Wednesday, April 24, 2024

DOH-10 urges LGUs to intensify tracking of dengue, measles, chikungunya virus

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (March 29, 2024/PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH)-10 urges LGUs to ramp up the surveillance of dengue, measles, and chikungunya virus after cases soared from January to March

During the Northern Mindanao Disaster Risk Reduction Management 1st Quarter Full Council meeting, DOH reported that dengue, measles, and chikungunya had increased compared to the same months last year.

Its current data showed a 34.27 percent increase in dengue cases, from 3,032 to 4,071. Measles cases surged by 94.33 percent, from 53 to 103. Chikungunya cases spiked from 7 to 89, marking a staggering 1,171.43 percent rise.

Dengue and chikungunya cases

The disease surveillance data showed that Bukidnon has the most dengue cases in Northern Mindanao, with 1,121 cases (959 admissions with 153 confirmed cases); Misamis Oriental has 845 cases (591 admissions, 79 confirmed); Lanao del Norte reported 574 cases (450 admissions, 115 confirmed); Iligan City reported 319 cases (310 admissions, 114 confirmed); Cagayan de Oro City reported 222 cases (207 admissions, 6 confirmed); and Camiguin reported 89 cases (81 admitted and 47 confirmed).

Bukidnon reported the most dengue-related deaths (19), followed by Misamis Occidental (4), Misamis Oriental (3), Lanao del Norte (4), Iligan City (1), Cagayan de Oro City (2), and Camiguin (1).

Chikungunya, another mosquito-borne viral illness transmitted by the same Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitos that carry dengue and Zika, has significantly increased. Misamis Oriental leads the list with 50 cases, followed by Misamis Occidental (18), Bukidnon (12), Camiguin (4), Iligan City (4), and Cagayan de Oro City (1).

Measles cases surveillance

DOH-10 intensifies measles cases surveillance following the disease surge in a neighboring province. The tracking team reported 103 infected children aged 1 to 5. Lanao del Norte has 58 cases (54 hospitalized), followed by Misamis Oriental (14 cases, 11 hospitalized), Cagayan de Oro City (8 cases, 3 hospitalized), Bukidnon (8 cases), Iligan City (7 cases, 5 hospitalized), Misamis Occidental (6 cases, 3 hospitalized), and Camiguin (2 cases, 1 hospitalized).

“The sudden rise in measles cases can be attributed to children’s failure to receive vaccinations,” according to DOH-10 nurse Iris Christine Torralba.

She said COVID-19 disrupted vaccinations as the ‘No Vaccine, No Entry’ policy caused delays. Now, Lanao del Norte faces a measles surge. DOH-10 mobilized an outbreak team to Balo-i and Amai Pakpak Medical Center to stop the spread.

In addition to the response team, resources like viral transport media (VTM) and vaccines were strategically placed and boosted in LDN.

The DOH-10 coordinated with the integrated provincial health offices of Lanao del Sur and Marawi City. It collaborated with national immunization program coordinators to conduct outbreak response immunization in high-case areas.

“The regional office collects data from local government units (LGUs), contributing to our generated data. We are approaching the epidemic threshold and have advised LGUs to enhance their surveillance systems in recent weeks,” DOH-10 Regional Director Sulpicio Henry Legaspi said.

He recommended that local governments monitor movements, particularly in Balo-i, the epicenter of the measles outbreak, because 92 percent of recorded cases include unvaccinated or under-immunized children, indicating the need for focused immunization activities in high-case areas.

Legaspi said the DOH-10 is coordinating with Lanao del Sur to monitor Marawi City due to high population mobility, saying there is a risk of measles spreading to Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City due to its contagious nature.

“We have enough vaccine supply and await the request for additional health workers needed for outbreak response immunization,” he clarified.

The health department assures the public they are addressing the situation, collaborating with LGUs to intensify measles case monitoring and urging parents to vaccinate children aged 0-59 months against measles and other diseases. (Jan Albert K. Araña/PIA10)

DOT-Northern Mindanao gives inaccurate details about mountain ranges in Bukidnon

April 3, 2024 MindaNews fact-checked the claim of the Department of Tourism – Northern Mindanao (DOT – Northern Mindanao) about facts involving the mountain ranges in Bukidnon province. Some details are inaccurate, hence misleading

In a post on its Facebook page last February 22 titled “5 FACTS ABOUT BUKIDNON,” the DOT-Northern Mindanao said:

“The name ‘Bukidnon’ is derived from the Visayan term ‘bukid,’ which means mountain. True to its name, the province is characterized by extensive mountain ranges, including Mount Kitanglad, Mt. Dulang-dulang and Mt. Kalatungan, which are some of the highest peaks of the country.” (emphasis supplied)

Mt. Kitanglad and Mt. Dulang-dulang are not two different mountain ranges.

They are among the peaks belonging to the same mountain range, the Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park, legislated as a protected area on November 9, 2000.

Mt. Dulang-dulang (2,938 meters above sea level) is the second-highest peak in the Philippines. On the other hand, Mt. Kitanglad (2,899masl) is the country’s fourth highest peak, and like Mt. Dulang-dulang, is one of the popular trekking destinations in Bukidnon.

The DOT-Northern Mindanao post further said that Mt. Kitanglad “sits between Malaybalay City and the municipalities of Lantapan, Impasugong, Sumilao, and Libona.”

The agency’s list of areas encompassed by the mountain range is incomplete. Mt. Kitanglad Range straddles Malaybalay City and the towns of Lantapan, Talakag, Baungon, Libona, Manolo Fortich, Sumilao, and Impasugong. These eight areas share boundaries on the summit of Mt. Kitanglad. (Source: Protected Area Management Plan of Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park, 2018-2022, Page 6. Note: No online link, e-copy only)

The two other mountain ranges in Bukidnon are Mt. Kalatungan Range Natural Park, where Mt. Kalatungan is located, and Pantaron Range (also called Pantadon).

Kalatungan Range encompasses Valencia City and the towns of Talakag, Pangantucan, and Maramag.

Pantaron Range straddles Bukidnon and the neighboring provinces of Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, and Davao del Sur.

As with all our other reports, MindaNews welcomes leads or suggestions from the public to potential fact-check stories. (H. Marcos C. Mordeno / MindaNews)

3 residente sa Talakag nalumos sa outing sa Opol

Nalumos ang isa ka inahan, iyang anak ug batang babaye nilang kadugo human nangaligo sa
dagat

Sumala sa report sa Philstar dot com kagahapon, ang mga biktima nalumos sa Beachfront Resort
sa Brgy. Barra, Opol, Misamis Oriental kaniadtong Disyembre 17.

Ang mga biktima nailang si Charlene Delante, iyang 19 anyos nga anak nga babaye nga si
Nica, ug ilang paryenteng babaye nga menor de edad.

Ang mga kauban sa mga biktima miingon sa mga kapolisan nga si Delante ang posibli nga
unang nalumos.

Giingon nga sunod nga nalumos ang iyang anak nga babaye ug kauban sa dihang gisulayan nila
pagluwas si Delante bisan pa nga wala sila kahibalo sa paglangoy.

Ang mga emergency responder gikan sa local government unit sa Opol ug mga pulis, misuway
apan napakyas sa pag-revive sa mga biktima pinaagi sa first aid resuscitation procedures.

Ang Opol MPS miingon nga gipangita ang mga biktima human nila nadawat ang report nga wala sa gi-rentahan nga cottage ang mga biktima ug nadiskubri nila sa ulahi nga nangalumos na ang tulo. (melbmadera)

MOA for Enhanced Kadiwa implementation inked

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) recently inks a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs) and local government units (LGUs) from the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon for the implementation of the P25.5 million (M) worth of Kadiwa Financial Grant Assistance program

The signing ceremony was held at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Brgy. Dalwangan.

According to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the said program aims to help facilitate food accessibility, quality, and affordability to consumers through partnerships with LGUs and FCAs and improve the food distribution system at the same time.

Collado, together with Mayor Anthony A. Uy og Impasugong and Mayor Ernie R. Devibar of Lantapan, signed the agreement for the PhP5 million construction of trading posts in their respective localities in the presence of their municipal staff.

The agri Department also sealed a partnership with the Mindanao Farmers Agrarian Reform Community Cooperative (MFARCC) of Magsaysay, and Kabangasan, Mapua Dahilig Agrarian Reform Community (KMDARC) of Balingoan, both from Misamis Oriental to finance each their P3.5-M transport and delivery vehicle.

Further, Pangantucan, Maramag, Kalilangan Farmers’ Dairy Cooperative (PMKFDC) of Pangantucan and PITAC Multipurpose Cooperative (MPC) of Malaybalay City, both from Bukidnon are set to avail P3.5-M for the purchase of a refrigerated van and equipment for the enhancement of their milk processing plant and P5-M for the purchase of a wing van, respectively.

For the FCAs’ part, they have inked the agreement through their respective chairpersons: Romil C. Ravilla (MFARCC), Weny N. Enterina (KMDARC), Rodolfo Belleza (PMKFDC) and Christery May Dinoy (PITAC MPC).

As partners for the said program, all beneficiaries have at least 20 percent counterpart of the total project cost.

Locally funded for the current year, the Kadiwa program is implemented by DA-10 through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division. (TJTL/melbmadera)

Region 10 inflation accelerates further to 6.7% in September

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Inflation accelerated for the second time this year, driven by faster increases in food and non-alcoholic beverages, transport, and information and communication

Chief Statistical Specialist Sarah Balagbis of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-10 said the regional headline inflation or the rate of change of the average prices of goods and services in the region accelerated at 6.7 percent in September 2023, faster than the 5.0 percent in August 2023.

Balagbis cited food and non-alcoholic beverages as the main drivers of the uptrend in overall inflation, as the commodity group registered a higher inflation rate of 13.2 percent in September from 9.1 percent the previous month. The said commodity group contributed 83.5 percent share in the overall inflation.

“The main source of the 4.1 percentage points increase of inflation in food and non-alcoholic beverages was cereals and cereal products with an inflation of 23.1 percent in September, from 9.5 percent in August, with rice as the primary source of acceleration.

The increase in food inflation was also attributed to vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas, and pulses at 24.7 percent inflation, with onion as the major contributor, and fish and other seafood at 7.1 percent, with dried fish as the main contributor.

Transport also pushed the inflation rate up as the commodity group registered 0.0 percent in September from -1.5 percent in August.

Accordingly, the major sources of inflation of transport were gasoline, which posted a slower decrease of prices at -4.4 percent in September 2023 from -10.8 percent inflation in August, and diesel, which also posted a slower drop of prices at -14.6 percent in September from -16.9 percent in August.

Balagbis further said that all the provinces and highly urbanized cities in the region posted faster increases in prices in September, with Lanao del Norte registering the highest inflation rate at 9.1 percent, followed by Bukidnon at 8.7 percent and Misamis Oriental at 7.3 percent.

On the other hand, Cagayan de Oro City registered the lowest inflation at 4.7 percent.

Given the latest inflation result, the government vowed to continue implementing measures to respond to rising prices.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-10 Planning Officer Blessie Cimacio said they would continue their regular price monitoring for basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) throughout the region. We will ensure that the prices of our goods are within the suggested retail prices,” she said.

Patrick Ian Pedarse, chief of the Department of Agriculture (DA) -10’s Administrative and Finance Division, said that aside from the interventions to boost the production of corn and rice, DA-10 is also conducting an allium derby to cushion the effect of inflation on our onions. (APB/PIA-10)

MinDA, DTI-10 update stakeholders on EU GsP+, free trade agreements

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–As part of the continuing efforts to better prepare and strengthen industries and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to thrive and compete internationally, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-10 conducted a forum on European Union’s (EU) Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) and other free trade agreements

DTI Misamis Oriental Provincial Director Almer Masillones said the forum aimed to bring together industries and MSMEs in Northern Mindanao to have an equal understanding of the export opportunities of the region’s products and the trading performance of Mindanao in the European market.

During the forum, the participants received updates on the Philippine Export Development Plan 2023-2028 and opportunities under free trade agreements (FTAs).

“Kani usab ang amoang way sa pag engage sa atoang private sector nga maka access pa sila ug wide incentives in their engagements sa ilang business outside,” said Director Olie Dagala of MinDA.

[This is also our way of engaging our private sector so they can access vast incentives in their business engagements outside.]

The highlight was the presentation on the status of the EU-GSP+, a special incentive arrangement that allows the country to export more than 6,200 products to any EU member country tariff-free.

The country’s exports grew from €5.7 billion in 2014 to €10.4 billion in 2022 through this preferential tariff scheme.

Among the country’s top GSP+ exports are crude coconut oil and skipjack tuna, while the top GSP+ export destinations were Germany, Netherlands, France, Italy, and Spain.

“Indeed, the GSP+ paved the way for the exporters to increase their market access and sales opportunities to the EU market, which is one of the largest markets in the world, improving their competitiveness and allowing them to sell more products and contribute to the Philippines’ economic growth leading to more jobs creation,” added Masillones.

However, this scheme is set to expire by the end of this year.

The DTI provincial director stated that the forum also serves as a platform for consulting with stakeholders to formulate the country’s position regarding the expiration of its GSP+ access and any proposed extension.

To date, MinDA and DTI have already conducted forums for other stakeholders in key cities of Mindanao island, particularly General Santos and Zamboanga.

Meanwhile, DTI, through its Export Management Bureau, continues to assist industries and MSMEs in their exporting needs.

“We have a frontline service, yung [the] Export Assistance and Business Matching Division. We guide yung mga [our] exporters natin ano yung mga [what are the] steps and ano yung mga [what are the] requirements needed for each of the markets. We have a lot of market officers who can provide market requirements that can guide our exporters. We also have product officers who can guide them from the domestic up to the export market. In terms sa mga [of the] certification, we have export enablers that we can refer to our exporters. We try to connect everyone para easy and okay yung exporting journey nila [so that their exporting journey is easy and okay],” said the bureau’s Chief Trade Industry Specialist, Rudolph Jay Velasco. (APB/PIA-10)

BJMP celebrates 32nd year, honors top-performing NorMin bureau

MISAMIS ORIENTAL (PIA)–Serving for over three decades, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-10 celebrated its 32nd anniversary on a high note as the jail management received praises from its highest official for their achievements in the past year

The bureau attributes its growth to the dedication and commitment that the men and women of BJMP-10 displayed throughout the years and the kindness and concern that the community partners had extended.

Aside from that, the bureau never ceases to generate various ways and means to improve the delivery of services to their clientele to the best quality they can give.

Such initiatives bear fruits as BJMP 10 becomes one of the top-performing regions nationwide.

“I am speaking before a team of the most hardworking personnel in the country, who, together with their Regional Director, continue to strive to make BJMP Region 10 among the best-performing regions nationwide. The excellence in how you work in Region 10 has been a large part of the overall performance of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology,” BJMP Chief JDIR Ruel S. Rivera said.

BJMP-10 bags several national awards, which include Best Desk Officer of Type-A Jails, Best Paralegal Officer of Type-A Jail, Best Community Relations Service Officer of Type-A Jails, Best Management, Screening and Evaluation Committee Unit of Type-C Jail; Best Escorting Unit Type-C Jail; Best Paralegal Program Implementer; Best ALS Program Implementer; and Best e-Dalaw Program Implementer. In addition to that, Atty. Jeza Mae Sanchez received the National Award as Best Staff Officer of the Year.

The bureau chief also stated that Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. of the Department of the Interior and Local Government acknowledged BJMP-10’s excellent performance.

With the success and achievements gained, BJMP-10 Regional Director Cesar Langawin disclosed that they went through some challenges and would not have been able to reach them without the men and women of the bureau and the constant support of the various stakeholders and government agencies.

“BJMP-10 is committed to offering humane care, safety, and development. We will consistently work to create a positive influence in the lives of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). Furthermore, we ensure that programs for PDLs and their families should be properly implemented, reaching even the remotest jail facilities in the region,” Langawin said. (JAKA/PIA10)

7 rebels killed in Butuan, MisOr and Bukidnon; 5 of them women

CAGAYAN DE ORO — The military has revised its narrative on the death toll in clashes with the New People’s Army (NPA) in Butuan City, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon last week, claiming that seven alleged rebels, five of them women, have been killed since June 16, 2023

“The body count in the encounter in Butuan City last Friday (June 16) was raised from three to five. The soldiers also found one more AK 47 rifle,” Major Francisco Garello Jr., spokesperson of the Army 4th Infantry Division (4ID), said.
According to Garello, soldiers seized 20 high-powered firearms — seven AK 47 rifles, four M4 rifles, four AR 18 rifles, an M16 rifle, two M14 rifles, and two M16 with attached M203 grenade launchers, in the three encounter sites – 16 in Butuan, three in Bukidnon and one in Misamis Oriental.
Maj. General Jose Maria Cuerpo, 4ID commanding general said soldiers of the 29th Infantry Battalion supported by Philippine Air Force Turkish-made T129B attack helicopters killed three rebels, two of them women, in Mt. Apo-Apo in Sitio Dugyanan, Barangay Anticala in Butuan City last Friday.
It was the first time that the T129B attack helicopters purchased by the Philippine government for US$269 million in a government-to-government contract with Turkey, was reported to have been used in operations against the NPA.
Garello said soldiers on Saturday found two more bodies of NPA rebels — a female and a male – from the June 16 encounter site in Butuan.
“This raised the body count from three to five NPA rebels killed in the encounter last Friday. The soldiers also found one more AK 47 rifle bringing the total number of firearms recovered to 16,” Garello said.
He said the bodies of the three female NPA rebels and two of their male companions would be brought down from the mountains by Monday.
In Bukidnon province, Brigadier General Michele Anayron, commanding general of the 403rd Infantry Brigade said soldiers encountered at least 15 NPA rebels in Sitio Malinao, Barangay Kalasungay, Malaybalay City on Saturday, following a tip from residents.
Anayron said a female NPA was killed after a 15-minute encounter with the soldiers of the 8th Infantry Battalion. He said the soldiers suffered no casualties.
Recovered from the encounter site were an AK 47 rifle, an M14 rifle, and an improvised anti-personnel landmine, he said.
In Misamis Oriental, one female rebel was killed and an AK 47 rifle was recovered after an encounter with soldiers in Sitio Kalhaan, Barangay Minalwang, Claveria town Friday afternoon. (Froilan Gallardo/MindaNews)

Women Unite in its 1st Organic Agriculture in Asia Summit

KAUSWAGAN, Lanao del Norte – Over 30 dedicated women representing diverse organizations and agencies across the Philippines convened for the 1st Women in Organic Agriculture (WOA) in Asia Summit

The summit aims to foster engaging discussions and exchange valuable insights regarding the various strategies employed by women in the field of organic agriculture.

Launched on November 26, 2021, WOA is a sector group of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM)—Organics Asia that aims to amplify women’s voices in the organic sector throughout Asia, ensuring their representation and participation are duly recognized and celebrated.

The participants in this summit hailed from various provinces, including Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Zamboanga del Sur, Davao de Oro, and Bukidnon, among others. Among these remarkable women, Marivic Tagupa, the founding president of WOA Philippines, passionately expressed the vision of the organization: a healthy mother earth.

“The WOA’s vision is a healthy mother earth, with its mission to help our mother earth. My purpose of life is to love mother earth through organic because that’s my only way to help mother earth,” she said.

A significant milestone during the summit was the oath-taking ceremony for the WOOA-Ph officers and lady focal points. Furthermore, WOA-Ph solidified its commitment to the cause by signing a memorandum of commitment with IFOAM-Organics Asia.

This agreement officially launched and initiated various activities aimed at bolstering the participation and representation of women in the organic sector in the Philippines.

These activities encompass recruiting new members, facilitating engagement in related events, and fostering collaborative efforts as agreed upon by both parties.

The discussions held at the summit revolved around the themes of gender equality and the pivotal role of women in organic agriculture. Esteemed organizations such as IFOAM-Organics International and the Intercontinental Network of Organic Farmers Organizations led these enlightening discussions.

Karen Mapusua, the president of IFOAM-Organics International, emphasized the significance of inclusive conversations, transcending barriers of gender, age, culture, and geographical location. She stressed the urgent need for governments to align their policies with principles of inclusion and equity.

“The final step in strategic action includes the focus on conveying inclusive conversation across gender, age, culture, and place. And also to review our government instructions collided with the principles of inclusion and equity,” she said.

Throughout the summit, several esteemed female leaders shared their inspiring experiences within the realm of organic agriculture. Arlene Dayo, the municipal agriculture officer of Goa, Camarines Sur, shed light on their successful organic agriculture program.

Rebecca R. Atega, the Lady Focal Person of National Government Agencies, and the Department of Agriculture Caraga Regional Technical Director, presented their office’s remarkable initiatives.

Additionally, Maria Liza L. Evangelista, the vice mayor and owner of La Granja de Jas Family Farm in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, recounted her personal journey in establishing an organic family farm amidst the pandemic.

“My big voice is anchored in three things: a sustainable source of safe and healthy food for my family and community; good stewardship of my body and environment; and leading my people by my own example and being a catalyst of change in my own municipality,” Evangelista said.

The WOA summit is just one of the events in organic agriculture held in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte.

Other events were the Organic Youth Forum, the 9th Asian Local Government for Organic Agriculture Summit, the 4th Global Alliance of Organic Districts Summit, and the 6th Organic Asia Congress, which attracted participants and delegates from 32 different countries and areas worldwide, including China, South Korea, Portugal, the Maldives, Mongolia, and more. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)

DA-NorMin, seed companies prep for upcoming wet cropping corn derby

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To give farmers an informed basis on their preferred varieties towards attaining increased yield and income, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) convened with the representatives from the private seed companies on April 27 for this year’s conduct of a series of corn derby highlighting hybrid yellow and white corn cultivars for this upcoming wet cropping season in mid-May

Implemented by the Field Operations and Research divisions, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado remarked that the conduct of corn derbies remains relevant, as the department constantly seeks to achieve food and feed self-sufficiency.

Reinforcing the importance of said activity, the agri chief executive added that the results of the derby may play a significant influence in the selection of performing cultivars by corn farmers across varied agronomic conditions.

Which, eyed location sites for the showcase are the agency’s research complex (Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex) in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, and its research centers in Barongcot, Dangcagan, Bukidnon (Research Center for Upland Development) and in Lanise, Claveria, Misamis Oriental (Research Center for Hillyland Development).

Dir. Collado furthered that the corn derbies will also help in determining the promising corn varieties, as it is one of the department’s bases in the procurement of corn seeds with a current year allocation of Php265.2-million for hybrid yellow corn alone.

Committing to engage in such exhibits and in attendance are from Syngenta Philippines, Inc., Bayer, Bioseed Research Philippines, Corteva Agriscience, Asian Hybrid Seed Tech, Inc., Vigour Seeds Dev., Inc., and RJR Agro-Industrial Enterprises.

While the participating seed companies have signified to pour their efforts to feature their exceptional corn varieties in different topographies, DA-10 Regional Corn focal person Richan D. Lacanaria enjoined for an intensified coordination between their team and the agri department, in the hopes of properly keeping and tracking records of the performance of all corn variety entries.

On the other hand, the research division assured by providing the outcome of the derbies in the near future, especially so that cost and return analysis plays a large role in evaluating a particular corn cultivar.

As agreed, a total of 15 hybrid yellow corn varieties and 2 hybrid white corn cultivars are set to be planted in both NMACLRC and RCUD, while targeted in RCHD are 14 hybrid yellow corn varieties and 1 hybrid white corn cultivar. (JLO/DA RFO-10)