Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
10
October 2010
President Benigno S. Aquino III (right) and Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (2nd from left) lead a ceremonial corn harvest during the 7th National Corn Congress, in Reina Mercedes, Isabela, where the President inaugurated a P500-million corn processing center. Also shown are DA asst. secretary and national rice and corn program coordinator Dennis Araullo (left) and PhilMaize President Roger Navarro (2nd from right).
DA launches KAANIB President Aquino opens P500-M coco program Isabela corn processing plant
The Department of Agriculture launched on October 9 a sustainable coconut production and livelihood program, dubbed as Kasaganaan sa Niyugan ay Kaunlaran ng Bayanor KAANIB. Representing agriculture secretary Proceso J. Alcala, asst. sec. for field operations Edilberto de Luna launched KAANIB in Tupi, South Cotabato. To be implemented in nine other pilot sites nationwide, the program aims to increase coconut productivity and farmers incomes, and thus uplift them from poverty. It also aims to generate additional employment in the 10 pilot sites. In addition to Barangay Palian in Tupi, the nine other sites are: in Luzon - Happy Valley, Roxas, President Aquino started his post-100 days in office, on October 8, by visiting Reina Mercedes town in Isabela where he led the inauguration of a P500-million corn processing plant, touted as the biggest in Southeast Asia. The President was accompanied by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, DA asst. secretary Dennis Araullo, Isabela Gov. Faustino Dy III, Dr. Alfonso Uy, chairman of Mindanao Grains Processing Co., Roger Navarro, president of Philippine Maize Federation Inc., other DA and provincial officials, and farmer-leaders. The plant is a joint initiative of Mindanao Grains and Phil. Maize. (Pls turn to p4) President Aquino thanked Dr. Uy and Mr. Navarro, and others involved in the project. This would surely help us in improving the living conditions of our corn farmers and the (countrys) corn industry in general, said President Aquino, who delivered his message entirely in Filipino. He added that the corn industry plays a crucial role in pumppriming the economy. The facility is expected to further boost corn production in Isabela, currently the countrys top producer. Dr. Uy said they will buy cornon-the-cob from farmers at an agreed price, of up to 100,000 metric tons at any given time,
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Editorial
Gutom
Hindi nagbabago ang estado ng mahihirap: Gutom pa rin sila. Kulang na kulang ang kanilang kinakain, lalo na sa sustansya. Mula sa apat na milyong pamilya noong panahon ni dating Pangulong Arroyo, bumaba sa tatlong milyong pamilya na lamang o 15.9% ng buong populasyon ng bansa ang tinatayang nagugutom nakaramdam ng involuntary hunger o walang makain kahit isang beses sa loob ng nakaraang tatlong buwan ayon sa survey ng Social Weather Station (SWS) nitong Setyembre 2010. Bukod sa bahay at edukasyon, gutom ang pinakamalaking problema ng mga pamilyang Pilipino, sa kalunsuran man o kanayunan. Ang isa pang malaking problema ay kung sino pa ang walang trabaho o maliit ang kinikita, sila pa ang mas maraming anak. Hindi lang sa sapat na pagkain, ang dapat na tanong ay kung may hanap-buhay na maayos para may maibili ng kakainin. Nakakatuwa naman at ang mga problemang ito ang napagtutuunan ng administrasyong Aquino ngayon, lalo na ang programang conditional cash transfer at usapin tungkol sa Reproductive Health Bill. Ang dalawang isyung ito, sa aming pananaw, ay magkakabit at inaasahang makakatulong upang maibsan ang paghihirap ng ating mga kababayang mahihirap. Ang usapin tungkol sa pagkontrol ng populasyon ay kaugnay din sa produksyon ng pagkain. Kasama na rito ang usapin tungkol sa mga lupaing sakahan at conversion. Ganumpaman, ang papel ng Department of Agriculture ay tiyakin na may sapat at abot-kayang pagkain sa hapag-kainan ng bawat pamilyang Filipino. Kaya naman patuloy tayong nagpupursigi upang palawigin pa ang irigasyon, at pagpapatayo ng post-harvest facilities at pamilihan, at pagsasagawa ng marami pang kalsada sa kanayunan. Lahat ng ito ay nakatuon upang makamit natin ang kasapatan sa pagkain, lalunglalo na sa bigas sa 2013. Tama lamang at naglagay ng deadline si Pangulong Noynoy Aquino at Kalihim Procy Alcala, para magtrabaho at mag-focus nang mabuti ang lahat. At hindi lamang tayo sa DA ang dapat abala, kung hindi ang iba pa nating kasangga sa sektor ng sakahan at pangisdaan ang mga samahan ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda, mga pinunong-lokal, NGOs, at pribadong sektor. Kaya naman akmang-akma ang tema ng World Food Day (WFD) selebrasyon nitong taon: United Against Hunger. Kasama natin sa paggunita ng WFD ang ibat-ibang bansa sa buong daigdig, sa pangunguna ng Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Tinataya ng FAO na isang bilyong tao, bata at matatanda, ang nagugutom sa buong mundo. At naway sa ating samasamang pagtutulungan, patuloy nating mabawasan ang bilang ng mga pamilyang Pinoy na nagugutom. Kaya naman ating panindigan ang ating sinumpaang WFD Pledge: Gamit ang aming kasanayan, talino at panahon, kamiy maghahatid ng walanghumpay na tulong upang maitaas ang ani ng mga sakahan at pangisdaan, nang may pag-iingat sa kalikasan at Inang-Bayan, At patuloy na maiangat ang kabuhayan at kita ng lahat na umaasa sa pagsasaka at pangingisda, at makapag-hatid ng sapat at ligtas na pagkain para sa lahat.
Thai Food Firm Eyes Investing in the Philippines. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (left) thanks Thailand Ambassador to the Philippines Kulkumut Singhara Na Ayudhaya during the latters recent courtesy call at the DA central office in Quezon City. Ambassador Ayudhaya was joined by top officials of Chareon Pokphand Foods (CPF), Thailands leading agro-industrial and food conglomerate, who expressed keen interest in investing in the country particularly on feedmill, poultry and piggery operations. Sec. Alcala immediately tasked concerned DA officials and agencies to assist CPF officials to realize their planned investment. Last year, total trade between the Philippines and Thailand amounted to US$3.7 billion. The countrys top agricultural exports to Thailand include tuna, cigars and cigarettes, and cereal products, while top agricultural imports include Thai rice, corn seeds and cassava starch or tapioca.
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and then dry and mill these into quality grains. Dr. Uy is also the national president of the Federation of FilipinoChinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry. He said similar state-of-the-art corn post-harvest facilities will also be put up in other corn-producing areas in Isabela such as Tumauini and Solana, and in Cagayan.
pated in by corn farmers from all over the country. He urged the DA and all state universities and colleges (SUCs) to help agriculture professionals and farmers use modern technology to produce high quality seeds. He also encouraged the private sector and NGOs to support governments effort to develop the agriculture sector, especially the corn industry. Ang ating pagtutulungan po ang magiging puhunan natin upang matiyak ang pangmatagalang food security, at mas matatag na ekonomiya ng bansa, the President said. He expects the 7th corn con(Pls turn to p11)
is published monthly by the Department of Agriculture Information Service, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City. Tel. nos. 9288741 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, Foreign-Assisted Projects Photographers: Jose Lucas, Alan Jay Jacalan, & Kathrino Resurreccion Lay-out Artist: Bethzaida Bustamante Printing & Circulation: Teresita Abejar & PCES Staff
P50-billion food supply chain financing program. Secretary Alcala (seated, 1st from left), Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima (middle) and Land Bank of the Philippines president Gilda Pico join hands as they launch a Food Supply Chain Program, where an initial P50 billion will be lent to farmers and fisherfolks cooperatives, and agribusiness enterprises, in support of President Aquinos twin thrust of attaining food self-sufficiency, and increasing farmers and fisherfoks productivity and incomes. Nine enterprises and cooperatives (their respective president, CEO, and chairperson shown at the background) have initially qualified under the program for integrated corn production and hog fattening, integrated broiler production, banana production for local and export markets, oil palm production and palm oil refining, vegetable production, and fish production for local and export markets.
activities. A three-hectare pilot area will be used for the project, of which two hectares will serve as production site, and the rest as site for the facilities. Farmer-participants will be given inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and pesticides for two croppings. Korean technical experts will supervise and provide necessary guidance and advice to ensure the success of the project.
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Organic Act IRR is now with Congress for approval. Secretary Alcala (2nd from left) shows his endorsement letter of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Organic Act of 2010 (RA 10068) as approved by the National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB) for transmittal to the Congressional Oversight Committee on Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization (COCAFM). RA 10068 aims to promote, propagate, and further develop organic farming practices and technologies in the Philippines. Others in photo (from left) are: DA-BAFPS director Dr. Gilberto Layese, Jose Pepito of Nationwide Association of Consumers, Inc., Roland Cabigas of La Liga Policy Institute, DA Undersecretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, Dr. Rodolfo Ilao of DOST-PCARRD, Anna Liza F. Bonagua of DILG-Bureau of Local Government, and Leilani Limpin of Organic Certification Center of the Philippines.
ricultural producers and processors; and capacity-building to strengthen farmers cooperatives. Initial projects identified include integrated corn production and hog fattening to be undertaken by Biotech Farms, Inc., Marcela Farms, Inc., Sorosoro Development Coop., Limcoma Multi-Purpose Coop. and Catmon MultiPurpose Coop. Altogether, the proponents require an investment of at least P550 million(M), which is expected to benefit more than 3,000 corn farmers and 8,000 hog farmers. Another project involves integrated broiler production of Anakciano, Inc., which requires P242.5-M for broiler and corn production, with more than 1,000 contract growers expected to participate. A third project is banana production and export, which needs P940 million, of Sagrex Food Corporation and Fermon Corporation. For oil palm production and palm oil refining, of Agumil Philippines, Inc., P1.5-B is required. The project will benefit more than 6,000 farmers and workers. Agrinurture, Inc. will engage in vegetable production for local and export markets. It requires an initial P20 million. Other projects are fish production of Sta. Cruz Seafoods, General Tuna Corp/Century Pacific Group and APAMI, requiring P45M. (LandBank)
October 2010
DA-OSEC Directors: Ophelia D. Agawin, finance service (re-appointee) Agnes Catherine T. Miranda, planning service (re-appointee) Gary Glenn B. Fantastico, information technology center for DA Regional Directors (RDs): agriculture and fisheries (ITCAF) Jose V. Dayao, Region 5 Noel O. Reyes, information (re-appointee) service (AFIS) Larry P. Nacionales, Region Rudy Santos, administra6 (re-appointee) tive service
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DA assistant RDs, attached agency deputies, and BFAR regional directors: Crispulo G. Bautista, Region 1 (re-appointee) Paz L. Mones, Region 1 (reappointee) Bernadette F. San Juan, Region 4-A Edgar Madrid, Region 5 (reappointee) Marilyn Sta. Catalina, Region 5 Constancio C. Maghanoy Jr. DA Region 10 (re-appointee) Engr. Eduardo M. Gonzales DA Region 3 (re-appointee) Felix G. Valenzuela, deputy exec. dir. (DED), LDC Noel A. Juliano, DED, National Agriculture and Fishery Council Augusto L. Canlas, DED, Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority Antonio Galvez, senior deputy administrator, NIA (re-appointee) Elizabeth R. Tortosa, deputy administrator, Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA) (reappointee) Josephine B. Regalado , deputy administrator, (FIDA) (reappointee)
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Drusila Esther E. Bayate, BFAR regional director, Region 6 (re-appointee) Andres M. Bojos, BFAR regional director, Region 7 (re-appointee) Juan D. Abaledejo, BFAR regional director, Region 8 (reappointee) Ahadulla S. Sajili, Al-Haj, BFAR regional director, Region 9 (re-appointee) Dennis V. Del Socorro, BFAR regional director, Region 5 (re-appointee) vice Clemencio A. Reciproco Nerio G. Casil, BFAR regional director, Region 13 (re-appointee) Vicente Lasam, deputy administrator, (NTA) (re-appointee) Ricardo L. Cachuela Philippine Center for Post- Harvest Development and Mechanization (re-appointee) Dr. Felomino V. Mamuad Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) (re-appointee)
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PCA Board Members: Oscar G. Garin Ponciano A. Batugal Cesar C. Villariba, Jr. Rafael P. Sarucam Marcos M. Dumandan Monkayo, Compostela Valley; Brgy. San Roque, Panaon, Misamis Oriental; and Limpapa in Zamboanga City. The program entails the formation of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and transform the members into village-level entrepreneurs, and not merely producers of coconut and copra. Thus, the DA through the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) will teach farmers and rural women villagelevel processing technologies so they could produce more valueadded quality coconut products and by-products. The DA will also provide the CBOs technical support and marketing assistance. The CBOs will be trained to establish and maintain their respective coconut nurseries so they can produce their own seedlings. Secondly, they will be taught to intercrop coconut with highvalue cash crops, and raise livestock, too, as additional income. The DAs Livestock Development Council will be tapped to help CBOs in their livestock project.
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DA launches ...
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Oriental Mindoro; Brgy. San Francisco, Tagkawayan, Quezon; and Brgy. San Rafael, Catilla, Sorsogon; In Visayas - Brgy. Quia-Anan, San Joaquin, Iloilo; Brgy. Campanga, Barili, Cebu; and Brgy. Burabod, Biliran, Biliran; and In Mindanao - Brgy. Upper Ulip,
Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Livestock, Davinio Catbagan (seated, 3rd from left) and Acting Executive Director of the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) Atty. Jane Bacayo (next to Catbagan) sign a Memorandum of Agreement on the Meat Establishment Improvement Program along with mayors of recipient municipalities on October 18, 2010. The MoA, which aims to strengthen counterparting between the National and Local Government, grants a total of P18-M for the rehabilitation and completion of locally operated slaughterhouses and poultry dressing plants. The activity is part of NMIS 38th Anniversary and the 18th Meat Safety Consciousness Week which runs from October 18-22. Also in photo are: (seated L-R) Hon. Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen, Iriga, Camarines Sur; Hon. Alicia Paulican-Resus, Maramag, Bukidnon; Hon. Voltaire Anthony Villarosa, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro, and Hon. Nerito L. Santos, Talavera, Nueva Ecija.
Messages
This years theme was chosen to recognize the efforts made in the fight against world hunger at national, regional and international levels. Uniting against hunger becomes real when state and civil society organizations and the private sector work in partnership at all levels to defeat hunger, extreme poverty and malnutrition. On October 16 2010, World Food Day enters its 30th year, and also marks the 65th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). In 2009, the critical threshold of one billion hungry people in the world was reached in part due to soaring food prices and the financial crisis, a tragic achievement in these modern days, according to FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf. On the eve of the hunger summit, Dr Diouf launched an online petition to reflect the moral outrage of the situation. The 1 billion hungry project reaches out to people through online social media to invite them to sign the anti-hunger petition at www.1billionhungry.org. On this World Food Day 2010, when there have never been so many hungry people in the world, let us reflect on the future. With willpower, courage and persistence and many players working together and helping each other more food can be produced, more sustainably, and get into the mouths of those who need it most. (FAO)
The theme of this years World Food Day is United Against Hunger or in Filipino, Nagkakaisa Laban Sa Gutom, which was chosen to recognize the efforts made in the fight against world hunger at national, regional and international levels. Uniting against hunger becomes real when state and civil society organizations and the private sector work in partnership at all levels to defeat hunger, extreme poverty and malnutrition. FAO estimates that there are now almost 1 billion malnourished people in the world, which means that almost one/ sixth of all humanity is suffering from hunger. To reflect the moral outrage of this situation, the FAO Director General Jacques Diouf launched on November 2009 the 1 Billion Hungry project, an online anti-hunger petition, which works in synergy with this years WFD programme. The FAO recommends to have an agricultural revolution to feed the future and produce all that extra food. Through partnerships with governments, research institutes and universities, farmers associations and pressure groups, the UN system, civil society, and the private sector working together it can be done. On this World Food Day 2010, when there have never been so many hungry people in the world, let us reflect on the future. With willpower, courage and persistence and many players working together and helping each other more food can be produced, more sustainably, and get into the mouths of those who need it most. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our gratitude to the Government of the Philippines for its commitment to the activities of FAO, and look forward to the further collaboration with the Government and Filipino people towards the achievement of food security. Maraming salamat po!
October 2010
Opening
Candle lighting ceremony and reading of the 2010 WFD Pledge at the Quezon Memorial Circle
Ay naninindigang itataguyod ang isang bansang malaya sa kagutuman at hirap, kung saan abot-kamay ang sapat at masustansyang pagkain para sa lahat, Gamit ang aming kasanayan, talino at panahon, kamiy maghahatid ng walang-humpay na tulong upang maitaas ang ani ng mga sakahan at pangisdaan, nang may pag-iingat sa kalikasan at Inang-Bayan, At patuloy na maiangat ang kabuhayan at kita ng lahat na umaasa sa pagsasaka at pangingisda, at makapag-hatid ng sapat at ligtas na pagkain para sa lahat. Sa pamamagitan ng programang Agri-Pinoy at iba pang makabuluhang proyekto at polisiya, sama-sama naming aabutin ang mga layunin ng Millenium Development Goals na maibsan ang kahirapan at kagutuman sa mga darating na taon. Kaya, sama-sama naming lalabanan ang kagutuman nang buong puso at walang pag-iimbot, tungo sa mas maunlad na Pilipinas. Sa adhikaing ito, patnubayan nawa kami ng Poong Maykapal. 7
DA Undersecretary Antonio Fleta (left) and Mr. Kazuyuki Tsurumi, FAO Rep. in the Philippines open the week-long WFD celebration.
The week-long WFD celebration culminated in a candle lighting ceremony and reading of the 2010 World Food Day Pledge at the Quezon City Memorial Circle, participated in by officials and staff of DA bureaus and attached agencies within Metro Manila, FAO and UN officials, and guests. Part of the program included the awarding of the winners of the Outstanding Rural Women for 2010 and the five national winners of the 2010 WFD on-the-spot poster making contest. The crowd was entertained by popular composer-singer Noel Cabangon.
This years WFD poster winners are (from left): Cecille Gragasin of Isabela, Joshua Noel Bonifacio of Bulacan, Angelene Navarro of Iloilo City, Daryll Clark Castillo of Calbayog City, and Trisha Reyes of Manila.
Top awardee, Amelia Gresones (4th from left) is shown with DA Undersecretary Berna Romulo Puyat (5th from left) and other 2010 Outstanding Rural Women, namely: Edita Dacuycuy (Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte), Beniflor Guittap (Centro, Sta. Ana, Cagayan), Gloria Gutlay (San Miguel, Bulacan), Yolanda Elbancol (Baco, Oriental Mindoro), Rocaiya Kasan (Tupi, South Cotabato), Wenita F. Espartero (Dujali, Davao del Norte), and Annie E. Sitjar (Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur).
rural women in their own right. Maturan has contributed her share in enhancing sugarcane production, conduct of community development projects, which altogether generated additional livelihood and employment for farm families and residents in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental. Mansiliohan has done her part in uplifting the socio-economic status of fellow ruralfolk in San Luis, Agusan del Sur. They both received P20,000 in cash and a plaque of recognition. The annual search for outstanding rural women is led by the Phil. Commission on Women through the inter-agency committee on rural women composed of the DA, DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and departments of environment and natural resources, agrarian reform, social welfare and development, health, labor and employment, interior and local government, National Anti-Poverty Commission, and Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan. The celebration of World Rural Womens Day started in September 1995, at a UN conference for women in Beijing, China. In the Philippines, the celebration started in 1997 with the issuance of Presidential Proclamation No. 1105, which recognizes and supports the multiple roles of Filipino rural women. It also seeks to create worldwide awareness on the crucial yet unrecognized roles they play. by a market survey to determine saleable coconut products and explore opportunities. The PCA and DA will link the CBOs with interested private firms and with the Department of Trade and Industry to help the CBOs in product packaging and export marketing. Each CBO member will be tasked to plant at least 15 seedlings per year for a period of three years to replace aging coconut palms to conserve and propagate high-value or highyielding varieties in the community, said De Luna. The KAANIB project will employ the farmer participatory approach where CBO members will decide on what crops to plant and farming technologies to practice.
DA launches ...
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The DA's Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) celebrated its 47th fish conservation week with the theme, Fish is Life, at SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, featuring product and technolofy exhibits and livelihood seminars, and launch of a book, Field Guide on the Mangroves of the Philippines, funded by the Agencia Espaola Cooperacion International para el Desarollo (AECID). Shown with BFAR Dir. Sarmiento is book author Raul Roldan, who co-wrote the book with Jessica Muoz and Jose Razon III. With them are BFAR asst. dirs. Benjamin Tabios and Gil Adora. October 2010
De Luna said to ensure the sustainability of the livelihood projects, nothing will be provided for free, except the training and capacity-building activities that will be conducted by the ATI and PCA. He said the inputs to be used for each component should be repaid by the CBO participants through a microcredit system, which will serve as a revolving fund to support the income-generating activities and coconut seedling nurseries. The microcredit system will be managed by designated CBO officers. The project will be supported
Philippine singer Lea Salonga accepts her appointment as FAO Goodwill Ambassador from FAO director general Jacques Diouf during the World Food Day ceremony, at FAO headquarters, in Rome.
(Photo by FAO/Giulio Napolitano)
ger. Its important because of my mother who knows what its like to be hungry, and for my daughter who I pray will never have to know, she said. As UN goodwill ambassador and in spreading FAOs message, I hope that no member of the future generation will have to go through this either, she said. She would like her four-yearold daughter Nicole to grow up aware of this pressing issue. I always remind her to be thankful for the food that we have and that we are lucky to have the food that we have, as there are kids her age that go without, every single day, she said. (Phil.
Daily Inquirer)
FAO News
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Secretary Alcala (2nd from right) congratulates Director Jeffrey Willnow, of the US Dept. of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, during the launch of a joint RP-US goat production project, at the 2010 Agrilink, October 7, at the World Trade Center, in Manila.
not on just a couple of goods. The unused amount per week cannot be carried over to the following weeks purchase. As previously practiced, senior citizens can only avail of discounts if they present their respective purchase booklet (PB) issued by the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA). In case the senior citizen cannot personally go to store due to physical ailment or illness, his/ her representative should present a valid government issued identification, the senior citizens PB, and an authorization letter. Retailers exempted from granting the 5% discount are stalls in food courts, food carts, food vendors, and sari-sari stores with a capitalization of less than P100,000, public and private wet markets, talipapa and cooperative stores.
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including the training of farmers and personnel of farmers organizations in the various components of an operational data system. The project will be implemented for three years and intends to undertake various activities such as: designing a farmer-based information service; provision of training for farmers; installation of necessary IT infrastructure; forging partnerships between gov-
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gress will serve as a venue for all stakeholders to unite and further enhance the agricultural sector. Wala pong duda: ang mga binhi ng pagbabago na ating itinanim ngayon ay magbubunga ng magandang kinabukasan, na aanihin at ipapamana natin sa susunod na henerasyon. Napakaganda na po ng ating nasimulan; ituloy po natin ang sama-samang pagtahak sa tuwid na landas, he noted. The corn congress was held in conjunction with the celebration of World Food Day. The Corn Congress is an annual gathering of more than 3,000 small corn farmers and leaders, government and private sector agricultural technicians, and other private sector industry stakeholders. (Phil. Star / OP) (Japanese Embassy, Philippines)
ernment and NGOs; and establishment of economic classification system for Filipino farmers. The project will cover initially 12 provinces: Benguet, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Iloilo, Capiz, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Leyte, Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon. Three areas in Central Visayas and CARAGA regions will be added for the projects expansion. It is expected that the production and marketing analysis service component of the project will enhance service delivery to farmers in the target areas. The project aims to provide farmers adequate information such as situational analysis, production, planning and marketing -- and enable them to achieve higher productivity and income, and thus empower them. For the past thirty years, the 2KR Program has made a positive impact on the livelihood of Filipino farmers. The project reaffirms Japans commitment, as the top donor of the Official Development Assistance to the Philippines, to support the efforts of the Government of the Philippines to alleviate poverty and achieve food self-sufficiency. The project also serves as a continuing testimony of strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines towards the future.
Farm Equipment for Palawan. Secretary Alcala (insert, 3rd from left) hands over a symbolic key to Palawan Gov. Abraham Kahlil Mitra (inset, left), commencing the turnover of various farm equipment consisting of a 4-wheel tractor, water pump engine sets for shallow tube wells (foreground), and shredders for organic fertilizer productionunder the DAs counterparting program with Palawan local government units (LGUs), and farmers and fishers cooperatives. It was part of a Provincial Agriculture Summit, held October 1 at the provincial capitol, where Sec. Alcala held a four-hour town hall consultation with 500 farmers, fishers, provincial and municipal agriculturists and extension workers, provincial board members, municipal mayors, and officials and staff of DA agencies in Region 4B (MIMAROPA). Also shown (inset, from left) are Palawan provincial agriculturist engineer Teresita Guian, provincial board member Gil Acosta, DA-4B regional technical director Yvonne Vinas, and director Silvino Tejada of the DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management.
DA-PCIC ...
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DA vows support to Cordillera farmers, LGUs. Secretary Alcala joins hands with four representatives of the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) -- (from left) Mt. Province Rep. Maximo Dalog, Benguet Rep. Ronald Cosalan, Abra Rep. Ma. Jocelyn Bernos and Ifugao Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat -- as a pledge to sustain agricultural development programs in the region and uplift the economic condition of the Cordillerans. The four legislators called on Sec. Alcala, October 4, 2010 at the DA central office. Sec. Alcala assured them the DA will continue to pursue worthy projects such as establishment of trading posts and tramlines, construction of farmto-market roads and small water impounding projects, and setting up of centralized seed banks, and fish (pangasius and tilapia) hatcheries. October 2010
has caused an estimated damage to agriculture, fishery and infrastructure totaling P11.53 billion (B), as of October 28, 2010. It affected 21 provinces in four regions (Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, Ilocos and Central Luzon), inflicting the biggest damage on the palay (unmilled rice) sector, at P8.93-B, as more than 425,000 hectares were affected with an opportunity loss of more than 523,000 metric tons (MT). Of the total area, about 9,000 hectares have no chance of recovery, while the rest (more than 416,000 hectares) could still be salvaged. As of October 28, 2010, about 9,000 hectares planted to rice have no chance of recovery, based on reports submitted by provincial and municipal officers of affected Local Government Units (LGUs). Some P660-M worth of vegetables, mango and banana were destroyed planted in some 6,370 hectares. A total of 18,048 hectares of corn were affected, with an estimated loss of 27,000 MT worth P368-M. The fishery sector also lost some P212.5-M worth of fish, cages and pens, while the livestock and poultry sector suffered P10.6-M. Several agricultural, fishery and
rural infrastructureincluding DA facilitieswere also damaged, such as: irrigation and FMRs, P1.27-B; fishery, livestock and DA facilities, P77.46-M. Three provincesPangasinan (P2.4-B), Nueva Ecija (P2.1-B) and Isabela (P1.6-B)suffered the biggest losses, mainly palay. Impact on 4th Qtr production Total rice area affected (425,134 hectares) represents 22.85% of the 1.86Mhectares projected to be harvested nationwide, from October to December. The estimated loss of 523,013 MT is roughly 7.5% of the forecast production of about 7 million MT in the 4th quarter 2010. As for corn, the area affected (18,048 hectares) is only 2.8% of the 645,695 hectares to be harvested in the 4th quarter. Estimated loss (26,986 MT) is merely 1.7% of the 1.6M MT projected production for the period. Meanwhile, PCIC president Jovy Bernabe said the indemnity checks will be distributed to insured rice and corn farmers in Central Luzon, totaling P86.729M, Cagayan Valley (region 2) farmers will receive a total of P45.714-M, while Ilocos (region 1) farmers will get P25.046-M. Bernabe said the farmers will receive their respective checks within 15 to 20 days. This will enable them to recoup their losses, buy seeds and inputs, and replant again.
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DA to help expand Iwahig rice areas. Secretary Alcala (right) instructs NIA 4B regional officer Conrado Cardenas, Jr. (left) to validate potential expansion areas at the Iwahig Penal Farm in Palawan, and speed up the restoration and repair of irrigation systems that will double rice hectarage.
Abraham Kahlil Mitra and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) region 4B manager Conrado Cardenas, Jr. Cardenas said there are still some 1,500 hectares of rainfed areas that could be irrigated and provide additional rice harvest to supply the demand of Palawan and nearby provinces. To which, Sec. Alcala instructed Cardenas to validate the potential expansion areas and submit his recommendations soonest to speed up the restoration and repair of irrigation systems. For his part, Transmonte said Iwahig farm has the manpower to transform idle lands into productive rice farms, and all it needs are funding support and technical supervision from the DA and NIA. These efforts will contribute in part to attaining the governments target of rice selfsufficiency by 2013, Alcala said. While in Palawan, Sec. Alcala distributed more than P2-million worth of farm machinery and equipmenta four-wheel drive hand tractor, low lift pumps, shallow tube wells, and shredders to farmers groups and Palawan municipal LGUs. Incentives were also given to farmers under the Participatory Coconut Planting program, while certificates of entitlement under the Salt Fertilization Program of the Philippine Coconut Authority were distributed. Alcala assured the farmers and fishers that the DA will continue to craft policies and implement sustainable programs to enhance Palawans agri-fishery sector. We have to work together to attain the goal of rice selfsufficiency, he added urging everyone to take part in the main agenda of the Aquino government geared at sustainable food production. Alcala said the DA will also put up community seed banks in Palawan, and in other parts of the country, to empower rice seed growers and enable them to produce quality seeds in a sustainable basis.
DA Chief Meets APEC Counterparts in Japan. Secretary Alcala (extreme right) answers a query on the effects of La Nia and climate change in the Philippines during a press conference at the First AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting on Food Security, October 16-17, 2010, in Niagata, Japan, attended by agriculture, forestry and fisheries ministers from 21 APEC member-countries. After the meeting, they agreed to share experiences and cooperate on several imperatives, such as: expanding food supply, enhancing disaster preparedness, developing rural communities, confronting challenges in climate change and natural resources management, promoting investments, facilitating trade in food and agricultural products, strengthening confidence in agricultural markets, and improving agribusiness environment and food safety practices. Shown with Sec. Alcala at the front row are agriculture ministers (from left) of Malaysia, Mexico, Japan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Peru.