and corn went up by 4.7% and 14.9%, respectively; coconut, up and vegetables, led by cabbage by 52%; pineapple, 27%; coffee, (up by 157%), onion (86%), and 21%; rubber, 17%; abaca, 11%; eggplant (72%).
Secretary Alcala (center) reports the 2.3% growth of Philippine agriculture in 2011, during a media briefing at the Department of Agriculture central office. Flanking him are DA undersecretary for policy and planning Segfredo Serrano (left) and assistant secretary for agribusiness and fisheries Salvador Salacup.
Secretary Alcala (left) inspects the Balingasag River irrigation project along with National Irrigation Administrator Antonio Nangel during a three-day regional visit in Northern Mindanao, Feb 1-3, 2012. Once completed, the P498-million irrigation system will serve 2,500 hectares, benefiting 2,123 farm-families in the towns of Balingasag and Lagonglong, in Misamis Oriental, ensuring yearround palay production. Last year, Misamis Oriental produced close to 26,500 metric tons of palay from 6,400 hectares, of which 5,950 hectares are irrigated. The project will greatly contribute to increasing the provinces palay harvest in succeeding years, and attain selfsufficiency within the next two years, Alcala said.
The Program has a total of 499 RI subprojects (under various stages of implementation), amounting to P4.80 billion. Of which, 375 are FMRs, amounting to P3.53 billion; 29 bridges P293.76 million; 30 communal irrigation systems P668.1 million; and 48 PWS P298.12 million. The remaining 27 subprojects consist of other infrastructures has a total amount of P30.86 million. Of the total infrastructure projects, 101 subprojects were completed, amounting to P489.73 million. These include 74 FMRs, with a total length of 236.34 km, amounting to P379.95 million; 7 single-lane bridges with a total length of 102.60 lm P23.48 million; 1 communal irrigation, servicing 100 hectares P10.578 million; 14 PWS P65.94 million; and 5 other infrastructure subproj ects consist mostly of postharvest facilities P9.77 million. Of the livelihood subprojects under CFAD, 1,150 subprojects were completed, 486 are on-going, and 899 are for implementation. The MRDP has expanded the CFAD coverage by increasing the municipal LGUs funding allocation from P2.5 million to P5million. Further, it has engaged the provincial LGUs as direct implementers of CFAD projects with a maximum fund of P10 million. The increased funding allocation is expected to boost beneficiaries capacity to develop their livelihood into agribusiness enterprises. Farm and Non-farm income W ith the infrastructure and livelihood projects now operational, the beneficiaries are earning from both farm and non-farm incomes. The baseline farm income of P40,093 has also increased by almost 27 percent to P50,869 by mid-term, while income from non-farm activities slightly rose by 1% to P32,082 from P31,729. As roads have become more accessible, farmers are able to bring in more inputs, cultivate more farm lands to expand production which in turn increase their yield and boost income, Ramos said. She added that farmers also earned from value-adding as well as save in hauling cost. In addition more sari-sari stores are opening up, more jeepneys and motorcycles are plying the route of these previously inaccessible bara-ngays, she added.(Sherwin B. Manual,
DA-MRDP)
Francis Pangilinan (right) and Secretary Alcala (third from left) hand over a golden shovel to Felix Baguilat, representing the first batch of beneficiaries of Sagip Saka, an advocacy aimed at transforming agricultural communities to reach their full potential, improving farmers and fishers quality of life, and bridging gaps through public-private partnerships. Launched January 27 at Club Filipino in San Juan, Sagip Saka has an initial seed fund of P129 million to implement various projects of the initial batch of 24 farmers groups and communities. Of the amount, Senator Pangilinan has allotted P100 from his Priority Assistance Development Fund, while the Department of Agriculture is sharing P20 million to rehabilitate the Ifugao Rice Terraces. The provincial government of Cavite is allocating P5 million for coffee projects, while several LGUs in Bicol region are pitching in a total of P4 million for their respective Sagip Saka projects. Joining them in the photo is Oriental Mindoro Gov. Aurelio Umali. February 2012
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala stressed that the Philippines can do its part in helping control climate change and potentially earn P47 billion in the process at the recent APEC Summit on Climate Change. By planting coconut in 3.2 million hectares of land, the country could help absorb 17.54 tons of carbon dioxide per year, and at the same generate roughly P47 billion in revenues per year, Secretary Alcala said. The Philippines has 3.2 million hectares devoted to coconut farming. Based on studies, a hectare of coconut farm could potentially absorb 17.54 tons of carbon dioxide per year which is equivalent to P14.7 million per 1,000 hectares through the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) valuation, he said. Alcala said there are other climate change programs that build the adaptive capacity of farming and fishing communities and increase the resilience of natural ecosystems to climate change. Such programs also optimize adaptation with mitigation opportunities towards sustainable development, he added. For instance, Alcala said, the government is using the concept of the farmers field school, and putting up the climate field schools, to integrate weather data gathering and forecasting, in addition to being an effective agricultural extension medium. Likewise, Alcala said, the government is starting to roll-out the weather-based insurance system which has been tested to be an effective risk transfer mechanism. The government is also aggressively promoting organic agriculture that addresses both adaption and mitigation. W e support the adoption of livestock breeds and fish strains, as well as organic inputs, that improve productivity and make organic produce more affordable, Alcala said. We advocate the use of biological inputs to reduce or substitute agri-chemical use. W e pursue biotechnology projects to improve farm productivity and food security, while causing the least environmental harm, he added.
Secretary Alcala (2nd from right) exchanges pleasantries with Australian embassy second secretary Will Robinson (left), one of the 40 delegates from 13 countries who attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Symposium on Climate Change, at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, Mandaluyong City, February 6 to 8, 2012. Secretary Alcala said the Philippines through the DA integrates climate change adaptation measures in all its programs and projects. These include Climate Field Schools that integrates season-long crop production modules with weather data gathering and forecasting, adoption of weather-based insurance system, promotion of organic agriculture that includes climate change adaptation and mitigation, use of biological inputs to reduce use of farm chemicals, pursuit of environment-friendly biotechnology projects, and rehabilitation of mangrove areas and replanting of coconut as potential sources of carbon sink and mitigating measure to prevent damages brought by storm surges. Also shown are DA Undersecretary for policy and planning Segfredo R. Serrano (2nd from left) and DA-APEC and climate change initiatives focal person Director Alicia G. Ilaga.
The DA head explained that the rehabilitation of mangroves and replanting of coconuts are potential sources of carbon sink and are effective adaptation measures to prevent the damages brought by storm surges. At the end of the day, we expect to map out climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, provide appropriate financing mechanisms, and implement what needs to be done to sustain the productivity of our land, water and marine resources to feed our regions ever-increasing population, Alcala said. He noted that the Symposium on Climate Change is one of the commitments made by the Philippines towards the achievement of food security under the action plan. (Philippine Star)
Undersecretaries Joel Rudinas and Segfredo Serrano lead the participants of the Strengthening the Philippines Institutional Capacity to Adapt to Climate Change (SPICACC) in planting tinawon rice in Banaue, Ifugao. The Cordilerra takes on strategic significance as climate change is expected to effect changes in agriculture in the next 50 years. According to USec. Rudinas, sea water is projected to rise by one meter so new options like upland rice planting is being explored. (Robert
Domoguen, DA-CAR)
The DA through the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) joined hands to implement a two-year pilot sugarcane block farming project that will consolidate small farms owned by agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) into blocks of 30 to 50 hectares to attain economies of scale. Photo shows Secretary Alcala (left), DAR Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes (2nd from left) and SRA Administrator Regina Bautista Martin signing the projects memorandum of agreement, as Batangas 1st District Representative Tomas V. Apacible (standing, at left ) and other DA and DAR officials look on.
yielded a total of 16.68 million metric tons, 5.8 percent more than the 15.77-M MT produced in 2010. Delima said innovations introduced during the year were the establishment of community seed banks, regional seed buffer stocks, the Rice Achievers Awards, and forging of partnerships with various stakeholders. He said that the innovations, alongside traditional programs like ratooning, distribution of farm implements and machines, construction of irrigation systems and post-harvest facilities, and provision of marketing, research and extension support, are aimed at boosting the governments Food Staple Sufficiency Program (FSSP), as well as increase the profitability of farmers. The community seed banking program aims to increase farmers access to quality seeds through sustainable community-based seed banks organized, developed and managed by farmers, irrigators association (IA) members, and non-government organizations. Under the program, two kilograms of starter seeds are provided to beneficiaries which they propagate to become mother seeds for the next cropping season. Some 89,247 bags of two kilogram starter seeds were distributed to farmers belonging to 103 IAs nationwide, while a total of 227 seed storage facilities and warehouses were funded for rehabilitation and repair, Delima said. The Seed Buffer Stocking Program, on the other hand, aims to ensure the availability of high quality palay seeds in the regional offices that can be accessed by farmers in times of
(Pls turn to p11)
Secretary and National Rice Program Coordinator Dante S. Delima inspects the hand tractors or power tillers manufactured in Cauayan City, Isabela by Equity Machineries Inc. (EMI), one of the DAs accredited partners in the implementation of the Aquino governments farm mechanization program. DA is tapping Filipino manufacturers to produce various farm equipment and machinery which will be provided to farmersgroups, irrigators associations and LGUs under an 85-15counterparting scheme. Joining him are EMI president and CEO Mark Anthony Perez, and DA Region 2 officials.
February 2012
cated for rice production, number of LGU personnel deployed to rice production and other related activities, and total farmerbeneficiaries, among other parameters. A similar set of criteria was used to determine the top 50 cities and municipalities.
Rare phenomenon
(Photo by DA-PCC)
year that were infused in small dairy farms in selected areas in Nueva Ecija.
The twin calves were named after their respective birth months, July and August.
(Joahna G. Goyagoy, PCC)
At left are the PCC staff who trained on cheese processing in Korea.
ter) listens to provincial fishery officer Claudio Fabre (left) as he explains an innovation on mussel production being practiced at the Benoni Bangus Breeding and Experimental Center in Benoni, Camiguin. Photo shows Alcala, Fabre and Camiguin governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo (right) inspecting the mussels cultured and grown in a rubber tire as part of the fishery programs implemented by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Region X. Aside from mussel, the Center produces roughly 100 million bangus eggs annually which has enabled Northern Mindanao to be self-sufficient in various aqua products.
tary Alcala inspects the Cabula tramline system, designed by the Philippine Center for Post Harvest Development and Mechanization, which enables the easy transport of agri-products from Baungon, Bukidnon to the markets of Cagayan de Oro City. The facility is part of the interventions of the Aquino government to the Sendong-affected areas in Region X. February 2012
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To qualify, IA members should at least own one to five hectares of irrigated land, which will be used as a table collateral for their loan. Other loan requirements include a farm plan and budget, purchase order from National Food Authority or National Agribusiness Corporation, and a promisory note for the amount borrowed. Applicants should have no existing palay production loan. Borrowers will be charged 15% interest per annum, inclusive of crop insurance, payable within six months. Declining interest will be applied to borrowers who establish good credit standing. For the first two cropping cycles, the interest rate will be pegged at 15% which will be reduced by 1% every succeeding cycle, starting from the 3rd cycle up to the 6th cropping cycle. The program also introduces the use of automated teller machines (ATMs) in releasing program loans to farmers. Secretary Alcala said the use
Secretary Alcala and LBP President Gilda Pico shake hands at the launch of the P400-M Sikat Saka credit program to benefit rice farmers in Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Iloilo and North Cotabato. Also shown (from left) are LBP board member Crispino Aguelo, DA Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, LBP EVP Wilfredo C. Maldia, and LBP Board member Gerardo Bulatao.
of ATM cards will in a way empower and uplift small farmers. For her part, LBP President Pico said they look forward to making the Sikat-Saka program as one of the strategies to reach some 55 municipalities that remain unserved by LBP. Other DA family agencies will also extend technical support under the Sikat-Saka, namely: extension and training, through the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI); processing and market linkage, National Agribusiness Corporation (NABCOR) and the National Food Authority (NFA); and organizational support to potential IAs, through the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). The Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), which provided the DAs initial P200 million fund, will evaluate the Sikat Saka Program. ACPC executive director Jovita M. Corpuz said they prepared credit programs guidelines. (DA Information Service / ACPC).
Secretary Alcala swears into office lawyer Emerson Palad (middle) as Undersecretary and Chief of Staff, and Edicio dela Torre as member of the Board of Trustees of the DAs Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice). Also, Assistant Secretary Salvador Salacup is designated as the OIC-Executive Director of the National Agricultural and Fishery Council, in addition to his tasks as Asec. for fisheries and agribusiness and DA spokesperson .
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The yield from cuttings is many times more than the very low average yield of 300 kilos per hectare in the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR), despite having coffee as its priority crop. This is based on BPIs fouryear study and green coffee beans price of P150 per kilo. A clonal garden costs an estimated P1 million (M) each or up to P3-M for the proposed sites, Galacio said. The seedlings from cuttings have substantially cut coffee gestation period from planting to har-
vesting to just 1.5 years instead of three to four years when using seeds. Around 410,000 farmers nationwide depend on coffee for livelihood, thus, they should be taught of using cuttings as materials. Our cutting materials are still limited. Farmers have not yet fully adopted the cuttings technology. Thus, in the region, they still use 50 percent from cuttings and 50 percent from seeds, she said BPI also noted that coffee plants from cuttings were less
(from p9) Were making sure were getting our due share from the more than 60 percent budget increase for the DA system, said Serrano. Dr. Candida B. Adalla, director of DAs biotechnology program office (BPO), in an interview, said they have already started the project last year. W e have already done barcoding for native chicken. It will be a continuing thing as we work on other crops, Adalla said. For about 10 years since 2000, the BPO obtained its budget from the US PL480 Food for Peace program for a total of P280 million. But the GAA funding through the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) will make commitments for BPO more permanent through a yearly allocation. Adalla said the DNA Library is an electronic or digital database of genetic materials that will be kept and maintained by the Bureau of Plant Industrys National Seed Industry Council. If Im a breeder I can easily improve on my crop because I will have access to a database of the genetic material that I need, she said.
susceptible to diseases with a lower of 2.3 incidence for coffee leaf rust rating compared to seeds 2.9 incidence. A lower 3.06 incidence was also noted for anthracnose in cuttings com-
DA establishes ...
The database will enhance the countrys intellectual property claims for plant and animal genetic development. Under the 2011 PL480 research and development program, BPO had 28 programs for crops and plants, six programs for livestock and poultry, and three for fisheries and aquatic species. The program under the 2011 GAA include varietal improvement for non genetically modified (GM) crops using biotechnology tools such as marker assisted selection or breeding which took up the highest number of projects at 22 percent of total while genetic conservation and gene banking got 14 percent. Other BPO projects are varietal improvement for GM technologies, improvement of bioprocessing using biotechnology tools, commercialization of biotechnology products, and support for policy, regulation, and quality assurance and safety. BPO is also allocating a significant budget for skills or capability building as government needs to strengthen presence of research experts although it already has a good number. (Manila Bulletin) pared to seeds 3.25. The BPI study was conducted in BPIs research station in BNCRDC and in Atok, Benguet in September 2004 to December 2010 using 80 samples.
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DA urges ...
(from p4)
He said the DA-NIA plans to build a series of impounding dams downstream of major dams that will serve as check dams. These will store excess water during the rainy season, and irrigate farms during the dry season. Meanwhile, the DA will continue to implement several innovations in tandem with traditional initiatives to further increase the productivity and profitability of rice farmers, and attain rice sufficiency by end of 2013. The innovations will be undertaken alongside traditional initiatives like ratooning, provision of farm equipment machines to qualified farmers groups, irrigators associations and LGUs, construction and repair of irrigation systems, establishment of postharvest facilities, and provision of marketing, research and extension support. All of these will be pursued to attain the goals and targets set under the governments Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP), Delima said.
can plant rice only once using rainwater, but we can make it two and a half times if irrigation is improved, Alcala said. Traditionally, the country gets 60 percent of its annual palay harvest from the main wet season cropping, while 40 percent comes from the dry season cropping. If we have enough water through more irrigation systems in place, it is possible to shift the trend, where we would harvest 60 percent of our total production during the dry season, he added. Despite strong typhoons during second semester of 2011, the country has managed to harvest 16.68 million metric tons (MMT) of palay, 5.8 percent more than the 15.77 MMT produced in 2010. This year, the DA targets to produce 18.46 MMT, and more than 20 MMT by 2013, and attain 100 percent sufficiency in rice, utilizing a P6.2 billion fund from the departments budget to finance various rice initiatives. Alcala said that aside from advancing the cropping calendar, the DA is also working closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways to utilize the full potential of flood control proj ects and maj or dams in the country.
Secretary Alcala and Ambassador Guy Ledoux of the European Union to the Philippines shake hands at the launch of the DAs Sanitary and Phytosanitary Electronic Portal (DA SPS e-portal), one of the initiatives under the RP-EU Trade Related Technical Assistance 2 Project, at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, Mandaluyong City. Among other benefits, the system allows electronic accessibility of SPS issuances, thereby facilitating trade through improved information availability and transparency. In particular, it will greatly speed up the processing and approval of SPS or import applications of plants, ornamentals, fresh and processed farm, fishery and livestock products. The DA SPS e-portal facilitates the collection and systematic arrangement of SPS and other trade issuances, and serves as a tool to review policies. gional field units have already distributed 175,924 bags of certified seeds to calamity affected farmers, Delima said. The Rice Achievers Awards was also established to encourage the involvement of Local Government Units in rice production by recognizing high-performing provinces, municipalities, cities, IAs, and Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) and highlight their contributions to the FSSP. For 2011, the Awards covered the wet season cropping awarded to the Top 10 provinces, Top 50 municipalities, Top 8 Irrigators Associations and Top 157 AEWs. severely damaged, leading to total losses and damages in crops, livestock and agri-infrastructure at an estimated P872-M. On October 17, 2011, the provincial government of Ifugao submitted a project proposal entitled, Emergency Assistance for the Restoration of the Banaue Rice Terraces at Batad, Banaue with an estimated project cost of P20-M. Following up on the state of damages to agriculture in the province, Secretary Alcala personally visited Ifugao on November 25, 2011, where he approved in principle the proposed P20-M needed to restore the Batad Rice Terraces. On January 28, 2012, Assistant Secretary Delima also visited the town to meet with the provincial government headed by Gov. Eugene Balitang where he confirmed the approval of the proposal after validating the proposed rehabilitation project. (Adam Borja, DA
National Rice Program / Robert Domoguen, DA-CAR Info Div.)
DA uses ...
(from p5)
calamities and unforeseen events. For 2011, this program enabled the procurement of 200,000 bags of certified seeds, to be distributed in times of calamities by the regional offices. To date, the re-
(from p1)
Under production support, the project entails the establishment of community seed banks, and soil and water conservation measures such as nurseries and reforestation efforts. Extension support activities include technology demonstration for farm mechanization, establishment of rice-based farming systems, conduct of farmer field schools, strengthening of ruralbased organizations, and other related extension activities and training activities. Agri-infrastructure support, meanwhile, includes restoration of damaged and abandoned rice terraces, construction of protection walls, rehabilitation and improvement of irrigation facilities and other irrigation projects supporting the rice terraces, construction of cobble stone solar dryers, and installation of a hydraulic ram pump. Immediate activities following the submission of the plans to Secretary Alcala involves the preparation of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and the prepa-
ration of work programs for agriinfrastructures, Daguio said. The operational plan targets the restoration of 8,700 cubic meters of eroded stone walls, rehabilitation of 2.5 kilometers of irrigation system to irrigate 106 hectares of rice paddies, reforestation of 25 hectares of watershed, increase forest cover in 12 hectares of communal forests called pinugo, establish one barangay nursery, improve 5 kilometers of farm-tomarket roads, and intensify information, education and campaign activities. A farm-to-market road component is also being eyed for funding by the DA through the office of Ifugao Congressman Baguilat, while restoration projects shall be undertaken under a convergence initiative between the local government and DSWDs cash-for-work program, Daguio also said. It may be recalled that 38 paddies of the world famous Banaue Rice Terraces at Batad town collapsed in September 2011 during the onslaught of typhoons Pedring and Quiel. Irrigation infrastructures and footpaths were also
February 2012
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Left Photo:Secretary Alcala and Barangay Captain Veronico Echavez (right) of Hinaplanon, Iligan City show an approved project proposal, where the DA will provide P1.1-million worth of farm animals, fishing boats, and an operating capital for a barangay food terminal, among other projects. Right Photo:Alcala hands over fishing nets and paraphernalia to a fisherfolk leader in Cagayan de Oro (CDO). Assisting him are Northern Mindanao DA director Lealyn Ramos (right) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) director Visa Tan-Dimerin (2nd from right) and CDO city officials. The projects are part of the P78-million worth of agri-fishery projects, farm equipment, inputs and livestock animals granted by the DA.
queries raised during the forum, committing to provide appropriate interventions to help improve the lives of farmers and fishers, particularly those in far-flung areas where help is most needed. Kaya po ako narito ay dahil po napag-utusan po ako ng ating mahal na Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III na ilapit at iparamdam sa inyo ang mga programa ng pamahalaan, he said. The DA chief also visited typhoon Sendong-affected areas in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro, where he gave away packages of assistance to farmers and their families to enable them to rehabilitate their farms and revive their livelihood. In Iligan City, where damage due to typhoon Sendong reached close to P80-M, Alcala distributed farm animals and equipment to residents of Bayug, Hinaplanon and nearby communities. He also approved a P1.1M worth of livelihood project submitted by Barangay Captain Veronico Echavez, consisting of 70 head of hogs, two head of carabao with farm implements, a fishing boat, two rubber boats, and a revolving capital for a barangay food terminal, among other projects. Secretary Alcala also visited the municipality of Baungon in Bukidnon, where he inspected the Cabula tramline system established by DA through the Philippine Center for Post Harvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech). The facility will transport farm products from Baungon to markets in Cagayan de Oro, as the Cabula bridge was damaged by typhoon Sendong. He said the DA opted to deliver interventions this time and not immediately after the onslaught of typhoon Sendong because he believes it was not the right time then. The people needed food and shelter then, but what we are offering now are sustainable livelihood projects that will benefit everybody in the long run, he said. (Adora Rodriguez, DA Information Service)