Jan - March 2019 Vol. 28 No. 1 Del Barrio bags Outstanding Seed Grower Innovator award by Emily B. Bordado MALATE, MANILA - Bicolano rice farmer and seed grower Gil N. Del Barrio of Lag-on, , took the center stage as he was conferred by the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) as Outstanding Innovator for Seed Grower category for for which he received a plaque and cash prize of P50,000. He bested rice farmers Gil Del Barrio (center, holding trophy) receives the Outstanding Seed from major rice producing provinces of Luzon Grower Innovator award from DA Undersecretary Segfredo R. Serrano nominated for said category not only for the high yield (8th from right). Dr. Mary Grace DP Rodriguez (beside del Barrio) also he derived but more so, for his adoption of various received an award as chair of search committee in Bicol. (Please turn to page 6) Climate resilient agri practices DA-Bicol braces up now in DA database by Emily B. Bordado by Jayson M. Gonzales for El Niño , According to Philippine SAN AGUSTIN, PILI, 28,918 hectares and 28,921 --Monina de Belen along with Atmospheric, Geophysical CAMARINES SUR - With farmers are also expected to other farmers from Barangays and Astronomical Services the PAGASA prediction of be affected. These are mostly Cagbunga and Tampadong in Administration (PAGASA) an occurrence of El Niño in the rainfed and upland areas Pamplona used to plant palay in Chief Meteorological Officer the first and second quarter and those at the tail end of their fields without checking on Alfredo B. Consulta, the dry of the year, the Department irrigation systems. For high weather news or forecast. spell already started and could of Agriculture regional office value crops about 484 hectares However, with their last until August this year with here braces up and prepares its and 916 farmers are likely to be training conducted by the the month of May as the hottest Action and Rehabilitation Plan. affected. Adaptation and Mitigation and driest month of the year. Based on the assessment OIC-Regional Technical Initiative in Agriculture To mitigate the effects made by the DA technical team Director for Operations and (AMIA) in 2017, they became of El Niño on farmers and some 44,952 hectares rice area Extension, Rodel P. Tornilla aware of how important weather fisherfolks, the Department of and about 45,383 farmers in convened immediately the forecast in their farming. Agriculture-Bicol convened the 6 provinces are projected to El Nino Task Force to firm Thus, when Typhoon more than 60 farmers, be vulnerable and likely to be up the contingency measures Usman brought heavy rains and fisherfolks, researchers, affected. For corn, an estimated anchored on a three-pronged flooding, the farm of de Belen agricultural technicians, strategies. The first strategy will and her fellow farmers were representatives of government be maximization of production not affected much. She said that agencies to develop climate- in less vulnerable areas. The they decided to plant palay a resilient agriculture (CRA) second is saving production week after the typhoon. practices database for rice; in vulnerable areas and third Now, her palay are in the corn and cassava; high value will focus on rehabilitation of flowering stage. However, her crops like vegetables, pili and affected areas. palay faces a new challenge--- taro; livestock and poultry; (Please turn to page 10) the El Niño phenomenon. (Please turn to page 6) EDITORIAL Preparedness: the best defense against El Niño and La Niña Unlike other natural calamities psychological should be put in place other crops and 3) rehabilitation of such earthquake or volcanic eruption, not only by the government but by all affected areas. Already the DA in Bicol the El Niño and La Niña phenomenon sectors before the onslaught of these has drawn up an action plan with the can be forecasted even before they global weather disturbances corresponding interventions. actually occur. El Niño is a large scale oceanographic or meteorological who has weathered all Mitigation measures are also phenomenon , manifested through sorts of natural calamities is lucky that critically expected from the provincial, warm ocean currents, drought, it has been recipient of various foreign municipal and level. hazardous forest fires. La Niña on funded projects like the AMICAF and the other hand is the opposite of El DEPECHO funded by the FAO, the But in the final analysis, the Niño. It is the cooling of sea surface Bicol Agri-Water Project funded by the preparedness of the people to cope temperature which could bring heavy USAID and the locally funded AMIA with this phenomenon would be the rains and typhoons. El Niño and La Niña project all implemented through the most critical. Instead of just lamenting are two extreme conditions which Department of Agriculture intended over the negative effects of this proceed one after the other. But these to mitigate adverse effects of weather weather disturbance they should also two events can be predicted 12- to 18 disturbances and to develop resiliency look at the opportunities or the good months in advance. Thus, preventive and strengthen capacities of farmers things that could come out of this, just action can be taken necessarily and and agri-stakeholders in coping with like what the rice farmers of its adverse effects can be mitigated or climate change and disaster. did who shifted to watermelon lessened . production when they learned that

With this year’s recurrence of EL the occurrence of El Niño would be The experienced the Niño, the Department of Agriculture inevitable this year. Instead of incurring worst El Niño episode in 1997 to 1998. in Bicol has already made on ground losses their income tripled. Early Thanks to the data accumulated in these preparations to cope with the adverse warning or advanced information has past episodes of El NIño, the mitigating effects of the El NIñO. The El Nino action enabled farmers to make decisions measures and the lessons learned by plan is anchored on three strategies and prepare themselves and their farmers during those time - there is namely: 1) intensifying production in farms for other options not much reason why we should be ill- less vulnerable area to recoup losses prepared for its regular recurrence. from the affected production areas While it is expected that the El through provision of inputs to the Niño and La Niña would now become There is nothing like being prepared farmers; 2) saving whatever could be a regular occurrence we should not and having the right information for saved or shifting to other crops that be overwhelmed but rather we should any eventuality. Appropriate coping would be more tolerant in affected / face up fully informed, prepared and mechanisms - physical, technical, vulnerable areas through provision equipped to buffer this challenge. financial, structural and even of drought tolerant vegetable and

Published quarterly by the Re-entered as a Second Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Class Mail Matter at Information Section of the Department the Pili Post Office, Pili, of Agriculture, Regional Field Office No. 5 San Agustin, Pili, Camarines Sur Camarines Sur under Tel No.(054) 477-5113 Fax 477-0381 Permit No. 2019-17 E-mail Address: [email protected] on March 25, 2019

Editor-in-Chief: Emilia B. Bordado Advisers: Writers: Lovella P. Guarin Dr. Elena B. Delos Santos Jayson M. Gonzales Regional Executive Director Blesilda A. Nuñez Annielyn L. Baleza Dr. Edgar R. Madrid Michelle Angela G. Alfigura Regional Technical Director Circulation: Blesilda A. Nuñez for Research and Regulations Lay-out Artist: Lovella P. Guarin Lita V. Estrella Photographer/Liason Officer: Emil Pasumbal Mr. Rodel P. Tornilla Eduardo D. Collantes, Jr. Salvacion Gonowon OIC Regional Technical Director Illustrators: Hermito Antonio T. Privaldos Records Unit for Operations and Extension Ramon C. Adversario

2 UMAsenso January - March 2019 Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) DA’s advisory board endorses P543.78M-worth of Preparedness: the best defense against El Niño and La Niña subprojects for PRDP FOREX Gain Budget funding

LEGAZPI CITY, – Seven The RPAB members evaluate subprojects worth P543.78 million were the PRDP subproject proposals approved and endorsed by the Department from the LGUs. of Agriculture’s Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) for possible funding under of the Interior and Local the Philippine Rural Development Project Government (DILG), (PRDP). Bureau of Fisheries The RPAB-approved subprojects and Aquatic Resources consist of six infrastructure development (BFAR), National (I-BUILD) subprojects with an aggregate Commission on Indigenous amount of P533.53 million. These are Peoples (NCIP), and the the P122.59 million-worth Construction/ Regional Agricultural and Improvement of Segment A (Agpay Fishery Council (RAFC). to Bololo) and Segment B (Bololo to (Annielyn L. Baleza) Batbat) Farm-to-Market Road, proposed by the local government unit (LGU) of , Albay, the Rehabilitation/ Improvement of Macabugos-Tambo FMR and the Concreting of Malabiga- About the new Sampongan FMR Section by LGU-Libon, Albay, which cost P68 million and P60 UMAsenso million, respectively, the Concreting of Bagolatao to Hamoraon (Coastal) FMR masthead which amounts to P115.31 million by LGU-, Camarines Sur, and the Concreting of F. Simeon-Upper Omon and Starting this issue our newsletter will Lower Omon FMR and the Concreting/ Rehabilitation of Banga Caves, Upper Sta. be using a new masthead to depict the Cruz and Lanipga- FMR by LGU- agriculture sector’s transition towards , Camarines Sur which both amount to P113.78 million. a modern and mechanized farming. It The RPAB also approved and however retains the name UMAsenso which endorsed the enterprise development (I-REAP) subproject Abaca is the combined words of “UMA”, the Bicol Twine Processing and Marketing by LGU- term for farm and “asenso,” the Bicol term Malilipot, Albay. The P10.25 million-worth for prosperity or to prosper. When taken as I-REAP subproject will benefit the abaca farmer-members of the San Francisco one word it means prosperity in the farm. Irrigators’ Association Inc. UMAsenso also jibes with and summarizes The RPAB-approved subprojects will be submitted to the National Project the Department of Agriculture’s vision of a Coordination Office (NPCO) for re-run “competitive, sustainable and technology- under the I-BUILD Prioritization scheduled on February 28, 2019 in Quezon City for based agriculture and fishery sector, driven probable inclusion in the 2020 subprojects by productive and progressive farmers funded under the approximately P4.8 billion Foreign Exchange (FOREX) Gain and fisherfolk, supported by efficient value Budget. chains, well integrated in the domestic The RPAB is chaired by the DA Regional Executive Director and is and international markets, contributing to composed of regional directors of the Circulation: Blesilda A. Nuñez inclusive growth and poverty reduction. Lita V. Estrella Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Emil Pasumbal Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Salvacion Gonowon Department of Public Works and Highways Records Unit (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department

January - March 2019 UMAsenso 3 A multipurpose coop inaugurates P6M Rice Processing facility and gets P1M seed capital MAGARAO, CAMARINES Bernardo and coop manager SUR – The over 500 members Elmer C. Basbas, the coop of the Magarao Multi-purpose recognized the full support of Cooperative were jubilant the DA RFO 5 particularly the as they inaugurated the new RPC, combine harvester, mini P6M Rice Processing Center 4 wheel drive tractor, flatbed (RPC 1) and received the P1M dryers and multipurpose drying working capital in time for their pavement. Bernardo also cited 19th Annual General Assembly the continuous training and on March 28, 2019. mentoring support from DA’s As a way of recognition on the preparations the coop In the consolidated report Engineering and Agribusiness and gratitude, the Magarao is brewing to be at par with of the BOD committees and Divisions to ensure the MPC awarded the DA RFO 5 competitors under the Rice management, presented by sustainability of the RPCs. with the Gawad Koop HILOT Liberalization Law. BOD Chairperson Estrella G. The coop which is also an award (short for Highly Anicia Mancita, OIC accredited CSO by the valued Institution Leading our Municipal Agriculturist said DA RFO 5 is a conduit Coop towards Organizational that the coop is a prime mover of the DA Agricultural Triumphs). Marissa Joy V. in Magarao with its 1,944 Credit Policy Council Berina, Agriculturist II received hectares of irrigated and rainfed (DA - ACPC) for its the award in behalf of DA RFO rice areas being cultivated by a interest free loans 5 RED Elena B. de los Santos. total of 1,516 farmers. under Production Berina also read the speech of Currently, the coop is now Loan Easy Access Director de los Santos who was classified as medium coop by (PLEA) and Survival invited as the guest speaker NATCCO network standard, and Recovery (SURE) during the general assembly. with an asset of over P51.4M Assistance where the The coop’s theme and a net surplus of P1.9M as of farmers affected by “Productivity and December 31, 2019. (Lovella calamities in the past Cohesiveness: coop’s response P. Guarin) have already received to the present economic the loan assistance. challenges”, was anchored Philmech opens one-stop shop in Pili, CSur SAN AGUSTIN, PILI, IV of Phimech said that the CAMARINES SUR – two-storey building donated Senator Cynthia A. Villar, by the DA RFO 5 will be a Chairperson of the Senate showroom of the technologies Committee on Agriculture generated and farm machineries and Food led the launching and equipment developed by of the Philmech Regional the Philmech. As training and Technology Management learning site, it will offer regular and Demonstration Center postharvest and mechanization (PRTMDC) here on February courses. It will support hands- 21, 2019. The PRTMDC is on training, participatory a one-stop-shop put up by exploration and computer-aided the Philippine Center for learning. Farmers can also avail Postharvest Development of the various IEC materials on Mechanization (PhilMech), an postharvest and mechanization attached agency of DA based in that will be displayed in the one- Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. stop-shop as well as witness This is the first center and personally experience the of this kind established and operation of the machineries operational in the country. for test runs and demonstration. In his opening remarks, Dr. The launching was attended Baldwin G. Jallorina, Director by over 500 stakeholders.

4 UMAsenso January - March 2019 Expansion areas for corn, cassava and sorghum eyed using geotagging tools

Regional Corn and 59,105 hectares for white flint Cassava Program Coordinator corn; 1,385 hectares for white Lorenzo L. Alvina challenged glutinous corn; 5,574 hectares Bicol’s provincial coordinators for cassava; and 10 hectares for and AEWs determine possible sorghum. production areas for expansion The AEWs and provincial Bjorn Boris de los Santos, Geographic Information System of corn, cassava and sorghum, coordinators committed to Specialist, assists the participants on use of the Applied DA’s new priority commodity. achieve these targets as they Geotagging Tool and # Maize Pa More application. Sorghum is being promoted identify the areas in their because of its rising demand respective localities which are feedmillers, seed suppliers Credit Policy Council oriented in the animal feed, distilled suitable for production and and other stakeholders in the them about the Production beverage, and starch industries. expansion of said crops. corn industry. Bjorn Boris Loan Easy Access (PLEA) and Sorghum bioethanol is also Alvina promoted the use de los Santos, Geographic Survival and Recovery (SURE) valued as a substitute for of Applied Geotagging Tool to Information System Specialist, Programs. gasoline. document the expansion areas. and the technical team from the Engr. Christopher P. A Planning Workshop on Geotagging also known as DA’s Disaster Risk Reduction Gloria, insurance underwriter the Expansion of Corn, Cassava geolocation is the practice of and Management Office from the Philippine Crop and Sorghum Areas in Bicol associating a digital resource assisted the participants in the Insurance Corp., discussed the was attended by 90 AEWs and with a physical location. The DA installation and application of available insurance lines for program coordinators. has been mainstreaming AGT, said technologies. farmers. Corn seeds inventory Dr. Mary Grace DP. which uses Information and Romualdo Elvira of Palaya and trichogramma allocation Rodriguez, OIC-Chief of the communications technology Eco-Farm Corp. and Agritech were also discussed. Field Operations Division, (ICT) and Global Positioning Jerick C. Marcaida of San Naser Tuazon, Statistical on the other hand, told the System (GPS) application to get Miguel Food Inc. also shared Specialist II of Philippine participants that the workshop an accurate spatial visualization some prospects for the Bicol Statistics Authority (PSA) was a proactive activity and of interventions. He also corn and cassava industry. shared that in 2018 Bicol encouraged them to open announced that the DA-Bicol Agribusiness and Marketing region’s corn production their hearts, minds, and Corn Program is currently Assistance Division Staff Sarah reached 279,732 metric tons understanding as DA ventures developing an application Apuli updated the participants with a harvested area of 111,900 in sorghum production. called #Maize pa more! on the corn and cassava hectares and 2.50 metric tons This 2019, DA-Bicol which can track the accurate farmgate and retail prices while per hectare yield. (Annielyn targets 61,987 hectares for area and location of corn Kenneth Valencia and Michael L. Baleza) yellow corn production; production area, corn buyers, Jordan Roquid of Agricultural Typhoon Usman victims get quick SURE loan branch manager of OCAMPO, CAMARINES Naugma ako kan mahiling ko the Bank, SUR – Barely a month after an ngaran ko sa listahan. Nag- Inc. in Ocampo typhoon Usman left Bicol, the atendir man ako asin duman na said that another Camalig Bank, Inc. (A Rural kami nag fill up kan application batches of farmers Bank) Ocampo branch started form para makasali sa RSBSA will receive their releasing the P25,000 SURE tanganing maka-utang ngani sa loan proceeds in the loan proceeds to the initial 13 SURE. Asin dae nahaloy, maray succeeding weeks. beneficiaries from Sagnay, ta marelease na,” said Nanay “This SURE Cam. Sur. Emily. (The LGU invited us for loaning program is The rural bank is a conduit an orientation on SURE. I was a very good addition of the DA –ACPC which happy to see my name in the matabangan kan programang to our existing loan windows implements SURE with the list. I attended the orientation ini kan DA, she added. (I am on rice, sugarcane, vegetable help of the DA Agribusiness and then and there, filled up very happy because I now have production and hog raising. Division (AMAD). the forms for RSBA and for money to spend on fertilizer Almost 60% of our clients One beneficiary was Emily the loan. I did wait for long, as and other needs in my farm. here in Ocampo are farmers. B. Almonte, 68 years old the bank will now release our I hope the program could be Hindi totoong, ayaw ng mga farmer from Turague, Sagnay, check.) extended to more farmers) magsasaka na magpunta sa Camarines Sur. Nauugma ako ta may Nanay Emily was just one bangko dahil karamihan pa nga “May surat samo ang pambakal na ako ki abono asin among the first batch who got sa mga clients namin ay galing munisipyo na mag-atend ng iba pang kaipuhan sa sakong their checks on that day. pa sa bundok,” Alcaide argues. orientation manungod sa SURE. paroyan. Sana dakul pa ang Djohanna T. Alcaide, the (Lovella P. Guarin) January - March 2019 UMAsenso 5 for accreditation citing for Industry Association Inc.; Dr. Del barrio receives ... (from page 1) example the State Universities Santiago Obien, Dr. Ruben and Colleges which can Villareal and other pillars and electronic and science-based Institution category, PhilRice also earn income through a key players of the seed industry applications and tools in his central station based in rationalization of fees. But he from the government, academe farm and for his innovativeness Munoz, Nueva Ecija bagged also said that focus must be and private sectors. in the utilization of farm the prestigious award. Both given to audit function. The finalists to the machineries and equipment and awardees for said categories The other distinguished search and the members of modern technologies which also received cash prize and guests present during said the National and Regional he also shares with fellow plaque of recognition. event were: BPI OIC- Director Evaluation Committees were farmers. Agriculture secretary and NSIC Executive Director also awarded with certificates The awarding was held at the Emmanuel F. Pinol was George Y. Culaste; Dr. Lorna E of appreciation. Dr. Mary Grace Bureau of Plant industry (BPI) represented by Segfredo R. Herradura OIC-Asst. Director DP Rodriguez who chaired the compound here on March 28 Serrano, Undersecretary for for R&D, Production Support Regional Search Committee which coincided with the 25th Policy, Planning, Regulations and Administration; Gerald in Bicol received the award. anniversary celebration of the and Research who also delivered Glen F. Panganiban, OIC - Also with the Bicol delegation NSIC. Two other farmers from the keynote speech. Serrano Asst. Director for Regulatory were: Maritess Reyes, Chief, Visayas and Mindanao were underscored the importance of and Operations; Dr. Sailila E. National Seed Quality Control also recognized for the same quality seed and deplores the Abdula, PhilRice Executive Services (Bicol); Camarines category. fact that only 50% of farmers Director; Eng. Roger Navarro, Norte Provincial Agriculturist Also awarded for the are using quality seeds. “There president of PhilMaize; Dr. Eng. Almirante A. Abad; Cesar Outstanding Plant Nursery is need to develop a new system Herminigilda A. Gabertan, Miraña, provincial rice seed Operator category was Aurelio with the old system as back-up, Chief, Los Banos National inspector of Camarines Norte; Escala from San Isidro, he said. He also pointed out Crop Research, Development and other DA 5 staff. Victoria, Oriental Mindoro. the need to establish a network and Production Centers, BPI; For the Outstanding Breeding for seed quality and protocols officers of the Phil. Seed

DA develops climate resilient ... (from page 1) Government agencies pineapple; fiber crops (abaca); and use of heat tolerant variety. watering of seedlings; early which sent representatives cut flowers; coconut and For irrigated ecosystem, morning/late in the afternoon to the one-day training fisheries. planting of early maturing application of fertilizer to include Bicol University; The identified CRA varieties; use of resistant make the seedlings vigorous; Partido State University; practices for brackishwater varieties; adoption of wet application of foliar fertilizer; LGUs of Nabua, Pamplona, aquaculture include the seeding; alternate wetting and biological control method; Goa and Naga City; application of GAP; drying; changing of cropping use of appropriate harvesting Philippine Crop Insurance maintenance of the correct calendar; construction of FBD; tools to ensure only matured Corporation; Philippine Fiber carrying capacity in stocking use of Combine Harvester; fruits will be harvested; use of Development Authority; for these species---Bangus keeping abreast with the Maturity index; application of Bureau of Fisheries and (3,000pc/ha), Crabs (1,000- weather and climate update fertilizer to pili stocks; use of Aquatic Resources; and the 2,000/ha), and Shrimp and advisory; early harvesting; appropriate harvesting tools to Philippine Coconut Authority. (100,000/ha). During rainy use of rice tolerant varieties ensure only matured fruits will The database will lay down season, root crops, banana, (saline varieties, GSR 11); be harvested; hardening and the series of activities for papaya and vegetables can be use of modern post harvest use of resistant pili varieties the establishment of climate planted above the dike. technologies; crop rotation may reduce the risk of rate information system (CIS) For cutflower, use of fishnet (from palay to mungbean); use mortality; tipping and early from the regional level down to minimize the effect of warm UVS plastics( for drying during pruning; lay-outing and contour to the barangay level. weather; use of good/disease- wet season); and use of solar farming; planting of shade trees According to AMIA staff free planting materials from dryer. or windbreaks (male pili trees); Sandy Bobier, the four LGUs accredited private nursery and For irrigated rice areas, use and use of bamboo/wooden were considered to be highly- facility of DA Tissue Culture of rice-tolerant varieties (saline palette/pili shell to avoid direct vulnerable climate-risk Laboratory; use raised beds for and submergence); changing contact of pilinuts to the floor. with relatively low adaptive proper and better drainage; use of cropping calendar from For Pineapple, manual capacity. driftwoods with cement; and the usual months to less-risky weeding in the production area The AMIA project use coconut husk as medium months; use stress tolerant as soon as weeds emerge, or will also be establishing for anthuriums because of good varieties (submergence or application of herbicides on protocols in the integration water holding capacity. drought resistance); use of early sunny weather; Water drainage of CRA practices to the data For vegetables, use of maturing rice varieties; use is highly recommended to of PAGASA for a 10-day tolerant variety, provision of of UVS Plastic as alternative flooded areas; Always check for weather outlook and 6-month rainshelter for seedlings, soil dryer; and use of ratooning waterlogging; and make sure climate outlook; and will sterilization, application of technologies. to apply fertilizers or flower craft CIS and mainstream it in fungicide, mulching, irrigation, For pili, frequent inducer on sunny weather. government operations.

6 UMAsenso January - March 2019 received from SAAD as he was Bicol Action Officer reported also able to help his neighbors. that in 2018, a total of 5,450 SAAD He opted to give five heads to heads of native chicken were beneficiarties his neighbor Rosejean Abenir. distributed to the provinces Rosejean has 5 children and of , and small grand children who are . The program targets staying with her. She looks to distribute over 5,000 heads forward to the time when the to a new set of beneficiaries. SAAD’s native chicken chickens start laying eggs. These native chickens may Danilo Nelmida, begin laying eggs on the 18th interventions seen to SAAD Area Coordinator in week and can lay up to 120 eggs increase farmers’ the 2.2 kilo native chicken in Pio V. Corpuz reported that for in a year. Studies confirmed his hands as he smiles for the 2018, a total of 375 heads of that they can lay eggs daily up income camera. The native chickens, 25 native chicken were provided to two to three years if they PIO V. CORPUZ, MASBATE heads of them, were delivered to 15 beneficiaries in Pio V are well cared-for and healthy. – Panfilo S. Gorillo, 68 to Tatay Panfilo on December Corpuz and total of 2,500 Each beneficiary therefore is years old beneficiary of the 5, 2018 by the SAAD staff after heads were distributed in the 6 projected to get income from Special Area for Agricultural he completed the training on municipalities that are included selling live animals, dressed Development (SAAD) in native chicken production. in SAAD program in Masbate. chicken, breeders hardened barangay Lampuyang, this Tatay Panfilo was very Meanwhile, Dr. Mary chicks meat or eggs. (Lovella municipality tightly holds happy with the interventions he Grace Rodriguez, SAAD P. Guarin) DA forms loan facilitation team in 6 provinces NAGA CITY – Following There are also provisional released a total of P59.2M and (up to P5M); and to individual secretary Manny F. Piñol’s members: Phil. Fiber P35M for SURE under 2018 farmers (up to P1M). directive to bring easy to Development Authority funds. Meanwhile, 10% is access credit facilities to the (PhilFIDA), Phil. Coconut Meanwhile, Amado allotted as grant for research poor farmers in the unbanked Authority (PCA) and National Ersando of ACEF PMS and development (R&D) and underbanked areas, the Irrigation Administration reported that P1.44 billion was of agri-fishery products Department of Agriculture (NIA). allocated for ACEF for 2019 commercialization including regional field office No. 5 In every province, LoFT which will be downloaded to upgrading of R&D facilities organized the Loan Facilitation will be headed by the APCOs. the Land Bank. The 80% of this or SUCs (up to P5M) per Team (LoFT). On March 13, 2019, the fund is used as credit facility project. Another 10% is being The LoFT’s main task is DA - Agricultural Credit Policy for agri-based production, used to finance scholarship to provide the needed technical Council (ACPC) national office post production, processing grants to students taking assistance or support to farmers oriented the LoFT members of machineries, equipment agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and fishers on credit awareness, Bicol in one of the hotels in extended to farmers/fishers and veterinary medicine being loan acquisition, utilization Naga City. associations and cooperatives implemented by the CHED. and repayment. In Bicol the Romina A. Gil, (Lovella P. Guarin) regional LoFT is headed by Information Officer of the the OIC RTD Rodel P. Tornilla ACPC presented the functions and Adelina A. Losa, Regional and responsibilities of the Agri-Credit Desk Officer loan facilitation team. Carlo as Assistant Team Leader. Abarquez, also of ACPC, Members are the Agricultural presented the different loan Program Coordinating programs of ACPC, namely: Officers (APCO) of the six Production Loan Easy Access provinces, representatives (PLEA) (up to P150,000 at 6% from the Planning, Field interest per annum); Survival Operations, Agribusiness, and Recovery Assistance and Engineering Divisions. (SURE) (up to P25,000 at 0% Also included as members interest); Working Capital Loan are the representatives of (up to P5M at 6% interest per Agricultural Training Institute annum diminishing balance), (ATI), Bureau of Fisheries and Agri-Fisheries Machinery Aquatic Resources (BFAR), & Equipment Loan (open to Philippine Crops Insurance individual borrower, up to Corp. (PCIC), Land Bank of P250,000 at 2% per annum the Phils., Provincial LGU Agri interest). Michael Jordan Credit Officer, and Regional Roquid, ACPC focal person Agricultural and Fishery in Bicol reported that as of Council (RAFC). February 2019, the ACPC has

January - March 2019 UMAsenso 7 DA distributes P4.1M worth STW and pump irrigation SAN AGUSTIN, PILI, CAMARINES SUR – As a measure to cushion the adverse effect of dry spell now affecting our farmers, the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office No. 5 led by RED Elena B. de los Santos distributed 47 units of Pump Irrigation System for Open Source (PISOS) and 3 units of Shallow Tube Wells to some 50 farmer beneficiaries from the provinces of Albay, by selling a portion of their palay bought by the NFA in Chairperson of the Bagong Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, harvested palay to the latter. their areas. Silang Organic Farmers’ Camarines Norte and Sorsogon. The NFA is currently buying She also announced that Association of , The PISOS was worth P3.9 at P17.00 plus P3.70 incentive in the subsequent distribution Camarines Sur was one of million and the shallow tube (for drying and delivery) per of farm machineries and the recipients of the PISOS. wells was worth P193,191.00 kilo of dried palay. It also equipment to farmers, one The association which was The distribution was held accepts fresh palay at P14.00/ of the requirements will be organized in 2014 has at present at the covered court at the DA kilo plus P3.70 incentive. a certification from the NFA over 40 members who are Compound on March 18, 2019. Director de los Santos that the farmer has sold his/ mostly rice farmers. “Hindi na These initial beneficiaries also said that to support the her palay in the last cropping kayang patubigan ng irigasyon included individual NFA in buying palay from season. “Ang mga Magsasaka ang aming 45 ektaryang farmers, registered farmers’ the local farmers, the DA will at kooperatiba o samahan palayan kaya kami ay humingi organizations and irrigators lend its trucks, warehouses and ng magsasaka na maraming ng tulong sa DA.” Meron din associations. Multipurpose Drying Pavement naipagbiling palay sa NFA, kaming higit 10 ektaryang In the light of the (MPDP) to the NFA during ay makakatanggap ng mas sahud-ulan. Maganda itong implementation of Rice harvest time. The DA will also malalaking interventions mula Rice Tarrification dahil malaki Liberalization, Director de coordinate with the 37 Rice sa DA,” Dr. De los Santos ang suporta sa aming magsasaka los Santos urged the farmer Processing Centers established announced. at madali naming matanggap recipients to support the by the DA all over the region Eduardo Pacamara, ang aming mga request, tulad National Food Authority if they can accommodate the ngayon,” Pacamara enthused. Director de los Santos said that these initial interventions were funded from the savings RPC recipients get P1M generated from the procurement a minimum area of 1,000 sq. through public bidding under working capital m. and surrounded by more Rice Program in CY 2018. than 5,000 hectares rice area While the approval of the GAA Five farmers cooperatives/ Magarao Multipurpose Coop. is still pending, the DA as well associations received the P1M The DA has established within 50-km radius. The RPC has a multipass as other government agencies working capital for their Rice a total of 37 Rice Processing cannot yet disburse fund for Processing Center 1 to be used Centers all over the Bicol rice mill with 1.2 tons per hour output capacity; current year. in buying palay from our local Region. Most of it are in As of this writing, the total farmers. Camarines Sur as the province weighing scale; moisture meter; recirculating grain agricultural area damaged by DA Bicol Regional contributes more than 50% of the dry spell is 8,331.48 hectares Executive Director Elena B. de rice production of the region. dryer with biomass furnace with a holding capacity of in the provinces of Camarines los Santos led the turn over of The DA provides RPCs Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay checks on March 18, 2019 at to duly registered farmers 6 tons of wet palay per set; 550 square meter warehouse and Masbate valued at the regional office. organizations engaged in rice P282,670,914.55. Based on the The recipients were: farming palay/rice trading with complete drainage, rat proofing and 3-phase line initial reports submitted most Nabua Coconut Farmers Multi- to provide them access to of the areas affected were at purpose Assn.; Nabua West modern and efficient drying electrical system including transformers. (Lovella P. their reproductive stage with a Multi-Purpose Coop; Cam. and milling facilities. The total of 7,275 farmers affected. equity is in the form of lot with Guarin) Sur Multi-purpose Coop; and (Lovella P. Guarin)

8 UMAsenso January - March 2019 CSOs consulted on DA 2020 plans and budget NAGA CITY – The Department of Agriculture in Bicol convened over 100 representatives of various stakeholders for the Civil Society Organizations Consultation on DA FY 2020 Plan and Budget Proposal in one of the hotels here on March 1, 2019. can be implemented and paid Restriction on Rice. Fresh inbred rice seeds; P1 billion will Aloha Gigi I. Bañaria, within the fiscal year. from Secretary Manny Piñol’s be given to DBP and Landbank chief of Planning, Monitoring The priorities for 2020 briefing on Rice Tariffication for easy access loans; and P1 and Evaluation Division are five high impact projects for the South Luzon cluster billion for extension activities, (PMED) presented the FY 2020 namely: 1) FMR; 2) Small scale at Lipa City, Batangas, RTD 70% of which will be given to budget totaling to over P8.1 irrigation projects like Solar Tornilla said that with Pres. TESDA. billion. The biggest chunk of Powered Irrigation System; Duterte’s signing of act, the RTD Tornilla urged those the budget will be allocated to 3) Postharvest facilities for Phils. will collect 35% tariff farmers organizations that have the Locally Funded Projects fisheries; 4) Logistics and from rice coming from ASEAN received farm machineries such as Farm-to-Market Roads transport facilities; 5) Easy member countries and 185% from DA without counterpart (P3.9 billion), Special Area access credit for food and tariff from non-ASEAN to support the NFA by selling a for Agricultural Development agriculture production. member countries raising more portion of their rice produce to (SAAD) with P242.6 million, In anticipation to the funds for the government. On the agency. and the newest program of DA passage of the new laws the other hand, rice importation The consultation was dubbed as 4Ks - P15 million. intended for the rice and and exportation will be free of attended by chairpersons Meanwhile, the DA banner coconut sub-sectors, the plan tariff, what the rice traders will of farmers’ organizations, programs also got a huge also included measures to only need are phytosanitary irrigators associations, rural share, to wit: Rice Program - protect local rice producers permits to be issued by the women, representatives from P1.4 billion; HVCDP - P197.1 from unfair trade practices and Bureau of Plant Industry. The the DA bureaus and attached million; Livestock - P163.8 necessary support services to National Food Authority (NFA) agencies such as NFA, PCA, million; Corn - P126.8 million; raise productivity of the rice was divested of its regulatory NIA, PSA, ATI, BFAR, PCIC, and Organic Agriculture –P42 sector as laid out in the Revised functions except maintaining NMIS, PhiFIDA, from the million. Meanwhile, HALAL Agri Tariffication Act. Also the buffer stock for 15-30 academe and private sector. program has P1 million. considered were initiatives to days to be secured from local Representatives of the Cam. Bañaria added that the consolidate the benefits for production of our farmers. Sur Chamber of Commerce; proposed activities were framed coconut farmers and to expedite Tornilla added, that the New Hope Workers Coop for according to the principle of its delivery as stipulated in the farmers will ultimately benefit the PWD sector; investors; Cash-Based Appropriations Coconut Farmers and Industry from the rice tariffication law Provincial Agriculturists, (ACBA). The ACBA is an Development Act. with the allocation of P10 Veterinarians; officials of the approach that limits incurring Rodel P. Tornilla, OIC billion annual Rice Competitive Regional Agricultural and and disbursing payments for Regional Technical Director Enhancement Fund (RCEF). Fishery Council (RAFC) and goods delivered and services for Operations and Extension P5 billion will go to Philmech Provincial AFC Chairpersons. rendered, inspected and discussed the draft IRR of RA for production of postharvest The banner program accepted within the fiscal year. 11203: An Act Liberalizing machineries and small coordinators of the DA also The FY 2020 plans only contains the Importation and Trading of irrigation projects; P3 billion presented their plans and projected budget requirements, Rice, Lifting for the Purpose will be given to Philrice for budget for 2020. (Lovella P. activities and projects that of the Quantitative Import development and promotion of Guarin)

January - March 2019 UMAsenso 9 RAFC 5 supports gender equality in governance NAGA CITY – The Regional sector in mainstreaming gender the council include: 1) “Urging the inclusion of appropriate Agricultural and Fishery concern in the development the regional government AFC representation during Council of Bicol “walks the efforts. agencies and LGUs to the Annual Plan and Budget talk” of Making Change Work The occasion was held accelerate dissemination of preparations (similar to for Women, as for the first time last March 28 as part of the Programs for Women coupled DA’s CSO Consultations) ever, the assembly was presided observance of International with more user-friendly of Regional Commodity over not by its chairperson but Women’s Month. It was also templates for Project Proposal Agencies”; 4) “Endorsing the by Ms. Rebecca S. Purisima, witnessed by Luzon AFC requirements, aside from, The National Sectoral Committee’s 2017 National 'Outstanding awardees from Regions 1, establishment of regularly resolution and disseminating Rural Woman. This practice sets 2, 3, 4A, 4B and Cordillera updated Regional Baseline Data the same to Bicol AFCs for precedence for all Agricultural Administrative Region headed on Women in Agriculture”; 2) contracted Caterers to serve and Fishery Councils (AFCs) by Conchita del Rosario, “Advocating for the formation locally produced fruits and in the provincial and municipal Volunteer Management Section a Regional Cacao Industry vegetables in applicable levels to demonstrate that Chief of the Philippine Council Council and Accelerating the activities”; and 5) “An urgent gender equality is not just to for Agriculture and Fisheries application of Geo-tagging and Proposal for a multi-stakeholder favor the women but to strike (PCAF). related technology to enhance regional collaboration for more a balance and provide equality Highlights from the implementation and monitoring effective implementation of for women and men. It also significant resolutions of development programs of strategies on African Swine recognizes the role of the private presented to and approved by the sector”; 3) “Recommending Fever Prevention” (Please turn to page 17) DA Bicol braces up ... (from page 1)

In order to maximize fungicides will be distributed It is also promoting drought are already experiencing long production, the DA will be to rice farmers. Similarly for mitigating technologies such dry spell with below normal distributing certified and hybrid corn farmers and HVCDP as the Alternate Wet and rainfall. According to the palay seeds and fertilizers to fuel subsidy, distribution of Drying Method, ratooning, Agricultural Program Officer rice farmers; open pollinated PISOS are being considered silage making, drip irrigation, (APCO) Masbate, Wilfredo corn flint; glutinous & hybrid as interventions along with mulching etc. It will intensify Nelmida , 45% of their province corn and GM seeds and distribution of sprinklers and its irrigation support for small is already affected by the long fertilizers to corn farmers; HDPE pipes and plastic drums irrigation systems such as the dry spell. lowland vegetable seeds for HVCDP farmers. Shallow Tube Wells, Small Although cloud seeding including legumes such as The occurrence of El Water Impounding Projects, is being considered also as an mungbean and flower inducers. Nino might also cause heat Diversion dams, solar pump, option. this is not recommended Under the second strategy stress to livestock and poultry wind pump, drip irrigation, to all areas. In Masbate for which will address saving production as well as affect drums etc, It is also fast tracking example cloud seeding may production in vulnerable areas the pasture areas for small and the Implementation of the Solar affect the mango plantations DA Bicol proposes to provide large ruminants. The regional Powered Irrigation Project. there which is now an emerging fuel subsidy. It has requested office has thus buffer stocked To date there are already 3 of industry. Aside from being the DA central office for a vitamins, biologics, dewormers. these now operational in Cam. expensive because it needs budget for this amounting It has also provision for feed Sur. Two more will soon be a chartered plane and fuel is to P28million. Moreover , it supplements. operational. costly, cloud seeding is also targets to install an additional In addition, DA Bicol is To date there are unofficial dependent on the presence of 200 units of Pump Irrigation promoting and positioning reports reaching the regional clouds in an area and vulnerable from Open Sources (PISOS). drought tolerant varieties like office reports that Castilla town to wind direction. To forestall pest infestation the Green Super Rice (GSR in Sorsogon. San Fernando in pesticides, insecticides and lines) and other NSIC varieties. Cam. Sur and Libon in Albay 10 UMAsenso January - March 2019 DA treats women clients on international women’s day MAGARAO, CAM. SUR – Over 100 women entrepreneurs and women leaders of various efforts to improve and track the Competent resource families. Meanwhile, Atty. women-led associations such progress of implementation of speakers where invited to Armin Gomez from the Naga as Rural Improvement Clubs the Magna Carta of Women and share their knowledge and City Legal Office discussed and DA-PCW Great Women other laws promoting women experiences. Fe R. Buela, RA 9710 or the Magna Carta of project beneficiaries joined empowerment. Supervising Tourism Officer of Women. the celebration of the national Globally, March 8 is also Department of Tourism region Women who were Women’s Day on March celebrated as International office discussed Farm Tourism: recipients of national awards 8, 2019 at Sonrisa Farm in Women’s Day. This year’s Its Opportunities for Rural also shared their inspiring Barangay Carangcang of this international theme “Think Women and Farm Families; experiences. They are Angelita municipality. Equal, Build Smart, Innovate Vivien Carable, Assistant Cerillo, 2018 Gawad Saka Aloha Gigi I. Bañaria, for Change.” According to the Center Director of Agricultural national outstanding Corn Chief of Planning, Monitoring UN Women, a global champion Training Institute (ATI) shared Farmer; Josephine Artiaga, and Evaluation Division and for women and girls, achieving the ATI’s Programs and national outstanding Rural DA 5 GAD focal person said a gender-equal world requires Services for Rural Women; Woman 2018 (2nd runner up); that this year’s, theme “We social innovations and should Michael Jordan Roquid, Project and Yolanda De Leon, president make change work for women” start with ensuring that women’s Assistant II and focal person of of Rural Improvement Club which is being used from needs and experiences are Agricultural Credit and Policy (RIC) of , , 2017-2022, the celebration integrated in our technologies Council for Bicol presented Sorsogon – 2016 national shall focus on strengthening and innovations. ACPC’s financial programs Gawad Saka Outstanding RIC. for rural women and farm (Lovella P. Guarin) Women’s day for employees

Meanwhile on March 13, inclined to choose Science and role models to look up to. of Women. D u m a l a s a 2019, 80 women employees Technology, Engineering and ”Kailangan ng kababaihan ang also explained the Expanded joined the Women’s Day Math (STEM) than men do. STEM to adapt to the shifting Maternity Leave Law which celebration to treat them with CHEd reports 2.6%, TESDA career pathways,” he added. gives working mothers 105 the relaxing rural ambience and 36 % of IT and ICT enrolees The ILO further reported that days of paid maternity leave. delicious food of Sonrisa Farm. respectively, are female. women are 140% more likely to The highlight of the event Peter Theodore P. Caro- The International Labor lose their job than men because was the #JuanaSaysChallenge Secretary of the Regional Organizations (ILO) identified of automation, Caro added. contest were the participants Agriculture and Fisheries the challenges which hinder Another topic discussed were given 5 minutes to think Council (RAFC) 5 in his the Filipino women to find during the said event was of words that will complete the Impression, Research and interest in STEM such as lack the Republic Act 6713 or #JuanaSays. The first place was Reflection (IRR) about women, of awareness of the modern the Code of Conduct and bagged by the employees from cited that women are less technology and only a few Ethical Standards for the Central Bicol Experiment Public Officials and Station (CBES) with their Employees by Jaymar hashtag “#JuanaSays Always Azagra-Human Resource be the first great version of Specialist II of Civil yourself rather than a second Service Commission, great version of others.” Second Camarines Sur Field placer was the “#JuanaSays Office. Meanwhile, If the wife is empowered, life Shyla Joy R. Bernal- will be easier for the men” Dumalasa, Legal Staff from the Albay Experiment of SALIGAN (Sentro Station. Third place went to ng Alternatibong Lingap ILD (Integrated Laboratories Panligal) Bicol discussed Division) with the “#JuanaSays the Manifestations of Empowered women build Gender Bias and Republic happy homes.” The Winners Act 9710 Magna Carta received a gift from PMED. (Zandra Abogado)

January - March 2019 UMAsenso 11 El Niño: Bane for some farmers, boon for others By Emily B. Bordado or most farmers the 1.27 hectares and the other one the inputs and labor. Thus, his El Nino phenomenon was about 1 hectare. He also net income was a whooping For long dry spell is a started planting in February P520,000 plus. bane – it can only bring about and bought 10 cans of hybrid A seasoned watermelon distress, harm and damage water melon seeds. He also farmer Kapitan Sebico has especially for agricultural bought 10 bags fertilizers . learned some good practices crops and even livestock. But From the first parcel of land he and strategies. While most for some farmers this weather harvested about 1,100 pieces of his fellow farmers simply Farmer Dante Agorita who is disturbance could also be a of super jumbo sized ( 10 kgs abandon left overs or the small also the Mun. Disaster Risk boon or an advantageous and up) and 2,200 pieces of jumbo -sized melons (called by the Reduction Mgt. Officer explains favorable opportunity. Thus, sized (5kgs up) water melon locals as “buraot”) after the that adverse weather condition for some 36 farmers in the were harvested and loaded in first big harvest, he again like El Niño could be mitigated town of Magarao in Camarines four (4) ten-wheeler trucks and appliesfertilizers and regularly and could even be turned to Sur province the dry spell earned him an income of over water these watermelon rejects. something positive. opened new opportunities for P200 thousand. His other After 10 to 15 days these they decided to shift from palay parcel of land with watermelon melons will have grown into kasi inisip kaagad namin na to watermelon for this dry has yet to be harvested but jumbo size and ready for selling malulugi kami o hindi kami cropping season. already a buyer has contracted again. He also observed that makakapagtatanim ng palay A rice farmer from to buy all the yield from this over fertilization results to the at wala kaming patubig. Nung Barangay Casuray of the same lot. cracking of the fruit, thus he natiyak naming na talagang municipality who has shifted Meanwhile, Frisco Bedrero ensures that he only applies hindi na maiiwasan ang El to watermelon production Jr. of the same barangay the right amount. The other Nino nagdesisyon kami na mag this cropping season is revealed that he earned a gross farmers in the barangay have tanim na lang ng water melon Dante Agorita who is also income of P290,000 from adopted this practice. kasi base sa experience namin the Municipal Disaster Risk his-3 hectare rice field and The farmers in the area nag thrive ang water melon Reduction Management Officer another P280,000 from his have dug a well in a portion kahit walang tubig.’ This is (MDRRMO). He shares other one- hectare parcel of lot of their farm from which what Arnulfo Bermas, a rice that as the MDRRMO he has or an aggregate total of about they draw water to water the farmer and designated Local been learning and discussing P570,000 gross income or a melons. A labourer is paid Farmer Technician (LFT) by about disaster mitigation and net income of about P400,000 P300 daily to water the plants. the Department of Agriculture resiliency. He gave testimony plus. Two laborers are needed for a shared about his experience in that one can indeed be resilient Not to be outdone, the hectare . A weeder is also being melon production in the upland in the face of unfavorable or barangay chairman himself paid about the same amount to barangay of Carangcang. adverse weather condition. Tomas Civico also ventured cut the grasses and weeds using Bermas who is also the “Ngayon napatunayan ko na into watermelon production a grass cutter. chairperson of the Municipal pwede talaga tayong maging this cropping season knowing “Nung unang nalaman Agriculture and Fishery resilient,. Kahit may EL Nino that rice production would be naming na magkakaroon ng Council reasoned out that if he natuto ang mga magsasaka na quite risky as the threat of El El Nino, medyo natakot kami would not be able to plant and maka cope at mag isip ng ibang Nino looms. It’s as if he hit diskarte”, he pointed out. the jackpot as he obtained the Farmers Dante He has two parcels of rice highest gross income of about Agorita, Frisco land where he planted water P715,000 from his 3.2 hectares. Bedrea, Jr. and melon. The first one was about He spent about P195,000 for Tomas Civico proudly show off the super jumbo watermelon which weighed about 21 kls.

Happy farmers of Bgy. Casuray show off the super jumbo watermelon.

12 UMAsenso January - March 2019 harvest palay this cropping he and nearby provinces would dry spell and occurrence of has at least a fall back. troop to the area to buy truck El Nino during the 1st quarter Thus, he planted loads of watermelon. and up to the 2nd quarter watermelon, the sugar baby The once unknown and of this year, some farmers variety in his rice field sleepy barangay suddenly were emboldened to venture measuring .75 hectares in became a buzz with activity into watermelon production the upland barangay of as several ten-wheeler trucks again. According to Annie Carangcang. Comes 2nd week would go to and stay from some Mancita, the Acting Municipal of May he will start harvesting. days in the barangay while the Agriculturist, there were Already a buyer has contracted watermelon are being harvested 36 farmers who ventured to buy (pakyaw scheme ) all and loaded. This went on for into melon production this good sized water melon to be some years but there came cropping covering about 54 harvested from his farm at a a time when aphids and hectares. The potential area prize of P90,000. The buyer “hanep” infested most of the for water melon production in Municipal Agriculturist along with his hired laborers water melon farms and many the municipality is about 200 Anicia Mancita explains how will come over on the date of farmers incurred big losses. hectares. watermelon production started harvest and he will be paid Aside from in their town and what is its right there and then. He providing additional potential and prospects. Lower estimates that he spent about income (of about photo is Arnulfo Bernas. LFT P30,000 for seeds, fertilizers three times more than & MAFC Cair and man-say labourers he they were earning hired to water the plants. He from rice production) applied 3 bags Urea and 3 bags melon production 14-14-14 fertilizers. has also provided It was several years ago when a long dry spell also hit A jeep load of large watermelon is worth P42,000 to P45,000 Camarines Sur and a handful while a truckload could load about 1,100 pieces of extra of farmers decided to venture jumbo watermelon weighing 10 kgs up valued at P110,000 into water melon production . to P130,000. For large size water melon (weighing 5 kgs up) The venture proved to be very about 2,000 to 2,200 pcs could be loaded. encouraging and promising so the following years more farmers were encouraged to go into melon production after harvesting rice from November to December. be risk takers. “Kelangan Most of the ricefields are not tayong mga magsasaka irrigated but as the barangay marunong dumiskarte. Huwag is located near the Bicol tayong magpatalo sa El river and the water table is Niño o anuman na sakuna. shallow water can be accessed For some time farmers had job opportunities for the Kahit kami nalugi ng ilang from wells dug around the stopped planting watermelon. local farm workers. Local beses hindi kami natakot na ricefields. Soon barangay But then again there were a fruit vendors likewise began sumubok at sumabak uli,” says Casuray and the neighboring handful of enterprising farmers to mushroom along the road Agorita. they echoed. And as barangays became known who ventured into watermelon leading to the barangay and precaution most of them have for its sweet watermelon and production whenever there is even along the highway of the their watermelon crops insured viajeros from Metro Manila a forecast of El Nino or long Magarao town and neighboring by the PCIC. dry spell. But over municipalitiesThey buy We can learn some lessons the past two years watermelon at P15 to P16.00 from these farmers in this time the weather pattern per kilo and sell them at P20 to when we are faced with this in the area somehow P25 per kilo. El Niño phenomenon. Let us changed. Above According to the remember that there are many normal rains would watermelon farmers of Casuray negative and also positive come even on the first they feel sorry for their fellow seeds. The best thing to do is quarter of the year farmers who were not able for us to avoid watering the which greatly affected to plant rice this cropping negative seeds. Instead let the melon production. season because of this dry us identify the positive seeds, The unpredictability spell and they would still water and nurture them so of the rainfall pattern wish that El Nino would not we have a good harvest. Let discouraged farmers be frequently occurring as us be like these farmers who to plant melon. their rice crop are adversely are resilient and who see The author interviewing the watermelon But with the affected. But they urge other opportunity in every difficulty farmers of barangay Casuray forecast of a long farmers to be resilient and instead of seeing difficulty in January - March 2019 UMAsenso 13 Bicol GREAT Women Project 2 enrollees embark on an entrepreneurial exchange program o scale up women- by Lovella P. Guarin led micro enterprises Tby exposing them to shop located at the town proper. flourishing business and large The shop sells woven bags, corporations, the Department wallets, and other souvenir of Agriculture (DA) RFO 5 items. A clay artisan Tessie GREAT Women Project 2 Baldo of Sagada Pottery (GWP2) brought 20 enterprising demonstrated her skills in women on an entrepreneurial creating beautiful pottery using exchange program in Regions local clay blended with glazing 1 and Cordillera Administrative materials like minerals and Region (CAR) on February 11- pine ash. Her distinctly Sagada 16. stonewares are favorite exhibit The group was led by pieces in pottery shows and Aloha Gigi I. Banaria, Gender festivals in Baguio City, Subic, One of the weavers at the Easter and Development (GAD) focal Manila and other areas of the Weaving Room, Inc. in Baguio City. person of DA RFO 5. Aside country. from the women entrepreneurs In Guisad, Baguio City, enrolled under the GWP2, two the group dropped by Easter outstanding rural women of the Weaving Room, Inc., one of products. The company is also continuously experimenting region also joined the trip. the oldest stores in Baguio. recruiting interested weavers on different fruit extracts and The first stop was Sagada, It was established in 1908, and conducts training (with a recently put up a showroom Mt. Province, a 5th class and is owned by the Phil. minimum pay of P475/day) for of wines in Naga City funded municipality nestled in a valley Episcopal Church. The store prospective weavers. Presently, by Bureau of Agricultural (Central Cordillera Mountains) has weaving area at the ground it has contract with over 10 Research. She has also tied 7,000 feet above sea level. floor where tourists can watch housewives to do the sewing up with the DA Research Mayor James B. Pooten, Jr. the 25 weavers (21 are female) and embroideries. Doligas also Division and pioneered the said that weaving is the major in action on their looms, said that they need pineapple commercialization of the industry in Sagada, but it while the second floor is an fiber for their products as some Rimas ice cream which also is now being overtaken by expansive display area of all customers are looking for pinya carries her ‘Yulaik’ brand. tourism as it is one of the most kinds of indigenous textiles and cloth, but she could not find In Pangasinan, the group popular tourist destinations in beautifully made hand woven such fiber in the market. was impressed by the multi- the country today. Sagada is materials like bags, placemats, Incidentally, one of billion peso Pilot Bamboo famous for cold temperature wall hangings, rugs, religious the Bicol delegations who Manufacturing Plant in and amazing clusters of rice garments, footwears and joined the tour was Beverly Amanperez, in Bayambang terraces which are really a feast wooden sculptures. Virgina T. Medrano, secretary of the town which mainly produces for the eyes. Doligas, the General Manager Labo Progressive Multipurpose bamboo floorboard. This is Nevertheless, the GWP 2 said that the company is also Coop (LPMC) of Camarines project of the CS First Green group interviewed Raymunda helping weavers from other Norte which is engaged in Agri-Industrial Development, Kilowan, a master weaver and areas of the country as it serves pineapple fibers production owner of Katagowan souvenir as One-Stop Shop of their and processing. Seizing the opportunity, Medrano promised to submit samples of the LPMC pineapple fibers to the Easter Weaving Room, Inc. as soon as possible. The group also visited the Benguet State University (BSU) in Baguio City. Lorna Daud, 67 year old wine connoisseur and producer of Lipote and mango wines under the brand “Yulaik Food Products” was happy to see her products displayed for sale at the BSU Lorna Daud (2nd from souvenir shop. Having a mango right) poses with her product Aloha Gigi I. Bañaria, DA 5 GAD focal person talks with Virgina plantation in , Cam. displayed at Benguet State T. Doligas, the General Manager of the Easter Weaving Room, Sur with 1,000 trees, Daud is University in Baguio. Inc. in Baguio City. 14 UMAsenso January - March 2019 an average of 120 bags per Rice seed grower is national outstanding farmer hectare. With the earnings he by Lovella P. Guarin derived from six years of seed innovator production, he was able to Gil N. Del Barrio, rice purchase one unit of 4-Wheel seed grower of Barangay Lag- Drive Tractor; 2 units Hand on, Daet, Camarines Norte was Threshers; 2 units Hand Tractor; conferred by the National Seed one unit rice planter; and one Industry Council (NSIC) as unit Combine Harvester. At Outstanding Innovator for Seed present, he owns 4 units of Grower category for Luzon combine harvester which he for which he received a plaque acquired through loans. and cash prize of P50,000. The He provides the services awarding ceremonies was held of these farm machineries and on March 28, 2019 at the BPI, equipment to his fellow farmers Malate, Manila during the 25th with a minimum rental fee. NSIC anniversary celebration. He also imparts his technical Del Barrio, 53 years old, knowledge on rice farming is regarded in Cam. Norte as and entrepreneurship to other has been deluged with a lot of Training Course on In-Bred an innovator, strong advocate farmers as he is often invited orders. Rice Production, Certification of rice mechanization and as speaker on those topics by He consistently searches and Quality Control for Seed utilization of high quality the DA Bicol, the Agricultural for new technologies thru Growers conducted by the DA seeds, a persistent researcher, Training Institute, and various attendance to trainings; NSQCS in Bicol. Magsasaka Siyentista and farmers’ cooperatives. participates in Lakbay Aral and He uses the top 5 rice successful entrepreneur. One innovation which has regularly browses the internet. varieties recommended by In his 31 years in farming tremendously benefitted him Among the PhilRice Apps he PhilRice Bicol like NSIC RC he has ventured into rice and is the improvised dryer which uses daily are AgriDOC App, 222, 216, 238, 300 and NSIC vegetable production, tilapia he can use even during rainy MOET App, the Binhing Palay RC 160 during wet cropping culture, poultry and swine season. He also installed a lifter App, and e-Damuhan app. He seasons. In dry months, he raising. It was in 2011 that he at the back of the 4 wheel drive has also been using the Field plants NSIC RC 346 or Sahod started producing rice seeds tractor instead of rotavator to Area Measure app although Ulan 11 which is a stress – with the help of PhilRice and haul and transfer the harvested it has yet to be launched by resistant mutant rice. started sending palay seeds palay. PhilRice. This app which During the dry season to the National Seed Quality He was conferred as features geotagged locations of 2017, he produced an Control Service for laboratory Magsasaka Siyentista by the of rice farmers helped him a average yield of 150 bags rice analysis. News about his DOST – PCAARRD. He is also lot in his business. He has also seeds per hectare. In the wet success in seed production has the Chairperson of Camarines completed the National Seed season of 2017, he produced spread fast and wide and he Norte Seed Growers; an active member of Ambos Camarines added attraction in the farms, Inc. Bernard O. Bawing, the Bicol delegation visited a grapes and MASIKAP Multipurpose Bañaria arranged for some OIC President of the company (red cardinal variety) vineyard Cooperatives; P4MP and of the women farmers and said that once fully operational owned by Lomboy family. The PARCOM; and cooperator of entrepreneurs to undergo an the plant will employ over a farm was established in 1972 by the PhilRice Rice Seed System extensive training on grape hundred manpower, will need the late Avelino Lomboy, who project in Bicol. production at the Lomboy’s 27, 500 bamboo poles per was known in the 1980’s as He received various farm this year to start month to manufacture 3,432 Grape King of the Phils. Today, awards such as Dangal ng Daet cultivating this berry in the strand woven block and 7,069 under the stewardship of the Award as Outstanding Farmer Bicol region. Grace Lomboy is square meter floor board in daughter, Gracia Lomboy, the in 2010; and Regional Gawad also collaborating with some a month. Bawing added that farm continues to pioneer and Saka Outstanding Rice Farmer of the GWP2 beneficiaries for the plant was a brainchild innovate not just agricultural in 2008. the supply of their products of current Mayor Cesar T. techniques in grape production With the challenges the such as Yulaik’s wine, H.G.Q. Quiambao of Bayambang who but also in agri-tourism, being rice industry is facing today, handicrafts, and other GWP2 got the technology from China. the first DOT accredited the likes of Gil Del Barrio who products from Bicol to add to To support the need for Agritourism site in region 1. has spent his life perfecting his their showroom collection. the raw materials, which is The farm is selling grape fruits, craft of producing quality rice Bicol region is one of Kawayang Tinik, a bamboo planting materials and wines seeds and making it available the pilot areas of the GREAT nursery plantation R&D and marmalades. They also and affordable for the Bicolano Women Project 2, together project covering 300 hectares accept on-the-job traininees farmers, Mang Gil truly with Region 2 and Region 6. of bamboo plantation was even from far flung areas and deserves to be hailed as 2018 GREAT stands for Gender established in Sitio Mapita, in-house training. National Outstanding Seed Responsive Economic Actions Laoag Aguilar, Pangasinan. Seeing the potential of Grower. for the Transformation of In Bauang, La Union, the grapes as income earner and as Women.

January - March 2019 UMAsenso 15 Corn program puts up model farm for white corn in Masbate

CATAINGAN, MASBATE – A 50-hectare model farm of white corn stretching across seven barangays is found in this town of Masbate province. This is a pilot project of the DA Corn Program in Bicol to increase production and promote the consumption of white corn as staple food. Established in the provided to them in the past the staple food in the towns ameliorants and bio-control last quarter of 2018, the corn years. The DA has turned over found in the 3rd district of agents for free. They will also crops are in tasseling stage as two (2) units 4-wheel drive Masbate. Over 9,000 farmers return one (1) bag of corn seeds of this writing. tractors which were granted are cultivating a total of 9,083 for every bag of seed given to The Corn Program to farmers’ associations such hectares of white corn areas in them, to be given to next in provided the seeds (Var 6 at as the Estampar farmers the whole province. line beneficiaries. The model 1 bag per hectare), fertilizer, association and Quezon Lorenzo Alvina, Regional farm is also being monitored hauling truck and one unit Cassava Farmers Association, Corn Program Coordinator constantly as important data 4-wheel drive tractor to the both based in . said that Corn Model Farm is a such as yield and farm practices Estampar farmers association Melendres disclosed that priority project of the National are being collected. which manages the model corn is a major agricultural Corn Program to facilitate the White corn is milled into corn farm while the Municipal commodity in Cataingan as it entry of rice-corn blend in the grits and used as alternative Agriculture Office extended is staple food for the 50,327 local market. The infusion for cooked rice, or mixed with fertilizer assistance to over 20 population (2015 census). As of corn component into our rice at a ratio of 70 % rice and farmer-cooperators. of January 2019, there is a total staple food supply is seen to 30% corn. This rice-corn blend Municipal Agriculturist of over 4,000 hectares of corn effectively cover whatever is now being sold in some Wilfredo C. Melendres areas in Cataingan, out of the shortage we have in grains. malls nationwide. (Lovella P. expressed his appreciation to 17,773 hectares agricultural The DA Bicol has provided the Guarin) the DA for the farm machineries area. White corn is also farm inputs like fertilizer, soil Farmers Field School on IPM Corn culminates in Masbate

CATAINGAN, MASBATE. change. After 16 weeks of schooling, Through more than 30 farmers from field observation, barangay Estampar of this simple experiment province were confirmed and group analysis, graduates of the Climate the participants Farmers Field School for IPM learned new things Corn by municipal mayor Atty and come up with Felipe Cabataña on Feb 26, their specific decision about of the sanggunian members In behalf of the 2019. crop management practices. has allocated P8 million fund participants, Delfin Argawanon, The Farmers Field School “Himuon ang dapat for fertilizer and other farm CFFS President, conveyed a (FFS) was conducted by the mahimo” (do what you have to inputs.” The municipality of message of gratitude during the Department of Agriculture do) said mayor Felipe Cabataña. Cataingan considers white corn folk media presentation. The Bicol thru the Regional Corn I am proud that my municipality as a staple food. DA Corn Program technical Program in collaboration with was chosen by the DA as Also present during the group also extended a message the Local Government Unit beneficiary of worth P3 million event were: George Gonzales of encouragement to share and barangay officials. The FFS corn model farms established Jr. Vice Mayor; Wilfredo what they have learned to started during the last quarter in various remote areas of Melendrez, Municipal other farmers and assured the of 2018 and culminated this barangay Estampar. He lauded Agriculturist, Wilfredo participants of the agency’s February. The lessons focused the agricultural workers for Nelmida, Sr. Agriculturist; support and interventions. Field on Corn production Technology, providing technical assistance Jaime Arcenal, Barangay visits to model farms in various its management practices despite the risk . “Because of Captain; SB members, areas were also conducted on which help them understand this, our municipality became Agricultural Extension the same and following day. and manage complex agro eco- popular.” As our way of Workers (AEWs), Barangay (Blesilda A. Nuñez) system so that they can cope support and counterpart, our officials and DA Corn Program with the challenges on climate municipality with the approval technical team.

16 UMAsenso January - March 2019 Lofty Tech. Marketing Coop of unit granted by the DA in 2018 DA trains recipients , Albay; Nagkakaisang were: Catbadian Irrigators Magsasaka ng San Vicente Association (IA) of Oas, of combine harvester Libon, Albay; Hibiga Ris Albay; Guisican Multi-purpose (WMPA) IA, Inc. of Balinad, Cooperative of Labo, Cam. and 4WD tractors , Albay; At. Anthony Norte; Patson Del Pilar Farmers Farmers Coop, Inc. of Mambulo SWISA Inc. of San Fernando, NABUA, CAMARINES health and safety measures Nuevo, , Cam. Sur; Cam. Sur; Rural Agrarian SUR – In its aggressive in farm operations. Baliuag Viejo Farmers Assn. Reform Coop of Libmanan, implementation of rice Representatives from the of Minalabac, Cam. Sur; St. Cam. Sur; Matatag na mechanization program, the Aims Agri Ventures, Inc. also Michael Farmers Association Samahan ng Magsasaka Coop Department of Agriculture discussed the warranty terms. of Pamplona, Cam. Sur; of Ocampo, Cam. Sur; Cam. provides farm machineries and These combine harvesters make Organic Producers Sur MPC; San Jose Farmers equipment to eligible farmers’ harvesting easier by combining Coop of Cam. Sur; Naga City Association of City; associations either through grant or counterparting scheme. The major responsibility of the recipient is to ensure that these machineries are always in good condition for their optimum utilization and benefits. Thus, the DA RFO 5 in coordination with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) is conducting training on basic operations and proper maintenance of those machineries. On March 18-22, 2019, a six operations such as reaping, North District IA, Inc. of Lanang Farmers Association total of 25 operators of 4Wheel gathering, transporting, Pacol, Naga City; San Antonio of , Masbate; Siuton drive tractors and combine threshing, cleaning, bagging Farmers Irrigators MPC of Irrigators Farmers Consumers harvesters attended the 5-day into one machine and reduces Buhi, Cam. Sur; Macalinao Coop and Biga Farmers and training on basic operations grain loss to less than 1%. It Farmers Marketing Coop of Fishermen Association of and maintenance of said can harvest 3 hectares of rice Bula, Cam. Sur; Patson Del Magallanes, Sorsogon; Capuy machineries held in Macagang field per day at 8 hours per day Pilar Farmers SWISA Inc. of MPC of . Business Center in Nabua, of operation. A DC-35 model San Fernando, Cam. Sur; Cam. To be eligible for the Camarines Sur. combine harvester consumes 6 Sur MPC; Libjo-San Pedro- combine harvester, the farmers’ Engr. Joseph Corporal liters of diesel per hour, while Talisay Irrigators Services association must have a Jr. and John Mark Licot DC-60 and DC-70 consume 8-9 Assn. of Catanduanes; Bagacay coverage of at least a cluster of Philippine Center for liters of diesel per hour. Cabungalan Farmers Assn. of of 100 hectares rice area. To Postharvest Development and The recipients of the Gubat, Sorsogon; and Gabao be eligible for mini combine Mechanization (Philmech) 15 units combine harvesters Samahang Nayon MPC of harvester, the association must discussed the operations and worth P1M/unit granted by , Sorsogon. have at least a cluster of 30 maintenance of combine the DA in 2018 who sent a Meanwhile, the recipients hectares rice area. Proponent harvester, flatbed dryer representative to said training of the 10 units four wheel association must also be an and rice mill; occupational were: Strategic Agro-Industrial drive tractor worth P950,000/ accredited CSO by the DA. (Lovella P. Guarin) RAFC 5 supports gender ... (from page 10) These outputs were Fiber Crops Sector; and Atty. Report Officer. contributed by the various Filemon B. Montenegro for The assembly was attended Agricultural Training Institute sectoral and working the Membership Development by over 60 AFC leaders and (ATI), National Food Authority committees who reported Committee. volunteers headed by RAFC (NFA), PhilFIDA, and BFAR. their respective updates and In behalf of DA Bicol OIC Chair Alfredo R. Rillo and Other partner agencies such accomplishments: Bernadette Regional Technical Director RAFC Executive Officer Aloha as Landbank and DAR were delos Santos for the Fruits for Operations and Extension, Gigi I, Banaria together with also represented.(Lovella P. and Vegetable Sector; Carina Rodel P. Tornilla, the commodity sectoral leaders Guarin with TD Caro) V. Arellano for the women updates on Rice Competitive from the six provinces and sector; P. Theodore D. Caro for Enhancement Program and the independent component Livestock and Poultry; Jose R. El Nino mitigation program city of Naga. Also present Cordero for the cacao sector; were reported by Ara Nicole were representatives from DA Benedicto A. Palmares for the Nicolas, DA Rice Program attached agencies, namely:

January - March 2019 UMAsenso 17 employees step up fire safety, disaster preparedness “Naging successful an after hearing a loud 60-second satuyang drill ngonian… siren which represented an Magayunon na marhay su earthquake. pag-evacuate.” This is the Tornilla ordered that the drill be general observation of SFO1 conducted at an unannounced Joey Ricky Cezar, Chief of time to thoroughly assess the Bureau of Fire Protection’s the employees’ capacity Circular for 2019 National Gaudencio Atanacio Jr., and (BFP)-Pili Fire Safety Section, and readiness in times of Quarterly Earthquake and Fire FO1 Eric James Bañadera. after conducting the 1st Quarter natural hazards and disasters. Drill, which aims to prepare The activity was also Earthquake and Fire Drill at Members of the BDRRMG and gauge the efficiency of conducted to strengthen its the Department of Agriculture- including the Assistant Incident warning dissemination and zero-casualty advocacy during Bicol Compound in Brgy. San Commander and various teams level of preparedness of offices disasters in line with the Fire Agustin Pili, Camarines Sur such as Security/Crowd and surrounding communities Prevention Month celebration. on March 7, 2019. BFP-Pili Control; Transportatio; Supply; when an actual earthquake The BDRRMG gave the office nine out of 10 Communication; Warning; occurs, to train its personnel identified two safe zones for (Satisfactory) rating based Evacuation; Firefighting; on the actual exercise of “duck, all employees when disasters on its point criteria for the Search and Rescue; First cover and hold” concept, and occur such as the open spaces drill phases namely incident/ Aid; Salvage; and Damage to test and evaluate the office’s in front of the Administration alarm, mobilization, and de- Assessment team composed of contingency plans. Together Building and at the back of mobilization phase. representatives from various with him were Fire Officer the Central Bicol Experiment Led by OIC Regional divisions and sections of DA- (FO) 3 Aniano Layosa Jr., Station (BEST). (Annielyn L. Technical Director for Bicol were activated during FO2 Ramon Sambo Jr., FO1 Baleza) Operations and Extension the earthquake drill. The Rodel P. Tornilla as OIC- BDRRMG also practiced their Building Disaster Risks fire suppression skills. Reduction Management SFO1 Joey Ricky Cezar, Group (BDRRMG) Incident Chief of the BFP-Pili Fire Safety Commander, 220 DA- Section, led the evaluation Bicol employees and clients of the DA-Bicol’s disaster simulated the six phases of awareness and preparedness an earthquake drill: alarm, pursuant to the National response, evacuation, Disaster Risk Reduction assembly, head count/ and Management Council accounting, and evaluation (NDRRMC’s) Memorandum

Agriculture (DA-5), Central Bicol State Rabies Awareness Month University of Agriculture (CBSUA), Philippine Veterinary Medical Association Pets get free vaccination, castration (PVMA) Bicol Chapter, Camarines Sur Provincial office, and LGU Pili. PILI CAMARINES SUR. Rabies is a “Animals are not human beings but deadly viral disease that is often spread they have also feelings” said Dr. Edgar to humans through the bite of an infected Madrid, Regional Technical Director animal. In observance of the Rabies for Research & Regulations. “Animals Awareness Month this March, the deserve to be treated like humans, it is the Department of Agriculture in Bicol through responsibility of pet owners to subject them the Regulatory Division and in partnership for vaccination and administer other needs with other Institutions, conducted a one day such as vitamins” he said. free rabies vaccination, neutering, spaying, Meanwhile, Raymund Marcelino, deworming and consultation for dogs and Chief of the Regulatory division welcomed cats at the DA compound on March 29, all pet owners to be part of the activity.” 2019. This is one way of eliminating rabies and A total of 95 dogs and cats, some enhance prevention by way of vaccination” were cross breeds but most were aspins he said. Dogs and cats with health issues (asong pinoy) from nearby barangays and were also brought in for free consultations. municipalities availed for the free service. Marcelino calls for responsible pet 52 dogs and cats were vaccinated, 18 were ownership and be an advocate for the neutered and spayed, while ¬34 were prevention of this deadly disease. Freebies dewormed. Said services were performed such as dog soap and vitamins were also by veterinarians from the Department of given during the day. (Blesilda A. Nuñez)

18 UMAsenso January - March 2019 Agri Chief interacts with and extends assistance to calamity stricken Bicol farmers

Sec. Manny LIBON, ALBAY - With F. Piñol had a the Bicol region having the selfie with a highest death toll and damage farmer during on agriculture, Secretary his Byaheng Emmanuel F. Piñol of the Bukid in Libon, Department of Agriculture Albay. rushed to the region on the first working day of the year From there the team flew Easy Access (PLEA) Programs. waiting for them to bring palay to personally inspect the areas to Libon, Albay and conferred Under the Survival and to their buying stations. heavily affected by Typhoon with mayor Wilfredo Maronilla Recovery Assistance (SURE) On same occasion the DA Usman and confer with local and interacted with about a Loan Program, an emergency turned over interventions and officials and farmers. He thousand farmers leaders, local loan assistance of P5,000 will assistance to 15 municipalities was accompanied by Ret, officials heads of DA attached be immediately provided to and 3 cities agricultural Commodore Eduardo B. agencies, and municipal farmers affected by a calamity interventions and assistance Gongona, Undersecretary for agriculturists and extension to buy their basic needs. An totaling to over P3.5 million. Fisheries and Jocelyn Alma workers who gathered at the additional P20,000 recovery These include certified palay Badiola, Executive Director of municipal gymnasium here. loan assistance will likewise seeds, open pollinated variety the Agriculture Credit Policy white corn seeds, assorted Council (ACPC). vegetable seeds; ducks, cattle, He first went to Masbate Sec. Piñol turkey, and native pigs. City where he interacted interacted with As of this writing the with some 500 farmers and the farmers in partial damage report wrought local officials as part of his Masbate and turned over by Typhoon Usman in the “Byaheng Bukid” or provincial agriculture sector for the six sorties where he intends to P16M agri assistance provinces of Bicol is valued at bring the government closer almost P600 million with 29,114 to the people. He then turned farmers affected covering an over agri -assistance consisting area of 30,240 hectares of these of production inputs & farm 23,953 hectares are rice areas; equipment amounting to over 5, 686 are corn areas and 550 P16 million. He was met hectares are vegetables and there by DA Bicol Regional high value crops. be provided to be used by Executive Director Elena B. For the Albay province On his second day in Bicol farmers to purchase the needed de los Santos and the two Piñol committed an additional he had also a meeting with inputs so they can immediately Regional Technical Directors- P50M to be accessed by small Albay Governor Al Francis start again their farming/ Edgar Madrid and Rodel farmers/fisherman as loan Bichara, who is also the fishing operations and recoup Tornila, Mayor under the Production Loan Regional Development Council their losses. He urged the Rowena B. Tuason. (RDC) chair. He also met with farmers to avail of these loan the regional executive directors assistance which he said he from the four affected regions conceptualized and promised to that is: CALABARZON, be back after one year to MIMAROPA, Bicol and one and a half year to see the Eastern Visayas together with impact of this program on those Christopher Morales, DA chief, farmers who availed of this Field Programs Operations and special window. Planning Division to firm up In response to the the rehabilitation plan for the complaints of farmers that they affected farmers and fisherfolk. get low price for their palay, he He later joined President immediately ordered the NFA Rodrigo Duterte who came provincial manager Alexander over to Camarines Sur to also C. Parerra to start going around visit the affected areas and meet the province through mobile with the local officials. ( buying facilities to buy palay Emily Distribution of interventions to LGUs and farmers in B. Bordado) Albay. from farmers instead of just

UMAsenso 19 DA inspires youth to support agriculture LEGAZPI CITY – Who wants to be a farmer or the boss of his/her own business? Many students raised their hands as each speaker posed that very important question during the nationwide Information Caravan for the Youth held at the Albay Astrodome this city on March 7, 2019. Over 1,000 senior high school students from private and public schools took a break from their daily classes to know what agriculture can offer during the first leg of the nationwide L-R Joseph Pacon, Alternative Caravan to promote the theme Head of Geomapping and “Kabataan sa Agrikultura para Governance Unit of DA – sa Bayang Masagana.” Philippine Rural Development; With the dwindling Project (PRDP); Dr. Rodolfo number of Filipino farmers P. Estigoy, Chief SRS of whose average age is 57, the PhilMech; Nomer Mortega, 4H DA launches the youth caravan Club president of Magallanes, to persuade more youths Sorsogon were among the particularly senior high school resource speakers. students to enroll in agriculture courses. Cheryll Rebeta, Albay provincial Agriculturist, cited in agriculture such as the of Geomapping and Governance Mortega was DA national RA 10618 or the Rural Farm interventions under the High Unit of DA – Philippine Rural Gawad Saka finalist in 2016 Schools Act which mandated Value Crops Development Development Project (PRDP) and Jaycees International - the establishment of rural farm Program. She urged the students discussed digitization of TOFARM awardee in 2018 as schools as alternative delivery to support agriculture as it is the agriculture; Nadine Coronado, National Outstanding Young mode of secondary education. backbone of the economy and it Project Development Officer Farmer. Rebeta cited the Albay Farmers supports all the sectors. “Kung of DA – Bureau of Agricultural The whole day event Bountry Village in Cabangan, walang magtatanim, walang Research (BAR) discussed the was made colorful and lively Camalig, Albay, a one-stop kakainin ang mga propesyunal various scholarship programs by fun games and freebies shop farmers’ complex as the gaya ng doctor, inhinyero, being offered by the BAR; from participating bureaus LGU’s major project in support abugado, guro at mga pulis at Sarrah O. Sambajon, Faculty and attached agencies of DA to the youth as it serves as “farm hindi sila magiging produktibo. of BUCAFe imparted their such as BFAR and ATI. The school” showcasing production, Sa patuloy na pagdami ng ating courses and scholarhips in caravan was a joint effort of processing and marketing. The populasyon, hindi makakamit agriculture. the Agriculture and Fisheries trainings are for free as it is ang food security kung wala Nomer Mortega, 25 Information Division based supported by TESDA. Students tayong gagawin para iangat years old farmer and 4-H in Manila and the Regional who will finish a course at this ang sector ng agrikultura,” Dr. Club president of Caditaan, Agricultural and Fisheries farm school will have National Rodriguez said. Magallanes Sorsogon also Information Section of DA 5. Certificate II on Organic Meanwhile, Dr. Rodolfo shared his experience as a (Lovella P. Guarin) Agriculture. P. Estigoy, Chief Science multi-awarded young farmer. Dr. Mary Grace Research Specialist of Rodriguez, OIC Chief of DA the Philippine Center for 5 Field Operations Division Postharvest Development and represented DA 5 Regional Mechanization (Philmech) Executive Director Elena B. de discussed the different farm los Santos. Having Bachelor machineries developed by of Science in Agriculture the Philmech. Also, Glenn Department of Agriculture De Peralta, Senior Science Regional Field Unit No. 5 major in Horticulture as an Reg’l Agriculture and Fisheries undergraduate course, Dr. Research Specialist of the Information Section RE-ENTERED Rodriguez said that being an Philippine Rice Research e-mail: darafid5 @ yahoo.com Institute (PhilRice) discussed AS SECOND CLASS Agriculturist was her choice MAIL MATTER even when she was still in High the technologies it has at Pili, Post Office, School. She also discussed the generated. Pili, Cam. Sur business opportunities open Other speakers included: visit our website: under Permit No. 2019-17 to students who are interested Joseph Pacon, Alternative Head bicol.da.gov.ph on March 25, 2019