Thursday, April 03, 2025

Tag: PRO

Agri-10 rolls out P2.934-M fuel subsidy to Valencia City farmers

Posted on by cmn

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon – The Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10), helmed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, rolled out about P2.934 million (M) in fuel subsidies to farmers who own or rent functional agricultural machinery for food production

On August 19, some 978 eligible farmers received their fuel assistance allocation worth P3k each, which was loaded into the DA Intervention Monitoring Card (IMC), issued in partnership with the Universal Storefront Services, Corp.

Per implementing guidelines of the Fuel Assistance to Farmers Project for FY 2023, the fuel subsidy aims to temper the farmers’ brunt on fuel expenses, which forms part of the important operating costs in farming; thereby, enhancing their resiliency and cushioning the impact of the surge of oil price hikes in the agricultural sector.

Eligible recipients are either individual farmers or farmer-members of a Farmer Cooperative Association (FCA) with proof of machinery ownership or rental agreement uploaded in the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Management Information System (ABEMIS), and further, they must be listed in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).

Valencia City Mayor Azucena P. Huervas, a staunch supporter of the local farming community, has been instrumental in facilitating the provision of fuel assistance from the national government through the DA. Her efforts are particularly noteworthy given the challenges that farmers in the locality are facing, such as the El Niño-triggered effects on their planting and other farm operations.

DA-10’s partner on the ground in the validation of farmer-beneficiaries, the city agriculture’s office of Valencia headed by Connie L. Dalangan, congratulated the farmers to have been granted intervention by the government, as the fuel assistance will help mechanize and modernize their agricultural production systems.

“I hope that you have felt the presence and sincerity of the government, that through this gesture [of providing fuel subsidy], it may serve as an inspiration [to all our farmers] to work even harder to augment their yield and income.” the city agriculturist remarked.

Spearheaded by the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division of the DA-10, the agency is set to cap off this week’s fuel assistance distribution tomorrow, August 20, in Kitaotao town, where P1.212-M will be dispensed to 404 farmers in the said locality via their DA IMC. (JLO)

NCIP, LGU Manolo Fortich ink MOA on P226.9M FMR in Kalugmanan

Posted on by cmn

The drafting and signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the concreting of the farm-to-market road in Sitio Balakbakan, Barangay Kalugmanan, took place on August 19, 2024, at the Barangay Kalugmanan covered court

The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Local Government Unit of Manolo Fortich signed the agreement.

The project involves concreting a 7.8-kilometer Farm-to-Market Road (FRM) under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), with a budget of 226,992,990 million pesos from the Department of Agriculture.

The road concreting will begin at Sitio Balakbakan and continue to Kalugmanan proper.

This project aims to assist farmers in Barangay Kalugmanan by facilitating the easier transportation of their farm produce to the Municipal Public Market in Barangay Tankulan.

Municipal Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño was present during the MOA drafting and signing. He expressed his enthusiasm for infrastructure programs, particularly road projects.

“Matod pa, himoon nato ni nga dako nga kalipay nga ang atong karsada gikan didto sa Café by the Ridge, musangko dinhi sa atong tulay, pasubida paingon sa ila ni Mr. Perrine, ug gani naa pay sobra nga budget, I think nga e-semento pa paingon diri. Nindot na kaayo mga programa nato mga roads section sa atong lungsod sa Manolo Fortich. Including ang atong Sankanan road, ang atong gi-plano nasad ang Lindaban paingon sa Dahilayan atong sementohon, so nangita tag budget para ana,” Mayor Quiño stated.

Farmer Sirapin Buyoc, 67 years old, from Zone 2, Kalugmanan, expressed his gratitude for the road project, which has made transporting their agricultural products easier.

“Ang ako lang, nga makadugang benepisyo niining muabot ang dalan nga kami di nami maglisod sa among mga produkto, sama sa mga mais, cassava, mga utanon, daghan mi mga utanon diha sa Ilaya. So sayon ra gyud kaayo ang pag-deliver sa produkto paingon sa atong market ug sa Cagayan,” said Buyoc.

Also in attendance were Municipal Administrator Engr. Joie Caesar M. Gaid, Sangguniang Bayan Member IPMR Coun. Alex Payangga, NCIP Regional Legal Officer Atty. Dexter Precioso, the Barangay Council of Kalugmanan, and Indigenous Peoples (IP) community members, including the Higaonon, Talaandig, and Bukidnon tribes.

Heads of offices and representatives from focal departments of the Local Government of Manolo Fortich, such as the Municipal Agriculture Office, Municipal Engineering Office, Municipal Assessor’s Office, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office, and Municipal Planning and Development Office, also attended the MOA signing. (PR)

Malaybalay buys P11.96M new garbage trucks

Posted on by Heber Quinco

The City Government of Malaybalay recently conducted a turnover and blessing ceremony for four brand-new garbage compactors purchased to enhance the city’s waste collection and management capabilities

The event took place on Monday, August 19, 2024, at the New City Hall Grounds in front of the Commission on Audit Office.

Key city officials, including members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) led by its head, Ms. Jessie G. Suson, and Mayor Jay Warren R. Pabillaran, attended the ceremony.

The four garbage trucks, valued at a total of Php 11.96 million, were acquired as part of the city’s ongoing efforts to improve waste management services.

“These trucks will play a crucial role in ensuring more efficient and timely garbage collection,” Mayor Pabillaran stated during the event.

He emphasized the importance of responsible waste management, saying, “Kauban sa paglambo nato ang basura, busa responsibilidad nato kini (with progress comes waste, so it’s our responsibility to manage it).”

He also reminded the operators of the new vehicles to maintain them well, as they are vital to keeping the city clean.

Ms. Jessie Suson, City Environment and Natural Resources Officer, expressed her gratitude during the turnover ceremony.

She assured the public that the CENRO would remain fully committed to fulfilling its responsibilities in maintaining a clean and healthy environment for the people of Malaybalay.

The acquisition and blessing of these new garbage trucks underscore the city’s dedication to strengthening its waste management infrastructure and its broader commitment to environmental stewardship, ensuring a cleaner and more sustainable Malaybalay City for all. (City ENRO-NADA)

Awareness seminar on food safety, regulations held

Posted on by cmn

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), staged an awareness seminar on food safety and regulations on August 15 at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC), in this city

During this time, the agency apprised almost 50 local farmers and agri-enterprises from the provinces of Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and Lanao del Norte on key concepts and relevant laws on food safety.

On behalf of DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, AMAD Assistant Division Chief Ferdinand F. Caraballe emphasized its importance for local stakeholders engaged in producing agricultural commodities and food products.

“[The DA] conducts this seminar annually because we handle food, and therefore, it is our commitment to our consumers that what we deliver is safe and free from foodborne diseases,” Caraballe said.

Through Republic Act No. 10611, otherwise known as the ‘Food Safety Act of 2013’, the DA and its attached regulatory agencies, bureaus, and corporations are identified as food safety regulatory agencies (FSRAs) responsible for the implementation of laws, standards, and programs on food safety in the primary production and post-harvest stages of the food supply chain.

Said regulatory agencies include the Bureau of Animal Industry, National Meat Inspection Service, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Bureau of Plant Industry, Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority, Philippine Coconut Authority, Sugar Regulatory Administration, and the National Dairy Authority.

Underscoring the role of the local government in the implementation of food safety laws, Andrew M. Calimutan of the Office of the DA Assistant Secretary for Policy and Regulations said that the Department, through the aforementioned regulatory agencies, continues to engage and assist LGUs in the formulation of local ordinances on food safety.

Further, he said that the agency is presently revisiting its regulatory policies to ensure that they are retrofitted to current industry and trade standards and remain in service to consumer and food safety interests.

Under RA 10611, DA conducts training for local producers and food business operators on food safety to ensure their compliance with industry standards, including the Code of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Code of Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP), and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP).

Market Specialist IV Irish O. Ativo from the DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service said that these standards and compliance certifications provide a competitive advantage for food business operators, as they allow for market expansion and build consumer trust and confidence in their products.

During the session, the farmers were also kept abreast of practical food handling practices for agricultural produce, salient information on the Participatory Guarantee System, and a comprehensive review of the activities and services offered by the Food Safety Operations Unit of the BPI-Plant Product Safety Services Division.

They were also briefed on the strategies for marketing GAP-certified products through the Department’s KADIWA marketing program.

In closing, Caraballe urged the participants to apply what they had learned throughout the session to their respective enterprises and agricultural production, highlighting its implications in building public trust, consumer safety, and food quality and nutrition.

The said activity is in line with the Department’s refined thrusts toward a ‘Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas’ under the leadership of Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. and President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. (GDA)

Bukidnon logs over 5,000 dengue cases since January 2024

Posted on by cmn

Over 5,000 dengue cases have been recorded in Bukidnon from January to August 2024

According to the Provincial Health Office (PHO), the 5,099 dengue cases recorded in the province are higher than the 4,000 cases logged in the same period in 2023.

PHO said at least 17 people have died from dengue in the province. However, there is no outbreak of the disease just yet.

Authorities have also yet to discuss the declaration of a state of calamity.

PHO said Malaybalay City has the most cases, with 926, followed by Valencia City, with 508. These cities have two reported deaths each.

With the rising number of dengue cases, the local government of Malaybalay City has conducted fogging operations in areas where dengue cases were reported.

PHO also distributed treated mosquito nets to some schools to fend off dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

“Kung di ka mag-cleanup unya mag-fogging mao ra gihapon mobalik ra gihapon ang lamok kay di man kasulod ang aso sa tubig, so clean up gyud ta,” Bukidnon PHO Dengue Coordinator, Sergio Flores, said.

Health authorities reminded the public to practice the 5S habit against dengue, which includes search and destroy, self-protection, seeking early consultation, supporting fogging, and sustaining hydration. — (James Paolo Yap/GMA Regional TV/August 19, 2024)

Damulog town in Bukidnon declared insurgency-free

Posted on by cmn

The Municipality of Damulog in Bukidnon becomes the third municipality in the province to be officially declared insurgency-free after San Fernando and Kadingilan, the Philippine Army 10th Infantry Division said on Wednesday, August 14, 2024

The declaration was formalized through Resolution No. 158, Series of 2024, and was celebrated during a ceremony held at the Municipal Gymnasium in Damulog on Tuesday, August 13.

Brigadier General Marion Angcao, commander of the 1003rd Infantry (Raptor) Brigade, commended this collaborative effort, emphasizing the critical role that unity and cooperation played in achieving this milestone.

He added that the declaration is a testament to the exceptional coordination between the uniformed personnel, local authorities, and the citizens of Damulog, who worked together to set a new standard for peace and progress in Bukidnon.

Meanwhile, Major General Allan Hambala, commander of the 10th Infantry (Agila) Division, lauded the relentless and tireless efforts of the troops under the 48th Infantry (Guardians) Battalion.

Hambala acknowledged the sacrifices made by the soldiers and the unwavering support from the community, which were instrumental in bringing about this historic change.

The declaration ceremony was marked by a symbolic release of doves and balloons, representing the enduring peace, unity, and prosperity that Damulog now experiences. (Rex Espiritu/Manila Standard/August 15, 2024)

SOPA, Foundation Day 2024 gipangandaman na

Posted on by Omar Rashid Z. Abdullah

Gipangandaman na sa Provincial Government sa Bukidnon ang umaabot nga State of Provincial Address ni Provincial Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque

Sumala sakasayoran sa PGB, lakip sab nga gipangandaman ang ika-110th Founding anniversary sa probinsya.

Ang panagtigum sa Provincial Events Committee natigayon kaniadtong Hulyo 15, 2024 sa PHRMO Conference Room sa Provincial and National Building, Capitol Compound, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

Nahisgutan ang mga kinahanglanon alang sa traffic scheme, kahusay ug kalinaw, ug mga imbitado sa SOPA.

Samtang ang mga kalihokan sa foundation day naglakip sa misa, parada, tree planting, air sports show, concert, hot air balloons ug uban pa. (Omar Rashid Z. Abdullah)

Bukidnon giila nga lymphatic filariasis free province

Posted on by Diego M. Hidalgo

Ang probinsya sa Bukidnon giila isip Lymphatic Filariasis Free o mas naila nga elephantiasis free

Sumala sa kasayoran sa provincial government sa Bukidnon, base kini sa gipagawas nga datos ni Ms. Avril Melissa C. Bughaw sa Provincial Health Office.

Nadayag niya kini atol sa “Maayong Panglawas Mo, Kaugmaon Mo” radio program sa niaging semana.

Ang bulan sa Hulyo giila sa Department of Health National Elimination Program nga Filariasis Mass Drug Administration Month.

Niining bulana, labing gihingusgan ang pagsumpo sa filariasis.

Ang filariasis isa ka balatian nga makuha sa kagaw o parasitic worms nga resulta sa pinaakan sa lamok.

Base sa datos, unom pa ka probinsya sa nasod ang dili pa gawasnon sa maong sakit. (Diego H. Hidalgo)

Kabatan-onan gihagit nga mokat-on sa kulturanhong sistema

Posted on by cmn

Gi-awhag ang mga kabatan-onan sa tribung Matigsalug nga ibalik ang hilig sa pagkat-on sa kulturanhong sistema Napaabot ang hagit ni Datu Alukuy Brigido D. Lacaran, Matigsalug Cultural Master atol sa ika-49 nga Aldew te Matigsalug kaniadtong Hulyo 14-16, 2024 sa Barangay Sinuda, Kitaotao, Bukidnon

Sumala ni Datu Lacaran, ginahagit nila ang kabatan-onan nga motuon sa kinaraang kinabuhi, pinaagi sa gi-organize nga kalihukan sa maong kasaulogan aron mapukaw ang ilang hilig sa kulturanhong aktibidad.

Sa maong kasaulogan sa Aldew te Matigsalug, gipahigayon ang pinaka-unang street dancing and ground presentation.

Natigayon sab ang tribal games, cultural dance presentations, mini-tribal concert, Laha te Matigsalug, Matigsalug tribe parade, panubad, ug program proper sa kasaulogan. (PR)

 

MVP buying out dairy farm in Bukidnon for P700 million

Posted on by cmn

MANILA, Philippines (July 11, 2024) — Business titan Manuel V. Pangilinan is dipping further into the dairy business as he will buy out for around P700 million a Bukidnon-based milk company to increase the supply of his ice cream venture

Pangilinan confirmed to The STAR that he will be acquiring Bukidnon Milk Co. to raise the dairy supply for premium ice cream brand Carmen’s Best of The Laguna Creamery Inc., where he has a controlling stake.

“Sales of our ice cream products have been growing exponentially and we are slowly running out of milk supply from our dairy farm in Bay, Laguna,” Pangilinan said.

“We are buying another dairy farm in Bukidnon to supplement the supply. Maybe we could ship some of the milk to Manila because we want to expand our fresh milk supply and we want to get into yogurt and cheeses,” he added.

Sources privy to the buyout told The STAR that the transaction is estimated to cost at least P700 million. This would make it larger than Pangilinan’s P198 million acquisition of a majority stake in The Laguna Creamery in 2022.

Sources said Metro Pacific Agro Ventures (MPAV), a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., is wrapping up negotiations with Bukidnon Milk with the goal of closing the deal this July, in time for Pangilinan’s birth month.

Pangilinan said Bukidnon Milk has a capacity three to four times bigger than MPAV’s dairy farm in Bay, Laguna.

Based on data from the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service in Manila, the Philippine market for ice cream products is estimated to reach $408 million, of which $105.3 million is imported.

Pangilinan made his first dip into the dairy business in 2022 when MPAV took on a 51-percent share in The Laguna Creamery, the maker of Carmen’s Best. Pangilinan views his entry into the dairy industry as another step toward food sufficiency.

Apart from this, MPAV partnered with Israel’s LR Group Ltd. to put up the Metro Pacific Dairy Farms through a 60:40 sharing in favor of the Metro Pacific Group. The facility can produce as much as 6.5 million liters of milk every year once it begins operations in 2025.

MPAV hopes to grow the revenue of its dairy business to P500 million by 2025 and P1 billion by 2027.

In earlier interviews with reporters, Pangilinan aired his frustration over the dairy supply in the Philippines, lamenting that 99 percent of the demand is served by imported milk and 70 percent of the supply is powdered, not fresh.

Pangilinan said this import dependency is caused by low yields in dairy farming, as farmers are unable to go beyond traditional practices.

This is where Bukidnon Milk pours into the glass. The company runs a 460-hectare grazing farm in Maramag, Bukidnon—the first and biggest of its kind in Mindanao—where cows are allowed to wander freely.

Bukidnon Milk practices a kind of dairy farming that gives cows a stress-free landscape, as opposed to the usual confined animal feeding operations method. The company also boasts that it neither enriches nor fortifies its milk products, doing nothing more to them than light pasteurization and homogenization to retain their natural nutrients.

In its facility, Bukidnon Milk uses RFID readers and automated sensors for safety and sanitation, and it also employs indigenous peoples in the community to provide them with jobs.

To date, Bukidnon Milk sells its milk products in select outlets of Balai ni Fruitas, Landers, S&R, and SM, and supplies dairy items for coffee shops in Mindanao.

Bukidnon Milk takes care of around 2,000 cows in its land and the company supplies to at least 50 businesses nationwide. (Jasper Emmanuel Arcalas, Elijah Felice Rosales /The Philippine Star)