Friday, November 01, 2024

Agri dept 10 links Bukidnon onion farmer to Cebu market

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To meet the market’s increasing demand for red onions, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) under the helm of OIC–Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado administered the market linkage and sale of ‘Red Pinoy’ onions to SariSuki Cebu on January 27, 2023

With help from DA’s recently turned over delivery truck to the local government of Sumilao, Bukidnon dubbed as the ‘Kadiwa on Wheels’, Joseph G. Aguilar, an onion farmer from barangay Kisolon, was able to transport 1 ton of his produce overall costing to P200K (at P200 per kilo) to the CdeO City port, which was later on shipped to Cebu.

On such initiative, RED Collado said that the agency through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) vigorously pursues the facilitation of linkages of farmers and fisherfolk enterprises (FFEs) and other agri-based MSMEs with consumer markets and institutional buyers.

Through DA’s Kadiwa displays, individuals, especially those farmers’ cooperatives, and associations (FCAs) may sell their harvest at competitive prices with an assured link to a market; thereby, ensuring the quality and freshness of their agricultural produce.

The said shipment was also assisted by the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry-Plant Quarantine Service Cagayan de Oro through its OIC-Manager, Arnold S. Dela Cruz.

Ahead of Aguilar’s Cebu market, he has also sold 1,488 kilos of red onions amounting to P431,781 to Gaisano Mall Malaybalay City on January 20. (MPMTablon/DA-10)

P5.5-M ‘drone-assisted’ reforestation set in Bukidnon

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A PHP5.5 million reforestation project to be carried out by drones is set to be implemented in the Mount Kalatungan ranges in Pangantucan, Bukidnon province this year

Ritchie Guno, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) provincial director for Bukidnon, said the collaboration between the local government of Pangantucan and the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) involves the use of specialized drones to reforest targeted areas.

“The reforestation project will cover four hectares of Mt. Kalatungan ranges (out of the 21,000 hectares). DOST allocated PHP1.2 million, but the counterpart of the LGU is PHP3.3 million, and PAMB worth PHP1.1 million,” Guno said in an interview last February 01, 2023.

The project will be carried out by the forestry firm Galansiyang, which was one of the DOST-incubated startup firms whose founders were students of Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology.

Guno said Galansiyang already had clients in other Mindanao regions, yielding an average of 80 to 90 percent success rate in reforesting land areas with the use of drones.

In drone-assisted planting, seeds are processed to become “seed balls,” to be loaded in the drone container and dispersed in the target area.

The Pangantucan project aims to train 370 participants in seed ball production — coating the seeds with soil and organic manure and has a target of 12,000 seed balls for reforestation.

Guno said the seed ball will be prepared by the community consisting of students from Bukidnon Community College, PAMB staff, and Indigenous People (IP).

Among the seeds that will be dispersed are balansihan, talingtingan, bagalug and ulayan, which are all endemic tree species referred to and approved by the PAMB.

“The seeds were based on the recommendation from CMU (Central Mindanao University) which have ample data on Mt. Kalatungan’s endemic plants,” Guno said.

Seeds will be bought from the IP communities in the area that regularly conducts seed collection straight from the source in the mountain.

Mt. Kalatungan is the Philippines’ fifth-tallest peak and home to at least 129 animal species and 342 plant species. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

ACE launches search for outstanding law enforcers

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) – The Alliance of Certified Enforcers (ACE), a local non-government organization, formally launches its search for CY 2023 Outstanding Law Enforcers in Mindanao, on January 18

ACE wants to honor the good work and accomplishments of law enforcement, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when they had to deal with a lot of problems.

“In these challenging times, we really need to recognize the exemplary performance and achievement of our law enforcers, not only in Mindanao but the entire country as well,” says Erwin Culanag, ACE’s founding chairperson.

With the launch of the said search, various law enforcement and national government agencies, such as the Philippine National Police-10, 4th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-10, Department of the Interior and Local Government-10, Philippine Information Agency-10, and the City Government of Cagayan de Oro, expressed their appreciation and support to ACE for taking the initiative to reward the hard work and dedication that men and women in uniform had given for the country.

Being its pioneering project, ACE hopes the event will become a catalyst for further inspiring and boosting the morale of all law enforcers. The awarding ceremony will commence on February 18 during the 4th Mindanao Governance and Leadership Excellence Awards. (JAKA/PIA-10/Misamis Oriental)

LGU Sumilao gets P2-M Kadiwa grant from DA-10

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To ensure the availability and accessibility of food commodities, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) handed over the certificate of turnover of the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Financial Grant Assistance worth P2 million to the local government unit (LGU) of Sumilao, Bukidnon, at the agency compound

Said amount forms part of the total project cost amounting to P2.5-M, wherein DA-10 granted 80% of the portion and LGU Sumilao counterpart 20% amounting to P500K.

On January 27, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga and Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) Assistant Division chief Ferdinand F. Caraballe, led the turnover of the procured cargo transport delivery truck from the overall project amount to LGU Sumilao municipal agriculturist Melchora G. Dumayao.

DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said the program will make it possible for farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs), and organizations to take part in the convenient and sufficient food supply distribution system and assure the stability of food and other basic commodities in the region with high consumer demand.

In return, Dumayao expressed her gratitude to DA which enabled them to purchase a said truck that is for priority use for high-value crop farmers in the municipality, to assist them in the reduction of their transportation costs.

DA-10 seeks to empower local farmers by providing a direct and effective farm-to-consumer food supply chain in order to address the continuing demand for agri-fishery products, including in helping stabilize the price of red onions in the market. (MPMTablon/DA-10)

Agri 10 grants P1.5-M for Baungon demo farm, training center on organic agriculture upgrade

Cagayan de Oro City – To aid in the continuous operations of the ATI-certified organic agriculture (OA) hub, the Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) under the leadership of OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado handed over the P1.5 million worth of check to the Department of Education – Bukidnon District on January 20, 2023, this city

Funded by the agency’s OA program, the amount is for the rehabilitation and enhancement of the demonstration farm and training center on OA in barangay Imbatug, Baungon, Bukidnon purposely to boost the knowledge and skills of the students, and teachers of Baungon National High School (BNHS), farmers and other relevant stakeholders.

The conferred amount is set for the repair of the training center; enhancement of the poultry house, edible landscaping, stock room, and mushroom house; establishment of a greenhouse; construction of a perimeter fence; procurement of assorted vegetable seeds, agri tools, and equipment; and for the conduct of briefings.

The check release was led by Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, Field Operations Division chief Luz I. Guzman, OA focal person Mark Lagamon and in the presence of other DA-10 officials, to DepEd-Buk thru Henry J. Lood, district in-charge and Nanette D. Soriano, BNHS principal, and also witnessed by Baungon municipal agriculturist Janel C. Redondo and other staff from DepEd-Buk, BNHS, and DA-10. (JLO/DA-10)

Php1.74-B PRDP IBUILD proposals up for technical review

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project 10 (DA-PRDP 10) is up for a Joint Technical Review (JTR) of Php1.74 billion proposed IBUILD subprojects (SPs) on January 16-20, 2023, in this city.

In his message, DA-10 OIC – Regional Executive Director and RPCO 10 Project Director Carlene C. Collado encouraged the participants to maximize the activity in enhancing and refining their project proposals for further review and approval of the Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB).

“For these subprojects, I am urging everyone to fast-track the preparation of the documentary requirements. The approval of your proposals depends on how responsive you are in complying with the needed documents. We are all willing to assist you in polishing your proposals until their approval.”

The subprojects under review are the following:

• 9.7 km Concreting of Sepac-Salimpono-Capundag-Ventura FMR w/ bridge worth Php 232,203,000.00 (Sapanga Dalaga, Mis.Occ)

• 11.16 km Concreting of Tipan-Binuangan-Senote-Clain Settlement FMR worth Php 200,000,000.00 (Oroquieta City, Mis. Occ)

• 3. 9.87 km Concreting of Mohon-Camanucan-San Juan FMR worth Php 197,400,000.00 (Panaon, Mis. Occ)

• 4. 12.32 km Concreting of Panalsalan – Cartagena – Luzaran – Damapalan – Macalibre Alto FMR worth Php 104,820,000.00 (Misamis Occidenta)

• 5. 13.11 km Concreting of Sinara Bajo – Sinara Alto – Dinas – Katipunan FMR worth Php 200,197,154.40 ( Misamis Occidental)

• 6. 12.6 km Concreting of Poblacion-Concepcion-New Eden-Portulin FMR amounting to Php 221M (Pangantucan, Bukidnon)

• 7. 12.08 km Rehabilitation and Concreting of Sumalsag-Comocomo-Mindagat-Lumbatan FMR worth Php 200M (Malitbog, Bukidnon)

• 8. 9.46 km Concreting of Farm-to-Market Road w/ Drainage at Sitio Cacawon, Kulasihan to Purok 2 Kangay, Capitan Juan to Purok 4 to Purok 5 Katiguman to Purok 6 Pinamanguhan, Capitan Juan to Block 2 Kaatuan amounting to Php 191,930,828.00 (Lantapan, Bukidnon)

• 9. 6.516 km Concreting of Farm-to-Market Road with Drainage at Balila Proper to Sitio Gahub to Purok 5 Kaatuan with a length of worth Php 133,327,268.80 (Lantapan, Bukidnon)

• 10. 4.736 km is the Concreting of Mabuhay-San Isidro Upper Pendulonan-Tenazas-Dao FMR amounting to Php 100M (Lala, Lanao del Norte)

• 11. Construction of Warehouse with Multi-Purpose Drying Pavement (MPDP) worth Php 11M (Brgy. Andil, Lala, LDN)

• Construction of Warehouse with Multi-Purpose Drying Pavement (MPDP) worth Php 11M (Brgy. Abaga, Lala, LDN)

• Construction of Warehouse with Multi-Purpose Drying Pavement (MPDP) worth Php 11M (Brgy. Rebe, Lala, LDN)

• Construction of Warehouse with Multi-Purpose Drying Pavement (MPDP) with cold storage worth Php 11M (Brgy. Lala Proper, Lala, LDN)

• Construction of Warehouse and Solar Dryer worth Php 11M (Brgy. Pendulunan, Lala, LDN)

• Construction of Double “A” Slaughterhouse with Cold Storage worth Php 90M (Misamis Occidental)

• Construction of Double “A” Slaughterhouse with Cold Storage worth Php 59M (Don Carlos, Bukidnon)

The technical review is conducted to find out the readiness of the proposals to comply with needed documents and requirements based on the standards set by the World Bank.

Further, to help improve the proposals to qualify for the Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) review and approval.

The full-blown proposals are expected to be reviewed and approved by the RPAB in February 2023 and project implementation to commence in the succeeding months.

The JTR is participated by the proponent LGUs and components/units of RPCO 10 and is virtually assisted by concerned units and components from the National Project Coordinating Office and Project Support Office of Mindanao. (DA RFO-10)

Bukidnon rep vows more inclusion of IP welfare in programs

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The newly-appointed Indigenous People’s Mandatory Representative (IPMR) in Bukidnon has vowed more participation in the province’s legislative agenda and programs, particularly those concerning the IPs’ welfare

In a statement on Jan. 19, Arbie Saway Llesis, the new ex-officio IPMR board member in the province, vowed to abide by the mandates under Republic Act 8371, or the Indigenous Peoples Right Act of 1997.

“As the voice of the Indigenous People, I hope and request my fellow board members to give special attention and care to our IPs in Bukidnon,” he said.

Llesis noted that at least 60% of Bukidnon’s population are IPs and that 60% of the province’s lands are considered ancestral domains.

Llesis was appointed as IPMR by Administrative Order No. 1 series of 2021 of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, which formed the revised guidelines for mandatory representation of IPs on local legislative councils and policymaking bodies.

As IPMR, Llesis will head the provincial board’s committee on indigenous cultural communities.

He will also be a member of the committees on laws; barangay and local government; appropriations; agriculture and cooperatives; engineering and public works; and special investigation. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

4 NorMin cops who tested positive for drug use face dismissal

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The chief of the Police Regional Office in Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) on January 18, vowed to dismiss police officers who tested positive for illegal drug use.

Brig. Gen. Lawrence Coop PRO-10 director, said four police officers are set to be dismissed for illegal drug use, the latest of whom is assigned to Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental.

“We recorded this in 2022, and they will also face administrative charges,” he said during a media forum here, referring to the erring police officers.

Coop said most of the administrative cases in the region are related to the use of illegal drugs following the series of random and unannounced drug testing.

Drug testing will continue for this year, he said, noting that it has always been part of the internal operations of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“The community wants to see a truly transformed PNP; a police service that is highly capable, effective, and credible; and a police force that can always be counted on at all times,” Coop said.

Coop also urged all key officers to exert more effort in the fight against all forms of criminality, especially illegal drugs and terrorism. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

5 NorMin, Lanao Sur execs among ‘top performers’ in 2022

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Five public officials in the Northern Mindanao region and Lanao del Sur province were named among the “Top Performers” in local governance during the second half of 2022 after the national and local elections.

A statement from the data analytics firm RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMD) on Jan. 15, said they are Misamis Occidental 2nd District Rep. Sancho Fernando Oaminal, Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Ziaur-Rahman Alonto-Adiong, Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental Mayor Henry Oaminal Jr., Misamis Oriental Gov. Peter Unabia and Misamis Occidental Gov. Henry Oaminal Sr.

Rep. Oaminal placed fifth among top performers in the House of Representatives with a 90 percent rating, while Adiong placed 10th with a 78 percent rating.

“Para na sa inyoha, mga pinalangga namong Misamisnons! Padayon ang atong pagpaningkamot para sa #AsensoOzamiz (This is for you, our beloved Misamisnons! We continue to strive hard for the #AsensoOzamiz development agenda),” he said in his Facebook post, reacting to the results.

Oaminal Jr. placed in the 9th spot for top-performing city mayors with 80 percent, and both Unabia and Oaminal Sr. placed sixth in the governor’s category with an 85 percent rating.

Dr. Paul Martinez, the focal person of RPMD, said these public officials who excelled in “constituent service” and service to the nation should be congratulated for their exceptional performance.

The independent and non-commissioned “Boses ng Bayan” national performance evaluation survey for the year 2022 was done from Nov. 27 to Dec. 2, 2022.

Among the 65.75 million registered voters between 18 and 70, a total of 10,000 respondents were selected. The sample employed a plus-or-minus 1 percent margin of error and a degree of confidence of 95 percent.

Martinez said respondents were chosen randomly, and the number of respondents was distributed proportionally based on the number of registered voters in each area. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

LPA leaves 7 dead, P22-M worth of damage in NorMin

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The two-week rains caused by a low-pressure area (LPA) in Northern Mindanao affected 59,000 individuals, left seven dead, and damaged more than PHP22 million worth of properties.

 

In the initial report by the Region 10 Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC-10) on January 15, 15,812 families experienced flooding.

In evacuation centers throughout the region, only 4,432 individuals or 1,227 families have remained as of Sunday out of the 31,353 individuals or 8,621 families who sought shelter within the two weeks period.

The seven dead were from the provinces of Lanao del Norte, four; Misamis Oriental, two; and Misamis Occidental, one.

RDRRMC-10 also recorded five injured and two missing persons.

The initial estimate of damaged houses reached PHP2.1 million, damage to infrastructures PHP20.8 million, and damage to agriculture PHP63.7 million.

Department of Agriculture-10 (DA-10) will provide PHP5,000 in financial assistance to rice farmers in February, to be sourced from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.

“We will (also) be distributing the fertilizer discount vouchers for the whole region, which total around PHP192 million. And for the RFFA (Rice Farmers Financial Assistance), we have PHP96 million to be disbursed and the funds are already deposited with the DBP (Development Bank of the Philippines) account,” DA-10 executive director Carlene Collado said during the visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Jan. 11.

Marcos directed the Department of Public Works and Highways to review flood control measures.

Gratitude

Heavily affected Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental experienced a repeat of nature’s wrath that submerged parts of the provinces on Christmas Eve last year.

Victims of the twin calamities were relieved to receive government aid.

“I am glad about the help extended to us, especially since we almost had nothing (salvaged from the flood),” Erminia Bernaldes said in the vernacular during the distribution of PHP5,000 in cash assistance and food packs in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, led by President Marcos.

Rolly Egoc of Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental, said his house in Barangay Talic was washed away on Dec. 26, 2022.

“We don’t have a house anymore, so we went to the barangay for refuge. I am now 55 years old and it is only now that I experienced this flood,” he said.

Given a chance to talk to the President, he said he would request assistance to rebuild his house. (Nef Luczon/PNA)