Monday, April 29, 2024

Tag: Carlene C. Collado

DA, Bukidnon LGUs craft 5-year rice industry dev’t plan

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Sen. Christopher Lawrence”Bong” Go (left) leads the ribbon cutting ceremony of the five-storey multi-purpose building, one of the five new key projects in Damulog, Bukidnon on September 16, 2023. Assisting him is Damulog town Mayor Melino L. Buro. (PIA Bukidnon)

DA, Bukidnon LGUs craft 5-year rice industry dev’t plan

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – RFO 10 through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado facilitates the crafting of the 2024-2028 Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP) plan for the province of Bukidnon

Chona H. Nacalaban, Rice Program focal person of DA-10 explained, “The MRIDP is formulated to address the present challenges in the rice industry and it is set to improve agricultural production in the country to achieve the government target of 97 percent rice self-sufficiency by 2028.”

Following the program’s briefing earlier this August, the DA-10’s Rice Program led the convergence planning workshop of OneDA, comprising ATI, PhilMech, NIA, and PhilRice which seeks to create a rice industry in the region that is thriving, resilient, and sustainable while boosting the productivity of farmers.

The program was designed to prioritize the welfare of Filipino farmers, boost the rice value chain, and improve agricultural production across the Philippines.

The Provincial Agriculture’s Office of Bukidnon together with the 21 local government units (LGUs) prepared their plans focusing on markets, innovations, scale, mainstreaming, and outcome.

The said plan will determine solutions to pressing issues on rice which include farm income, productivity, supply of rice, and competitiveness in the world market.

With the existence of the farm clusters in Bukidnon, the government can easily provide its interventions from inputs (seeds, fertilizers), machinery, and even marketing assistance.

To work on the detailed integrated plans, there is a need for innovative approaches to engage farmers and the private sector.

Citing the existence of the province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Systems (PAFES) in the province will aid in the implementation of the program.

The provinces of Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte will be pilot-tested for the program, being the rice producers in Northern Mindanao. Bukidnon, the region’s top rice-producing province has an annual production of 295.686 metric tons in CY 2022 based on PSA with a sufficiency level of 216.51 percent.

In terms of physical area, Bukidnon has a total area of 40,799 hectares both for irrigated and rainfed areas, or 56.48 percent of Region 10’s total physical area of 75,883 hectares. (DA RFO-10

Exit con for participatory monitoring, tracking of projects conducted in NorMin

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) and the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) conducted an exit conference for the joint Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) and AFCs to monitor and track the progress of DA-funded programs and projects on September 1, 2023, in this city

Said conference aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in implementing various DA-funded agricultural and fisheries projects.

The provincial AFCs of Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon, and Misamis Oriental presented their respective updates.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado emphasized the significance of the participatory approach in promoting inclusivity and empowering local communities.

“The joint effort between PCAF and AFCs has allowed us to gather valuable insights directly from the communities that are benefiting from our programs. Feedback enables us [in the agency] to make informed decisions and adjustments to serve better the needs of our farmers and fisherfolk in Northern Mindanao,” said Director Collado.

During the conference, participants reviewed the outcomes of the Participatory Monitoring Process, which involves engaging local communities and stakeholders in assessing the impact and effectiveness of DA-funded initiatives.

This ensures that the interventions provided align with the needs and priorities of target agri-fishery communities.

The body further agreed that DA must revalidate the projects monitored, particularly those with issues and concerns that must be addressed.

Present during the activity are Cyril L. Soliaban, officer-in-charge, deputy executive director of PCAF, RAFC 10 chair Nilda B. Salas and staff, DA-10 officials and programs staff, and other AFCs across NorMin. (DA RFO-10)

DA-10 links institutional buyers, F2C2 clusters for potential market

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), helmed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, through the Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Program, conducted a stakeholders meeting on September 7, 2023, in this city

Said meeting aims to link the farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) from the different provinces in Northern Mindanao to potential institutional buyers who need supplies of various produce.

The institutional buyers include the National Food Authority (NFA), Misamis Oriental – Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, San Miguel Foods, Inc., and BestFriend Goodies.

In her message, DA-10 F2C2 focal person Gay Nanette R. Aleria hopes this activity paves the way for future marketing agreements between the FCAs and the institutional buyers.

“We wanted to provide a solution to one of the problems of our FCAs, which is the lack of market for their produce,” said Aleria.

Also joining the said meeting are representatives from the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division-10, who assisted the buyers and FCAs through market matching and roundtable discussions. (DA RFO-10)

Agri NorMin set to distribute over 3K cash cards to rice farmers

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado will distribute another 3,115 Farmers’ Interventions Monitoring Cards (FIMCs) to eligible rice farmers in Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, and Misamis Occidental this month

William B. Parantar, Northern Mindanao area manager of the Universal Storefront Services, Corp. (USSC), turned over the FIMCs to DA-RFO 10 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga and Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, Cora A. Dumayaca, Monday, August 14, at the DA Compound in Cagayan de Oro City.

All NorMin rice farmers entitled to the Rice Farmers’ Financial Assistance (RFFA) as provided under the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), shall be given the FIMC as their identification and cash card for the electronic rollout of the RFFA.

Pursuant to the RTL, qualified rice farmers shall receive a Php5k cash subsidy annually until the year 2024.

In partnership with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and USSC, DA-RFO 10 has distributed a total of 31,583 FIMCs in the region to date.

DA-RFO 10 Regional Agricultural Engineering Division chief, Engr. Deliza T. Camaro, Administrative and Finance Division chief, Patrick Ian F. Pedarse and Rice Program focal person, Chona H. Nacalaban were also in attendance during the turnover of the FIMCs. (DA RDO-10)

DA, NorMin LGUs ensure compliance for fund transfers, liquidations of agri projects

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MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – In an effort to ensure compliance with existing accounting and auditing rules and regulations for fund transfers and liquidations of agricultural projects granted to Local Government Units (LGUs), the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, holds its annual LGU Coordination Meeting recently at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops Livestock Research Complex, in this city

Spearheaded by the DA-RFO 10’s accounting section, the coordination meeting is an avenue for bilateral dialogue to address challenges encountered by DA and the LGUs in terms of inventory and liquidation of agri projects funded under the agri department’s banner programs and special projects this year and the preceding years.

Some 207 LGU accountants and agriculturists from the provinces of Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental attended the meeting.

DA-RFO 10 Administrative and Finance Division chief Patrick Ian F. Pedarse said the meeting aims for DA and the LGUs to level off on a mechanism for optimal utilization of DA funds.

He also acknowledged the LGUs’ roles as DA’s partners in extending its services to the peripheries of the agriculture sector to provide sufficient and affordable food for all.

Ways forward for the resolution of identified issues in complying with the reportorial requirements and timelines for the submission thereof were consensually agreed upon in the meeting and adopted as guidelines in accounting and liquidating DA projects granted to the LGUs and their constituents. (DA RFO–10)

P3.9-M DA facility for plant health to rise in Bukidnon

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MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – To offer better and more modern services to the farmers, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado conducted a groundbreaking ceremony for the establishment of the Plant Health Hub (PHH) at the agency’s Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC) on August 4, 2023, in barangay Bangcud here in this city

The hub, with a contract amount of P3,929,138.01, is funded by the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), which aims to cater to farmers with plant health problems.

RCPC chief Lucille T. Minguez shared, “With the presence of the hub, we can have precise diagnosis, prescriptions, and management options in addressing plant health issues which is aligned to the government’s objective of pushing for growth in the agriculture sector through increased productivity while reducing pest losses.”

Minguez added that the facility will be utilized to improve the lives of the farmers, not just in Bukidnon but in the whole region and even from the neighboring regions.

Meanwhile, Director Collado encouraged RCPC and the other DA stations to request more facilities that are beneficial to the farmers.

“We need to upgrade our current facilities. Propose as many projects as you can, so we can develop our office and improve our services to the farmers, particularly in RCPC, which is the only office of its kind in the entire region,” the regional executive director remarked.

A pre-construction conference among the RCPC, DA-10 Regional Agricultural Engineering Division, and the contractor for the construction of the PHH was also conducted immediately after the groundbreaking ceremony. (DA RFO–10)

DA turns over P7-M village-type dryer to Cabanglasan town coop

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CABANGLASAN, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), under the helm of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, turned over a P7 million village-type dryer (VTD) to Cabanglasan Agrarian Reform Cooperative (CARC), of this town

On August 4, 2023, DA-10 Field Operations Division chief Luz I. Guzman, PhD, and Bukidnon Provincial Operations Center chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM, handed over the key of responsibility to CARC president Orlando T. Adaptar.

According to Guzman, the project aims to help corn farmers reduce postharvest losses and improve grain quality for high market prices, thereby increasing farmers’ productivity and profit.

“I’m looking forward to this project being sustained. DA is always here to support and is willing to give more projects through the endorsement of the local government unit,” Guzman conveyed.

Funded under the agency’s corn program, the VTD includes one unit corn on cob dryer with 20 metric tons of capacity; one unit corn sheller with 2.5 metric tons per hour shelling quality; one unit recirculating batch grain dryer with 12 metric tons of holding capacity; and a multi-fuel biomass furnace and bagging bin, among others.

Likewise, the VTD’s shed has a floor area of 375 square meters that can fully accommodate the dryer, sheller, furnace, and other accessories.

Cabanglasan has an estimated area of 7,108 hectares for yellow corn and 274 hectares for white corn, with around 5,000 corn farmers.

Furthermore, Cabanglasan Mayor Lolita N. Bullecer urged the farmers to use the facility with care and continuously maintain it in order to provide development for farmers’ profit and satisfaction.

Also present during the activity is Cabanglasan Municipal Vice Mayor Renante V. Inocando, REE, with local officials and DA-10 staff. (DA RFO–10)

Agri-10 sets up Onion derby in agency’s research stations

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To encourage farmers to venture into Onion production, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) conducts an Allium ceremonial planting in its research stations on August 2-4, 2023

Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, CPA, said that this marks the first Onion derby in the region and aims to find the best onion varieties in each area, showcase technologies, and expand production areas in the region.

Spearheaded by its High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), a total of five seed companies will be showcasing their technologies on onion production in DA-10’s research stations, namely: Research Center for Upland Development (RCUD) in Dangcagan, Bukidnon, Research Center for Hillyland Development (RCHD) in Claveria, Misamis Oriental and Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

“We support DA-10’s initiative as it is beneficial for consumers and farmers alike since onion is an essential spice that we use daily,” shared Andre Abonitalla, Kaneko Seeds Assistant Manager for Visayas and Mindanao.

Meanwhile, harvesting and Farmers’ Forum to present derby results and recognize best-performing varieties is scheduled on November 7-9, 2023, for RCUD, RCHD, and NMACLRC, respectively. (DA RFO-10)

DA to construct Cassava Warehouse in M. Fortich

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MANOLO FORTICH, BUKIDNON – A warehouse with a Multi-Purpose Drying Pavement (MPDP) will soon be established in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, as the Department of Agriculture -Philippine Rural Development Project 10 (DA-PRDP 10) conducts a Pre-Construction Conference for the said facility on August 1, 2023, in this municipality

Funded by the Additional Financing 2 (AF2), the warehouse with MPDP worth P4,653,741.62 will be constructed in Barangay Lunocan, benefiting cassava producers in the municipality.

In her message, Lunocan barangay captain Melba A. Batoon extended her gratitude to DA-PRDP 10 through Project Director and DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and LGU Manolo Fortich for the subproject they have acquired.

“We have been longing for this subproject to arrive, especially since our area is very far from the town’s center. Soon, it will be easier to access these facilities, and we can be more confident with the quality of our produce.”

Engr. Deliza T. Camaro, IBUILD Component Head, congratulated the stakeholders for acquiring the said subproject.

She also emphasized everyone’s role in the implementation of the project, which includes the contractor in following the standards set by DA-PRDP and the World Bank, and the residents and barangay officials to monitor the activities in the field.

“For the barangay officials, you will own and use this subproject; thus, you need to make sure that the procedures and the quality are of standards,” Engr. Camaro added.

The warehouse with MPDP will be the fifth of its kind to be built in the municipality as the barangays Minsuro, Sto. Niño, Kalugmanan, and Minsuro received it first. (DA RFO-10)

Malaybalay City coop acquires P3-M combine harvester from DA-NorMin

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MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Linabo Agrarian Reform Cooperative (LARC), a ninety-active-membered farmers’ group, is eyed to augment their productivity and income after being granted a combine harvester worth P3 million (M) from the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado

On July 21, Field Operations Division chief Luz I. Guzman, Ph.D. together with Bukidnon Provincial Operations Center chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM of DA-10, led in conferring the certificate of turnover thru the City Government of Malaybalay, helmed by Mayor Jay Warren R. Pabillaran represented by its Chief Executive Assistant Anthony James Mondia, and finally, to the benefitting coop, LARC led by its Chairperson Aurelio E. Salem.

Pooled from CY 2022 funds under the agency’s Corn program, said unit is a grain crop, labor- and time-saving harvesting machine that combines reaping, threshing, cleaning, and bagging into a single operation.

It is targeted to serve LARC’s existing production area, which is composed of 236.7 hectares for corn, and 196.7 hectares for rice, with a potential area of 200 hectares.

Dr. Guzman urged them to value and maximize the use of said machinery by setting aside funds for its repair and maintenance, which would overall help elevate LARC’s operations.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mondia noted the synergistic efforts – from the national, provincial, city, and down to barangay governments- to acquire a combine harvester unit that would directly benefit the farmers in barangay Linabo.

In response to the messages of support and anchoring on the coop’s mission of uplifting the life of its members and agrarian reform beneficiaries, LARC chairperson Salem is grateful that the government has seen its potential to manage the combined harvester.

Likewise, the coop head committed that under his wing, they will exercise responsibility, accountability, and transparency, in whatever available resources they have for the benefit of their members, fellow farmers, and their community.

Apart from the provided machinery, LARC has also availed other forms of assistance from DA-10, such as agricultural inputs and financial aid.

Now in its silver year, it continues to venture into production, processing, and marketing, with reach not just limiting to the locality but also in the cities of Valencia, Cagayan de Oro, and Iligan, and the towns of Maramag and Cabanglasan in Bukidnon.

Also supporting the cooperative during the turnover ceremony is the City Government of Malaybalay thru its agriculture and engineering offices, the local barangay of Linabo, and the Department of Agrarian Reform. (DA RDO0-10)