Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
June 2011
Editorial
(from p1)
Pagsabay sa agos
Simula nang itinatag ang Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka, na unang tinawag na Ministerio de Agricola y Fabricacion (Ministry of Agriculture and Manufacturing), noong Hunyo 23, 1898, mahigit sa isang siglo na itong tapat na naglilingkod sa mga magsasaka, mangingisda at iba pang tagapagtaguyod ng sektor ng kanayunan. Sa loob ng mahabang panahon, di na halos matanto ang laki, lawak at bigat ng mga tungkulin iniatang sa kagawaran. Naging pangunahing misyon ng DA ang makapagdulot ng sapat at abot-kayang pagkain para sa lahat ng Pilipino. At sa kabila ng ilang ulit na pagpapalit ng pangalan nito, hindi kailanman nagbago ang prinsipyo ng kagawaran ukol sa paglilingkod. Bagkus, nanatili itong tapat sa kanyang alituntunin tungo sa mas maunlad na pagsasaka at pangingisda. Sa pagbabago ng panahon, pagbabago sa kalakaran ng mundo at pagbabago ng mga henerasyon ng mga Filipino, makikita ang mga repormang kinailangang ipatupad upang makasabay sa agos ng pagbabago ang mga kapartner natin sa pagpapa-unlad ng sektor na pinagkukunan ng pagkain ng buong bansa. Sa ngayon, lahat ng mga programang ipinatutupad ng pamahalaan ay patuloy na kumikilala sa mga pangangailangan ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Patunay dito ang pagbibigay ng pagkakataon sa mga producers na kumita ng mas malaki upang makamit ang inaasam na pag-unlad ng buhay at kabuhayan. Kaakibat ng lahat ng mga polisiya na isinasakatuparan, binibigyang-diin ang pangangalaga sa kapaligiran at kalusugan ng mga consumers kung kayat nakatuon ang DA, sa pangunguna ni Kalihim Proceso J. Alcala, na pag-ibayuhin ang organic agriculture. Naglalayon itong bawasan kung di man tuluyan na iwasan ang paggamit ng mga nakalalasong abono at pestisidyo sa mga sakahan upang mapanumbalik ang likas na taba ng lupa. Sa gitna ng mga pagbabago sa nagdaang 113 taon, nananatiling tapat na naglilingkod ang DA para sa interes ng lahat ng nakikinabang sa agrikultura dahil higit sa anumang makabagong programa, ang tanging kagustuhan ng pamahalaan ay matugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda at maitaguyod ang pangkalahatang interes ng bayan.
tation and communications, P38.6-B; agrarian reform, P16.3B; judiciary, P15.6-B. The 2012 budget is the first budget that will be fully-prepared, legislated and executed under the Aquino administration so we want to really ensure that the Aquino brand of governance is fully reflected in the National Budget, Abad said. It will be submitted to Congress on July 26, a day after the Presidents State of the Nation Address. On a sectoral basis, social services mainly basic education, public health and the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) will get P573.5-B, or 31.6% of the total proposed budget. It is 10% more than this years allocation of P521.4-B. The respective proposed budgets of other sectors are: eco-
nomic services, P442.1-B; general public services, P322.3-B; defense - P111.4-B; and debt servicing - P367.2-B. Sec. Abad said government targets a fiscal deficit of P286-B in 2012, P14-B less than this years projected deficit of P300B. More importantly, we ensured that every peso counts. First, we sustained zero-based budgeting to promote efficiency and effectiveness in spending. With this, we were able to scale-up spending on programs and projects that are aligned with the Social Contract he said. We escalated transparency and accountability in the budget, beyond requiring the disclosure of budget information. W e fleshed-out lump-sum funds in the budget, tightened the use of savings and ensured direct budgetary release to the smallest implementing units, he said. (DBM) meters high, irrigated area will cover more than 300 hectares, which could be planted twice a year. The reservoir could hold about 230,000 cubic meters of water, enough to irrigate two palay crops a year, said NIA administrator Nangel. Further, the DA will provide Itbayat farmers technical assistance and quality rice seeds to enable them to at least double their average palay harvest to three to four tons per hectare. Hence, at two croppings a year, the 300-hectare area could produce a minimum of 1,800 metric tons annually, said Nangel. Secretary Alcala said with the strong support of local officials led by Batanes Governor Vicente Gato, Rep. Henedina Abad, and Itbayat Mayor Romeo Gonzales the project could be finished ahead of time, and make Batanes
(Pls turn to p11)
NIA to ...
(from p1)
Originally, the project has an allocation of only P11-M, but Sec. Alcala increased it to P71-M when he saw during recent threeday visit (June 4 to 6) that the project could be expanded to serve more than 300 hectares. A civil engineer by profession, Sec. Alcala instructed NIA administrator Nangel to revise the project plan and budget. Through the years, Itbayat with relatively more flatlands has been Batanes main rice producer, with some 33 hectares planted to palay, producing a measly 20 to 40 cavans (1 to 2 tons) per hectare. W ith a population of 16,000 people, such harvest is obviously not enough for the entire province, said Sec. Alcala. So, with the construction and completion of a bigger reservoir, with a dam measuring 18 to 20
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 and may be downloaded from DA website: www.da.gov.ph. Interested readers may also request e-copies 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
No SRP on chicken
June 2011
Sec. Alcala (right) gladly hands over a certificate to Tago, Surigao del Sur Mayor Henrich Pimentel for the construction of a P7.5million potable water system in Gamut-Camagong that will benefit more than 3,500 residents. The project is among the various agriculture, fishery, community and infrastructure projects jointly funded by the DA, World Bank and LGUs under the DA-WB Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP). Also shown are Surigao del Sur governor Johnny Pimentel (middle), Surigao del Sur 1st District Rep. Philip Pichay (2nd from right) and DA-Caraga regional director Edna Mabeza.
Bongtod, to be operated by the Tandag Boholano Fisherman Association. The group was chosen in 2009 as a Gawad Saka national awardee for Barangay Bagsakan. He also awarded an initial P485,000 for the construction of a diversion dam in Awasian, in Tandag City which is part of the Caraga Integrated Development Program (CIDP). He also distributed 2,000 liters of foliar liquid fertilizer to three federations of irrigators associations, 1,300 bags of zinc sulfate and assorted vegetable seeds to the provincial government under Gov. Johnny T. Pimentel. Sec. Alcala will also give one sheep module (1 buck and 9 ewes) each for Tandag and Surigao cities, and two carabaos each for the 17 municipalities and two cities in Surigao del Sur. At a forum in Tandag City, Secretary Alcala enjoined Surigao del Sur provincial and municipal officials, agriculturists and planning officers to convene and craft a provincial agriculture and fishery roadmap, DA will provide counterpart funds to implement said agri-fishery master development plan. Surigao del Surs main agricultural products of are rice, corn, banana, coconut and abaca. In 2010, it produced only 91,888 metric tons of palay from 28,061 hectares, an 87 percent sufficiency level.
Sec. Alcala (2nd from left) and Technical Education And Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Joel Villanueva shake hands after forging a Memorandum of Agreement on the DA-TESDA national convergence program on enhancing agricultural productivity through skills development. The joint venture between the DA through the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and TESDA aims to standardize, coordinate and improve the system implementation of agricultural skills development programs geared towards achieving agricultural development in the country. Others in the photo are (L-R): DA Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, ATI Director Asterio Saliot, DA Asst. Secretary Allan Umali, and TESDA Executive Director Marta Hernandez.
125 kilos, from 21,724.65 MT or 173,797.2 bales of 125 kilos. The Bicol region, considered the top producer of abaca in the Philippines, produced 13.4 percent more abaca at 8,986.4 MT, or 71,891.2 bales of 125 kilos. The region accounted for 40.4 of total output for January to May. Other major producers of abaca which registered output increases during the period were Caraga and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Eastern Visayas, a major producer of abaca, posted a 21.1percent decline in production. Also, the Davao region registered a 3.8-percent decline in output for January to May. (Business Mirror)
June 2011
Thanksgiving Mass
Fellowship Night
Sec. Alcala (left) assures a lady famer, Rosemary Cuanca (standing, right photo), of the Negros Occidental Federation of Irrigators Associations (IAs), and other members of the Visayas cluster of IAs and small water impounding systems associations during a consultation and workshop seminar, May 28, in Cebu that DA and NIA will always be of assistance to small farmers to enable them to increase productivity and income, and protect their rights.
Sec. Alcala tries on an indigenous Batanes rainwear--consisting of a head gear called kalugong and a rain coat called kanayi-during his three-day (June 4-6) visit to the countrys northernmost province. Looking on are Batanes Governor Vicente D. Gato and Congresswoman Henedina R. Abad. Sec. Alcala committed to put up a P71-M irrigation project in Itbayat that would enable the province attain rice self-sufficiency.
The second year of the project should gear towards the new direction that the AgriPinoy Rice Program envisions so that the project would be cost-effective and more relevant to the governments rice program. We can move along in the field especially in the massive training of farmer-intermediaries and the two strengths of our partnershipvariety development and risk analyses on the potential activities of the different provinces, Lapitan said.
A farmer in Libungan, North Cotabato rides on his carabao, acquired from the livestock dispersal project under the DA-MRDP livelihood component. Despite the advancement of farming practices and mechanization, carabaos remain as reliable partners of farmers. (Photo by Sherwin Manual)
(from p4) IA Presidents of the five clusters, and DA attached agencies such as the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Bureau of Soils and W ater Management (BSWM), Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Agricultural Credit and Policy Council (ACPC); and representatives from DA Regional Field Units (RFUs) and Provincial and Municipal Government Units.
June 2011
substitutes for rice to maintain our per capita consumption at 120 kg/ year. Other countries such as Japan and China are rice sufficient in spite of their small rice area harvested per capita because of citizens diversified diet, said Dr. Flordeliza Bordey, PhilRice economist and newly-designated official spokesperson for the Food Staple Plan. She said the DA rice, corn, and high value commercial crops programs will strive to augment the supply of alternative staples by 3.5 percent (%) a year, and increase their accessibility and
affordability. Bordey said that rice self-sufficiency is becoming an urgent task with the threat of climate change in the traditional riceexporting countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, India, and the US, which control 84 percent of the world rice export. She added that the thin and heavily concentrated international rice trade also continues to be a major concern for food policymakers. In 2008, it can be recalled that the world price of rice increased dramatically owing to export bans issued by exporters and panic buying of importers. Recent news have been featuring non-rice staple food advocates, including actress Gretchen Barreto, whose best remembered health regimen include the sweet potato diet, which she ate boiled, coupled with fruits. "Gretchen swore to the effectiveness of her unique diet in interviews," an article on Health Today read. Also, eating sweet potato, which has more complex carbohydrates and high fiber content, is not only healthful, but will also help the country save millions of dollars from rice imports.
White corn, cassava, banana, and sweet potato can be used as substitutes for rice.
(from p1)
(from p3)
NTA to support tobacco farmers. Mayor Silverio D. Alarcio Jr., signed a memorandum of agreement where the fourth class municipality allocated a P240,000 fund to support 40 farmers planting rice this wet season. NTA will double the fund under the counterparting scheme. I feel that the NTA is sincere in addressing the plight of our tobacco farmers, and this is why I agreed to enter into this agreement with them. I want to increase our participation to P1M by next year, Mayor Alarcio said. Further, Zaragoza revealed that the countrys wholesale tobacco dealers (W TDs), composed of Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation, Universal Leaf Philippines, Continental Leaf, Trans Manila Inc., and Associated Anglo-American Inc., have committed to support farmers by granting them loans to support their contract-growing services during the dry season.
tain rice self-sufficiency by 2013, and President Benigno S. Aquinos vision for food self-sufficiency by 2016. Dr. Roberto R. Bonoan, NTA deputy administrator for operations, revealed that this years production assistance to tobacco farmers is 177% higher than that of last year, which was pegged at P7.6-M. In terms of farmer-beneficiaries, this years figure is 79% higher than that of last years 828 farmers, and 80.73% higher in land area compared to last years 687 hectares, Bonoan said. He also added that the inbred rice component of the agencys Integrated Farming and Other Income-Generating Activities Project (IFOIGAP) produces an average yield of 5.2 metric tons (MT) of palay per hectare, with an expected volume of around 6,458 MT this year. As this developed, the municipality of Laoac in Pangasinan became the first local government unit to enter into a financial counterparting agreement with
DA bureaus and agencies will also undertake respective projects in Samar, which include: P5.7-M for aquaculture and mariculture projects from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR); P5.5-M for small water impounding projects and other initiatives Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM); P2.8-M for coconut planting, replanting, and fertilization Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA); P2.7-M for banana production and Gulayan sa Paaralan projects High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP); P2.2-M for establishment of abaca nurseries, stripping centers and solar dryers, and opening of 400 hectares of new abaca areas Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA); P1.76-M for research on integrated farming systems, and training of farmers Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) and Agricultural Training Institute (ATI); P1.75-M for marketing assistance Agribusiness Marketing and Assistance Service (AMAS); P1.37-M for postharvest equipment and facilities Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech); and P16-M for credit facilitation and crop insurance services Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), and the Agricultural Guarantee Fund Pool (AGFP).
10
NIA to ...
(from p2)
rice self-sufficient by 2014 and onwards. He assured them that other DA family agencies like the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), and National Food Authority including the Land Bank of the Philippines (of which he is a board member) will extend appropriate support and assistance to enable Batanes attain self-sufficiency in rice, and food security, in general. Sa kabila kasi ng laganap na pagsasaka at pangingisda dito, hindi pa ganap na naaabot ang potensyal ng lalawigan sa larangan ng food production at agribusiness dahil sa topograpiya, weather concerns, at mahirap na transportasyon (Despite the widespread practice of farming and fishing in Batanes, the province has not yet reached its potentials in food production and agribusiness because of topography, weather, transportation difficulties), Sec. Alcala said. Simple lang ang aming mga hangarin sa buong Batanes: Pakinabangan ng bawat mamamayan ang mga biyaya ng lupa at dagat na pinagkaloob ng Poong Maykapal. Ibig sabihin nito, mayroong sapat at abotkayang pagkain para sa lahat, at kumikita ng mainam mula sa produktong naaani mula sa inyong sakahan at karagatan, (Our vision for the province of Batanes is simple: every citizen should benefit from the God-given blessings of the land and sea. Hence, there should be enough and accessible food for all, and everyone should earn reasonable returns from the bounties of your land and seas,) he added. While in Batanes, he handed over P2-M worth of farm equipment, projects and inputs to the provincial and municipal governments, consisting of a 4-wheel tractor, small scale irrigation systems, sprayers, cultivators, PH meters, greenhouses, planting materials, and assorted vegetable seeds. (Pls see related story on page 12.) Finally, Sec. Alcala led the groundbreaking of a two-storey seed storage and integrated laboratory building worth P6 million, funded by the DA through its High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP).
No SRP on Chicken. Sec. Alcala (2nd from left, top photo) stresses a point during a recent dialogue with chicken industry stakeholders (bottom photo) to arrest the reported isolated price increases of chicken in some Metro Manila wet markets. He said government will not impose a suggested retail price (SRP) for chicken and other poultry products, assuring the public that there is sufficient supply, the poultry industry is stable, and there is no need for additional imports. Flanking him (from left) are Dir. Manuel Jarmin of DA-Livestock Development Council, Assistant Secretary for agribusiness and DA spokesperson Salvador Salacup, and Dir. Efren Nuestro of the DA-Bureau of Animal Industry.
opted to buy chicken, pork and other meat products. Due to the increased demand, the price of chicken soared to a high of P150 per kilo. As the chicken industry is stable, Sec. Alcala said it is unlikely that the country will import more chicken this year. As of June 21 this year, the inventory of frozen chicken meat was at 7,642 metric tons (MT), of which over 4,000 MT was imported. During the same period last year, the inventory was at 7,916 MT, of which 7,151 MT were imported. During the three-month period,
from April to June, farmgate prices of live chicken increased from a low of P67 per kilo in April to a high of P84 per kilo this month. Wholesale prices of dressed chicken, on the other hand, ranged from a low of P100 per kilo in May to a high of P106 per kilo in June. Finally, wet market retail prices of chicken averaged at P125 per kilo from April to June, while prices in supermarkets and groceries ranged from a low of P110 to a high of P124 per kilo during the same threemonth period. Other projects include: 70 heads of draft carabaos with farm implements, and one sheep module (1 buck and 9 ewes) amounting to about P1-M; DA-BFAR will implement a Kabuhayan sa Karagatan program, worth P1M; Sabtang islanders received P750,000worth of farm and fishery implements, vegetable seeds, greenhouses, drip irrigation equipment, a liquid quick freezer, fish nets, vacuum packers, smokehouses, plastic sealers, and bottles for sardine-making; and P1-M for a livelihood project in Raele, Itbayat, to train women how to produce and process breadfruits, guavas, cashew nuts, onions, garlic, coffee, and other indigenous crops.
June 2011
11
Sec. Alcala (2nd from left) hands over to a group of fishermen in Sabtang, Batanes various fishing gears, which form part of P20million worth of agri-fishery projects and initiatives that the Department of Agriculture will implement to transform the islandprovince into a food self-sufficient community. Assisting him (from left) are DA Region 2 Director Lucrecio Alviar, Jr., Alma Dickson of DA-BFAR, Batanes Rep. Henedina R. Abad, Batanes Governor Vicente S. Gato, and BFAR Region 2 Director Jovita Ayson.
Sec. Alcala (2nd from left) plants a seedling on a vegetable patch, which forms part of the 700-square meter demo farm planted to various organic vegetables, during the launch of the Joy of Urban Farming at the Quezon City Memorial Circle compound, on June 27, 2011. The project aims to convince QC and other urban dwellers to turn their idle plots into vegetable gardens and assist in the governments goals of achieving food security and self-sufficiency. Alcala promised to fully support the venture intended for Metro Manila residents and added that the DA will continue to encourage the consumption of cassava, sweet potato, white corn and banana to ease the pressure on rice and promote healthy-eating habits. Others in the photo are (L-R): Quezon City vice Mayor Josefina Belmonte, DA Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, and QC Mayor Herbert Bautista.