Vol. XXVI No.

A monthly publication of the Department of Agriculture

May 2011

DA, DAR, DENR invest P148M in REINA

The departments of agriculture (DA), agrarian reform (DAR), and environment and natural resources (DENR) are investing an initial P148 million to transform three adjoining eastern coastal towns in Quezon Real, Infanta and General Nakar, collectively known as REINA into a modern agro-enterprise cluster, the 7th convergence initiative of the three agencies under the Aquino administration. Of the total, the DA is allotting P77M for several agriculture and fishery proj ects, including a P50-million modern fish port and agri trading complex in Infanta; the DAR will construct a P66-M bridge in General Nakar; while the DENR will pursue the Kanan President Benigno S. Aquino III and Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala honor the countrys 2009watershed management project 2010 outstanding farmers and fisherfolk, in Malacaang, May 23, 2011, led by 79-year-old integrated in Infanta. rice farmer Efren Millare (inset) of San Juan, Abra. He and other 21 Gawad Saka awardees (pls see pp 6Agriculture Secretary Proceso 7 for more photos) received P100,000 cash, a Presidential citation and trophy for their respective feats. J. Alcala led the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) of the Reina convergence agro-enterprise cluster, May 30, Filipino livestock and hog rais- cently certified free from the of Animal Industry (BAI) and the 2011, at the Infanta Social Center, along with Agrarian Reform ers, and meat processors can now dreaded foot and mouth disease National Meat Inspection Service Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes, export Pinoy livestock and pork (FMD) without vaccination by the (NMIS). International des The OIE certification was reEnvironment Undersecretary products to the rest of the world, Office as the entire Philippines was re- Epizooties (OIE) or World Orga- ceived on behalf of the Philip(Pls turn to p2) nization for Animal Health. pine government and Sec. Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala by agriculture assistant J. Alcala said the OIE certifica- secretary for livestock Davinio tion declaring the countrys re(Pls turn to p11) maining regions and provinces collectively referred to as Zone 2 enables the Philippines to finally export, particularly to nearby ASEAN and Asia-Pacific regions, The Department of Agriculture livestock meat products, mainly will distribute an initial 50 water pork. As the country is likewise pumps through the Bureau of free from avian flu, it has been Soils and Water Management exporting poultry products, to affected fish cage owners in mostly to Japan. Taal Lake, Batangas that will He said negotiations are ongo- help aerate lake waters, and reing to export pork products to duce fish kills. Sec. Alcala (3rd from left) leads a unity pact among players of the Singapore and Malaysia. SeAs of May 31, losses have REINA convergence cluster in Quezon. Joining him (from left) lected swine farms, abattoirs and amounted to P175 million, inare: Marriz Agbon of DA-PADCC, Vice Gov. Vicente Alcala, Gov. meat processing establishments, cluding those in Pangasinan, David Suarez, 1st Dist. Rep. Wilfredo Mark Enverga, Antonio Meloto initially in Mindanao, are being particularly in the towns of Anda of Gawad Kalinga, DAR Sec. Virgilio de los Reyes, Jose Ma. Lorenzo- accredited by the Department of and Bolinao. Tan of WWF Philippines, DENR undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio Agriculture through its concerned agencies, particularly the Bureau and DA undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat. (Pls turn to p3)

Entire Philippines is now FMD-free; can export livestock, pork products

DA lends 50 pumps; fish kill tops P175M

Editorial
Gawad Saka Awardees

DA, DAR, DENR ...

(from p1)
set up abaca nurseries, conduct institutional credit capability building seminars, provide technical assistance in organic agriculture and agro-forestry, provide REINA farmers and fishers crop and fishery insurance coverage. For its part, the DAR will spearheaded the construction of a P66-million Anibongan Bridge, in Barangay Magsikap, General Nakar, as part of the Tulay ng Pangulo program of President Aquino. The DENR will pursue the Kanan Watershed Management Project in Infanta. The agency awarded farm families an initial P338,000 for watershed projects, including 25 land titles to beneficiaries from REINA. The DENR said farmers can use the lots for farm, agribusiness and livelihood enterprises, or plant them with fruit trees as part of governments National Greening Program. For his part, Governor Suarez expressed his constituents gratitude to President Aquino, particularly to the DA, DAR and DENR, for selecting REINA as a convergence area. He assured the three agencies that the project beneficiaries and the provincial government would do their part to make the convergence initiative a success. Since September 2010, six convergence cluster areas have been set up in Antique, Iloilo, Isabela, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, and Leyte. (with reports from Cheryl Suarez of DAAFIS, Angelica Barlis of DAPADCC, and John Bello of Business Mirror).

Taga-punla ng inspirasyon at pag-asa

Ngayong buwan ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda, ating ding bibigyan sila ng kaukulang pagpapahalaga sa pahinang ito. Kaya naman, minarapat namin na ilathala ang mga piling diskurso sa talumpati ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III, noong Mayo 23, 2011, sa Malacaang, nang kanyang ginawaran ang mga katangitanging magsasaka at mangingisda ng taong 20092010. Ayon kay Pangulong Aquino: ... May kasabihan po tayong kapag may itinanim, may aanihin. Ngayong araw, pinapatotohanan natin ang kasabihang ito. Mga magsasakang nagtatanim ng pawis at oras upang mapalago, hindi lamang ang sarili nilang sakahan, kundi maging ang kabuhayan ng mga kasama nila sa lokalidad sa pamamagitan ng pagtuturo ng makabagong mga paraan at teknolohiya. Mga mangingisdang pumapalaot, hindi lamang para may maihain sa mesa, kung hindi para salungatin ang mga rumaragasa at nakakapinsalang paraan ng pangingisda at hikayating alagaan ang ating likasyaman. Patunay silang hindi lamang sipag ang kailangan sa tagumpay, kungdi mahalaga ring tumbasan ito ng prinsipyo, dedikasyon at wagas na malasakit sa kalikasan at kapwa. Kaya naman, sa ngalan ng bawat Pilipino, taos-puso akong nagpapasalamat sa inyo pong lahat. Ang mga parangal sa inyo ngayong araw ay hindi sasapat sa mga ibinigay ninyo para sa inyong komunidad. Salamat sa pagpupunla ninyo ng inspirasyon at pagasa. Salamat sa pag-aambag ninyo tungo sa kaunlaran at makabuluhang pagbabago sa ating bansa. Kaya naman kasabay din ninyo kaming nagpupunla ng mga butil ng reporma para palaguin ang sektor at sakahan at pangisdaan sa bansa, lalo pat malaki ang kontribusyon ninyo sa pagpapayabong ng pambansang ekonomiya. Binubuhusan natin ang hanay ninyo ng mga proyekto at programang magbubunga ng mas maraming trabaho, at magpapatubo rin sa kita ng inyong mga manggagawa. Ano po ba ang mga hakbang na kailangan nating gawin? Hindi naman po uusad ang mga inisyatibang ito kung kulang-kulang at palsipikado ang ating mga pasilidad... Kailangan nating mapagbuti ang ating irigasyon. Makapagpatayo ng karagdagang mga daan, mga daungan, mga kagamitang pangsaka at pangingisda, at importante sa lahat marketing centers. Alam kong pabalik-balik na dinadalaw ng sakit ang inyong mga hayop at halaman, kaya kailangan nating mapagpatibay ang ating depensa laban sa mga ito. Mahalaga ring maiangat ang kalidad ng ating mga produkto, at ang kaalaman at kakayahan ng ating mga manggagawa sa sektor para makasabay sa kompetisyon sa pandaigdigang merkado. Nagagalak naman po tayo na tulad ninyo, kumakayod at nagpapakitang-gilas din ang ating Department of Agriculture, sa pangunguna po ni Secretary Procy Alcala... Tumaas po ng mahigit apat na porsiyento ang sektor ng agrikultura sa unang tatlong buwan ng 2011. Sa kasalukuyang presyo, umabot na ang gross value ng ating agricultural output sa halos tatlong daan at limampung bilyong piso (P350B). Mas mataas po ito ng humigit-kumulang labing-tatlong porsiyento kumpara sa nakaraang taon. Pinasimulan na rin po ni Secretary Alcala, sampu ng
(Pls turn to p6)

Demetrio Ignacio, Quezon Gov. David Suarez, Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga, and the three mayors of Real, Infanta, and General Nakar. Under the MOU, the three agencies will pool their resources and raise a required investment of P210.4 million. The amount will bankroll four interventions: policy and advocacy, agri-enterprise and agribusiness development, capacity development, and knowledge management. The convergence initiative is a strategy to complement the resources and expertise of the DA, DAR and DENR and local government units following the sustainable rural development framework plan under the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III. The success of the convergence program by the three national government agencies under the administration of President Aquino rests with the LGUs and residents doing their obligation here to support the program, Alcala said, adding that they will evaluate project implementation at the local level. During the REINA cluster launch, Sec. Alcala took the opportunity to hand over to Quezon Gov. Suarez several farm machinery and equipment, inputs and livestock animals. These include a farm tractor with implements, five hand tractors, six sets of shallow tube wells, 27 head of carabaos, various planting materials (coconut, coffee, cacao, cassava, and banana), and assorted vegetable seeds. The DA has also committed to develop and expand abaca areas,

is published monthly by the Department of Agriculture Information Service, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City. Tel. nos. 9288762 loc 2148, 2150, 2155, 2156 or 2184; 9204080 or tel/fax 9280588. This issue is available in PDF file. For copies, please send requests via email: da_afis@yahoo.com.

Editor-In-Chief : Noel O. Reyes Associate Editors: Karenina Salazar, Cheryl C. Suarez & Adam Borja Writers: Adora D. Rodriguez, Jo Anne Grace B. Pera, Arlhene S. Carro, Bethzaida Bustamante, Mc. Bien Saint Garcia, Jay Ilagan, Catherine Nanta Contributors: DA-RFU Info Officers, Public Info Officers and Staff of DA Bureaus, Attached Agencies & Corporations, Foreign-Assisted Projects Photographers: Jose Lucas, Alan Jay Jacalan, & Kathrino Resurreccion Lay-out Artist: Bethzaida Bustamante Printing & Circulation: Teresita Abejar & PCES Staff

Record palay, corn harvests push Q1 agri growth to 4.1%

An unprecedented and record-breaking harvest of palay, corn and sugarcane, has driven the countrys agricultural sector to a 4.1 percent (%) growth during the first quarter of the year. Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said the countrys first quarter palay production of 4.037 million metric tons (MMT)15.6% higher than last years 3.491 MMTis the biggest versus all 1st quarter production through the years. W e proj ect even higher growth for the next two quarters that will put us on target, as the programs and interventions show results in terms of still higher output and production, Sec. Alcala said. He projected a similar good palay production in the second quarter, and a 30 percent increase for the third quarter all due to timely interventions that include repair and rehabilitation of irrigation facilities nationwide, and promotion of good quality palay seeds. He also cited the positive effects of a moderate La Nia phenomenon during the last quarter of 2010 that provided water to rainfed farms. First quarter harvests of corn (1.9 MMT) and sugarcane (12.75 MMT) were also unprecedented, at 19.5% and 26.7%, respectively. We expect these crops to post double-digit growth in the next three quarters, with peaks in the second and third quarters of the year, Sec. Alcala said. Total agricultural production amounted to P347.2 billion (B) at current prices, 12.7% more versus last years level for the same three-month period. The crops sub-sectorwhich grossed P206B and contributed 53% to total agriculture output expanded by 8.19%. Batangas under Governor Vilma Santos has been clearing Taal Lake of illegal fish cages, where currently there are 1,300 more to be dismantled. The lakes sustainable capacity is only 6,000 cages. Perez said the same is true in Anda and Bolinao, where more than enough illegal fish pens and The last time that the agriculture sector posted a first quarter growth of more than 4% were in 2004 (7%), 2002 (7.3%), and in 1999 (4.7%), said assistant director Maura Lizarondo of the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS). Meanwhile, the livestock sector, which accounted for 15.2% of total production, registered a 0.59% growth, while the poultry sector, accounting for 13.3% of total production, posted a 3.9% growth. W e are optimistic that the poultry sector will maintain its growth path, along with the livestock sector, added Sec. Alcala. Fisheries production, accounting for 18.5% of total farm output, declined by 3.5% due to a self-imposed moratorium from November 2010 to February 2011 by commercial and municipal fishermen in Sulu Sea off ity and circulation. In Taal Lake, nine lakeshore areas (eight towns and one city) were affected, led by Talisay where 895 tons of fish (worth P78 million) from 136 fish cages died, representing less than one-half of the total fish killed (2,056 tons) from 339 fish cages worth P144 million. Zamboanga Peninsula. This is where they catch herring (tamban), which is processed into bottled and canned sardines. Sec. Alcala said such temporary decline may be considered a good news as the country will expect sustained fish production particularly in Mindanao. He therefore urged other commercial and municipal fishermen in other parts of the country to follow the example of Mindanao fishermen by setting aside a no fishing season or moratorium, particularly during fish spawning and breeding season. Finally, average farmgate prices outstripped inflation by registering an increase of 8.3%, indicating real farm income growth, Sec. Alcala concluded. Unfortunately, those in Talisay and other lakeshore towns did not take heed. The DA-BFAR Region 4-A fish health monitoring team, at the Inland Fisheries Research Station (IFRS) in Ambulong,Tanauan City, said two weeks prior to the fish kill occurrence, heavy rains were experienced at Taal Lake and lakeshore towns. This has caused an overturn, where relatively heavier cold rainwater settled down the lake, subsequently pushing up the lighter warm water at the bottom. As the water overturns or upswells it carried with it sediments and relatively un-oxygenated lakewater, causing asphyxiation that drowned the fishes. The BFAR-IFRS team has earlier warned members of the Taal Lake Alliance Inc. during their May 12 general assembly of lakes deteriorating water quality. The alliance has 1,000 fisher-members. The IFRS conducts monthly monitoring of the Taal Lakes water quality parameters like temperature, transparency, color, pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, nitrite, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and hardness, including weather condition and wind direction. On May 23, heavy rains fell on Taal Lake and lakeshore
(Pls turn to p11)

DA lends 50 pumps ... (from p1)

The DA through its Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will also distribute over 1 million bangus and tilapia fingerlings to affected fishfarmers in Taal Lake and Pangasinan, once the oxygen level in their respective areas have improved. Newly-appointed BFAR national director Atty. Asis Perez said fish cage owners may temporarily keep their harvested fish for free at the DAs Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) cold storage facilities in Navotas (which has a capacity of up to 100 tons) and in Lucena (with a capacity of 40 to 70 tons). He said the fish kill incidents in Taal Lake and Pangasinan were due to lack of dissolved oxygen and overstocking. Perez said in Pangasinan, particularly in Kakiputan Channel between Anda and Bolinao, it was more due to overstocking and improper fish cage management. In Taal Lake, the lack of oxygen in the water was aggravated by too many illegal fish cages, and some are oversized. The prescribed dimensions are 10 meters by 10 meters and six meters deep. Perez said some fish cages are circular, which are double than the 10m x 10m square cages. W orse, other cages are up to 15 meters deep. The provincial government of

A worker repairs the net of a circular fish cage in Talisay, Batangas, where fish kill was most prevalent. (BFAR photo)
cages are installed along the narrow Kakiputan Channel. Another factor is that fishfarmers stocked more fish into their cages in their desire to earn more profit, Perez said. The recommended density for closed water systems like Taal Lake is 20 pieces per cubic meter. For open waters, it could go up to 30 fish per cubic meter or more, depending on water qual In Anda and Bolinao, Pangasinan, some 39 tons of fish (mostly bangus) died worth P37 million. Two weeks prior to the Taal Lake fish kill on May 27, 2011, mostly involving fish cages in Talisay, Batangas, the DA-BFAR has advised fish cage owners and operators during a meeting of Taal Lake Alliance Inc. of the lakes poor water quality.

May 2011

DA launches white corn program to ease pressure on rice

The Department of Agriculture is implementing a white corn production and advocacy program, alloting an initital P40 million, aimed encouraging more Filipinos to eat white corn grits or bigas na puting mais, and complement rice as a maj or staple. Agriculture assistant secretary (A/Sec) for field operations Edilderto de Luna, who is concurrent national corn program coordinator, said white corn grits is currently the staple food of about 14 million Filipinos, particularly in Visayas and Mindanao. He said the DAs Agri-Pinoy white corn program aims to more than double the per capita consumption of white corn grits from the current eight kilograms (kg) to 18 kg by 2016. To provide the needed supply, the DA aims to increase the production of white corn from 2.18 million metric tons (MMT) in 2010 to 2.76 MMT in 2016. He said nutrition and wellness experts recommend consumption of white corn grits, as it has a low glycemic index (GI), making it slower to digest, thereby releasing its glucose gradually into the blood stream, thus lessening the risk of diabetes. Medical experts say diabetes is a leading degenerative disease. Roughly 4.6 percent of the population or about 3.5 million Filipinos are diabetics. Meanwhile, A/Sec de Luna said the DA has been funding production of high-yielding varieties of white corn through the Institute of Plant Breeding of the University of the Philippines in Los Banos (IPB-UPLB), and plans to sustain it on a yearly basis. The IPB is propagating IPB Var 6, whose yield is nearly comparable to commercial white corn hybrid, said IPB deputy director Dr. Artemio M. Salazar, who formerly served as DAs national corn program coordinator. He said field trials show IPB Var 6 can produce an average of 5.84 metric tons (MT) per hectare (ha), in Luzon; 5.45 MT/ha in Visayas, and 4.47 MT/ha in Mindanao. He said last year, the IPB, given a P15-M budget from the DA corn program, produced some 10,000 bags (18 kilos per bag) of foundation and registered white corn seeds. This year, with a P25-M budget, the agency is tasked to produce 22,000 bags. The IPB said one-half of these seeds have already been distributed to DA regional offices nationwide for mass propagation and then distribution to farmers. Moreover, under a proposed program for a continuing seed production, the DA will release P7 million yearly over the next five years. Our aim is to bring technologies to the boondocks where there are many people who dont have much to eat, said Salazar, who is also head of the national corn research, development, and extension network. One does not need capital-intensive irrigation facilities, because corn grows wherever there is rain. The only other thing we have to provide farmers is a corn mill, Salazar said. The IPB has developed an inexpensive and mobile mini corn mill, which costs P100,000. It can process 100 kilos of corn grains per hour. For an eightage consumption of 300 grams per day. In all, he said white corn production will provide upland farmers additional incomes, but also provide them and those in urban areas a healthy substitute for rice. Compared with rice, white corn is definitely more nutritious, as it has more protein, lysine, tryptophan, dietary fiber, minerals, and antioxidants. Eventually, as more Filipinos eat white corn, it would lessen the demand for rice, Salazar concluded.

Cagayan Valley sets to ... (from p5)

Another factor is that more farmers are using modern sustainable production technologies a result of the establishment of technology demonstration farms in 262 sites, benefitting 12,584 farm ers, Alviar said. As a result of these efforts, the regions first semester palay har vest is projected to reach 1.223 million MT, which is 31.4 % more than last years output of 930,999 MT and 0.6% more than in 2009 (1.216 million MT) for the same six-month period. Corn harvest is expected to top 852,239 MT, 114% or more than double last years yield of 397,417 MT, and 5.6% more than in 2009 (807,290 MT), during the first semester. Alviar said 2010 is an abnormal year, as prolonged drought caused by El Nio phenomenon reduced production of rice, corn and most crops. Thus, it is better to compare this years production with 2009, Alviar noted. Cagayan Valley produced 1.746 million MT of palay in 2010, representing 11% of national output (15.77 million MT). In 2009, its contribution was bigger at 12.8% (2.077 million MT) of total national yield (16.27 million MT). Region 2 ranks third behind Central Luzon (Region 3) and Western Visayas (Region 6), in terms of rice production. In 2009, Regions 3 and 6 contributed 17.2% and 13.6%, respectively, to national palay production. Last year, the two regions shared 18.8% and 11.4%, respectively, to total harvest.

sokonii.files.wordpress.com

hour operation, the corn mill can turn out enough corn grits for more than 1,000 people (population in a barangay), at an aver-

Sec. Alcala commends hundreds of Oriental Mindoro farmers and fishers at the 1st Probinsya Negosyo Farmers Congress, held May 6, at Pinamalayan, for their continuing efforts to sustain the development of their agriculture, fishery and livestock sectors. He assured them that the DA will complement their perseverance and hardship by providing the needed technical and marketing support their bring in more projects that will cover fisheries, rice and corn.

Cagayan Valley sets to post record rice, corn harvests in 1st sem 2011
Fueled by sustained government interventions like expansion of irrigated areas and use of quality seeds, and blessed with good weather, Cagayan Valley (Region 2) is expected to produce record harvests of palay (unmilled rice) and corn for the first semester of the year. In a report to Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, DA Region 2 Director Lucrecio Alviar, Jr. said total regional harvest of palay and corn is estimated to reach 1.223 million metric tons (MT), and 852,239 MT, respectively, for the six months of the year. The projected harvests will be the highest to date versus other first semester regional rice and corn outputs, Alviar reported during the visit of Sec. Alcala in Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya, May 18-19, 2011. Sec. Alcala said Cagayan Valleys record rice and corn harvests buttresses governments goal to attain self-sufficiency in rice by end of 2013. He commended the DA familys sustained efforts in partnerships with Cagayan Valley farmers groups, local government officials and other industry stakeholders, during an Irrigators Association (IA) congress in Cauayan City, Isabela, attended by 2,000 officers and members of 363 IAs served by the Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS), one of the major irrigation systems supervised by the DA-National Irrigation Admin istration (NIA). The NIA-MARIIS irrigates more than 80,000 hectares and bene fits more than 64,000 farmers in Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and

Sec. Procy Alcala responds to farmers queries during an Irrigators Association (IA) Congress in Cauayan City, Isabela, attended by 2,000 officers and members of 363 IAs served by the Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS), one of the countrys major irrigation systems supervised by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). MARIIS irrigates more than 80,000 hectares and benefits more than 64,000 farmers in Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino provinces. With him during the affair were Isabela Governor Faustino Dy III, DA Region 2 Director Lucrecio Alviar, Jr., and NIA Administrator Antonio Nangel.
Quirino. Sec. Alcala said as irrigation is the lifeblood of agriculture, we will continue to allot and seek more resources to vigorously pursue the repair and rehabilitation of existing irrigation systems, and construction of big systems and small water impounding projects (SWIPs)all to attain self-sufficiency in rice by end of 2013. In Cagayan Valley, such efforts are paying off, as an additional 7,000 hectares were irrigated during the first semester of 2011, said NIA administrator Antonio Nangel. Additional areas irrigated duri ng dry season reached 6,252 hectares, served by national and community irrigation systems, while 830 hectares were irrigated through SWIPs. Alviar said as of middle of May, only about 3.4% (about 11,000 hectares) of rice farms and 1.4% (3,100 hectares) of corn areas remain to be harvested on or before June 30, 2011. He said for the first semester the total area planted to rice in Cagayan Valley was 298,661 hectares, while for corn, 215,970 hectares. He said the other major factor that contributed to the recordbreaking rice harvest is that more and more farmers are now using quality seeds with . 150,175 hectares planted to certified seeds, and 20,269 hectares to hybrid seeds.
(Pls turn to p4)

BOC seizes smuggled onions in Davao

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on May 26 seized eight (40footer) container vans of smuggled onions at Davao Port. Davao BOC officer Edmundo Magdaraog said the onion shipment from China has no import permit from the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), and thus is illegal. The onions weigh about 130 tons, with a retail value of P6.4 million. It was consigned to Red Jaguar Merchandise, a Davaobased company that regularly imports onions from China. Magdaraog said previous importatis by Red Jaguar were covered by valid phyto-sanitary certifications (PSC) from the country of origin and had prior clearance from BPI quarantine. This is their first time to get a shipment without necessary clearance, Magdaraog said. Davao BPI quarantine officer Ramon Miloria said the DA-BPI since late last year has not issued any onion import permit. The DA has done so to protect the welfare of Filipino onion farmers. If we allow import of onions, our farmers will suffer because of unfair competition, Miloria said. He said the smuggled onions have no required PSC from China, thus there is danger of diseases which can be harmful to both human and the local crops. The Davao BOC said the seized onions will be disposed off by burying it under the ground. (EgDeligero, DA Davao)

Department of Agriculture-XI Plant Quarantine Chief Ramon B. Milloria (left) and Bureau of Customs District Collector Edmundo B. Magdaraog show to the media a few samples of the eight (40footer) container-full of smuggled onions during a press conference held this morning at the Bureau of Customs Office, km 10, Sasa, Davao City.(Photo by Socorro R. Supino/Rafid XI) May 2011

Efrren T. Millare San Juan, Abra Integrated Rice Farmer

Catuguing Palayamanan 4H Working Youth Club San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte Young Farmers Organization Ambrosio Acosta La Trinidad, Benguet Organic Farmer

Michael W. Lumas-i Tabuk, Kalinga Hybrid Rice Farmer

Catalino V. Ordinario, Jr. Antequera, Bohol Coconut Farmer

Edita A. Dacuycuy Burgos, Ilocos Norte High Value Crops Farmer

Rodrigo Basallo Cataanan, CDO, Misamis Oriental Fisherfolk (fish culture)

Elnard S. Ympal San Juan, Siquijor Young Farmer

Dingras Ilocos Norte MAFC Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Council (MAFC)

Jose F. Lorenzo Tupi, South Cotabato Corn Farmer Florencia Cabauatan Warat, Piat Cagayan Sugarcane Farmer Eduarda V. Ayo Capuy, Sorsogon City Agri-Entrepreneur magsasaka at mangingisda. Hindi naman po siguro maikakailang unti-unti na tayong tumatanda. Kaya naman, mahalaga na ang inyong kaalaman, ang mga butil ng inyong karanasan ay maipasa sa bagong henerasyon ng mga kabataan. Sa paraan pong ito, patuloy nating mapapalago ang agrikultura ng bansa, na siya namang magbubunga ng mas matiwasay, mas maunlad at mas payapang Pilipinas na ipapamana natin sa susunod na salin-lahi. Isama na rin po natin yung dasal -- dahil alam naman po ninyo maski anong galing at tama ng ating paggagawa, pag tayo naman poy dinalaw ng dalawamput-tatlong bagyo sa maling panahon, tapos po ang ating pinaghirapan. Pero may awa po ang Diyos. Kilalanin na lang po natin na kailangan tayong tumawag sa Kanya at humingi ng tulong. Iyong atin, gawin natin. Yung sa Diyos, Siya na po ang bahala sa atin. Marami pong salamat. Mabuhay po tayo lahat!

Quezon Province PAFC Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council (PAFC) Ramon M. Grimaldo Atimonan, Quezon Fisherfolk (fish capture) Mr. & Mrs. Abias Rosalita and Family Valencia, Bukidnon Farm Family San Quintin Abra Federated RIC Inc. San Quintin, Abra Barangay Food Terminal (Non-LGU)

Gawad Saka Awardees: Taga-punla ng inspirasyon at pag-asa

kanyang mga kawani, ang mga reporma at inobasyon sa kanilang Kagawaran. Lipas na po ang panahon ng mga farm-to-market road at ibang proyektong imprastraktura na hindi binubusisi nang husto. Ngayon po, ang isinasagawa natin mga proyekto ay pinagiisipan at nakatuon sa pangangailangan at kapakipakinabang o kapakipakinabangan ng taumbayan. Pinabilis na rin natin ang paghahatid natin ng serbisyo. Ginawa nating mas simple ang pagkuha ng permit at lisensya ng mga trader ng fiber at fiber products. Dahil sa mas maayos na sistema, ang processing time na dati-rating inaabot ng tatlong tulog ay matatapos na sa loob lamang ng tatlumpung minute... Mas pinalawak na rin natin ang konsultasyon sa mga probinsya at rehiyon, katuwang ang mga lokal na gobyerno at iba pang grupo. Nais nating tiyakin na tumutugon sa tunay na pangangailangan ng kanayunan ang anumang plano, programa, at proyekto ng pamahalaan. Gaya po ng madalas kong sinasabi: walang sinuman ang maiiwan sa pagtahak natin tungo sa mas masaganang bukas. Gagamitin din natin, sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, ang makabagong teknolohiya ng Geographic Information System (GIS) para sa tinatawag na precision agriculture. Isa sa mga bahagi ng GIS ang pagbuo ng National Farmers Registry System, mistulang census ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda sa buong bansa na pasisimulan sa Quezon, Leyte at Bukidnon isa po sa Luzon, isa po sa Visayas, isa po sa Mindanao... Ang mga nakakalap na impormasyon mula sa bawat

(from p2)

magsasaka, kabilang na ang uri ng sinasakang pananim at lawak ng lupang sinasaka, ay gagamitin po natin upang makapagsagawa ng mas komprehensibong programa at kapaki-pakinabang na serbisyo. Upang maging matagumpay po ang mga inisyatibang ito, tinatawagan ko ang mga kawani ng gobyerno at ang sektor ng pagsasaka at pangingisda: samahan ninyo ako sa pagtahak sa tuwid na landas. Gawin nating ehemplo ang mga Gawad Saka awardees sa inaasahang dedikasyon, dynamismo at propesyunalismo mula sa inyo po. Talaga naman pong pagbabago na ang natatanglaw natin ngayon. Maging gabay nawa ang liwanag ng mabuti nating pamamahala upang magtuloy-tuloy na ang ating pag-unlad bilang isang bansa. Huwag niyo po sanang mamasamain kung magbahagi ako ng isang munting mungkahi sa magigiting nating mga

Leonora D. Jukni Datagan, Pagadian City Large Animal Raiser

Diffun Saranay & Development Cooperative Diffun, Quirino Small Farmers Organization MLGU of San Miguel Catanduanes Barangay Food Terminal (LGU Operated)

Hanani Nietes Manticao, Misamis Oriental Small Animal Raiser

Sinamar Norte San Mateo, Isabela Rural Improvement Club

Tiwi MFARMC, Albay Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council

May 2011

Green lawyer heads BFAR, vows to wage war vs illegal fishers

The newly appointed director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vows to combat destructive fishing methods and the continuous intrusion of commercial fishers into municipal waters all over the country. Asis Perez, an environmental lawyer from Tiaong, Quezon, took his oath of office before Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala. He assumes his new post on June 1, 2011, replacing BFAR assistant director Gil Adora, who served as officer-in-charge, when long-time director, Atty. Malcolm I. Sarmiento, Jr., retired April 27, 2011. Commercial fishers have permits and licenses issued by the BFAR. We will strictly monitor that the rules surrounding their fishing activities are being followed, Perez said after being sworn in. A former executive director of Tanggol Kalikasan (Defense of Nature), a public interest environmental law office, Perez won the 2010 Clark R. Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement Award. He is also the in-country representative of the US Department of the Interior, which he will relinquish upon assuming the BFAR post. Perez also earned the recognition of the Species Survival Network (SSN), a global coalition of 82 organizations from more than 30 countries as true protectors of wildlife resources. As BFAR head, Perezs top priority will be the strict implementation of fishery laws to protect the countrys remaining marine resources. The agency is quite small to meet the task at hand, he said. To meet the demands of his office, he said he would work to strengthen the capacity of its workers. The DA-BFAR is responsible for the development, improvement, management and conservation of the countrys fisheries and aquatic resources. It was reconstituted as a line bureau by virtue of Republic Act No. 8550 (Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998). The militant fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) has

Sec. Alcala swears into office new Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) director, Atty. Asis Perez. He succeeded Atty. Malcolm Sarmiento, Jr., who retired April 2011.

charged that RA 8550 failed to protect the livelihood of fishermen and the marine environment. It has assailed the blatant inTwo DA agencies -- the Butrusion of commercial fishing vessels into the 15-kilometer munici- reau of Soils and Water Manpal waters which are reserved for agement (BSWM) and Bureau small fishermen. (Delfin T. Mallari of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) -- will partner Jr., Inquirer Southern Luzon) to tranform Small W ater Impounding Projects (SWIPs) into PalayCheck eyed as platform fishponds, too. BSW M Executive Director for quality rice certification Silvino Tejada said the joint PalayCheck--an integrated Practices (GAP) certification in project with BFAR will provide farm-families not only additional rice production management rice in Asia. This was bared by Dr. Karen food (tilapia) but also extra insystem implemented by the Department of Agriculture Eloisa Barroga of DA-PhilRice, comes. The BSW M-BFAR project-through the Philippine Rice Re- who represented the country at search Institute (PhilRice)--is a recent symposium on GAP for known as SWIP-based Aquacseen as a possible platform for rice in Southeast Asia, in ulture Livelihood Project--started in April 2011, as instructed by advancing Good Agricultural Bangkok, Thailand. She said the symposium tack- Agriculture Secretary Proceso led the promotion of best prac- J. Alcala. Tejada said the project will tices for rice production as a platform for rice GAP in Asia to en- cover 436 SWIPs nationwide, sure sustainability, safety, and benefitting about 22,300 farm quality in rice production while families. It will be implemented initially strengthening farmers competenin four provinces, where most cies in the market. She shared with other foreign SWIPs are located: Cagayan, participants that PalayCheck Isabela, Quirino and Nueva observes GAP on seed quality, Vizcaya. Aside from BFAR, Tejada said land preparation, crop establishment, and proper management of the other project partners are the nutrient, water, pest, and harvest. host local government units She said PalayCheck was de- (LGUs) and SW IP irrigators veloped by DA-PhilRice, in part- associations. The BFAR, aside from pronership with the UN Food and Agriculture Orgn., farmers, and viding tilapia fingerlings, will asLGUs, including the Irrigated Rice sess the feasibility of existing Sec. Procy Alcala commits to work closely with farmers and other SWIPs, if these can viably supResearch Consortium (IRRC). stakeholders (below) to attain the goals of the dairy industry roadmap Barroga is chief of PhilRices port tilapia raising. at the 14th Dairy Congress , May 12, in Davao City. Among those For their part, the farmer-benDevelopment Communication Dishown at the head table (above, from left) are: vice chair Antonio vision and one of palaycheck eficiaries will safeguard, moniManikan of Dairy Confederation of the Phils. (DairyConfed); chair main proponents in the country. tor and maintain the project. Mezraim Melchor of Federation of Davao Dairy Farmers' CooperaSWIPs are small-scale irrigaThe Bangkok meeting was tives; Davao City Agriculturist Leo Avila; chair Danilo Fausto of , funded by the International Rice tion systems established in arDairyConfed; ADministrator Grace Cenas of the DA-National Dairy Research Institute and co-orga- eas that cannot be covered by Authority; USDA Agriculture Counselor Phillip Shull; and former nized by Rice Department of Thai- national irrigation systems. Pnagasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco. (BSWM) land and IRRC.

SWIPs will double as fishponds, too

Bicol hosts 1st BFT Summit

As one of the highlights of the Farmers and Fisherfolks Month celebration, the Department of Agriculture in Bicol Region conducted the 1st Barangay Food Terminal (BFT) Summit on May 16-17, 2011. The activity, spearheaded by the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, showcased various products of the different BFTs in the region, and served as a venue for sharing the good practices and success stories of BFT operators and for establishing linkages, and networking with farmers and fishers groups, and other food suppliers and institutional buyers. The summit--which adopted the theme: BFT on the Go-featured a mini-fair with tiangge, and a sharing session on good practices and lessons learned. A workshop was also held where participants discussed the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the BFTs, other issues and concerns, and identify strategies to further strengthen the operation of BFTs. Mayor Edna R. Bernal of San Miguel, Catanduanes shared the success story and experiences of the LGUoperated BFT in their municipality, adj udged as national Gawad Saka awardee as Outstanding Barangay Bagsakan for 2010. Nicolas Beda Priela, business consultant and former chairperson of the Camarines Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry shared some tips on doing successful business. A fellowship night capped the 1st day of the summit at the DARFU5 RIARS training center to foster camaraderie among the BFT operators and stakeholders DA regional director Jose V. Dayao enj oined the BFTs to continue offering rurlafolk with affordable, safe and quality food products like meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, rice and basic commodities. He said the BFTs also help farmers and fishermen sell their products directly to consumers at a very reasonable price. He urged Bicol farmers, fishers and local officials to continue supporting the agricultural programs of the Aquino government. To date, there are 82 BFTs in Bicol region, managed or operated by cooperatives, barangay or municipal councils, and other rural based organizations. To qualify as a BFT operator, an interested group should provide the site and the building or structure. For its part, the DA provides the basic equipment. These include two chest freezers, two chillers,

DA Region 5 Regional Director Jose V. Dayao (left) and Lenny Pecson of DA-AMAS cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the 1st Barangay Food Terminal Summit in Bicol region. Assisting them DA-5 RTD Edgar Madrid and BFAR5 RD Dennis Del Socorro. 25 plastic crates, five weighing scales, styrofoam boxes and calculators, including an operating capital. The 1st day of the summit also coincided with the culmination of the nine-day novena held at the DA-RFU 5 chapel in honor of St. Isidore, the patron Saint of farmers. The occasion was graced by Ms. Lenny Pecson, who represented Engineer Leandro A. Gazmin, director of the DA Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Services. W ith her was Jocelyn Palisada, also of DA-AMAS. Also present were DA-RFU 5 regional technical directors Elena B. de los Santos (Operations and Extension) and Dr. Edgar Madrid (Research and Regulatory), BFAR region 5 director Dennis del Socorro, Maria Elvira Martinez, assistant region 5 director of the National Food Authority, and members of the local media. The province of Catanduanes recorded the highest sales during the 2-day tiangge in the amount of P32,363. Meanwhile, the booth of the Albay delegation was adjudged best booth. (Emily Bordado, DA
5 Info Div. Chief)

Tissue culture ensures strawberry farmers clean planting materials

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet Tissue cultured strawberries have given strawberry production a new lease on life. In the past, strawberry producers in La Trinidad would contract fellow farmers for their planting materials, said Joan D. Bacbac, an agriculturist at the DA Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). Usually the planting materials come from different varieties, and farmers are not concerned if these are clean or not, she added. Today, such practive will be a thing of the past, as the DACARFU and the local government unit of La Trinidad recently collaborated to teach farmers how to produce clean planting materials through tissue culture. She said they showed how planting materials imported either from Japan or the United States are studied and evaluated in the nursery. Once these are found to possess the desired qualities, runners are taken from selected plants and are used as mother plant for tissue culture. Explaining the whole process, Ms. Bacbac said that with the use of a microscope, they would get the tip of the runner or meristem and plant these in test tubes using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. After a month, the meristems are cut and transferred into new bottles. Ms. Bacbac said that a single meristem could produce up to 200 or more meristems in six months depending on their ability to proliferate. She and her group do not exceed, however, the six cutting stages in order to ensure that the desired qualities of the plant are maintained. Once transferred into the nursery, and upon the development of roots, these explants become the mother plants from which runners will ensue. The tissue culture protocol for strawberry was patterned after that used for banana to prevent the spread of bunchy top virus. With tissue culture, DA-CAR researchers thought of controlling mites, the leading pest of strawberries, but it also led to other incidental benefits. Now in its second year, the production and distribution system for clean planting materials for strawberries did not only lessen the incidence of pest and diseases, but also improved yield.

A plant produced from tissue-cultured mother plants could produce about 400 grams of fruit per plant, compared to a non-tissue cultured plant which could only produce about 200 grams. It also eliminated defective farming practices, among which is the use of mother plants to bear berries, instead of using runners. It also enhanced organization among farmers, inasmuch as DA-CAR would only sell planting materials to growers associations. In the past, any grower could buy directly from DA-CAR. Further, the system of transferring planting materials enhances communication between local authorities and the farmers, and facilitates the conduct of trainings for greater productivity.

May 2011

Secretary Alcalas travelogue for the month of May 2011

The month of May was a flurry of activities for the Department of Agriculture, that took Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala to the island of Mindoro, to a Dairy Congress and Expo in Davao. He would later unveil multi-million projects in the Cagayan Valley Region and in Infanta Quezon, side by side with a trip to Cebu and various Manila locations for administrative, policy, and development programs. Before the month was over, Secretary Alcala, along with President Benigno S. Aquino III, honored farmers, fishers and rural-based organizations at the 2009-2010 Gawad Saka awarding ceremonies at Malacanan Palace. The detailed calendar of activities of Secretary Alcala is as follows: May 6 - Mindoro Oriental Negosyo Farmers Congress, Abada Gym, Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro; Raffled off 100 sacks of certified seeds, 50 head of piglets and two hand tractors to farmer-attendees; Visited a tilapia hatchery in Barcega, Naujan at the BFAR compound; Led the inauguration of a Fish Health Center and dialogued with fisherfolk and BFAR employees; Visited ATI MIMAROPA Center; Consulted with the ROSACARA ARB coffee farmers association; and Visited an agricultural techno-demo center. May 12 - Davao City

Turned over 7 million tilapia fingerlings to Nueva Vizcaya fishers through Gov. Luisa Cuaresma; Visited Omallo strawberry and lettuce farms in Bgy. Malico, Sta. Fe, Nueva, Vizcaya, where he was adopted as an honorary son of the Kalanguya indigenous tribe for his contributions to the agricultural community; Dinner meeting with Nueva Vizcaya local officials, led by Gov. Cuaresma, DA Region 2 family agency officials.
May 25 - Mandaluyong City

Attended a budget meeting on the Agri-Fishery 2025 Summit, Club Filipino, Greenhills, Mandaluyong City.
May 26 - Makati City

Delivered a message at the 1st Probinsya

Attended a meeting of the Congressional Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization (COCAFM), New World Hotel, Makati
May 27 - Quezon City

Attended a Media Forum, Rembrant Hotel, Quezon City

May 28 - Cebu City

Had a breakfast meeting with Phil Carabao Center Dir. Libertado Cruz, National Dairy Authority Grace Cena, DA Region 11 Dir. Oscar Parawan and other DA officials on the cost-benefit analysis of live animal versus embryo transfer importation; Delivered keynote speech at the 14th Dairy Congress & Expo 2011, Davao Convention and Trade Center, where he committed to work closely with the stakeholders to attain the goals of the dairy industry roadmap; May 30 - Infanta, Quezon Joined the local media for a press conference; Met with the Regions organic agriculture practitioners at the Delivered a message and signed a memorandum of Grand Menseng Hotel and discussed the issues and concerns understanding for the REINA (Real-Infanta-Nakar) Local of the organic industry. Convergence Agro-enterprise Cluster and ceremonial turn-over of the REINA local convergence agro-enterprise cluster investment plan in close coordination with the DA-DAR-DENR May 18-19 - Isabela & Nueva Vizcaya Convergence Initiative; Signed a memorandum of agreement between the DA and Delivered a message to 2,000 officers and members of 363 Gawad Kalinga on a food sufficiency and wealth creation project, Irrigators Associations (IAs), being served by the Magat River where DA funded P21.7M for agricultural inputs, infrastructure Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS), at the Isabela IA Congress and training activities, while GK provided P8.19M for community in Cauayan City, Isabela. Also present were by Isabela Governor development, advocacy, and regular monitoring and evaluation; Signed a MOA between the National Convergence Initiative Faustino Dy III, DA Region 2 Director Lucrecio Alviar, Jr., and NIA for Sustainable Rural Development and Kabang Kalikasan ng administrator Antonio Nangel; known as the World Visited and watched farmers practice on threshing and drying Pilipinas Foundation, Inc (KKPFI), alsoand showcase working Wide Fund for Nature-Phils. to develop munggo in Brgy. San Ignacio in San Mateo, Isabela; convergence models; Delivered a message at the 3rd Balatong Festival in San Mateo, Distributed to Quezon farmers through the Provincial Isabela, where he turned over 100,000 tilapia fingerlings, 10 units government coconut planting materials from PCA; coffee, cacao, gillnets to San Ignacio Fisherfolk Organization; Awarded Munggo vegetable and banana production support from the DA-HVCDP; Packaging & Processing Plant to Rural Improvement Club (RIC) seedlings and farm equipment from the DA-Region IV-A; abaca Cooperative of Brgy. San Marcos; Awarded a Greenhouse to production support from FIDA; institutional capacity-building in support of credit programs from ACPC; construction of trading LGU of San Mateo to intensify crop development; Inaugurated Nagbitin Development Cooperative (NADECO) post from DA-AMAS; and farm mechanization and postharvest Warehouse and Mechanical Dryer in Brgy. Nagbitin, Villaverde, equipment from PhilMech. Distributed fishing gears, paraphernalia, and fish seeds from Nueva Vizcaya; BFAR; committed to undertake community-based organic Inaugurated and turned over Trading Post & Barangay Food agriculture and agro-forestry projects from BAR, including Terminal to KinGBiKS Farmers Marketing Cooperative in Brgy. trainings and capability building activities by ATI; committed to Kinabuan; provide crop insurance coverage courtesy of PCIC; implement Turned over fish cages and tilapia fingerlings to fishers in Gulayan sa Paaralan project by BPI; and distribute draft animals Dupax del Norte and Dupax del Sur; to qualified farmers courtesy of LDC. 10

Dialogued with farmer-leaders and local officials during the Irrigators Associations (IAs) and Small Water Impounding Systems Association Consultative Workshop Cluster III, comprising of Visayas Region (VI, VII and VIII) at Sarrosa International Hotel. This is part of a series of nationwide consultations, spearheaded by the DA national rice program, to establish stronger partnerships with IAs nationwide to successfully achieve rice production targets this year and through 2013 and 2016.

Entire Philippines is now FMD-free ...

Catbagan, May 26, 2011, in Paris, France, during the 79 th general session of the OIE. The certificate was signed by OIE president Dr. Carlos A. Correa Messuti and director-general Bernard Vallat. Catbagan said the countrys FMD-free status also augurs well for the domestic livestock industry, as livestock and swine raisers and meat processors can now freely transport and trade live animals and livestock and pork products within the country. He said the free movement and transport will enhance productivity, particularly in improving, upgrading and increasing current livestock herd and swine population.

(from p1)

DA lends 50 pumps ... (from p1)

towns. The following day, tilapia and small gobies were seen dead floating at Palsara River in Balete town. Investigation showed that the run-off rainwater contained high levels of ammonia and nitrite. Likewise, animal wastes from nearby swine farms were seen carried down by the blackish-brown colored river current. On May 26, blackish-brown water was seen over a wider area at the eastern side of the lake. W ater temperature, transparency and pH were at critical levels, indicating overturn is imminent. Initial reports showed about 500 kilograms of goby, shrimp, kataba, cardinal fish, and tilapia were affected in Cuenca. On May 27, lakewater overturn and fish kill occurred, affecting an initial 375 metric tons worth P3 million. The BFAR-IFRS team issued an advisory through text and phone calls to different municipalities recommending emergency harvest of marketablesized bangus and tilapia. On May 28, water quality parameters were still critical. Bad smell and oily waters were evident. Dead tilapia were floating over a wide area in ManalawSubic Ilaya. On May 30, BFAR issued a fish kill advisory to the municipal offices of affected towns like Talisay, Agoncillo, San Nicolas, Mataas na Kahoy, Laurel and Balete, including the Batangas provincial DENR office or PGENRO. In all, as of May 31, a total of 89 Taal Lake operators, with 501 units of fish cages, and over 1,840 MT of tilapia and bangus worth roughly P137 million were affected.

Zone 2 covers four regions (1, 3, 4-A, and NCR), particularly 12 provinces and 17 cities and towns in Metro Manila or NCR. The 12 provinces are Pangasinan (Region 1); Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, and Bataan (Region 3); and Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (Region 4-A). The other four zones of the country previously declared and recognized by OIE as FMD-free without vaccination are: Zones 1 and 3 in May 25, 2010; Visayas, Palawan and Masbate Zone in 2002; and Mindanao in 2001. Zone 1 (North Luzon) includes Cordillera Administrative Region (Abra, Apayao, Benguet,Baguio City, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mt. Province), Region 1 (Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and La Union), Region 2 (Batanes,
Cagayan, Isabela Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino), and Region 3 (Aurora). Zone 3 (South Luzon) covers Region 4-B (Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro and Romblon), Region 5 (Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes and Sorsogon).

Visayas Zone covers all provinces in Regions 6, 7, and 8, including Palawan and Masbate. Mindanao Zone covers all the Nueva Vizcaya emerges ... (from p12) six regions (9, 10, 11, 12, CARAGA or 13, and ARMM) and in Benguet, and the Nueva mercy of usurers and traders, 29 provinces. Vizcaya Agricultural Trading Cen- hence they were forced to sell their products at very low prices. ter. All our produce before were P-Noy forms ... (from p12) Kinabuan Barangay chairman Teodoro Bumacas, who led the delivered to the traders, who dicergy (DOE), science and technol- organization of KinGBiKS, said tated the buying price, which was ogy (DOST), and tourism (DOT). Dupax Del Sur produces one-third far below the prevailing market Human development and of total vegetable production in price. We cant do anything, but poverty reduction Chair: Dept Nueva Vizcaya. The rest comes accept the 70-30% financerof Social W elfare and Devt from Dupax del Norte and Kasibu farmer sharing scheme, he la(DSWD) mented. towns. Secretariat: National Anti-PovFed up with the injustice, the Dupax del Sur has 10,000 hecterty Commission (NAPC) ares planted to various crops, of farmers organized themselves Members: DA, DILG, DBM, which about 1,500 hectares are into an association, one each NEDA, departments of agrarian currently planted to semi-temper- from the five barangays. Thus, reform (DAR), environment and ate vegetables. KinGBiKS was born. natural resources (DENR) educaThe cooperatives plight was Bumacas said in previous tion (DepEd), health (DOH), labor years, Dupax del Sur farmers brought to the fore in Septemand employment (DOLE), Hous- were confronted with such prob- ber 2010 in Bayombong, where ing and Urban Development Co- lems as lack of technical assis- Secretary Alcala was guest of ordinating Council (HUDCC), and tance, absence of financial sup- honor and speaker at a provinCommission on Higher Education port, and poor farm-to-market cial farmers forum. (CHEd). Right then and there, Sec. roadsresulting in low production Climate change adaptation and quality of vegetables. Alcala instructed concerned DA and mitigation Chair: DENR Also, most farmers were at the unitsthe Agribusiness MarketSecretariat: Climate Change ing Assistance Service, AgriCommission Pinoy Trading Center Project Members: DA, DOST, DILG, dential Legislative Liaison Office, Management Office, and DA ReDPW H, DAR, DOE, HUDCC, and chief Presidential legal coun- gional Field Office 2to assist Dept of National Defense (DND), sel. KinGBiKS. and Metro Manila Devt Authority Security, justice and Bumacas said at first they did (MMDA). peace Chair: Sec. Ochoa not expect Sec. Alcala to make Good governance and anti- Secretariat: National Security good on his promise. corruption Chair: President Council Now, the rest is history, and Aquino Members: DILG, DND, DOJ, they have a challenge to surSecretariat: DBM Dept of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and mountto be the countrys secMembers: DOF, DILG, Dept of Presidential adviser on the peace ond major salad bowl. (Adam Justice (DOJ), head of the Presi process. (Presl News Desk) Borja, DA Info Service)

Sec. Procy Alcala (right) answers a query from mediapersons at a Balitaan media forum, Rembrandt Hotel, Quezon City, hosted by broadcast journalist Erick San Juan (left). Among the topics he discussed was the recent declaration of the entire Philippines as free from the dreaded foot and mouth disease (FMD) without vaccination by the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) or World Organization for Animal Health.

May 2011

11

P-Noy forms 5 cabinet clusters; DA chief is member of 3 clusters

President Benigno S. Aquino III recently formed five Cabinet clusters, composed of the respective heads of executive departments and cabinet-level administration offices, to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and focus in carrying out government programs and policies. Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. said President Aquino believes it is more productive and efficient to meet Cabinet secretaries on specific concerns rather than have officials join meetings on concerns that do not involve their portfolios. The five clusters created under Executive Order No. 43, signed by President Aquino on May 13, 2011 address the following key priority areas: Economic development; Human development and poverty reduction; Climate change adaptation and mitigation; Good governance and anticorruption; and Security, justice and peace. The Department of Agriculture is a member of the first three clusters. The clusters are based on the proposals submitted by Sec. Ochoa and the Cabinet to the President during a workshop held at the beginning of 2011. The cluster system was adopted during the first Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting, on February 28, 2011. Sec. Ochoa said subsequent Cabinet meetings were organized along this line, consistent with the Presidents policy of convening the Cabinet in clusters. The cluster system will also help the President in the effective implementation of the 20112016 Philippine Development Plan, which is essentially the blueprint we will use to guide us in hitting the development targets we have set based on the 16-point agenda of the President, Sec. Ochoa said. The clusters will also serve as advisory committees for the President and shall recommend policies related to their respective clusters concerns, he added. Each cluster is chaired by a Cabinet member, with a line agency or office designated as secretariat. The Executive Secretary and the Presidential Management Staff will attend all cluster meetings, with the Executive Secretary exercising supervision over the cluster system in the performance of his general monitoring and oversight functions. Cluster chairs may also require the participation of the heads of other departments or agencies when necessary. The five clusters and their respective chairs, secretariat and members are: Economic development Chair: Dept of Finance (DOF) Secretariat National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Members: NEDA, DA, departments of budget and management (DBM), interior and local govt (DILG), trade and industry (DTI), public works and highways (DPW H), transportation and communications (DOTC), en-

Secretary Procy Alcala (right) samples lettuce grown in Barangay Kinabuan, Dupax Del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya, where the Aquino government through the DA is investing an initial P13 million to transform the town into the countrys second major salad bowl. Looking on (from left) are Dupax del Sur Mayor Romeo Magaway, Sr., Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Carlos Padilla, Robert Olinares of DA-Region 2, and farmer-leader Marcelo Baysa, who heads the KinGBiKS farmers marketing cooperative.

N. Vizcaya is countrys next salad bowl

KinGBiKS chairman Marcelo Baysa. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala turned over close to P7 million in various assistance and interventions to the KinGBiKS Farmers Marketing Cooperative, May 19, 2011. The group is composed of 200 farmers. While it was organized in 2000, it took Sec. Alcala during his visit in September 2010 to recognize KinGBiKS potentials as a maj or producer of salad vegetables. Part of the P7M given by SEc. Alcala is a P3.5-million operating fund from the DAs Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC); P3.2 million for irrigation facilities and a tramline; P50,000 worth communication facilities; and a pair of carabaos to help in land preparation. The amount is actually the second wave extended by the DA. In September 2010, when Sec. Alcala first visited Nueva Vizcaya, he committed P6M, broken down as: P3.5-M operating capital from ACPC, P1.2 million for a packinghouse and trading post with multi-purpose drying pavement; P1 million for plastic crates and weighing scales. The DA also provided assistance to KinGBiKS cooperative in the form of marketing and financial management training; a vegetable techno-demo project; and lakbay-aral to learn the operations at Sentrong Pamilihang ng Produktong Agrikultural sa Quezon, La Trinidad trading post
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Dupax del Sur, an upland town in Nueva Vizcayasome 107 kilometers southwest of Baguio City and 250 kilometers north of Manilais emerging as the countrys next salad bowl. Five of its 19 barangays, collectively known as KinGBiKS, grow semi-temperate vegetables that can compete well in quality and price with those from Benguet and in the Cordilleras. KinGBiKS is the acronym of five barangays, namely: Kinabuan, Ganao, Biruk, Kimbutan, and Sanguit Most farm-families in KinGBiKS migrated from Benguet, and thus are veteran growers of semi-temperate crops like lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, sweet peas, chayote, cucumber, tomatoes, and bell (Pls turn to p11) pepper. They also grow other crops like squash, ginger, corn and adlai. Maj ority of the KinGBiKS Sec. Procy Alcala appreciates a boy as he pounds ruralfolk belong to the Ibaloi and on dried munggo pods, in Kankanaey tribes. They migrated San Mateo, Isabela, con- in Nueva Vizcaya when San sidered as the countrys Roque Dam was constructed in munggo or balatong capi- late 1990s. Now, with a vigorous support tal. San Mateo farmers plant balatong to some from the Aquino government 7,400 hectares after rice, through the Department of Agrigiving them a gross income culture, KinGBiKS has the major of up to P50,000 per hect- elements to make their dream a are in two months time. At reality. To date, the DA has extended inset photo, Sec. Alcala is joined (from left) by a total of P13 million in operating Isabela Gov. Faustino capital, trading post, irrigation, Bojie G. Dy III, San tramline, and other equipment. Currently, some 1,500 hectares Mateo Mayor Crispina Agcaoili, DA Region 2 Dir. in the five barangays are devoted Lucrecio Alviar, and Vice to semi-temperate crops, but the Governor Rodolfo Rodito area could be further expanded to about 15,000 hectares, said T. Albano III.