DA Aims Rice Sufficiency, No Imports by 2013 Agriculture Secretary Proceso Rice Seeds, Instead of Home- J

Vol. XXV No. 7 A monthly publication of the Department of Agriculture July 2010 DA aims rice sufficiency, no imports by 2013 Agriculture Secretary Proceso rice seeds, instead of home- J. Alcala vows to increase palay saved or traditional seeds, (unmilled rice) production in the coupled with location-specific next three years, and technologies. subsequently reduce rice imports Likewise, as “irrigation is to nil. directly proportional to rice He said this could be achieved production” he said the DA by opening up more areas through the National Irrigation planted to high-yielding rice Administration (NIA) will varieties. The expansion will vigorously pursue the cover rainfed and irrigated areas, rehabilitation and repair of old including uplands and irrigation systems, and possibly marshlands. extend, where applicable, the “We have already crafted a irrigation canal systems and plan to achieve rice self- tributaries to cover more areas. sufficiency by 2013. Part of it For his part, PhilRice execu- involves gradually expanding rice tive director Ronilo A. Beronio farms planted to certified seeds. said Secretary Alcala’s goal is From the current 20 per cent (%) achievable as shown by the fa- of total rice areas, we aim to push vorable results of the agency’s it to 45% by 2011, and further to location-specific technology de- 65% by 2012,” the DA chief said. velopment (LSTD) program in 22 He said the DA through the provinces during the just-con- Philippine Research Institute cluded 2010 dry season. (PhilRice) will launch a massive The program benefited campaign to convince farmers to 100,000 farmers, as their palay “Sa agrikultura, makapagtatayo na tayo ng mga grains terminals, use quality certified and hybrid (Pls turn to p2) refrigeration facilities, maayos na road networks at post-harvest facilities. Kung maisasaayos natin ang ating food supply chain sa tulong ng pribadong sektor, sa halip na mag-angkat tayo ay maari na sana tayong mangarap na mag-supply sa pandaigdigang DA chief swears in 6 officials merkado.” - President Benigno C. Aquino III, State of the Na- Agriculture Secretary Proceso food security program of Presi- tion Address, July 26, 2010. J. Alcala on August 3, 2010 swore dent Aquino,” said Secretary in six officials of the Department Alcala. of Agriculture, who were recently “Sila ang ilan sa ating DOJ, NBI to help audit NFA appointed by President Aquino. magiging katuwang upang Of the six, three were re-ap- isulong ang minimithi ni The National Food Authority shortage of only 117,000 tons pointed, namely: Dr. Segfredo Pangulong Aquino na kasapatan (NFA) is seeking the help of the and 589,000 tons, respectively. Serrano, as Undersecretary for sa pagkain, lalong-lalo sa bigas,” Department of Justice (DOJ) and He said the excess supply Policy, Planning, Research and added Alcala, who vowed to end the National Bureau of Investiga- was left to rot in warehouses, Regulation; Joel Rudinas, rice imports by 2013. tion (NBI) to look into the alleged while the government had to Undersecretary for Field Opera- Previous to his new post, over-importation of rice. deal with a debt of P171.6 bil- tions; and Bernadette Romulo- Fleta was undersecretary and NFA Administrator Angelito lion in rice importation costs, as Puyat, as Undersecretary for executive director of the Coor- Banayo said he has requested of May 2010. Special Concerns. dinating Council for Private Sec- Justice Secretary Leila de Lima Banayo said the investigations The other three are new ap- tor Participation, under the Of- and NBI Director Magtanggol will involve a system and man- pointees: Antonio Fleta, as fice of the President (April 2000 Gatdula to help audit his agency. agement audit to identify the Undersecretary for Administration - March 2001). He also asked the assistance of problems inherited by the food and Finance; Claron Alcantara, An accountant-banker, he fin lawyers, financial experts and agency from the previous admin- as Undersecretary and Chief of ished an advance management other professionals in the con- istration. Staff; and Leandro Gazmin, as program at Wharton School of duct of the audit. The investigations will also Director of the DA Agribusiness Business, Univ. of Pennsylvania, The move is in response to and Marketing Assistance Ser- USA, in 1994, and advance President Aquino’s disclosure look into the purchase and im- vice. banking management at the during his first State of the Na- portation protocol regarding tim- “They are the first batch of DA Asian Institute of Management tion Address that the NFA over- ing and volume requirements; officials who will form part of our in 1988. He served as a consult- imported rice, at 900,000 tons in inventory system to prevent new and revitalized DA manage- ant at Equitable PCI Bank, and 2004 and 1.827 million tons in waste and spoilage of stocks; ment team that will pursue the (Pls turn to p5) 2007 to address the estimated (Pls turn to p11) Editorial RP eyes veggie exports The Philippines is eyeing to as possible export markets for lo- export organic and non-organic cal vegetables. ‘Balik-Kabukiran’ vegetables to South Korea, He said in Hongkong, most of Hongkong and Singapore. their dishes contain vegetables, “Walang wang-wang, pamamagitan ng maliliit Agriculture Secretary Proceso which it imports from mainland walang counter-flow, ngunit siguradong mga J. Alcala said Seoul has ex- China and Thailand. walang tong!” hakbang. tended an offer that will assist To increase export revenues, Ito ang mga linyang Baby steps ika nga. local producers in shipping out Alcala said his department binitiwan ni President Sa isang pagtitipon ng vegetables to South Korea. hopes to encourage farmers to Benigno Aquino III sa pasasalamat at “The Ambassador from South go into organic vegetable farm- kanyang inaugural ad- bahaginan na ginanap sa Korea paid me a visit recently ing. and he said he’s willing to put in As per the Organic Agriculture dress na umani ng lalawigan ng Quezon, place a program that will allow Act of 2010 (Republic Act positibong pagtanggap ilang beses na tinuran ni them to import vegetables from 10068), which he authored, the kalakip ang masigabong Sec ang mga katagang: us, especially during the winter,” government will take the lead in palakpakan mula sa mga “let’s go back to ba- Alcala said. assisting farmers who are keen Pilipino saan mang panig sics.” Alcala said the DA is also look- in organic farming. ( Business Mir- ng mundo noong July 1, Ibig sabihin, bumalik ing at Hongkong and Singapore ror) 2010. tayo sa pundamental… sa Mahigit isang buwan saligan…sa batayan. DA aims rice sufficiency ... (from p1) ang nakalipas, diretso, Kung atin ngang iisipin, walang pasikot-sikot at tunay ngang marapat na harvests and incomes in- saving technologies, such as mi- payak na maituturing ang bumalik tayo sa basics creased by 25% to 36%, particu- nus-one element technique (MOET) and leaf color chart administrasyong Aquino. upang matugunan ang larly in Abra, Cagayan and Albay. (LCC). Tila ang kapayakang ito mas malalaking suliranin. “PhilRice is fulfilling its part to helping the country attain rice Using certified seeds, seed ang hinangaan at Gawing simple ang mga self-sufficiency. Of the targeted germination rate is improved and nagustuhan ng mga Pinoy gawain at hakbang at annual rice production increase uneven rice plant growth is mini- na sawa na sa magarbo magpatupad ng mga of seven percent, PhilRice can mized, resulting in increased in- at ma-iskandalong programa na agarang deliver about three percent,” said come of P9,000 per cropping, pamumuno noong mga magbibigay ng positibong Beronio. “Our contribution is at- mainly attributed to increase in nagdaang taon. epekto at resulta. tributed to appropriate technol- yield and savings from reduced Simpleng pamamaraan Isa na dito ang veg- ogy and effective extension ser- expenses. (DA Info Service, ang tugon nito sa mga etable production program vices,” he added. PhilRice) problema ng bansa. na ipinatutupad ng DA The remaining 4% increase Katangiang angkin rin katuwang ang Depart- would be derived from support in- ng kaniyang gabinete, ment of Education at ilang frastructure such as irrigation, Attn: DA Ag Engrs kabilang na ang ating non-government organiza- farm-to-market roads, and trans- As required under Republic Kalihim, Procy Alcala. tions. portation. These will be contrib- Act No. 8559, or the Philippine Sa ilalim nito, binibigyan uted by other DA agencies, bu- Agricultural Engineering Act of Sa ngayon, sandigan ng reaus and regional field units. pamamahala ni Sec Procy ng binhi, pagsasanay at 1998 , the Professional mga babasahin ang mga Last year, the country produced Regulatory Board of ang pagiging transparent 16.27 million tons of palay. This at hands-on . pamilya ng mga mag- Agricultural Engineering year, the DA targets to increase (PRBoAE) is currently updating Isa rin siyang man of aaral para matuto at makapagsimula ng it to at least 17.4 million tons, as the registry of all agricultural the fields na bukas sa sariling taniman sa long as the country’s major rice engineers in the country. mga konsultasyon upang producing areas will not be ad- Submit your updated kanilang bakuran. Ang ani versely affected by strong ty- higit na mapagtibay ang ay maaring kainin o kaya Agricultural Engineer’s data or pagkakaisa ng phoons in the next few months. profile to: Engr. Ariodear Rico, nama’y ibenta. Under the LSTD program, pamahalaan sa malilit na Mainam din na Chairman, Board of Agricultural magsasaka at PhilRice assists farmers in devel- Engineers, Professional magpatupad ng programa oping and packaging technolo- mangingisda. hinggil sa wastong Regulation Commission, P. gies and new farm practices Paredes St., Sampaloc, Sa kasalukuyan, pamamahala ng organic suited in their areas. They plant Manila. malalaking hamon ang farming dahil tugon ito sa certified seeds and employ cost- nakapatong sa kaniyang patuloy na pagtaas ng balikat: maabot ang presyo ng chemical kasapatan sa bigas sa fertilizer . is published monthly by the Department of Agriculture loob ng tatlong taon, Ilan lamang ito sa mga Information Service, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City. Tel. nos. 9288741 maitaas ang kita ng mga loc 2148, 2150, 2155, 2156 or 2184; 9204080 or tel/fax 9280588. This issue is panimulang gawain na available in PDF file. For copies, please send requests via email: magsasaka at ipapatupad upang unti- [email protected]. mangingsida, at unting kamtin ang mas Editor-In-Chief : Noel O. Reyes mabawasan ang bilang ng malalaking tagumpay Associate Editors: Karenina Salazar & Cheryl C. Suarez mahihirap nating para sa sambayanan. kababayan sa mga Para sa ating matatayog Writers: Adora D. Rodriguez, Jo Anne Grace B. Pera, Arlhene S. Carro, kanayunan. na layunin, kailangan na Mc. Bien Saint Garcia Contributors: DA-RFU Info Officers, Public Info Officers and Staff of DA At para ito’y matugunan, nating simulan ang ating Bureaus, Attached Agencies & Corporations, Foreign-Assisted Projects diretso at walang pasikot- maliliit na hakbang. Photographers: Jose Lucas, Alan Jay Jacalan, & Kathrino Resurreccion sikot ang estratehiyang Lay-out Artist: Bethzaida Bustamante ipatutupad ng DA sa Printing & Circulation: Teresita Abejar & PCES Staff

2 LGUs to r eceive insecticides, spr ayer s to lick ar mywor ms As reports of armyworms two experts--Wilma Cuaterno, attacking farms in Regions III BPI Crop Protection Division and IV started to come in, chief, and Cecille Manzanilla, Secretary Proceso Alcala chief of the DA-RFU IV-A immediately ordered the Regional Crop Protection distribution of an initial P900, 000- Center (RCPC)--to provide the worth of knapsack sprayers and technical information needed by recommended insecticides for the LGUs, farmers and the use in affected areas in general public on how to Batangas, Cavite and Quezon. effectively control armyworms He also instructed DA and other pests. Undersecretary Joel Rudinas Cuaterno and Manzanilla said and Assistant Secretary and armyworms are most concurrent DA-Region 4-A destructive during the larval director Dennis Araullo to stage and can be controlled by DA assistant secretary Dennis Araullo (right) and agricultural monitor the infestation. applying recommended extension workers assess armyworm (inset) infestation in a farm Likewise, Sec. Alcala also insecticides such as Carbaryl in CALABARZON region. instructed the DA Regions IV-A and Pyrethroids. (CALABARZON) and III (Central The chemicals should be chemicals as indicated in their to control other pests such as Luzon), and the Bureau of Plant sprayed directly to the labels. We are also urging cutworms, locusts and field rats, Industry (BPI) to coordinate armyworms or to the vegetation farmers to always wear and crop diseases like tungro closely with concerned LGU where the pests are visible protective gears during and bacteria leaf blight. officials and agricultural during late afternoons when insecticide application,” the two technicians in Bataan, Cavite, these are most active. experts said. Batangas, and Quezon to assist “We are urging extension Aside from the spray, other DA commissions farmers in controlling the spread workers and farmers to follow non-chemical solutions of armyworms. proper procedures in the recommended by DA-RCPC survey to know Rudinas and Araullo assigned application of recommended include the cutting of vegetation rice per capita and digging of shallow ditches. Armyworms are nocturnal Agriculture Secretary Proceso moth larvae that travel in J. Alcala said he has commis- NFA: ‘We have enough rice multitudes, destroying any kind sioned a survey to determine of vegetation including grass accurately the country’s rice per through the lean months’ and grain on their path. One egg capita consumption. The National Food Authority million MT as of the first week mass is equivalent to 100 to 300 “We have commissioned an (NFA) assures the public that of July, Banayo said. eggs, which turn into voracious independent survey on our rice the country has enough supply Rice stocks in households defoliators once hatched. They consumption,” the DA chief said. of rice during the July-Septem- account for 28% or 972,700 are most destructive during their The DA’s Bureau of Agricul- ber lean season, citing the MT, while those in commercial larval stage, which lasts 14 to 24 tural Statistics uses the current agency has a 56-day rice warehouses account for 13% days, Manzanilla said. per capita rice consumption of buffer — aside from those with or 460,200 MT. The initial attack of 128 kilograms (kg) per year, households and commercial He noted that NFA was able armyworms in the first district of which is computed via the so- warehouses. to buy from local farmers 3.29 Batangas was reported early called ‘supply disapperance NFA Administrator Angelito T. million bags of rice from April July. method.’ Banayo said the stable rice sup- to June, more than double its Since then, the DA through the However, another government BPI and RCPC has been agency, the Food and Nutrition ply is a result of the agency’s target of 1.34 million bags. conducting monitoring and Research Institute (FNRI) of the intensive palay buying during Total inventory as of June 1, assessment activities to prevent Department of Science and the summer harvest, in addition was 3.36 M tons, 25% more further damage. Technology uses 112 kg as per to imports. than the 2.68 M tons last year, Cuaterno said that the BPI has capita based on actutal con- Presently, NFA warehouses according to the DA’s Bureau been conducting a series of sumption survey conducted in and depositories had some 2 of Agricultural Statistics. seminars since the 2nd quarter 2008. million metric tons (MT) or 40.7 The inventory consisted of of 2009 until the first quarter of “We are validating the data so million bags of rice, sufficient 1.926 M tons MT with the NFA, 2010. we won’t have to import rice af- for the country’s daily needs of 972,700 M tons with house- During the seminars they ter three years. Our target is to 36,300 MT of rice for 56 days. holds, and 446,900 MT with forewarned and enjoined reduce imports by 50 percent “NFA stock inventory at commercial warehouses. regional, provincial and next year,” Alcala said in a press present is almost double the re- Palay output dropped 11% municipal agriculturists, crop briefing. quired 30-day food security to 3.49 million MT in the first protection specialists and The survey will focus in Metro buffer at the start of lean quarter from 3.94 million MT technicians, and Integrated Pest Manila, where 65 percent of the months,” Banayo said in a year on year. Management or Kasakalikasan country’s rice supply is con- statement. The DA projects a further farmer-cooperators to prepare sumed. Rice stocks in NFA ware- drop of 9% to 3.11 million MT for the occurrence of pests and Hence, the current rice per houses and depositories ac- in the second quarter, and a diseases as a result of the capita consumption of 128 kg is counted for 59% of the 4% dip to 3.39 million MT this prolonged dry spell due to the suspected to be way above the country’s rice inventory of 3.4 quarter. (BusinessWorld) El Niño. actual consumption of most Fili- Aside from armyworms, BPI pino households. has been conducting seminars (Pls turn to p4) July 2010 3 DA to strengthen crop insurance program Agriculture Secretary Proceso “It is expensive to administer Alcala plans to strengthen the kaya if it is expensive to admin- DA’s crop insurance program as ister and if it expensive to farm- a necessary component of its ers, then you have limited cov- rice, corn and other high-value erage… while ang goal naman commercial crops production natin is to be able to expand in- programs. surance so this is another mo- In an interview, Alcala said, dality that we are trying to see “we have to review the program. whether it is viable,” Serrano If we have to strengthen our said planting programs, we also need Furthermore, Serrano ex- to strengthen crop insurance.” plained, under the present crop However, as far as Alcala is insurance system, farmers pay concerned, he would prefer a an insurance premium for insur- simple and direct insurance pro- ance coverage for which the RP-Korea Partnership in Agriculture. Agriculture Secretary gram that allows farmers to be government contributes addi- Proceso J. Alcala (right) shares a light moment with Lee Hye compensated as soon as pos- tional coverage through the Min, newly-installed ambassador of Republic of Korea to the Phil- sible for damages they incur due PCIC. ippines, as they discussed opportunities to further expand part- to certain events. Unfortunately, Serrano ex- nership in agriculture, including the setting up of Multi-Industry “What is needed is fast release plained, if the farmer’s crop is Clusters (MICs) in selected provinces funded by the Korea Inter- (of insurance claim payments) devastated, an adjuster is national Cooperation Agency (KOICA). Said initiative is on top of and (insurance) personnel,” needed to assess the actual the current KOICA grant that involves construction of four mod- Alcala said, elaborating “if one damage which will be the basis ern rice processing centers. Ambassador Min was accompanied area is hit (by a calamity), recall for the insurance compensation. by Korean Embassy economic counsellor Kim Myoung Joon. others, (deploy) full blast there. The adjuster process, Serrano We need to put up a (quick re- said, becomes expensive be- Serrano elaborated, one system said, all of the farmers (who en- sponse) mechanism.” cause it takes time for the ad- would involve “an area unit that rolled would be paid) whether Alcala, however, remained juster to evaluate the extent of will be defined, let us say a dis- they suffered damage or not. non-committal on repeated re- the damage especially if the in- trict or a municipality or a prov- That is one modality.” ince for which the historical yield quest of the Philippine Crop In- sured crop area is located in a Another modality, Serrano surance Corp. (PCIC) for addi- remote area and there are sev- would be determined.” tional funding support. eral claims to be investigated Under such a system, the in- continued, is a weather-based Alcala was also wary about a and evaluated. surer such as Swiss Re, agrees insurance scheme which is ac- proposed weather-based crop However, in the new insur- to a “trigger” like a 10 percent tually under pilot-testing in insurance. ance system that the DA is below yield in the coverage area. Cagayan Valley and According to the DA chief, studying together with Swiss Re, If that trigger is met, Serrano Panay.(Philippine Star) “from what I see, what we should have is something that the ordinary farmers understand.” Far m investments needed f or rice suf f iciency Thus, from the viewpoint of the The Philippines has the ca- government also needs to en- metric ton if it is to become af- ordinary farmers, Alcala said that sure that rice farmers would re- fordable to poor consumers all the ordinary farmers only want to pability to be self-sufficient in rice as long as the government ceive good prices for their pro- over the world. see the repayment of what they duce. “[That price range] is some- had spent on their destroyed would invest in farm-to-market While the motivation of the thing that consumers can man- farm, notwithstanding the time roads, extension work and irri- Agriculture department behind age. Prices had been anywhere and effort they had already put gation, the International Rice from $200 to $300 per metric the emphasis on upland rice in, so that they can buy the nec- Research Institute (IRRI) said. ton for about a decade, and farming is good, the IRRI offi- essary inputs to start all over IRRI director general Robert people were able to manage again. S. Ziegler said the timely deliv- cial advised against focusing on that,” he said. The DA, however, has been ery of crop-management infor- planting rice in upland areas. To prop up global rice production, Ziegler said there is a need exploring the possibility of adopt- mation to farmers would also “I wouldn’t recommend the to expand yield on remaining ing a new insurance for agricul- boost efforts of the Philippine focus on rice in upland areas. rice areas. (Business Mirror) tural crops that would allow for a government to wipe out rice im- Farmers should grow crops that more effective and efficient insur- ports. can [guarantee] better returns,” ance coverage. “I wouldn’t say that rice self- said Ziegler. DA commissions ... Agriculture Undersecretary sufficiency could be achieved These crops could include (from p3) Segfredo Serrano, who has been in three or five or 10 years. [But] fruits, vegetables, high-value tasked to study the new insur- to achieve this, there has to be commercial crops and maize, Alcala said the survey will also ance scheme, had noted that the proper infrastructure, continu- he said. ask the people’s perception on present crop insurance scheme ous investment in farm-to-mar- The IRRI noted that the Phil- the DA’s performance. is expensive. ket roads, extension work and ippines has the capacity to prop “I want to know how accept- According to Serrano, the DA irrigation,” said Ziegler in an in- up rice production and wipe out able the DA is to the farmers. I is studying the proposed terview on the sidelines of In- rice imports, as it is a “leader in will gauge our performance af- weather-based crop insurance vestment Forum for Food Se- rice-technology development ter that. I have to gauge myself. system to see if it is the more curity in Asia and the Pacific at and rice technology adoption.” Farmers should get to directly efficient way of ensuring farmers. the ADB Headquarters in Pasig Meanwhile, Ziegler noted that feel the impact of our program Serrano pointed out that the City. global rice prices should settle in six months,” he added. (Ma- current system is expensive. He said the Philippine at around $300 to $350 per nila Bulletin) 4 DA chief swears in ... Agr ic ul tu re Se cr et ar y Proceso J. Alcala (left) is Fir e r azes DA buildings (from p1) shown with the six DA offi- At least 300 families lost their Agriculture Secretary Proceso president of Far East Savings ci al s (f ro m le ft ): houses, while two buildings at Alcala witnessed the fire when Bank. undersecretaries Bernadette the Department of Agriculture it was still raging until it was Alcantara has worked at the Romulo-Puyat, Segfredo compound were destroyed in a contained. He commended the Presidential Management Staff Serrano, Antonio Fleta, Joel July 20, 2010 fire that razed a joint efforts of the Bureau of Fire since President Corazon Rudin as an d Cl ar on community of illegal settlers, Protection, QC fire department, Aquino’s time, and thereafter as Alc an ta ra , an d di re ct or along the corner of North Avenue and fire brigade volunteers, and chief of staff of Sec. Alcala, dur- Leandro Gazmin. and Elliptical Road, in Diliman, DA, NAFC and LDC employees, ing his term at the House of Rep- Quezon City. and Dear John janitorial resentatives. Gazmin, a UP mechanical en- QC fire department services. He finished economics at the gineering graduate and an or- superintendent Bobby Baruelo Estimated damage was University of the Philippines (UP) ganic farming advocate, has said the fire broke out at 1:27 pm placed at P10 million. in 1987, and Masters in Devel- done a joint project with the in the house of Felipe Saguisag The displaced NAFC and LDC opment Management at the UPLB-Institute of Plant Breeding on Asparagus Street, Sitio Planas employees are temporarily Asian Institute of Management in on commercial snap hydropon- A, Barangay Vasra, and was housed at the DA-ITCAF and 1997. ics. contained at 3:30 pm. fourth floor of the main NAFC The National Agriculture and building. (Phil. Daily Inquirer, DA Fisheries Council (NAFC) Info Service) DOJ asks to pursue case vs. Chinese poachers motorpool, property and auditing sections, and offices of the Stakeholders of the fisheries pine Fisheries Code . Integrated Pest Management sector have requested Justice In June 29, 2010 former DOJ (IPM) and Minimum Access Secretary Leila De Lima to re- secretary Agra granted the peti- Volume (MAV) was totally burned verse former DOJ Secretary tion for review by a Chinese law- down, while the two-storey Alberto Agra’s decision of drop- yer and directed the Provincial building of the Livestock and ping the case against nine Chi- Prosecutor of Palawan to with- Development Council was half- nese nationals caught poaching draw the information that were burned. The fire also destroyed in Philippine waters. filed against the respondents for the DA’s printing section. Director Malcolm I. Sarmiento, lack of criminal intent. Jr., of the DA’s Bureau of Fish- However BFAR and PCG filed eries and Aquatic Resources a motion for reconsideration, cit- (BFAR) said his agency together ing the following: with the Palawan Council for ·Agra’s resolution failed to Sustainable Development Staff consider that RA 855 is a spe- (PCSDS) have officially filed a cial law. Violation of its provi- motion for reconsideration at the sions shall be considered mala DOJ to set aside the earlier rul- prohibita or acts that are punish- ing of former Sec. Agra. able only because they are pro- The Chinese nationals were hibited by law and not mala en caught fishing and in possession se or acts that are inherently im- of endangered marine turtles in moral. May, off Balabac Island in ·The resolution erroneously Palawan, by BFAR and the Phil- took the respondents’ claim that ippine Coast Guard (PCG). the place of apprehension is not Consequently, BFAR, PCG within the territorial sea of the and the Department of Environ- Philippines, when such issue ment and Natural Resources can be properly ventilated dur- The July 20 fire, which lasted for almost two hours, tore down parts filed a criminal complaint at the ing a full-blown trial as it is evi- of the LDC and NAFC offices and resulted to P10M-worth of Palawan Provincial Prosecutors dentiary in nature. damages. Sec. Alcala who witnessed the raging fire, commended the Office for violations of Philippine ·There was deprivation of the united efforts of the BFP, QC fire department, Dear John janitorial fisheries laws particularly Sec- right to due process of the com services and other volunteers. tion 87 of RA 8550 or the Philip- (Pls turn to p11)

July 2010 5 New peanut variety now available

Asha (Arachis hypogaea), a new certified peanut variety seed, is now being planted by farmers in Isabela, Sorsogon, and Quezon through a project funded by the DA’s Bureau of Ag- ricultural Research (BAR). Asha , which means ‘hope’ in the Hindi language, was intro- duced from India through the In- ternational Crops Research In- stitute for Semi-Arid Tropic (ICRISAT) in 2005. It was successfully field-tested in Isabela, where it produced Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (2 nd from left) assures farmer-leaders and rice industry nuts larger than those tradition- stakeholders that the DA will continue to promote hybrid rice, as it forms part of the Aquino ally grown in the country. Given administration’s holistic strategy to attain rice self-sufficiency by 2013. With him from left are farmer- its size and high-yielding quali- leader Ricardo Buenaventura of the Nagkakaisang Magsasaka sa Tabucao, Talavera,Nueva Ecija, ties, Asha shows great potential Nelson Licup of Candelaria, Quezon, and Henry Lim, president of SL Agritech. in increasing the harvest and incomes of farmers, said BAR di- Dr. Eleazar said “with Asha ries and community organizers rector Nicomedes P. Eleazar. peanut adapting well in the Phil- of Earthkeepers. EU project benefits Asha’s package of technology ippine soil and the developed As part of the repayment rainfed farmers (POT) was developed by the DA- POT, peanut yield has increased scheme of the project, each Cagayan Valley Integrated Agri- dramatically from 600 to 1,100 farmer-cooperator will have to cultural Research Center The European Union recently kg/ha.” give back two sacks of seeds (CVIARC) through a three-year funded a farmers’ field school This is equivalent to P15,000 after harvest to ensure seed mul- (FFS) in the towns of La Paz and project. to P27,000 per hectare increase tiplication so that other farmers Victoria, in Tarlac. Just recently, BAR, led by Dr. in farmers’ income, according to can also avail of the POT and To date, there are dozens of Eleazar and CVIARC, distributed CVIARC experts. FFS that benefit 4,000 farmers 15 sacks of Asha peanut seeds Each farmer-cooperator has benefits of cultivating Asha . in 32 municipalities in Luzon. to 15 marginal farmers repre- allotted an area of 1,000 square Dir. Eleazar said: “We hope The setting up of FFS is a com- senting six municipalities of the meters to plant their Asha . that through these seeds we will ponent of the EU-funded project second district of Quezon to try Cooperators were provided a be able to help the marginal and cultivate in the province. one-day hands-on training last farmers in Quezon by providing called, ‘Increasing Rice Yield and The project will be imple- August 3, 2010 to teach them them alternative livelihood to Productivity through the Promo- tion of Small Scale Irrigation and mented by the Earthkeepers, a the appropriate POT on the pro- improve their incomes. Hope- non-government organization Integrated Crop Management duction and management of fully, after Isabela, Sorsogon, (NGO) on organic farming, Asha peanut. Systems in Rainfed Areas.’ based in Tiaong, Quezon, in co- and now Quezon Province, we The project is implemented in Ms. Rose Aquino of CVIARC will be able to promote the tech- operation with the CVIARC, served as the resource person Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, nology on Asha peanut produc- which will provide technical as- during the training which was at- Pangasinan, Pampanga, and sistance to farmer-cooperators. tended by 15 farmer-beneficia- tion nationwide so that more Tarlac--where average rice yields farmers will be benefited.” are below 2.9 tons per hectare. He added that this project on It is jointly implemented by the Asha peanut production is in line Food and Agriculture Organiza- with DA Secretary Proceso J. tion, DA and attached agencies Alcala’s initiatives to promote (PhilRice, Bureau of Soils and agricultural crops and products Water Management, and Agricul- that have potentials to improve tural Training Institute) and local farmers’ incomes, but are not yet government units. in the mainstream market. The project provides farmers Asha peanut is one of the surface water pumps and shal- technologies highlighted at the low tube wells or small farm res- 6th Agriculture and Fisheries ervoirs to improve irrigation and help increase yield by an addi- Technology Forum and Product tional one ton per hectare. Exhibition, at SM Megatrade Under the project, half of the Hall, August 5-8, 2010. cost of the water pumps is sub- Alcala was represented by Dir. sidized, while the other half is Leandro Gazmin of the DA- shouldered by the farmers, pay- Veggie Seeds for QC backyard gardens. Agriculture Undersecretary Agribusiness and Marketing As- able in installment basis. Berna Romulo-Puyat (4th from left) hands over to Quezon City Vice sistance Service (AMAS) who With shallow tube wells and Mayor Joy Belmonte assorted vegetable seeds for distribution to dif- commended BAR for its initia- pump sets, farmers can plant a ferent barangays as part of the DA-QC joint food security program. tives on bringing viable technolo- second crop of rice, or corn or With them are QC Mayor Herbert Bautista (4th from right) and Coun- gies to farmers and other agri- vegetables during the dry sea- cilors Allan Reyes, Anthony Crisologo, Raquel Malangen, Jaime culture industry stakeholders. son, and thus earn additional in- Borres, Godofredo Liban, Alfred Vargas and Edcel Lagman, Jr. (Rita dela Cruz, DA-BAR) come. 8 DA-10 offers dairy loans To enhance and sustain the de- providing feed supplements and velopment of the local dairy in- biologics, and of repaying the dustry and complement the loaned animals. government’s effort of mitigating Repayment Scheme hunger and minimizing nutrition According to Dr. Victorino problems in the countryside, the Guillermo, DA-Livestock Banner DA Regional Field Unit IX Coordinator, the repayment launched the Dairy Goat Devel- scheme for first-line beneficia- opment Project (DGDP). The ries consists of two sets of op- project gives emphasis on herd tion. The first option is to repay build-up through an appropriate with three bucks (male goat) for animal loan scheme in coopera- every buck received; buck tion with the DA’s attached agen- should be at least 75% up- cies. graded, at least 20kg and 6- A total of 170 dairy goats from 8months old or, three does (fe- Australia and Davao del Sur were male goat) for every doe re- dispersed to Zamboanga del Sur, ceived, with each doe at least Zamboanga Sibugay, 75% upgraded, weighs at least Sustained DA-UPLB Partnership TowardsFood Securityand Zamboanga del Norte, 20kg and 6-8 months old. Self-Sufficiency.Sec. Proceso J.Alcala(center) welcomes the offer Zamboanga City, and Isabela The second option is to repay and assurance of continued support bythe University of the City in Basilan. The animal loan with two bucks for every buck Philippines Los Baños(UPLB) through Chancellor Luis Rey scheme is based on the recom- received; should be purebred Velasco (left) and Vice Chancellor Roberto Rañola to sustain the mendation of the livestock tech- offspring, each weighing at least growth and modernization of the country’s agriculture sector to nician coursed through the Mu- 20kg and 6-8months old. attainfood securityand self-sufficiency.Velascosaid UPLB will nicipal Agriculturist which, how- Or, two does for every doe continue to provideavailable research and development(R&D) ever, has to pass the initial and received, purebred offspring at field-tested and mature technologies, technical expertise, advice final validation conducted by the least 20kg each, and 6-8 months on majoragricultural policy issues, and continuous conduct of offices of the City and Provincial old. R&D programs to produce high-yield, sustainable, pest-resistant Veterinarians and the DA regional A recipient of locally upgraded and sturdy crop varieties, including efficient farm production, office, respectively. goats, however, must repay with processing andmarketing systems. Loan criteria one doe for every doe received. A beneficiary for an imported This may be an offspring of the dairy goat should be an existing doe received or out-sourced. More greenhouses rise in EV commercial goat raiser within the The doe must be at least dairy zone area; preferably a 5months old, weighing at least Not long after the first launch- planting using plasticulture to or- member of the association affili- 20kg, and 50% upgraded dairy ing of the Greenhouse project in dinary farmers. ated with the Federation of Goat goat. Catbalogan City, Samar last “This is a hedging technique and Sheep Producers Associa- A recipient of a buck must re- month, more of the same project against the adverse effects of cli- tion of the Philippines, Inc. pay with one offspring or out- were turned over in the provinces mate change, a cultivation option (FGASPAPI), and has attended sourced. If the loaned buck has of Biliran, Leyte and Southern under a controlled environment the project briefing/ seminar and produced 50 kids within one and Leyte. insulating vegetables from pro- training. a half years upon receipt, the Twelve greenhouses have al- longed extreme weather A recipient for a locally pur- recipient/beneficiary need not ready been turned over to differ- changes,” he clarified. If fully maximized and properly chased upgraded dairy goat must make a repayment. This in- ent recipients in the region spe- managed, the greenhouse tech- have engaged and/or have had stance, however, must be certi- cifically the LGUs of Sta. Rita, Catbalogan and Calbayog, in nology would make vegetable knowledge and skill in raising fied by the technician in the farming a much more profitable goats; ensure that sources of area. Samar; Naval, Biliran; Ormoc City, Baybay City, Palo, venture for farmers, thus in- grasses or legumes and other The primary responsibility of creasing the region’s productiv- Kananga, Bato and Barugo, in forage materials are readily avail- a beneficiary is to maintain the ity. able and sufficient; have a shed animals in good health in order Leyte; and Maasin City, South- Regional HVCC Program Co- or goat houses; and that he/she to maximize their capability to ern Leyte. ordinator Dr. Veronica J. Regional Executive Director must be financially capable of produce milk. (DA-RFU IX) Berenguer disclosed that the Leo P. Cañeda revealed that 33 P180,000-worth greenhouse more greenhouses are slated to project comprises 3 compo- Saanen dairy goats be awarded to different LGU-ap- from Australia nents: a greenhouse, drip irriga- plicants. “We commit to estab- tion and training program. At lish more in keeping with the in- least 1,000 sq.m. area, on the terest of other LGUs to have the other hand, must be provided by same project for their farmer- the LGU-recipient to accommo- constituents. Perhaps, this is in- date the greenhouse which re- dicative of their realization of the quires only 144 sq.m. benefits that can be derived from The remaining area would this project,” he claimed. serve as an open field where the The greenhouse project is a same crops as those grown in protective techno-demo and the greenhouse would be training program designed to planted so that there would be a provide the necessary technol- comparative showcase between ogy on greenhouse cultural man- the two sets of vegetables grown agement of short-term, high under different conditions. (DA- value crops as well as open field RFU VIII)

July 2010 9 FAO: RP should increase rice yield to meet demand To meet the needs of the grow- search and development and ing population, the Philippines agriculture infrastructure, like ir- needs to increase its grain pro- rigation facilities, farm-to-market duction by at least 1.8 percent roads, postharvest facilities and every year for the next 20 years, other associated infrastructure. according to the Food and Agri- Investments must be geared culture Organization (FAO) of the toward financing agriculture in- United Nations. surance, marketing chain facili- In a press briefing, Hiroyuki tation, and other agriculture sup- Konuma, FAO assistant director port services. general and regional representa- Some investments should be China turns into corn importer tive for Asia and the Pacific, said in education, health care and “food production will need to China will import some 1.7 mil- aquatic products will grow from other known agriculture income- lion tons of corn this year, 5.8 mil- 39.2 to 44.1 and 48.9. double or post a 100-percent in- generating activities. crease by 2050 to feed the grow- lion tons next year and as much Li said rural areas will drive “Achieving food security at re- ing population.” as 15 million tons in 2014-2015. meat demand, while urban cen- gional, national and household Konuma said that for the past This is according to Hanver Li, ters will drive milk and aquatic levels has long been a struggle 10 years, rice production in Asia chairman and chief consultant of products demand.(US Grains and the Pacific region had only for the region, even during the Shanghai JC Intelligence Co. Ltd. Council website) grown by 0.8 percent and wheat best of economic times. (JCI) when he spoke at the U.S. Grains Council’s 50th Annual Vietnam rice prices fall production, only 0.2 percent. A sustainable and balanced Board of Delegates Meeting. “We need to increase at least rebound in Asia, coupled with due to oversupply He said demand for corn in 1.8 percent per year, for grain the hard lessons we learned China is simply outstripping pro- Over-production and lower production, in the next 20 years. during the 2008 food crisis, pre- duction. China’s economy contin- exports have left rice farmers in sents us with a golden opportu- This is the average in Asia and ues to grow, he explained, which Vietnam’s Mekong Delta holding nity to harness our collective re- the Pacific region,” Konuma clari- is driving an increase in demand on to their stocks in the face of fied in an interview after the brief- sources in order to achieve food for meat, milk and eggs because lower prices, analysts say. ing. security,” said Kuroda. as incomes rise, food is one of the Vietnam is the world’s second- The FAO said world population The forum, co-organized by first items people look to buy. largest exporter of rice with is expected to increase to 9.1 bil- ADB, FAO and the International JCI estimates that meat con- Mekong Delta accounting for lion by 2050. This means the Fund for Agricultural Develop- sumption per capita will grow from more than half of the country’s world needs to increase food pro- ment, gathered hundreds of 59 kilograms (kg) in 2005 to 61.7 production. duction by around 70 percent by policymakers, development ex- kg this year to 63.1 kg in 2015. But surpluses, in the beginning 2050. perts and representatives from Milk consumption will grow of the wet season, and a shortage Konuma said the world must the public and private from 22.0 in 2005 to 30.1 and 33.4 of places for drying wet rice are increase investments in agricul- sectors.(Business Mirror) in that same time frame, while adding up to heavy potential ture to over $200 billion every losses, said Vo Tong Xuan, an year until 2050. Of this amount, international rice expert.He fears around $120 billion every year is Int’l law fails to protect Vietnam will lose one million tons needed for Asia and the Pacific. coral reefs, tropical fish of the grain this season. Konuma said investments in The country hopes to sell about the farm sector in Asia and the International law has failed to numbers reduced and even six million tons in the international Pacific had averaged $80 billion protect coral reefs and tropical eliminated through much of its market in 2010, similar to last every year for the past three fish from being decimated by a range after it became a popular year’s, but shipments fell in the years. growing collectors market, but aquarium fish in the late 1990s. first half. Between January and To meet the $120-billion annual U.S. reforms can lead the way With U.S. buyers accounting June, Vietnam exported more investment, investments in the towards making the trade more for more than half the trade in than three million tons, down to farm sector in the region must rise responsible, ecologically live coral, reef fish and 8.76 percent versus last year. by 50 percent, he said. sustainable and humane. invertebrates, the authors Le Van Banh, director of the Increasing investments is also Using data from the United recommend leveraging U.S. Mekong Delta Rice Research important in bringing down food Nation’s conservation monitoring market power to reduce the Institute, said that competition prices. program, the authors say trade trade’s environmental effects. from other exporters leaves less Haruhiko Kuroda, Asian Devel- in coral and coral reef species is They suggest laws to protect a room for Vietnamese grain opment Bank (ADB) president, substantial and growing, wider variety of species, better abroad, while at home “we have cited FAO figures showing that removing 30 million fish and 1.5 enforcement that includes an abundance of rice so the while food prices have stabilized, million live stony corals a year. tracking a product’s chain of prices are relatively low.” they were still 85 percent higher The aquarium industry alone custody, and reforms in source One kilogram of paddy or than 2003 levels. targets some 1,500 species of countries. They also unmilled rice currently sells FAO figures also showed that reef fishes. Many die in transit, recommend changes in between Vietnam Dong (VND) food prices will remain high for leading collectors to gather even marketing to promote sales of 3,200 and 3,300 (about US $ 0.18 the next 10 years. more animals to compensate for species certified as being or roughly P 8.40. That is a drop their losses. humane and sustainable. Kuroda said FAO data showed from VND4,000 to 4,200 last year. The result is some species The U.S. should assume its food prices will remain 15 percent To help farmers, the have gone “virtually extinct. The role as an international leader in to 40 percent over the 1997-2006 government has announced Banggai cardinalfish, which is coral reef conservation and take levels from 2010 to 2019. loans to local businesses for unique to a remote Indonesian steps to reform the international buying up to one million tons of The increased investments, archipelago, has had its trade it drives. (ScienceDaily) Konuma said, should go to re- rice.(Agroviet) July 2010 10 DA-MRDP offers new local chiefs investment options to reduce poverty The Department of Agricul- ture, through the Mindanao Ru- ral Development Program (MRDP), has prepared a package of development investments for its flagship program on poverty alleviation, a component of the second phase of the said project for Southern Philippines. In line with this, the DA- MRDP has conducted a series of briefings to attract investments as an option for the new local government chief executives to hinge their development plans. “The program is a good option for the newly installed LCEs The DA regional information officers (RIOs) held their recent 3rd quarter meeting, July 28-30, in Dipolog (local chief executives),” pro- City, hosted by DA-RFU 9, where they shared the initial pronouncements and direc tives of Sec. Proceso gram director Lealyn Ramos J. Alcala, and discussed other major initiatives such as: rice and commercial crops production program; said, “as it is a holistic ap- national farmers’ registry system; automated import permit application, processing, approval and issu- proach to development, which ance; tariff exemption on agri equipment and machineries and other related services; agri-fishery mar- is designed to open up eco- ket info system and Nokia data gathering solution. Shown above (1st row, from left) are: RIOs Melba nomic opportunities for rural Wee of DA9, Dhigs Abdullah (ARMM), Mabelle Ilan (DA5, representing Emily Bordado), Jun Espiritu communities and also to capi- (DA3), Tecs Vidal (DA11), Claire San Felipe (DA4B), Flor Cablar (DA-PMED), Joy Mogado (DA- talize on the rich natural re- ITCAF), Nelly Ylanan (DA12), Francis Rosaroso (DA8), and Juvy Gaton (DA6). Others (2nd row, from sources on their respective lo- left) are: Hector Tabbun (DA2, representing Edito Banares), Gloria Parong (DA1), DA-AFIS OIC- calities.” Director Noel Reyes, Grace Sta. Elena (DA10), Mar Samar (DA-AMAS), Francis Lopez (InterCommerce The MRDP is a long-term al- Network), Grace Dagala (DA7), and Becky Atega (DA -CARAGA). National rice program dir ector Dr. leviation program funded jointly Frisco Malabanan also served as a resource person during the meeting. RIOs Rober t Domoguen (DA- by the national government, the CAR) and Pat Bulanhagui (DA4A) were not able to attend. local government units, and a loan portfolio from the World course of the program; like- towns in our area. DOJ, NBI ... (from p1) Bank. The program has four wise the other regions across This year, the MRDP is set to and methods and procedures major components, namely: Mindanao shall have similar achieve P2 billion worth of agri- of selling the stocks. Rural Infrastructure (RI), Natu- activities in the ensuing weeks. cultural infra, which will benefit Among specific concerns that ral Resource Management “What we desire is for LCEs to 151 towns that will implement will be investigated are over- (NRM) and Investment for Gov- avail of the whole investment various livelihood projects. stocked warehouses, the P177- ernance reform (IGR). package to maximize its impact It has also earmarked P42 billion debt as of June 30, spoil- The Rural Infra component on the community,” Ramos said. million for environmental age of imported rice, allegations focuses on the relevant and Further, she said, “By putting conservation projects. of irregularities and possibility of much needed infrastructure infrastucture on production ar- The five-year phase II pro- corruption, and smuggling. seen to improve productivity eas or where CFAD projects are gram, which kicked-off in May Banayo requested Jesus and farmers’ incomes like irri- implemented, plus the institut- 2007, has a total of 225 enrolled Posadas--commodities trading gation, farm-to-market roads ing governance reform to bet- municipalities in six regions of expert and former San Miguel and post-harvest facilities. ter improve collection of rev- Mindanao. Corp. vice president for purchas- ing--to head the investigation. The CFAD focuses on enues, it won’t be long for the Meanwhile, the NFA has peoples’ organizations, em- communities to see the social Fisheries sector ... (from p5) asked an importer (Vietnam powering these groups so they and economic impact of the program.” plainants because they were Southern Food Corp.) to defer will develop the initiative to ven- not given a chance to file a com- As proof of the positive effect delivery until September be- ture into agri-based enter- ment to the petition for review of such program, Mr. Romy cause there are no available prises. While the NRM imple- filed by the respondents. warehouse space. Zaragoza, chairman of the Sul- ments environmental conserva- Samiento said if the resolution “The lack of warehouses is tan Kudarat provincial planning tion projects, the IGR is geared is not withdrawn, it would create proof of oversupply,” he said. toward reinforcing the man- and development office said, serious implications, since the Banayo added that it will be dates of the Local Government “We have seen how the pro- respondents claimed they were the last batch of rice to be im- Code. gram has improved many rural in Chinese territorial waters, ported for the year. Currently, the local govern- people’s lives and we now fully when it was clearly established The NFA rice inventory is good ment executives of the prov- understand and appreciate its and, in fact, admitted by them for 56 days, while the house- inces of North Cotabato, Sultan procedures. that they were in coordinates that holds and private sector’s sup- Kudarat and South Cotabato That’s why we in the province were only 50 miles west of ply are good for 25 and 30 days, are attending the orientation help promote it among the Balabac, Palawan. (DA-BFAR) respectively. 11 BSWM begins mapping La Niña areas The DA’s Bureau of Soils and possible flash floods and land- Water Management (BSWM) slides during heavy rains. has started mapping upland BSWM Executive Director and lowland farms vulnerable Dr. Silvino Q. Tejada said they to flooding and landslides in a have lined up activities to miti- bid to reduce the impact of the gate the adverse effects of La onslaught of La Niña. Niña. La Niña causes prolonged These measures would be heavy rains due to the cooling centered on coastal provinces of sea surface temperatures. with moderate and severe DA Chief thanks UN for continued support. On behalf of President The Philippine weather bu- flooding as well as mountain- Benigno Aquino III and Filipino farmers and fisherfolk, Agricul- reau (PAGASA) has already is- ous and upland or hilly areas. ture Secretary Proceso Alcala (right) extends his gratitude to offi- sued an advisory, saying there BSWM has already identified cials of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization is an increasing probability of and mapped areas that are (FAO) and Development Program (UNDP) for their continued tech- La Niña occurrence beginning prone to flooding and vulner- nical and financial support through the years in implementing food the third quarter that may result able to erosion and landslides. production and rural development programs in the country. The to above normal rainfall, espe- The maps will serve as tool UN officials are (from right): Hiroyuki Konuma, FAO assistant di- cially in the eastern parts of the to help the DA and local gov- rector-general and regional representative for Asia and the country. ernment units implement plans Pacific;Kazuyuki Tsurumi, FAO representative in the Philippines; La Niña conditions also favor to prevent damage to lives and and Dr. Jacqueline Badcock, UN resident coordinator and UNDP tropical cyclone formation over property, and crop losses in representative in the Philippines. the Western Pacific that enters agriculture and fisheries. the Philippines. Tejada said the BSWM pro- These structures could mini- The water stored in SFRs can Residents in low-lying areas poses to construct 990 small mize soil erosion and flood dur- be used for irrigation.(Manila and those near mountain farm reservoirs (SFRs), total- ing the wet season. Bulletin) slopes are advised to take pre- ing P61 million, for harvesting cautionary measures against rainwater and surface runoff. BAI celebrates FMD-free status The DA’s Bureau of Animal In- Partner agencies, stakeholder dustry (BAI) celebrated on July groups and associations, and Past rice imports padded 28, 2010 the recognition of counterparts in the local govern- Zones 1 and 3 of Luzon as Foot ment units were also present Blamed for NFA’s debt to P171 B and Mouth Disease (FMD) free during the occasion. zones where vaccination is not Nuestro said the DA-BAI will The Arroyo administration the multiplier is too much,” practiced. continue to undertake initiatives used “bloated” rice-consump- he noted, referring to the 128 The zones were recognized by to address the challenges of tion statistics to justify its rice kilos capita consumption the World Organization for Ani- emerging and re-emerging dis- importations during the last provided by the Bureau of mal Health (OIE) on May 25, eases, while maintaining efficient nine years, Agriculture Sec- Agricultural Statistics (BAS). 2010, during the World Assem- animal production systems. retary Proceso Alcala said. Alcala said that he had bly of Delegates of the OIE. “Although the industry still has The Philippines is now re- commissioned an indepen- Zone 1 covers north Luzon, a lot of work to do, we are very garded as the world’s top rice dent survey company to particularly the Cordillera Admin- grateful for this opportunity to importer. This year, it is im- study why the NFA’s debt istrative Region, Cagayan Valley express our appreciation to ev- porting some 2.4 million met- load increased more than six (Region 2), and the province of eryone who has been a part of ric tons of rice to plug a pro- times in as many years. Aurora in Region 3 and Ilocos the government’s FMD Eradica- duction shortfall and beef up ”Heads will roll if they find Norte, Ilocos Sur and La Union tion Program,” Nuestro said. the stocks of the National any irregularities in the fig- in Region 1. He said the country’s FMD- Food Authority (NFA), an ures,” he warned. Zone 2 or mid-Luzon covers free status will scale-up the DA- Region 3 except Aurora prov- agency under the Depart- Alcala, however, said that BAI’s animal health programs ince, Region 4-A, National Capi- ment of Agriculture. and strengthen border control he was giving the BAS the tal Region, and Pangasinan in Before Alcala was ap- benefit of the doubt. measures to prevent the entry of pointed Agriculture secretary, Region 1. Meanwhile, he assured dreaded animal diseases. the department had revealed Zone 3 or south Luzon in- that there would be a con- cludes Regions 4-B and 5. With the opportunity lent by that the country’s rice self- disease freedom in the country, sufficiency was 81 percent. tinuing decline in rice impor- The OIE is expected to act on tations in the next two years, the pending application of the the Philippines will soon be en- He said that he believed gaged in trade with other neigh- the country would not have while expressing hope that Philippines to declare Zone 2 as the country would be self- FMD-free. boring countries. imported that much rice had FMD is endemic in South East the Arroyo administration not sufficient in the staple by Agriculture Secretary Proceso 2013 by producing at least Alcala was represented by As- Asia. used “bloated” statistics on The Philippines, parts of Ma- rice consumption. 21.6 metric tons of rice that sistant Secretary Salvador Salacup during the affair held at laysia, and Indonesia have been Alcala said that the bloated year. Great Eastern Hotel, in Quezon recognized by the OIE as FMD- rice-consumption statistics “The price of rice shoots up City. free areas, entitling them to trade resulted in the huge P171-bil- because we import rice at Among those present were with countries with similar free- lion debt of the NFA this year, very high prices,” he said, re- BAI Director Efren Nuestro, dom status or with lower status. ferring to the country’s help- up from just P28 billion in AusAID Counsellor Andrew In the past 15 years, the FMD 2003. lessness when importing rice Egan, FAO Representative in the eradication program activities “I just don’t know if it’s done from countries that have a Philippines Mr. Kazuyuki have contributed to establishing intentionally or not. But I think surplus production of the Tsurumi, and OIE Sub-Commis- disease freedom throughout the that the figure they used for staple. (Manila Times) sion President for FMD in South country, and has re-stabilized the East Asia, Dr. Gardner Murray. production of swine.