Tuesday, December 7, 2021

DA-PRDP turns-over P152M FMR in AgSur town

BUTUAN CITY -- The local residents in the municipality of San Luis, Agusan del Sur, and neighboring barangays welcomed a merry December 1 as the 9.32km farm-to-market road was turned-over by the Department of Agriculture - Philippine Rural Development Project Caraga (DA-PRDP).

The road covering Barangays Mahapag, Muritula, and Doña Maxima provides an easy flow of transportation for farmers' goods, particularly rubber and primary services. Moreover, the concrete road reduces average travel time from 20 minutes to 10 minutes in transporting cup lumps, reducing post-harvest losses and transportation costs, thus increasing farmers' income. 

"Since 1972, we have been dreaming of this road. As a resident and a farmer, I experienced the struggle of getting our products into the market. Sometimes my products will be rotten on my farm due to the difficulty of delivering our goods. This is a dream come true and a wonderful gift to us. On behalf of the farmers here in San Luis, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the agencies and our local government unit who hand in hand helped in delivering this huge present," said Jaime R. Madanlo, punong barangay of Doña Maxima.

Starting at Brgy. Mahapag and ending at Brgy. Doña Maxima, the road has the classification of provincial road connecting to the national road at the municipality of San Luis. Buyers can now come in and out of the barangays, making it easier for farmers to sell products at a higher price. According to the Doña Maxima barangay captain, this inspired farmers in the area to plant more crops. 

"If before you could see vast untilled lands here, now, as you traverse along the concrete roads, various crops are seen planted along the way. Aside from rubber, falcata, coconuts, and more crops are planted here," said Madanlo. 

Furthermore, the local government officials also encouraged each other to craft policies to maintain their roads. 

"As the officials, we will do our part to maintain our roads, away from abuse. I ask for 100% support from my fellow constituents and officials to keep our road clean and peaceful," said barangay captain of Muritula, Anggaman A. Escalicas. 

Ricardo M. Oñate, the DA-Caraga Executive Director, assured that the government always listens to the concerns of the communities, especially the farmers and fisherfolk. He also mentioned that DA together with the LGUs will help farmers prosper, thus more partnership will be expected in the future.

DA-PRDP head Ricardo M. Oñate, together with Agsuan del Sur Governor Santiago B. Cane Jr, and San Luis Municipal Mayor Phoebe L. Corvera led the cutting of the ribbon with the PRDP Regional Project Coordination, LGU, and barangay officials. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Agusan del 

 

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

DA chief delivers P159.6M financial aid, projects to Caraga farmers 

BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) pushes to pursue an inclusive and holistic approach to accelerate the transformation of Philippine agriculture under the One DA Reform Agenda key strategies. 

 

In doing so, Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar takes the lead in the distribution of the PhP159.6 million financial assistance and agri-fishery projects to Caraga farmers, fishers, and local government units (LGUs) on December 7, 2021, held in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.

 

“The agency envisions a food-secure Philippines with prosperous farmers and fishers. To do this, all programs and projects are aligned to the four pillars of the OneDA Reform Agenda: Modernization, Consolidation, Industrialization, and Professionalization will be in partnership with the LGUs,” said Dar. 

 

Secretary Dar emphasized the vital role of the LGUs in increasing productivity and profitability at the local level through agri-fishery extension services. 

 

As the DA continues on its nationwide roll-out of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund - Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RCEF-RFFA) Program, the DA Chief handed the Interventions Monitoring Card to the 1,844 Prosperidad rice farmers as they represent the 16,037 farmer-beneficiaries in the Province of Agusan del Sur. With a total amount of PhP81.3 million, eligible rice farmers tilling two hectares or less received PhP5,000 cash assistance that can augment farmers’ production needs. 

 

Elmer D. Buquil, a rice farmer in Barangay San Rafael, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur expressed his gratitude for the RCEF-RFFA. 

“I will use the P5,000 cash assistance as additional working capital for my 1.5 hectares this cropping season. This is a big help for me," said Buquil.

 

Part of the key strategies is to intensify the post-harvest, processing, logistics, & marketing support among the farmers and fishers. With this, 15 Farmers’/Fishers’ Cooperative and Association (FCA) was granted a working capital with a total amount of PhP9.7 million through the Enhanced Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Inclusive Food Supply Chain Program. This will equip the FCAs as a reliable food commodity supplier to sustainably operate Kadiwa Retail Stores in their locality. 

Hauling and delivery activities is now easier to  Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza (CarCanMadCarLan) Agri-based Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CAMPCO) in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur, Sumilihon-Taguibo Farmers Association in Butuan City, Bayugan Achievers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BAMPCO) in Bayugan City, and Local Government Unit of Cabadbaran City as each received one unit of refrigerated vans with a total amount PhP10.96 million.

 

BAMPCO Manager Grace P. Ostique said that the refrigerated van is a big help for the operations of their Organic Trading Post. "We are excited to use the vehicle as this will help us reach more communities to offer our affordable and fresh produce," said Ostique.

 

CAMPCO also received the Bangus Production and Marketing subproject amounting to PhP16.55 million under the DA-Philippine Rural Development Project Enterprise Component.

 

On top of that, to increase harvest efficiency among Caraga rice farmers the DA Chief also led the turnover of 14 units of recirculating dryers amounting to PhP37.3 million to LGUs in the region. The facility will be operated by the LGUs through their identified Farmers’ Cooperative and Associations (FCA).

 

The mobilization and empowerment of partners, the LGUs and rice farmers with additional post-harvest facilities are bound to contribute to greater profits and deliver quality rice to consumers.

 

The recipients of the recirculating dryers are the following: Municipalities of San Agustin, Marihatag, Lanuza, Madrid, Hinatuan, San Miguel, Tago, and Bislig City in the Province of Surigao del Sur as well as municipalities of Prosperidad, Bunawan, Rosario, Talacogon, and San Francisco in the Province of Agusan del Sur and Cabadbaran City in Agusan del Norte.

 

In addition, Kangyat Multi-Purpose Cooperative, a corn clustered organization in Talacogon town will gain more benefits from the commodity’s value chain through the PhP3 million worth recirculating dryer with generator set funded by the DA’s Corn Program. The cooperative took part in the Bayanihan Agri Clusters and is now reaping the various interventions from free seeds and farm inputs, financial, mechanization, and market support. 

 

Moreover, Secretary Dar handed the check to 174 coconut farmers amounting to PhP848,535 in the region under the DA-Philippine Coconut Authority's various projects.  

 

Secretary Dar was assisted by Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Noel Reyes, DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr., Regional Technical Director for Operations Rebecca R. Atega, Regional Technical Director for Research, Regulations, and ILD Nicandro M. Navia, Jr., Agusan del Sur Governor Santiago B. Cane, and other government officials in the distribution of the various projects. (DA-Caraga/ PIA-Agusan del Sur)

 

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Obra-maestra ng isang pintor, naging inspirasyon sa kabila ng COVID-19 pandemic sa isang exhibit sa Butuan City

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN -- Temang “Pagkakaisa ng bawat pamilyang pilipino sa kabila ng coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic” ang naging inspirasyon ng isang pintor sa Butuan City.

Sa kanyang Solo Art Exhibit, pinamagatan ni Ronnie Rudinas ang kanyang mga obra ng ‘Konektado’.

Ipinahayag ni Rudinas, isa sa mga tanyag at kilalang pintor ng lungsod, sa kanyang mga makukulay na kwadro ang kahalagahan ng pagtutulungan at pagkakaisa para malampasan ang ano mang hamon, lalo na ngayong may pandemya.

“Konektado tayong lahat sa mata ng Diyos, maging sa sa ating mga pinagkukunang-yaman. Itong exhibit na ito ay para sa lahat na mga art lovers. At para naman sa mga gustong bumili ng aking mga naipinta, hanggang sa Desyembre 11 tayo dito sa Buongusto Restaurant sa Butuan City,” ani ni Rudinas. 

Naging tanyag na rin si Rudinas sa iba’t-ibang rehiyon ng bansa dahil na rin sa makabagbag-damdaming mensahe ng kanyang mga obra.

Maliban sa pagiging pintor, isa ring banker si Rudinas; isang ama at asawang nagsusumikap na malampasan ang mga hamon sa buhay at ang panganib na dulot ng COVID-19.

Hinikayat din ni Rudinas ang mga kabataang may interes sa pagpipinta na mas pagbutihin pa ang kanilang gawa at patuloy na magbigay inspirasyon sa pamamagitan ng kanilang obra maestra.

“Patuloy po tayong maging inspirasyon sa iba. Sabi nga ni Salvador Dale, ang totoong artist ay ‘yung nakakabahagi ng mabuting emosyon sa iba at nagiging inspirasyon ito sa kanila na mas maging mabuting tao,” banggit ni Rudinas. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

 

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

River bank, school building project giturn-over sa AgNor

DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN -- Gipangunahan nila Gob. Dale B. Corvera, Kong. Angel Amante-Matba ug Bise Gob. Ramon AG. Bungabong ang pagturn-over sa probinsya ngadto sa hingtungdang barangay niadtong Disyembre 2 ang nahuman na nga New Bohol Riverbank Slope Protection sa Sitio New Bohol, Sangay ug ang duha ka unit sa two-classroom school buildings sa Sitio Calayagon, Malapong, tanan sa Buenavista, Agusan del Norte sa magkalahing seremonyas.

Ang P17,989,951.01 nga riverbank slope protection gipundohan ubos sa 5% Calamity Fund samtang ang P6,413,172.82 proyektong eskwelahan gipundohan gikan sa Special Education Fund (SEF) sa probinsya.

 

Sa iyang mensahe, gipadayag ni Gob. Corvera ang iyang kalipay sa nga nahuman na ang maong mga proyekto ug maka-benepisyo na ang ang mga lumulupyo ning maong mga hilit nga lugar.

 

“Ang probinsya, (bisan) sa kadaghan sa problema, dunay kasingkasing nga mohatag og dakung pagtagad kaninyo labi na kamo nga nia nagpuyo niining suok nga dapit,” sumala ni Gob. Corvera.

 

Sa bahin sa mga lumulupyo, mapasalamaton si Roldan Dalagan, punong barangay sa Brgy. Sangay, nga sa kadaghang proyekto nga naka linya sa probinsya apan usa ang Riverbank Slope Protection ang gihatagan og prayoridad.

 

Ang slope protection usa sa mga prayoridad sa probinysa ubos sa envrionmental development program niini nga mao ang “Lunhanw’ng Agusan” ug ang pag-improve sa pasilidades sa pagtungha kabahin sa social development program nga mao ang “Amomang Agusanon” ubos sa AGUSAN UP!, ang kampanya sa pagpalambo sa administrasyon ni Gob. Corvera kaabag ang buhatan ni Kong. Amante-Matba.

 

Kalabot usab kini sa hiniusang pagpadangat og nagka lain-laing serbisyo sa lokal man o nasudnong ahensya ubos sa “Whole-of-Nation approach” nga gimando ubos sa Executive Order No. 70.

 

Mitambong usab sa maong okasyon sila si Board Members Francisco Chan ug Dick Victor Carmona, Col. Adonis Ariel Orio sa 402nd Brigade, PCol Martin Gamba nga gi representahan ni Lt. Col Ian Rosales sa ADN-PPO, Lt. Col Julius Cesar Paulo sa 23rd IB, mga barangay officials ug representate sa Reyrose Construction. (Shena Mae Pabia, Ydheil Zagado ug Reymar Reyes, LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

 

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Agus Blend midagayday sa Butuan

DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN -- Midagayday ang “Agus Blend” sa SM City Butuan sa gipahigayon sa Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) nga "Buy Caraga, By Caraga Christmas Edition Trade Fair" sugod niadtong Disyembre 4 hangtud 10.

Ang Agus Blend, mao ang kape sa proyektong “Coffee Net," usa sa mga 15 ka Core Processing Projects ubos sa Process! Process! Process! Project sa AGUSAN UP!, ang kampanya sa ekonomikanhong pagpalambo sa probinsya ilawom sa administrasyon ni Gob. Dale B. Corvera kaabag ang buhatan ni Kongw. Angel Amante-Matba. 

Isip kabahin sa kalihukan, nagpahigayon adtong Lunes, Disyembre 6, og libreng Coffee Tasting ang DTI lakip na og pagpakita sa katawhan sa mga pamaagi ug proseso sa pag-brew sa kape.

Apil sa mga kape nga gi-display sa maong trade fair ang produktong kape sa mosunod nga mga organisasyon sa mag-uuma  mao ang: Simbalan Integrated Farmers Association Inc. (SIFAI) ug Sitio Antipolo Farmers Association of Buenavista, Inc. (SAFABAI) sa Buenavista ubos sa "Coffee Net" network; Mabog Coffee sa Mabog Agricultural Industrial Producers Association sa Bislig City; Kahayagan Coffee sa Mabuhay-Kahayagan Coffee Growers Cooperative sa Surigao del Sur; ug Cahifo Coffee sa Calabuan Higaonon Farmers Association sa Agusan del Sur.

Aduna usab mga nagkalain-laing produkto nga gama gikan sa probinsya sa Agusan del Norte ingon man sa Caraga Region ang naka-display sa maong trade fair ug mamahimong bisitahe ang maong booth. (Karen Kei Decamutan, LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)