Vol. XXIV No. VII A monthly publication of the Department of Agriculture July 2009

Thus proudly reported by Presi-dent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo inher 9th State-of-the-Nation Ad-dress (SONA), on July 27, beforethe joint 3rd Regular Session ofthe 14th Congress.

She said the strong economicfundamentals were the result ofthe bold fiscal and economic re-forms she introduced since 2001,that sustained the growth of thecountry’s gross domestic product(GDP), from a low of 1.8 percentin 2001 to a 31-year high of 7.1percent in 2007, and 3.8% in2008.

”The story of the Philippines in2008 is that the country weath-ered a succession of global cri-ses in fuel, food, then in finance,and finally the economy in a glo-bal recession, never losing focusand with economic fundamentalsintact,” she added.

The President said the bitter andunpopular reforms raised revenuecollection that stimulated theeconomy and enabled the deliv-ery of enhanced basic socio-eco-nomic services to the people.

Among the fruits of the reformsinclude better healthcare, surge

‘State of our nation is a strong economy’

President Arroyo has approvedan additional budget of P1 billionfor the fisheries sector to helpfisherfolk shift to fish farming.

In her SONA, the Presidentsaid: “We will help more fisherfolkshift to fishfarming with a budgetof P1 billion.”

Agriculture Secretary Arthur C.Yap proposed the additional bud-get to bankroll the establishmentof additional integrated maricul-ture parks (MPs) in selected ar-eas nationwide that would ensureregular supply of fish and stablesource of income for fishermenand their families.

The initiative is government’slongterm and sustainale strategyto cushion off adverse effects ofclimate change on the fisheriessector.

It will be undertaken by the DA’sBureau of Aquatic Resources

PGMA allots P1B for fishfarming

(Pls turn to p2)

Exports of farm and fisheryproducts are expected to increaseto $4.5 billion this year, accord-ing to agriculture assistant sec-retary Salvador Salacup.

He said this favorable projec-tion would be due to higher de-mand for traditional exports suchas coconut oil, desiccated coco-nut, pineapples, bananas andmangoes, as well as processedfoods like canned pineapples.

This projection is 18.5% thanin 2008, when exports reached

Agri exports to top$4.5 B this year

(Pls turn to p2)

Agriculture Sec. Arthur Yap and world boxing championManny Pacquiao show ampalaya at the latter’s farm inMalungon, Sarangani, during the 7th National VegetableCongress. (Pls. see related story on p12)

President GloriaMacapagal-Arroyogestures as she deliv-ers her 9th SONA, atBatasang Pambansain Quezon City.Flanking her are Sen-ate President JuanPonce Enrile (left)and House SpeakerProspero Nograles.

(BFAR), in partnership with thelocal government units, fisherfolk’sassociations, and interested loca-tors and investors.

(Pls turn to p2)

(Rolando Mailo-OPS/NIB-Photo)

in infrastructure, a strong educa-tion system, housing for the poor,food security and increased in-comes for farmers and fisherfolk,increased Internal Revenue Allot-ment for local government units,increased resources for socialwelfare, and increase in the sal-ary of state workers, among

many others.

Agriculture front

On the agriculture sector, she

said due to the bold fiscal and

economic reforms, government

was able to invest in food secu-

rity initiatives, “anticipating an

unexpected global food crisis.”

Writers: Adora D. Rodriguez, Arlhene S. Carro, Mc. Bien Saint GarciaContributors: Info Officers of DA-RFUs, Bureaus, Attached Agencies &

Corporations, Foreign Assisted ProjectsPhotograhers: Jose Lucas, Alan Jay Jacalan & Alarico NuestroLay-out Artists: Almie Erlano, Alan Jay Jacalan & Bethzaida BustamanteCirculation: Teresita Abejar & PCES StaffPrinting: Oscar Barlaan & Romulo Joseco

2

Editorial

is published monthly by the Department of Agriculture

Information Service, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City. Tel. nos.9288741 loc 2148, 2150, 2155, 2156 or 2184; 9204080 or tel/fax9280588. This issue is now available in PDF file. For copies, pleasesend requests. via email da_afis@yahoo.com.

Editor-In-Chief : Noel O. ReyesAssociate Editors: Karenina Salazar, Joan Grace Pera, Cheryl C. Suarez

‘State of our nation ... (from p1)

PGMA allots ... (from p1)

In her recent SONA,President Arroyo has onceagain highlighted heradministration’s enduring faithin the Filipino farmer andfisher as the foundation ofnational socio-economicdevelopment: “Ang ating mga

puhunan sa agrikultura ay

naglalayong kilalanin ang

ating mga magsasaka bilang

backbone ng ating bansa, at

bigyan sila ng mga

modernong kagamitan to

feed our nation and feed their

own family.”Hence, the agriculture

industry has soared, makingit one of the crowning jewelsof her administration, loggingin an average growth of 3.8%in gross value added (GVA),from 2001 to 2008.

Presidential economicadviser and Albay GovernorJoey Salceda said “withoutthe growth contribution of theagriculture sector, thecountry’s GDP would havebeen sub-zero. Despite theodds, its 2.1% increase ingross value added may notbe stellar, but it was thehighest among the sectors.”

The main reason is that inrecent years, the Arroyoadministration has beenpouring more investmentsinto the agri-fishery sector,with budgets of P25.4 billion(B) in 2007, P35.4B in 2008,and P46.9B this year.

Such unparalleled expendi-tures surpass what wasmandated by the Agriculture

and Fisheries ModernizationAct (AFMA).

The increased funds werein turn translated into notableaccomplishments andsuccess stories.

And last year, PresidentArroyo re-packaged thevarious government agricul-ture initiatives into an encom-passing FIELDS program--allto sustain the gains andhasten the country’s journeyto achieving long-term foodsecurity and sufficiency,providing farmers andfisherfolk higher incomes, andFilipino families with acces-sible and affordable basicfood commodities.

Clearly, President Arroyo

foresaw the wisdom behind

reversing 30 years of govern-

ment neglect of the agricul-

ture sector through sus-

tained, higher public invest-

ments in the sector

that accounts for one-fifth of

the country’s economy. And

we are reaping high divi-

dends.

We therefore hope that

these advancements and

progress would be pursued

and built on by whoever will

sit in Malacañang or at the

Department come July 1,

2010 – to freeing more small,marginal farmers and fishers

ruralfolk from the cycle of

deadlock and drift that has for

so long impeded the socio-

economic growth of our

beloved nation.

Agri-fishery sector

PGMA’s crowning jewel

Firstly, it was able to subsidize

and sell NFA rice at P18.25 per

kilo, even if the price of commer-

cial rice increased to P30 per kilo

due to inadequate supply in the

world market.

Secondly, government was ableto raise the buying price of palay(unmilled rice) to P17 per kilo.

Thousands of kilometers offarm-to-market roads were alsoconstructed, and along with theprivate sector irrigated two millionhectares of farmlands.

She also cited the triumph ofTarnati Dannawi, a Badjao sea-weed farmer from Sibutu Island,in Tawi-Tawi, Mindanao, whoearned P180,000 from a maricul-ture project, where he was ableto raise high value marine speciessuch as panthers, red and tigergroupers, sea mantis, blue crabs,abalones and sea cucumbers.More work to be done

In spite of the accomplishmentsof her administration the pasteight years, the President saidthere is still more work to be doneto further improve the lives of theFilipino people.

”Some say that after thisSONA, it will all be politics. Sorry,but there is more work,” shenoted. She asked Congress tolegislate nine essential mea-sures, namely:

* A Philippine Transport Secu-rity Authority Law;

* Amendment to the Common-wealth-era Public Service to im-prove the telecommunications in-dustry and be more consumer-friendly;

*Creation of a Department of In-formation and CommunicationTechnology (ICT) to steer furtherto progress the businessoutsource processing (BPO);

*Extension of the Comprehen-sive Agrarian Reform Program,plus the condonation of P42 bil-lion in agrarian liabilities;

*Additional budget for thegovernment’s Hunger MitigationProgram to further lessen thenumber of those hungry;

*Amendment to the BangkoSentral ng Pilipinas Charter for theinstitution to further improve thebanking system;

*Passage of new revenue -gen-erating measures such as new sintaxes for social welfare programs; * Enactment into law of the Sim-plified Net Income TaxationScheme (SNITS) to generate aP5.24 billion rise in revenues col-lected from self-employed taxpay-ers nationwide; and

* More funds for the hiring ofmore policemen on the streets.(Presidential News Desk)

Part of the fund, added DA-BFAR Director MalcolmSarmiento, Jr., will also go intomodernizing and expanding exist-ing mariculture parks worthy ofdeveloping into a fully integratedoperation.

The DA-BFAR will select fromthe existing 30 MPs nationwide,which will be provided with addi-tional facilities such as hatcheries, fish landing and handling ar-eas, fish cages, ice plants, coldstorage, processing plants andreefer vans.

$3.8 billion, added Salacup at thesidelines of the First Food Sum-mit in Makati City.

The country’s top 10 farm ex-ports last year were coconut oil,fresh bananas, tuna, pineappleand pineapple products, desic-cated coconut, milk and creamproducts, manufactured tobacco,seaweeds and carrageenan,shrimps and prawns, and sugar.

Meanwhile, the top 12 farm ex-ports from January to May 2009have so far totaled $840 million,figures from the National Statisti-cal Coordination Board show.

These include: coconut oil($140M), fresh bananas ($165M),pineapple and pineapple products($104M), processed tropical fruits($54M), dessicated coconut($68M), shrimps and prawns($18M), tuna ($144M), seaweedsand carageenan ($37M), manu-factured fertilizers ($45M), copraoil cake or meal ($13M), unmanu-factured tobacco ($23M), andsugar ($31M). (Excerpted fromThe Philippine Star, Philippine

Daily Inquirer and BusinessWorld)

Agri-exports ... (from p1)

“Dahil sa ating mgareporma, nakaya natingmamuhunan sa pagkain..., nakagawa ng libu-libong kilometro ng farm-to-market roads, ...natubigan ang dalawangmilyong ektarya ...”-President Arroyo SONA 2009

July 2009 3

AgAgAgAgAgri sector is top job crri sector is top job crri sector is top job crri sector is top job crri sector is top job creaeaeaeaeatortortortortor

Close to 700 employees of theDA’s Quedan and Rural CreditGuarantee Corp. (Quedancor)who will be displaced as part ofthe agency’s streamlining pro-gram will be absorbed and rede-ployed to the various DA attachedagencies.

Agriculture Secretary ArthurYap said the move--in consulta-tion with the Quedancor Employ-ees Association--will not only en-sure them of work, but also makeproductive use of their training andspecial skills.

“Our economic managers haveapproved the proposal of Secre-tary Yap for the DA to subsidize

DA to absorb Quedancor employees

The Arroyo administration’ssustained increase in publicspending for the agriculture andfishery sector has led to the cre-ation of 412,000 additional jobsas of April 2009, versus the sameperiod last year--making it the“No. 1 job generator” for the pe-riod.

Thus said Presidential Eco-nomic Adviser and Albay gover-nor Joey Salceda, citing data ofthe Bureau of Labor and Employ-ment Statistics (BLES).

Employment in the farm andfisheries sector as of April 2009was estimated at 12.318 million,3.5% more than 11.905 millionjobs generated last year.

In effect, the agriculture hascreated more jobs than the trade

sector, which ranked second with345,000 jobs, Salceda said.

“This proves that the Arroyogovernment’s decision to reverse30 years of official neglect of theagriculture sector through sus-tained, higher public investmentsis now reaping positive results,”

he noted.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur

Yap, for his part, noted that the

increased spending for agriculture

“has proven to be timely and

effective.”

He said focusing on irrigation

and other rural infrastructure has

already yielded positive results

with palay production expandingby 5.1%, double its averagegrowth a year ago.

The rehabilitation andrestoration work of the NationalIrrigation Administration (NIA) hasallowed farmers to plant an addi-tional 69,000 hectares of farm-land or 5.7% more than last year.

“Such gains were the result ofPresident Arroyo’s increasedspending on agriculture– P25.36billion in 2007; P35.39 billion in2008; and P46.86 billion thisyear,” Yap said.

Salceda has recommendedthat the government pour more“stimulus funds” into Philippineagriculture, particularly into irri-gation, to sustain the sector’s re-silience and its status as a pri-mary growth driver even in themidst of a global financial conta-gion.

“Without the agriculture growthcontribution, GDP (Gross Domes-

tic Product) would have been sub-

zero. Despite the obvious odds,

its 2.1 percent increase in gross

value added may not be stellar but

it was the highest among the sec-

tors which best proves the logic

of government budgetary stimu-

lus, specifically to the Depart-

ment of Agriculture,’’ said

Salceda in a statement released

earlier.

Salceda said that the “DA’s

policies in the last two years have

enabled the agriculture sector,

which accounts for 20% of the

economy, to remain resilient while

every other sector had gone intoa slump.”

Agriculture Secretary Arthur C.Yap has called on the private sec-tor, particularly members of thePhilippine Chamber of FoodManufacturers, to serve as directand sustainable markets for localfarm and fishery products.

He stressed this during the 1st

Food Industry Summit, with thetheme “Food Security at the Fore-

front,” at the Dusit Thani Hotel,Makati City, July 28, 2009.

In his message, delivered on hisbehalf by agricultureUndersecretary Bernie Fondevilla,he also emphasized the DA’s rolein the country’s food security ef-forts, particularly in providing ev-ery Filipino family sufficient, safe,

Undersecretary Bernie Fondevilla emphasizes the DA’scommitment to the country’s food security efforts duringthe 1st Food Industry Summit, at the Dusit Thani Hotel,in Makati. Also in photo are Ms. Pamela Forshage, Phil-ippine Food Chamber President, and Atty. Mabini Anto-nio, Nestle Philippines Director.

Food manufacturers urgedto serve as direct market

and nutritious foodstuff amidst thetwin force of poverty and popula-tion growth.

Fondevilla said the DA sincelast year has been implementingPresident Arroyo’s FIELDS pro-gram, which is the government’sblueprint for agriculture develop-ment and modernization.

During the Summit, several top-ics were presented and discussedby food industry leaders, whichinclude: security in processedfoods and food standards, foodsafety issues and concerns,ASEAN Harmonization on FoodStandards, Harnessing Scienceand Technology for Food Secu-rity, and recent developments on

the salaries of Quedancor em-ployees who were supposed to beaxed as part of the agency’s ra-tionalization plan,” said DAundersecretary Bernie Fondevilla.

“Secretary Yap anchored hisappeal on Malacañang’s pro-nounced policy that no govern-ment employee would be laid offas part of the measures to shieldthe country from the worst effectsof the global financial crisis,” headded.

Some 678 Quedancor employ-ees will be reassigned to other DAagencies, such as the Bureausof Fisheries and & Aquatic Re-sources (BFAR), and Agricultural

the Codex Alimentarius.After each presentation, a panel

discussion ensued to addressqueries from participants, com-

posed of food industry leaders andexperts, manufacturers and pro-cessors, and representatives fromconcerned food-related govern-

ment agencies.

KR2 Fertilizer Grant

At the summit sidelines,

Undersecretary Fondevilla said

26,135 metric tons (MT) of am-

monium sulphate fertilizers from

Japan costing P161.77 million willbe delivered to the country start-ing September until November thisyear.

The fertilizer, given under theKennedy Round 2 program, willbe monetized and used for farm-related projects to uplift the lives

of small, marginal farmers.

Since 1977, the Japanese gov-ernment has been extending farminputs to the Philippines in theform of fertilizers, agriculturalchemicals and farm machinery.

Statistics (BAS), where theirskills and expertise are muchneeded.

Employees who would opt toseparate from the service wouldget a gratuity compensation pack-age under Executive Order No.366, he said..

Quedancor will focus mainly onguarantee operations, and com-pletely stop direct lending.Only258 employees will be retained.

For 2010 onwards, Fondevillasaid the DA would include theamount covering the salaries ofthe redeployed Quedancor em-ployees in the annual budget ofthe Department.

4

NAFC convenes, tacklesAFMA budget

Agriculture Secretary Arthur C.Yap recently convened the Na-tional Agriculture and FisheryCouncil to address pressing is-sues and concerns on the Agri-cultural and Fishery Moderniza-tion Act (AFMA) budget.

The Council assists in mobiliz-ing, monitoring and evaluating thecontributions of the different agen-cies toward the policies, plansand programs for agriculture andfisheries modernization consis-tent with the provisions of DA Ad-ministrative Order (AO) No. 6 of1998 or the Implementing Rulesand Regulations (IRR) of Repub-lic Act (RA) 8435 or the AFMA.

The meeting was called to ad-dress the need to formulate a

harmonized AFMA Budget in ac-cordance with a framework advo-cated by the Congressional Over-sight Committee on Agricultureand Fisheries Modernization(COCAFM), co-chaired by Sena-tor Loren Legarda and Congress-man Abraham Mitra.

The AFMA Budget Frameworkwas presented by COCAFM Ex-ecutive Director Charito Sebastianduring the meeting, focusing oneight key clusters. These include:agricultural and fishery land andwater use classification and plan-ning; research and development;information, extension and com-munication; production and mar-ket infrastructure support; credit

assistance; human resource de-velopment; rural non-farm employ-ment and basic needs assis-tance; and agriculture and fisheryregulation.

These AFMA programs/compo-nents aim to achieve food secu-rity, alleviate poverty and attainsocial equity, empower people,protect from unfair competition,ensure global competitiveness,sustain development, and use re-sources in a rational manner.

Correspondingly, eight techni-cal working groups were formedto tackle concerns with regard tothe consolidation of the AFMAbudget of implementing agencies.

Secretary Yap is also pushingfor the steadfast implementationthe Strategic Agriculture and Fish-ery Development Zones (SAFDZs)by utilizing latest technologies onGeographic Information System(GIS) and Remote Sensing.

These technologies through theSAFDZ approach will provide valu-able inputs to the government’splanning and decision-making pro-cesses in various areas such ascrop protection, disaster pre-paredness and other critical con-cerns in agriculture and fisheries

The Council reconvened on July9, 2009 for the presentation of theenhanced proposed 2010 AFMABudget and the creation of theSteering and Technical WorkingCommittees.

These committees which arecomposed of stakeholders fromthe government and private sec-tor stakeholders will serve as theprocessing centers throughwhich the Council shall performits integrative and consultative roleby orchestrating inter-agency andinter-sectoral collaboration on,among others, programs and bud-gets for the development of theagrarian, agriculture, and naturalresources (AANR) sector. TheCouncil approved the creation ofthe said committees while theproposed budget was set for fur-ther review. (NAFC Info Group)

In addition to rehabilitating andrestoring irrigation systems thisyear, the DA’s National IrrigationAdministration backed by an P8-billion budget, will implement athree-step approach to increasecropping intensity, said NIAAdministrator Carlos Salazar.

This involves:1. Quick Turn-Around or QTA

program that encourages farmersto plant three times a year, or onemore cropping between the dryand wet planting seasons;

2. Adoption of watermanagement practices tomaximize the available watersupply; and

3. Organization anddevelopment of farmer-beneficiaries to increase theircapability to manage and operateirrigation systems.

“By end of 2010, irrigationfacilities covered by our target of368,000 hectares are expected tobe operational,” Salazar said.

Since 2006, the NIA hasrehabilitated communal andnational irrigation systems,covering 103,568 hectares andrestored 122,909 hectares, worthP7.27 billion.

This in turn has contributed toincreasing palay production by5.1%, or double its averagegrowth a year ago.

In particular, the DA-NIA’s rehaband restoration work has enabledfarmers to plant an additional69,000 hectares, or 5.7% morethan last year’s.

NIA to irrigate 368,000 hectares more by 2010

The Philippines and theIndependent State of Papua NewGuinea (PNG) signed on July 16a fisheries agreeement thatinvolves cooperation projects andcomplementary competenciesfor official controls on fishing/freezer vessels of the twocountries.

Signing on behalf of thePhilippines was DirectorMalcolm Sarmiento, Jr. of theDA’s Bureau of Fisheries andAquatic Resources (BFAR) andPNG’s National FisheriesAuthority (NFA) managingdirector Sylvester B. Pokajam.They were witnessed byAgriculture Secretary Arthur Yapand PNG Minister of FisheriesBen Sevire.

Secretary Yap said that thearrangements would further fleshup provisions embodied in theMOU for Fisheries Cooperationbetween the two countries in theareas of marine capture fisheries,aquaculture, and skills transfer,among others, that he andMinister Sevire signed earlier thisyear in Boracay in the presenceof President Arroyo and PNG’sPrime Minister Michael Somare.

For his part, BFAR DirectorSarmiento said that in the sectorof marine capture fisheries, thePNG agreed to recognize theexisting bilateral agreement that

RP, PNG forge fisheries pact

Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap (center) presides overthe NAFC meeting held at the BSWM convention hall.Flanking him are DA undersecretary and NAFC Execu-tive Director Bernie Fondevilla (left) and COCAFM Ex-ecutive Director Charito Sebastian.

allows for access by Philippinefishing vessels to fish in PNGEEZ, as well as in theconsideration and issuance ofvessel days under the VesselDays Schemes, and in theissuance of license to operatein the waters of PNG incompliance with existing PNG

laws, policies and regulations.

Moreover, existing and future

Philippine onshore investments

made by RP-based companies

in PNG will continue to be

recognized. The Philippines is

currently PNG’s 6th biggest

trading partner.

The Philippines, on the other

hand, shall assist the PNG in

aquaculture development and in

providing technical assistance in

the development of production

enhancement and post-harvest

infrastructure facilities, such as

fishports and auction-type fish

markets.

In the second memorandum of

arrangement, the two countries

agreed to have a mutual

agreement and recognition of the

inspection protocols and

procedures for the fishing/freezer

vessels flying PNG andPhilippine flags and unloadingcatch in both countries and/orexporting to the EU. (BFAR)

5

From the RegionsSelected news and developments on agriculture, fisheries, agribusiness andrelated sectors, as reported by the DA-Regional Field Units, and those publishedin national and provincial publications. The combined robust

performance on agriculture,fisheries and forestry sectorspulled Northern Mindanao(NorMin) to the top of thecountry’s fastest-growingeconomies in 2008.

Data released by the NationalStatistical Coordination Boardshowed that NorMin posted aneconomic growth of 5.3% in 2008.

This performance was fueledby the 10.7-percent expansion ofthe region’s agriculture,combined by the 31.2% growthin the region’s fishery andforestry sectors.

Closely following NorMin asthe fastest-growing economy in2008 were the National CapitalRegion (NCR) with a 4.9%growth and Soccsksargen in 3rd

place with 4.6 percent.Western Visayas came in 4th

with 4.4 percent, and Bicolregion, with 4.3 percent, placed5th .

The Cordillera AdministrativeRegion (CAR) registered theslowest growth at 1.8% in 2008,a deceleration from 7.1% in 2007.

NorMin’s 2008 economicperformance even outpaced thenational average of 3.8%. Itcontributed the biggest share with28.3% to Mindanao’s economy,

NorMin posts highest growthwhich is an increase of 0.4% toits contribution in 2007.

Reg.10 also contributed 0.3%to the country’s GDP in 2008,along with Central Luzon andWestern Visayas.

In terms of real per capita,NorMin had a GRDP of P17,050in 2008. This is higher than thenational per capita GRDP ofP15,686 in 2008. It placed 3rd

with its 108.7 per capita indexrelative to the national average,following NCR’s 254.6 and CAR’s121.4.

Despite topping the list as thecountry’s fastest growingeconomy in 2008, NorMin’seconomy actually decelerated by2.4% in 2008 compared with itsperformance in 2007, duringwhich it posted a high of 7.7%.

According to the NSCB, theeconomies of all the major islandgroups (Luzon excluding NCR,Visayas and Mindanao) recordeddecelerations from 2007 to 2008.

Luzon’s economy sloweddown from 6.2 percent to 2.7%while that of Mindanaodecelerated from 7.0% to 4.0%.

The economy of the Visayasislands group recorded thebiggest deceleration, from 7.5%to 3.8% or by 3.7 percentagepoints.(Business Mirror)

July 2009

The Department of Agriculturehas to date completed an averageof 60 per cent of the three majorinfrastructure initiatives under theAsian Development Bank-fundedInfrastructure for RuralProductivity Enhancement Sector(InfRES) project.

In a report to President GloriaMacapagal Arroyo, SecretaryArthur Yap said as of June 30,2009, 1,039 kilometers of farm-to-market roads (FMRs) are eitherfinished or in the final stages ofcompletion which represent 70%of the targeted 1,478 kilometersof FMRs; dozens of communalirrigation systems were repaired,servicing a total of 1,454hectares, or 100% of the revisedtarget; and 18 of the targeted 37potable water systems were built,representing 49% completion.

InfRES is a seven-year jointinitiative by the nationalgovernment through the DA,Asian Development Bank, andlocal government units andbeneficiary communities in nineregions (MiMaRoPa, Bicol, and allseven regions in Mindanao).

For his part, UndersecretaryJesus Emmanuel Paras forregional operations, who is theconcurrent InfRES director, saidthe ADB-funded initiative aims toreduce the incidence of povertyby enhancing agriculturalproductivity and incomes offarmers, fishers and ruralfolk,through the construction andprovision of high-impact ruralinfrastructure such as FMRs,communal irrigation and potablewater systems, and bridges.

Other components of theproject include capability buildingof LGUs, beneficiarycommunities, NGOs, POs andthe DA; and project managementcoordination and implementation.

The bulk of project funds of $109million is allotted for theconstruction of FMRs, irrigation

and potable water systems,

comprising of 148 contracts. Of

these, 47 have been completedand 96 are in various stages ofconstruction ; one under contract

P7-B ADB-funded InfRES

attains 60% completionreview; while four contracts werecancelled for failure of concernedLGUs to comply with projectrequirements.

To date, fund releases totaledabout P1 billion or roughly one-seventh of the total ADB loan.Three-fourths of the released fundhas been liquidated.

Undersec. Paras led theturnover of a recently completedof a circumferential 15.37-kilometer farm-to-market road(FMR), benefiting 10,000 farmers,ruralfolk and residents in Milaor,Camarines Sur.

The FMR, worth P43.9 million,is comprised of nine segments,spanning through 7 barangays(Cabugao, Capucnasan, Dalipay,Mayaopayawan, Maycatmon,Maydaso and San Antonio).

Also present during theturnover ceremony were DA BicolRegional Executive Director JoseDayao, InfRES project managerEngr. Roy Abaya, InfRES teamleader Robert de Kruyff, MilaorMayor Rogelio Flores, localofficials and barangaybeneficiaries.(DA-InfRES)

President Arroyo recentlyapproved the proposed housingsite for some 300 DA employeesin Region 6 (Western Visayas).

Dr. Joyce S. Weldam, DA-RFU6 regional technical director, saidthe housing site is five-hectarearea within the West VisayasIntegrated Agricultural ResearchCenter, in Barangay Hamungaya,Jaro, Iloilo City.

Qualified beneficiaries will beentitled to a 100-square-meterhomelot. They may opt to avail ofthe Pag-Ibig Fund housing loan.

The housing project wasconceptualized as early as 1998,following the initiativespearheaded by the DAEA Officeof the Secretary.

The DAEA RFU VI at the timewas led by Wendam and, in notime, prepared all the necessarypapers, documentation, andrequirements for the said housingproject.

PGMA okaPGMA okaPGMA okaPGMA okaPGMA okays housing fys housing fys housing fys housing fys housing for Dor Dor Dor Dor DA-RFU6 emploA-RFU6 emploA-RFU6 emploA-RFU6 emploA-RFU6 employyyyyeeseeseeseesees“It needs determination and

patience to accomplish all therequirements,” she narrated overthe phone.

“The process of gettingclearances from concernedagencies has consumed much ofour time,” she added.

These include the HousingUrban Land Regulatory Board(HULRB), National HousingAuthority (NHA), and Departmentof Public Works and Highways(DPWH); a certification from theNational Irrigation Administration(NIA) for its eligibility for a housingproject, stating that the parcel ofland is unproductive because oflack of water and an irrigationsystem; a clearance from theDepartment of Health, certifyingthat the area has no hazardouseffects on the employees; andfrom the Department ofEnvironment and NaturalResources (DENR) for a survey

of its environmental concerns andin-charge of the final approval ofendorsement for theProclamation.

In addition to the said process,the DA-RFU 6 employeesassociation has also secured aBarangay Resolution, andattended a series of sessions ofthe Sangguniang Panlalawigan ofIloilo City, which deliberatedlengthily on the impact of suchhousing development in BarangayHamungaya, Jaro.

It likewise prepared a vicinityplan and a subdivision plan tocomplete the requirements for thehousing project.

Meantime, the DA and theemployees’ union are meeting tofinalize the implementingguidelines and the schedule forthe groundbreaking ceremony,with Secretary Arthur Yap asinvited guest. (Jo Ann Grace B.

Pera / DA-Info Service)

Decades ago and up to now,Mt. Banahaw is considered asa ‘Holy Mountain,’ as well as a‘red area’ or a liar of communistrebels.

Today, portions of the pictur-esque slope of Banahaw haveturned into ‘green,’ as widetracts of idle lands are plantedto various semi-temperate,pinakbet and ‘chopsuey’vegetables.

Now, the farm cluster isconsidered as one of SouthernLuzon’s major vegetableproducing areas, supplying therequirements of Metro Manila,Bicol and adjacent provinces.

What prompted it all is theestablishment three years agoof a wholesale market andprocessing center, known asthe Sentrong Pamilihan ng

Produktong Agrikultura ng

Quezon (or SPPAQ), atBarangay Sampaloc 2, inSariaya. It sprung up[ in May2006, as a brainchild of Con-gressman Proceso Alcala (2nd

District, Quezon), to provide aready market for various farmcommodities.

With Sentrong Pamilihan inplace, dozens and later hun-dreds of farmers were encour-aged to develop hectares of idlelands into vegetable gardens atthe foothills of Mt. Banahaw,spanning the five towns ofMamala, Bugon, Sampalok,Dolores and Candelaria.

‘Vegetable carpet’Soon the area was carpeted

with lush vegetation of eggplant,tomato, beans, ampalaya,cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce andcarrots, among other popularvegetables.

Hence, vegetable farming andtrading has been a majorsource of income and livelihoodof 300 or so Quezon farmersand their families.

“Gusto namin talagang

tulungan ang aming

magsasaka, na pagtatanim

lang ang ikinabubuhay,” (Weare indeed keen on helping ourfarmers, whose main livelihoodis farming), said Cong. Alcala inhis native Batangueño tongue.

“Sa ngayon ay napakaganda

ng aming partnership,” (Now, we

have a very good partnership),he added, referring to therelationship he built with about300 pioneering farmers whopartnered with SPPAQ ascontract growers.

To nurture its partnership withthem as well as with entrepre-neurs and traders, the Sentrong

Pamilihan gives them market-ing, merchandising and trans-port assistance, includingeducation and training pro-grams, according to ArielMañalac, SPPAQ marketadministrator.

“Para dun sa mga ka-

lalawigan naming nagtatanim at

nagdadala ng mga produkto dito

sa Sentro, binibigyan namin sila

ng mga pagsasanay sa values

formation at entrepreneurship.

Nagbibigay din kami ng environ-

mental training,” Mañalac said.(We provide training on valuesformation and entrepreneurship,as well as environmentaltraining.)

These capacity-buildingprograms do not only equipfarmers with modern technolo-gies, but also impart to themsocio-civic and environmentalresponsibilities, as they aretaught to employ sustainableand environment-friendly farmingmethods, Mañalac added.

180 tons of veggies weeklyWith the joint efforts of the

national and local governments,as well as the perseverance anddetermination of the SPPAQfarmer-partners, their familiesand entrepreneurs, the volumeof vegetables produced andtraded peaked at 40 tons everyTuesdays and Fridays, theirmarket days.

On ordinary days, volumetraded reaches 20 tons. Hence,for the entire week, up to 180tons of vegetables are producedand traded at the Sentrong

Pamilihan.

Aside from Metro Manila, thevegetables are transported toBicol and Marinduque.

Thus, since May 2006 theSPPAQ has compiled a host ofstories to encourage otherfarmers.

One worth sharing is thetriumph of Felipe Heli of

By Adora D. Rodriguez

President Arroyo listens intently as Sentrong Pamilihanmarket administrator Ariel Mañalac explains the Center’soperations, as Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap and Con-gressman Proceso Alcala look on.

6

‘Greening’ Mt. Banahaw‘Greening’ Mt. Banahaw

Mangalang Tulo-Tulo in Sariaya,who borrowed P70,000-worth oftomato seedlings and farminputs from SPPAQ. Combininghis diligence and learned farmtechnologies, he was able togross more than P160,000.

Dahil sa Sentro,

nakapagpatayo s’ya ng maayos

na bahay. Ngayon may sari-sari

store pa s’ya,” Mañalac boastsof Heli’s accomplishment as afarmer-trader. (Because of theCenter, Mr. Heli was able to putup a decent house.

Now, he also has a sari-saristore.)

In the years to come, SPPAQand Congressman Alcalacommit to help moreQuezonians in their quest for abetter life.

“Tuloy-tuloy lang po itong mga

proyekto nating ganito” (We willcontinue to pursue similarprojects), Alcala said.

Likewise, he expressed hisgratitude for the firm support andassistance extended by Secre-tary Arthur C. Yap and theDepartment of Agriculture, asthe agency has helped linkedthe SPPAQ farmers directly withmarkets and bagsakan centersin Metro Manila.

In addition, the DA hasprovided Sentrong Pamilihan acold storage facility and arefrigerated truck.

“Napakalaki na po ng

ipinagbago ng industriya ng

paggugulay sa lalawigan ng

Quezon, at malaking bahagi po

nito ay dahil sa tulong ng DA at

ng national government” (Theindustry of vegetable farming inthe province of Quezon hasdeveloped and improved dra-matically because of theassistance of the DA andnational government.) Congress-man Alcala said with a smile.

Ramon Tamayo, 55, isamong the 10 beneficiaries ofthe pioneering “Rent-to-Own”fish cage project, pilot-tested bythe Department of Agriculture’sBureau of Fisheries and AquaticResources in NorthernMindanao (DA-BFAR 10), inBalingasag, Misamis Oriental.

Along with the fish cage,BFAR-10 has provided MangRamon and the other ninefisherfolk with 5,000 bangusfingerlings while they con-structed the fish cages as theircounterpart.

Barely four months (threemonths and 20 days) later, heharvested 2,600 kilos (2.6 tons)or roughly 5.2 kilos per onecubic meter, the highest yieldamong the 10 “cage renters,”from his 500-cubic meter fishcage (five meters on each sideand four meters deep).

From it,he grossed P227,571,the biggest income he earned todate.

Ramon Tamayo navigates through the Balingasag Mari-culture Park on his new banca, he acquired from the netincome of the DA-BFAR “rent-to-own” fish cage project.

Bauko, Mountain Province– I have never figured this townhas its own inland fisheryrespources, until our visit lastweek in the company of stafffrom the Bureau of AgriculturalResearch (BAR).

In the course of our work, wemet Mrs. Agifina Malecdan,agricultural technician in-chargeof fisheries development in thistown.

She said some Baukofarmers are now into growingtilapia, silver carp, loach, andlately, pangasius, which are

Mulling over the fate of our rivers and inland fisheriesraised in fishponds along theriver banks and creeks.

The farmers turned fishersare found in Bagnen Sur with35 fishponds; Bagnen Oriente,40; Utocan, 35; Bila, 40;Guinsadan, 10; Leseb, 10; andMayag, 35.

It is interesting to note thatthe silver carp can yet becomethe long awaited solution to the“golden kuhol” menace, as itfeeds on leech and kuhol,Malecdan said.

We next visited AngelBangcawayan, 60, who started

his fishery operation last year.A retired Philippine National

Oil Company employee,Bangcawayan built six fishponds, a hatchery and condi-tioning pond, near his housealong the Bayudan River.

In just one year, he haslearned to lower the cost of hisoperations by mixing commer-cial fish feed mixed with ricebran or “darak,” and choppedand semi-dried wild sunflowerleaves.

His innovation can benefitothers who wish to raise freshwater fish along the BayudanRiver that connects to theChico River downstream.

However, there are tell talesigns that the River carriespollutants, silt and sewage fromupstream.

Individuals and governmentcan invest in the development ofrivers, creeks and lakes, butmore needs to be done if onlyto sustain the benefits theseresources could provide.

On my way to Israel some 20years ago, we had a half-daystop-over in Switzerland, whereI saw this river passing througha mountain community. Iwondered why the water flowing

through the river was as clear aswater should be. On closer look,I noted a giant steel pipe thatsnakes along the river itself. Thepipe conveys the community’ssewage to a water recovery andtreatment plant miles below thecommunity. The sewage doesnot mix with the water that flowsin the river. The community alsoconserves their forests and soilsupstream so as not to flow assilt and pollute the river.

I saw the same facilities andstrategies in Israel and I wonderif we will ever have the courageto make plans and generateresources to operate a similarfacility here.

Putting up a modern wasterecovery facility may be far-fetched. A similar facility wasactually started in Baguio Citysome 30 or so years ago withfunding from the Japan Interna-tional Cooperation Agency(JICA). The pipes were laid andthe recovery plant set-up. Today,the facility has yet to operateunless the community and thelocal city government trulyappreciate its mission andbenefits. ( By Robert L.

Domoguen, DA-RFU-CAR Reg’l

Info Officer)

Less expenses—such forcage rental, cost of feeds for the1st bangus crop and the cost offingerlings for the 2nd crop—Mang Ramon had P39,000, stilla huge amount for him and hisfamily. He spent a big chunk forthe burial expenses of his 92-year old mother, who unfortu-nately passed away duringharvest of the first bangus crop.

He also bought a P16,000-banca with a 6-horsepowerengine, and deposited the restas his equity or capital contribu-tion in their fisherfolk’s coopera-tive in Balingasag.

Now he has an additionalsource of income: raisingbangus fingerlings, also atBalingasag Mariculture Park.

Looking back, Mang Ramonnever thought he could partici-pate in the “rent-to-own” fishcage project of the DA-BFAR,as there were a hundred offishermen in Balingasag.

Rent-to-own fish cage project creates new heroes

Nevertheless, he is thankful tothe government and the DA-BFAR because through theproject, coupled with hardworkand sacrifice, he was able toearn more, solved his family’s

financial problems, thus hesimply stopped borrowingmoney.

Altogether, the project pro-vided him and his family abrighter future.(DA-BFAR 10)

Angel Bangcawayan at his fishponds, along the BayduanRiver, in Bila, Bauko, Mt. Province.

7July 2009

8

The Department of Agricultureis mounting an export offensive toreinforce the Philippines ’ statureas the source of the best andsweetest mango in the world andcorner a bigger share of the glo-bal market.

Secretary Arthur Yap said tocarry this out the DA will continueto engage in bilateral and multi-lateral negotiations, and under-take aggressive marketing cam-paigns through its agriculturalattachés to further expand ex-ports to traditional marketsand open up new ones, includingCanada, Europe, Netherlands ,

DA mounting export offensive for RP mangoesSouth Korea, Middle East, Hawaiiand Guam.

Philippine mango exports aremostly sold in the Asian, US andEuropean markets, with Japanand Hong Kong, absorbing nearly90%.

The DA chief noted that theworld export market for mangoesis expected to grow by 10%annually over the next two years.

Yap said the government willalso continue to provide assis-tance to exporters, including pro-viding them with support in theconduct of pesticide residueanalysis.

“On top of these measures, weshould also keep in mind that innegotiating for market access, itis a must that we remain vigilantin protecting and safeguarding ourmango farms from mango seedand pulp weevil infestation,” Yapsaid.

He noted that the Philippinesscored significant breakthroughsin the surveys sponsored by theUS Department of Agriculture andthe Australian Agency for Interna-tional Development (AusAid),which proved the absence ofMango Pulp Weevil (MPW) andMango Seed Weevil (MSW) inselected areas in Luzon andMindanao .

In the Australian-funded surveyin Davao del Sur, conducted Sep-tember 2006 through June 2007,experts found the province to befree from mango pulp and seedweevils.

“We are now awaiting for theformal recognition from theBioSecurity of Australia, whichwould pave the way for Mindanaomango exports to Australia,” Yapsaid.

On the other hand, the USDA-funded national mango pulp andseed weevil survey in the 36mango-growing provinces inLuzon and 16 province in theVisayas also yielded positive re-sults, showing no trace of the dis-eases.

The USDA is now conductingthe Mindanao leg of the survey,which started in November 2008and expected to be completedAugust 2009.

The Philippines exported20,824 MT of fresh mangoes in2008 worth $19.539 million. Driedmango exports reached 1,028 MTvalued at $7.475 million, while

processed mango exports totaled11,334 MT valued at $13.684 mil-lion last year.

Last year, the mango industrycontributed P19.8 billion to thecountry’s total agricultural value,and exported 32,000 metric tonsof fresh, processed and driedmangoes, worth $40.7 million.

Mango ranks third as the mostimportant fruit in the country, af-ter banana and pineapple.

The DA is now investing fundsand mobilizing resources to ac-complish its nine-point mango in-dustry program, which comprisesthe following:

*Provision of chemicals forflower induction;

*Conduct of training and train-ing-related events on pest man-agement;

*Maintenance of existing nurs-eries and scion groves to ensurethe availability of high qualityseeds and planting materials;

*Building of more post harvestfacilities such trading posts, andcommon service facilities such aspackinghouses;

*Making credit more affordableand easier to obtain in support offarmers’ expansion plans andother initiatives;

*Bringing farmers timely marketinformation, and linking them di-rectly to markets; f

*Enhancing national regulatoryservices, including our certifica-tion systems, and our pest riskanalysis and food safety services;

*Developing and promoting bet-ter mango farming technologiesby enhancing R&D and extensionservices; and

*Ensuring that an integrated ap-proach is udertaken at the farmlevel to produce more export qual-ity fruits.

As a prelude to PresidentArroyo’s State of the Nation Ad-dress (SONA), Press SecretaryCerge Remonde convened forthe second time the public in-formation officers (PIOs) of vari-ous government departments,agencies, and corporations forthe Economic Cluster Confer-ence, July 24, at Hyatt Hotel.The first PIO Convention was heldon February 12, at Manila Ho-tel.

Secretary Remonde urged thePIOs to take a more pro-activestance in the dissemination ofinformation on the government’sefforts to improve and secure thelives of the people.

“I am quite familiar with mostof the numerous policies and pro-grams of government aimed atimproving the life of our peopleand ensuring the growth of ournation but the government’s ef-forts are not properly and ad-equately communicated to thepeople resulting in a gap be-tween public perception and re-ality,” Sec. Remonde, who hasthe distinction of being the long-est-serving cabinet member ofthe Arroyo administration.

“Sometimes people fail to ap-preciate what the government isdoing for them, simply because‘it is the job of government.’ Thismay be acceptable, but what isdeplorable is the attempt ofsome to twist the truth, or some-times even invent the untrue,” henoted.

Press Sec Remonde urgesGovt PIOs to be pro-active

He likened the PIOs as the“frontline soldiers in the fightagainst ignorance and misinfor-mation. So, there is a need forthem to be abreast with theneeds of the moment for themto be more effective and respon-sive.”

Hence, he added, it is best forthe PIOs that they are well-equipped and trained and al-ways ready to thwart any at-tempt to mislead the peoplethrough the proper and activedissemination of information.

During the conference, somemedia practitioners from ABS-CBN, NBN-4, and Bureau ofBroadcast Services, and fromthe academe shared with thePIOs their knowledge, experi-ences, and tips to successfullyreach out to broadcast and printmedia networks.

Finally, he called on the PIOsnot to content themselves sim-ply as harbingers of truth; butmore so, as “harbingers of hopeand inkwells of inspiration, andto draw for our people not onlythe roadmap to survival but thelandscape of achievable growth.”

The DA family was repre-sented by five PIOs: CherylColoma-Suarez of the DA Infor-mation Service, Rex Estoperez(National Food Authority),Cecille Quimbo (Fertilizer andPesticide Authority), MarilouPakaew (National Dairy Author-ity), and Roberta Riguer (Na-tional Meat Inspection Service).

9July 2009

A high-protein diet with regularpork intake and resistance exer-cise is an excellent way for suf-ferers of type 2 diabetes to loseweight

This was the result of a re-search jointly funded by Austra-lian Pork Limited (APL) and thePork Cooperative Research Cen-tre. It was published in a paper,‘The role of Australian pork in im-

proving thiamine status, heart dis-

ease risk factors and glucose

control in people with type 2 dia-

betes’.

It found that people with type2 diabetes and are overweight orobese can benefit from a high pro-tein, lower carbohydrate diet thatincludes regular pork intake inconjunction with resistance exer-cise.

“This study has shown that ahigh protein diet including lean

Eating pork fights diabetespork plus resistance exercise pro-vides significant health benefits forweight and fat loss and diabetescontrol,” research team leader DrManny Noakes said.

This follows a recent string ofresearch into the benefits of porkfor diabetics, which includes astudy commissioned earlier thisyear by APL and carried out byscientists at the CommonwealthScientific and IndustrialResearchOrganisation (CSIRO)and National Measurement Insti-tute--whose findings reveal thatlean trimmed pork is just as leanas skinless chicken breast.

The report concluded that porkis lean and loaded with essentialvitamins such as B12, B6, thia-mine, niacin, minerals such aszinc and selenium and nutrientsthat include iron andmagnesium.(www.meatinternational.com)

Russian pig producers haveestablished an industry associa-tion--National Union of Pig Pro-ducers--that aims to make Rus-sia a world leading pig producer.

Until now Russian pig produc-ers have not had a non-commer-cial industry organisation of theirown.

According to the National MeatUnion, in 2008 the pork produc-tion in Russia increased by 8%,accounting for 2 million tons.

The pork and by-products im-port, including pig fat, was at thelevel of 1.2 million to 1.3 milliontons.

Representatives of more than100 pig production holdings andfarms, and also mid-sized and

Russia aims to be majorpig producer

small businesses agreed on es-tablishing a National Union of PigProducers.

The new association is settinga number of goals including thefollowing:

To overcome a lag in the pigproduction in some of the Russianregions;

To provide fast pace pig produc-tion based on the state-of-the-arttechnologies and foreign experi-ence; To aim at a stage-by-stagedecrease of the pork import; andTo make the pork available for citi-zens of all incomes.

The main aim of the Union is tomake Russia a world leader inhigh-quality pork production.(www.pigprogress.net)

Experts at the Food and Agri-culture Organization are forecast-ing just that -- Benin will be self-sufficient in rice one day - prob-ably as soon as 2011.

This West African country willeven export its surplus rice out-put.

A two-pronged strategy basedon intensifying production andmarketing of high quality seedsis behind the predicted «miracle».

As part of the campaign, aUS$500,000 FAO project, due tobegin in September 2009, willhelp Benin achieve an ambitiousgoal--that of producing 300,000tonnes of rice - more than doublecurrent output --by 2011.

Benin: rice offers new hopeTo do that, the country will have

to produce more than 2,200tonnes of high quality rice seedseach year.

The plan to intensify Benin’snational rice production was con-ceived against a backdrop of ris-ing food prices, with the situationmade even more serious by thefact that, in common with otherWest African nations, domesticoutput is far from able to satisfyever-growing demand.

According to FAO figures, WestAfrican rice imports reached 6million tonnes in 2001 and fore-casts suggest the figure is likelyto rise to 11 million tonnes by

2010.(FAO)

Rice is the staple food of more than

half of the world population.

Aquaculture, probably the fast-est growing food-producing sec-tor, now accounts for nearly 50percent of the world’s food fish.

The systems and technologyused in aquaculture has devel-oped rapidly in the last 50 years.

They vary from very simple fa-cilities (fishponds) to high tech-nology systems for export produc-tion.

Much of the technology used

in aquaculture is relatively simple,

often based on small models that

improve the growth and survival

rates of the target species, im-

proving food, seeds, oxygen lev-

els and protection from predators.

Simple systems of small fresh-

water ponds account for about half

of global aquaculture production.

A greater understanding of com-

plex interactions between nutri-

ents, bacteria and cultured organ-

isms, together with advances in

hydrodynamics applied to pondand tank design, have enabled thedevelopment of closed systems.

These have the advantage ofisolating the aquaculture systemsfrom natural aquatic systems,thus minimizing the risk of dis-ease or genetic impacts on theexternal systems.

Developments in engineering,some adapted from offshore oil rigconstruction, increase the possi-bilities for a progressive offshoreexpansion of aquaculture usingrobust cages.

Culture-based capture fisheriesinvolving the release of young fishinto the wild to improve harvest(an operation also referred to asrestocking, stock enhancementor ranching) have existed for along time for freshwater andanadromous species (e.g.salmon).

Sea ranching, however, has justmade a start but its long-termviability is being assessed.

Advances have also been madein capture-based aquacultureinvolving the growing/fatteningof young fish (e.g. tuna) capturedfrom the wild.

Major progress have also beingmade in the aquafeeds technol-ogy, combining a large number ofingredients into very small pellets.

The selection of the aquaculturesystem or approach to adopt in aparticular development is deter-mined by several factors:

development goals/objectives andtarget beneficiaries; acceptability/marketability of culture species;availability and level of technol-ogy; availability of inputs and sup-port facilities and services; invest-ment requirements; environmen-tal considerations. (FAO)

Aquaculture now supplieshalf of world’s fish

10

Considered as the country’sforemost mango expert andentomologist, Dr. Hernani Golezof the DA’s Bureau of PlantIndustry National MangoResearch and DevelopmentCenter (BPI-NMRDC) passedaway June 30, 2009, due tocomplications of diabetes.

A native of Guimaras Island,Dr. Golez also served briefly asBPI Director, from 2004 to 2005.

His interest in mango datesback at an early age, when hewas involved in nursery propaga-tion, tree planting and flowerinduction through smudging.

A keen observer of pests, hecorrelated the damage onmango flowers and fruits todiseases and insects likehoppers, borers and fruit flies.

This interest led him to pursueApplied Zoology and Entomol-ogy in 1973, and M.S. inEntomology and Horticulture in1982, at the University of thePhilippines Los Baños (UPLB).

Four years later, he obtaineda Doctor of Philosophy at theOhio State University (USA) andUPLB (Entomology, PlantPathology and Post HarvestPhysiology)

In 1992, he took up post-doctoral studies in entomology,at Germany’s Federal BiologicalResearch Institute for Agricul-ture and Forestry. Later in 2001,he studied insect pathology atUtah State University, as USFulbright Research Fellow.

He published a practical guideto identify mango pests andinsects, their respective natureof damage, and control strate-gies using integrated pestmanagement (IPM).

His contribution could begleaned with the resulting

reduction of mangopest population and

damage which subsequentlyincreased the country’s mangoproduction and improved fruitquality.

His years of research onmango pulp and seed weevilshave also paved the way tocertifying the island ofGuimaras as a free from saidpests, thus enabling thecountry to export fresh man-goes to the United States andAustralia.

His continuous efforts toincrease production of betterquality fruits have empoweredand allowed Filipino mangogrowers and entrepreneurs topenetrate more lucrative mar-kets, here and abroad.

Lately, he is working for thearea freedom certification of thewhole country from the weevilsso that the Philippines couldexport fresh mangoes in biggervolumes to the US, Australiaand Europe.

Some of his major accom-plishments include:· Upgrading of the GuimarasExperiment Station into the DA-BPI National Mango Researchand Development Center(NMRDC), the country’s primemango research institute.· Together with NMRDC re-searchers, developed eight‘Carabao’ mango strains.· Advocated for the ‘Plant now,pay later’ program whichaccelerated the expansion ofmango plantings in the country.· Published the ‘IPM book onMango’ which serves as the‘bible’ in the control of mangopests.· Spearheaded the expansion ofmango plantings in Mindanaofor off-season production.· Developed a several mangotechnologies, enabling farmersto increase production of betterquality fruits.· Expanded mango trade toother countries (Korea, MiddleEast, Guam, New Zealand andCanada) by complying with theirrespective strict quarantinerequirements.· Developed and commercial-ized the Extended Hot WaterTreatment (EWHT) for mango.

Dr. Hernani Golez(March 10, ‘51- June 30, ‘09)

Ms. Virginia Macanda

(April 10, ‘51 - July 26, ‘09)

DA-BPI official, Region 8 info officer join our Creator

(Pls turn to p11)

By Christine Colasito

Ma’am Virgie or “Gie” startedher 33-year government serviceas a clerk in 1976 with the thenBureau of Agricultural Extension(BAEx).

Prior to this, she worked forfour years as a Grade 3 teacherat the Sacred Heart School, inTacloban City.

In 1978, when the BAEx wasmerged with the then Ministry ofAgriculture and Food, she andseven other staff were chosen toform the Agricultural Communi-cation (AgCom) Section of DARegion 8.

She then rose from the ranks,pursuing a Master’s degree inBusiness Education at theDivine Word University in 1997.

She always exacted the bestoutput from her staff, such aswell-written news and features,and edited publications.

Courageous and exudingselfless sacrifice, she bravedtyphoons and inclement weatherconditions, even reaching out tothe remotest and NPA- infestedareas to document DA-initiatedprojects. And all of these are atthe expense of her health anddepriving her family of needed‘quality time.’

During the last few months ofher life, she repeatedly told usnever to never abandon and giveup on our farmers. Such washer drive to get well again, asshe still wanted to do much forour farmers.

She was also adamant onmaintaining crucial linkageswith State Universities andColleges, and other agenciesalso involved in the thanklessjob of rural development – the

Regional Applied Communica-tions Office or the RACO, theTekno-Gabay/ FITS centers, andthe local network/organizationsof media practitioners in theregion, to name a few.

With the support of theRACO, she was instrumental inrealizing the DA-RFU 8 radiofarm program, and in strength-ening coordination with theprovincial information officers inthe implementation of agricul-tural programs and provisionneeded extension services tofarmers and fishers.

In the course of her 14-month fight with gastric cancer,she was still the epitome of atough supervisor. While under-going chemotherapy, she wouldsign papers and various docu-ments on her hospital bed, andin between her doctor’s visits,she would listen to our reportson the goings-on at the office.

In between chemo sessions,she still reported for work.

During the last DA-RFU 8Management Committee(ManCom) meeting she at-tended, she impressed co-employees that she was stillable to withstand the rigors of awhole day meeting, and activelyparticipating in it.

The last time I asked her toguest on our radio farm pro-gram, I had no inkling it wouldbe our last tandem “on air”together. I would very wellremember that moment be-cause despite her weakenedand frail condition, she gamelyanswered all my questions,without any briefing or break inbetween.

Ma’am Virgie is survived byher husband Nereo, and threechildren: Dr. Genevieve Marie,29, a Medical Doctor; GenelineMarie, 26, a call center agent inCebu; and Rainereo Jose Mari,22, a college student).

She was the youngest of sixchildren, born to a merchantChinese father and housewife-turned-politician (BarangayCaptain) mother.

Editor’s Note: The author is

currently the OIC-Regional Info

Officer of DA-RFU 8. She wrote

this article in tandem with her

RAFID staff, Francis Rosaroso

and Susan Adden.

11July 2009

The Department of Agriculture(DA) is pushing the use of natu-ral fiber-based packaging materi-als like abaca to help fight globalwarming and reduce the risks ofenvironmental degradation.

In a report to DA SecretaryArthur Yap, the Fiber IndustryDevelopment Authority (FIDA) rec-ommended that abaca be pro-moted locally and internationallyas an environment-friendly pack-aging material as this fiber is notonly recyclable but biodegradableas well.

FIDA Administrator CeciliaGloria Soriano said that theagency has started promoting theuse of abaca-based packagingmaterials among local govern-ment units and local businessleaders.

“With the strong global advo-cacy on going natural, it becomesmore significant and relevant forus to go back to using abaca-based packaging materials forbags, boxes, a wrapping papersand the like,” Soriano said.

Plastics or synthetic harm ourenvironment as these do not de-compose.”

Abaca fiber is the strongestamong natural fibers, being threetimes stronger than cotton andtwo times stronger than sisal, shesaid.

Soriano proposed thatsinamay bags, for one, be sub-stituted for plastic shopping bagsin high-end specialty shops orbig-name department stores.

Photos downloaded

from www.flickr.com

PGMA lifts limit on export banana areasPresident Arroyo recently is-

sued Executive Order no. 807, lift-ing the limitation on the hectarageof areas planted to export banana.

The move is expected to furtherboost exports of Philippine ba-nanas to the rest of the world.

EO 807 repeals Letter of In-struction No. 58, and LOI 790,both issued by the late presidentFerdinand E. Marcos, that limitedthe area for export banana plan-tation to only 26,250 hectares.

Under the new executive order,the Banana Industry Export Com-mittee is dissolved, instead “theDepartment of Agriculture shalloversee the export banana indus-try” subject to “existing land usepolicies and plans of the nationaland local governments and dueconsideration to global market de-mand and conditions.”

Among other considerations,the EO states that the DA shouldtake the cognizance of the “so-cial and environmental impacts ofexpanding banana plantation ar-eas.”

Meanwhile, banana plantationowners and growers said theycould easily expand to 10,000 ormore hectares within the next 12months.

But the Pilipino Banana Grow-ers and Exporters Association

· Key player in enabling thecountry to export fresh mangoesto China, and Davao del Surmangoes to Australia.

Among his numerous awardsand recognition are:* 23rd Philippine-AmericanExposition, Award of Recogni-tion in the field of Science andTechnology, Los Angeles,California, USA (2008)* UPAA Outstanding AlumnusAward for Science and Technol-ogy (2008)* The Outstanding Filipino(TOFIL) Award. JCI Senate ofthe Philippines and Insular Life(2007)* Most Outstanding Scientist ofthe Decade. Lions international(2004)* PANTAS Award, MostOustanding Scientist PCARRD,2001* Lingkod Bayan Award: CivilService Commission (2001)

Dr. Golez is survived by wife

Neema and children Michelle

Isabel and Rafael Val.

Dr. Golez ... (from p10)

DA-FIDA bats for environment-friendly,abaca packaging materials

(PBGEA) said it wants other is-sues settled first, including the illeffects of its aerial application ofpesticides.

It cited a recent study of theDepartment of Health (DOH) andtwo pending bills in both housesof Congress that could stymieplans and even threaten the hugecontribution of the industry to thelocal as well as the country’seconomy, which are smarting fromthe global financial crunch.

Stephen Antig, president ofPBGEA, said the varying plansof its 31 members to expandcould reach an aggregate area ofanother 10,000 hectares in thenext year “because the industrycontinues to be profitable.”

The banana industry inMindanao currently covers43,000 hectares from its mem-bers alone. With small and in-dependent growers, totalhectarage planted to bananas isestimated to be as much as60,000 hectares.

He said the industry is esti-mated to be worth between P35billion to P40 billion, and employ-ing 500,000 workers.

“[The President] just said wecan now flex our muscles andstart expanding because shehas lifted the restriction,” Antigsaid. He added that the indus-try has made her aware of its pre-dicament on “the issues hurled

against us even by governmentagencies.”

“We have been saying repeat-edly that our applications are safe,as ascertained, certified and ap-proved, not only by the Fertilizerand Pesticide Authority, but alsoby international bodies like theFood and Agriculture Organizationof the United Nations,” he said.

He added that “our markets,especially Japan, have a verystrict requirement that even a verysmall residue can cause them toreject our shipment.”

He said big banana growershave been shipping 180,000boxes thrice weekly. Each boxcontains 13.5 kilos of theCavendish variety. Average-sizedgrowers ship at least once aweek. (Business Mirror)

FIDA execu-tives broachedthis idea in a re-cent meetingwith officials ofthe Departmentof EnvironmentalServices ofMakati City, thecountry’s busi-ness hub, wherehigh-end storesabound.

The MakatiCity governmenthas passed a lo-cal ordinanceregulating theuse of plastics intheir locality, amove that couldopen up oppor-tunities for theseabaca-based packaging materi-als, Soriano said.

FIDA has also partnered with theMarikina City government and theRotary Clubs of District 3800 inMarikina in conducting livelihoodtraining programs on makingabaca handmade papers andfiber mats or abaca scrunch withthe end in view of servicing theneeds not only of the shoes andbags industry in the city but alsoof other types of businesses.

The Philippines has 150,000hectares of abaca farmsproviding livelihood to 95,000 farm-ers.

Eastern Visayas, Bicol andSouthern Mindanao are the

country’s three major abaca-pro-ducing regions.

In 2008, the Philippines pro-duced some 77,000 metric tonsof abaca fiber, 27.5% higher thanin 2007. The country suppliesabout 85% of the world require-ments for abaca while only about15% is supplied by Ecuador , theonly other commercial producerin the world.

DA crafts El Niñocontingency plan

Lure farmers withincentives, bigger incomes

Agriculture Secretary ArthurYap has instructed all DA officialsin charge of GinintuangMasaganang Ani (GMA) programsto craft respective contingencyplans to mitigate the adverse im-

pact of El Niño on next year’s

harvests.He issued the directive in re-

sponse to the forecast of the Phil-ippine Atmospheric, Geophysicaland Astronomical Services Ad-ministration (Pagasa) that an-other El Niño episode or prolongeddry spell will likely occur nextyear.

The funding for the contingencyplans will be incorporated in theDA’s proposed 2010 budget.

Secretary Arthur C. Yap (2nd from left) visits Nestle’s cof-fee nursery in Tagum City, Davao. With him is companypresident and CEO Nandu Nandkishore.

The DA is streamlining its bud-get this year and in 2010 to en-sure that majority of the funds willbankroll programs meant to attainfood security and sufficiency, de-spite challenges such as climatechange and globalized trading.

Related to trade, DAUndersecretary Bernie Fondevillasaid that import tariffs on agricul-tural commodities are set to godown next year, as part of thePhilippines’ commitments underthe Common Effective Preferen-tial Tariff Scheme for the AseanFree Trade Area or (CEPT-AFTA),while climate change hasspawned freak weather patternsnow upsetting planting seasonsand hurting crop yields.

Tagum, Davao del Norte —The Department of Agriculture andNestlé Philippines, one of thecountry’s largest food andbeverage corporations, haveforged a memorandum ofagreement (MOA) to implementinitiatives geared to making thePhilippines a major player in theinternational coffee market.

The MOA involves DA-Nestlepartnership in the implementationof a coffee industry developmentprogram that entails expansion ofgreen coffee production,development of new coffeeplanting areas, and rehabilitationof existing coffee farms.

The agreement, which will be

in effect for one year, also calls

for the establishment of coffee

gardens, nurseries and tissue

culture centers for somatic

embryogenesis, better known as

asexual plant propagation, and a

coffee institute.

The institute will serve as a hub

for technical and training support

to various coffee stakeholders,

including farmers under the

mentorship of Filipino and

international experts.

The MOA was signed byAgriculture Secretary Arthur Yap

and Doreswamy Nandkishore,chairman and CEO of Nestlé

Philippines, in simple rites atthe Nestlé Experimental

Demonstration Farm, in Tagum.

General Santos City — Toboost the production of vegetablesand other crops, farmers shouldbe ensured of bigger incomes.

“How do we increase agricul-tural production?

“Very simple.“Dagdagan ang kita ng ating

mga magsasaka,” said Agricul-ture Secretary Arthur Yap at therecent 7th National VegetableCongress in this city.

To achieve this, farmers shouldbe provided with incentives -- thatinclude seeds, facilities that willpreserve the quality of their yields,and a ready, reliable market fortheir produce.

These are exactly what theDepartment of Agriculture is do-ing to encourage more farmers toengage in vegetable production,Sec. Yap said

Among the congress partici-pants were world boxing cham-pion Manny Pacquiao, who issponsoring a vegetable plantingprogram for women-beneficiariesin his farm in Malungon,Sarangani.

“Ang vegetable industry natin,

lumalaban ito, humihingi ng

tulong pero pag natulungan mo

parang si Manny Pacquiao,walang

excuses, lumalaban,” Yap said.To help expand markets for veg-

etable farmers, Yap said the DAis promoting vegetables, espe-cially among children, by featur-

DA, Nestlé team upto produce more coffee

Under the MOA, the DA will

provide funds and logistical

support to the program by directly

procuring the materials and

services to implement the projects

envisioned in the agreement, in

accordance with COA rules.

In addition, the Department will

send its sponsored trainees,

scientists and researchers to

Nestlé research centers to train

on new technologies.

It will likewise make available

the use of DA facilities such as

its Regional Integrated Agricultural

Research Centers, Bureau of

Plant Industry, and other attached

offices for the establishment of

sustainable coffee techno-demo

farms; development of coffee

production technologies; research

and development programs; coffee

farm mapping, water management

and soil analyses.

Nestlé, for its part, will provide

technical assistance in coffee

production and post-production,

as well as green coffee quality

standards technology, and

training under specific projects.

It will make available the Nestlé

Experimental Demo Farm

facilities and Nestlé Research

Centers for the degree and non-

degree training of DA-sponsored

staff. Moreover, it will provide the

expertise for the development of

a coffee institute.

ing Pacquiao holding or eating, forinstance, ampalaya, in its insti-tutional ads.

To develop the vegetable indus-try, the DA is establishing green-houses, providing farmers’ groupstransport and postharvest facili-ties, including tramlines in uplandareas such as Mountain Provinceand Bukidnon, cold storage facili-ties and refrigerated transportsystems, and strengthening mar-ket linkages through the settingup of barangay bagsakans ortrading points in strategic areas.

To eliminate delays due to‘kotong’, Yap said the DA pushedfor the establishment of ‘foodlanes’ for transport vehicles en-tering Metro Manila.

The Congress drew some 500participants and local officialsthat include General Santos CityMayor Pedro Acharon Jr.;Sarangani Gov. MiguelDominguez; AGAP party-list Rep.Nicanor Briones; and officers ofnational and regional vegetablefarmers’ associations;

During the congress, the Phil-ippine Vegetable Industry Devel-opment Board elected its new setof officers, led by Lyndon Tan, aspresident. Assisting him are JoseAndiso, vice president for Luzon;Edgardo Codilla, vice president forVisayas; and MarcelinoRemotigue, vice president forMindanao.