MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao
(DA-10) is pushing a “One Bukidnon, One Agriculture” agenda to strengthen coordination with
local governments and address risks confronting the province’s farmers, including the projected
2026-2027 El Niño.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan made the call during the monthly
meeting of the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines (VMLP)-Bukidnon Chapter on Sept. 23,
urging local officials to align their agriculture priorities with national and regional programs.
“We need to organize and respond to the immediate concerns for agricultural production for us to
sustain the strategic role of Bukidnon as the food basket of Northern Mindanao and other
regions,” Pacamalan said.
He stressed that stronger support from local governments, particularly through municipal
agriculture offices, is crucial because they are at the frontline of delivering assistance and
services to farming communities.
“We need strong support from the local government, because at the end of the day, it is [food]
security in every household in our municipality that is becoming an issue,” he said.
Pacamalan also urged municipalities to prepare for the projected El Niño by identifying areas
with dependable water sources, coordinating with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA)
to improve water supply for rice and corn farms, and building silage and forage reserves for
livestock ahead of the dry months.

He said local governments should also pay closer attention to market conditions to help farmers
make timely production decisions and prevent losses when supply exceeds demand.
DA-10 is developing a digital agricultural information system that Pacamalan said would provide
farmers with timely market information to help them find buyers and reduce post-harvest
wastage.
“We are developing a digital agricultural information system. Pinaagi niini, mahatagan nato ang
mga mag-uuma og timely information aron ma-market nila ilang produce ug dili masayang,” he
said.
Pacamalan also raised concerns over declining soil organic matter and the increasing dependence
on fertilizers in some production areas.
He encouraged the use of livestock waste as an organic soil input, while also exploring its
potential as raw material for alternative energy sources.
The DA-10 chief likewise cited opportunities for indigenous peoples’ communities through the
Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP), particularly in coffee, cacao,
bamboo, high-value crops and livestock.
The initiative aims to connect indigenous communities with broader production, processing and
market networks while supporting the protection of their ancestral lands.
Bukidnon remains a major agricultural producer in Northern Mindanao, with an Agriculture,
Forestry and Fishing (AFF) gross domestic product of P129 billion, an agricultural land area of
829,378 hectares and 224,534 farmers and fisherfolk, according to DA-10 data.
Pacamalan said DA-10 would continue working with local governments to harness the
province’s agri-fishery potential and strengthen its contribution to the regional food economy.
The meeting, led by VMLP-Bukidnon Chapter President and Lantapan Vice Mayor Ernie R.
Devibar, also discussed league programs and updates, legislative concerns and other matters
affecting local governments.
It also provided an avenue for vice mayors to raise agriculture-related concerns with DA-10
officials and identify areas for joint action to address the needs of farmers.
Among those who attended were DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Viralou L.
Tuquib, DVM; FOD Chief Junel W. Ablanque; POC Chief Jamaica S. Docdoc; Rice Focal
Person Jurrybe J. Lachica; Corn Alternate Focal Person Richard Apare; and other DA personnel.
The dialogue forms part of DA-10’s continuing efforts under the government’s Masaganang
Agrikultura vision to strengthen coordination among agriculture stakeholders and translate
shared priorities into responsive programs aimed at increasing local food production.
(JLPC/melbmadera)