DA-PRDP guarantees A&M cassava farmers sales thru marketing agreement
By Zenny G. Awing
BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 16 -- To ensure the establishment of a cassava market, the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Caraga through the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) updated the marketing agreement between the A&M Multi-purpose Cooperative (A&M) in Dinagat Islands and Fatima Multi-purpose Cooperative (FMPC) in Leyte.
The
marketing agreement crafted during the DA-PRDP planning stated that A&M can
potentially supply cassava granules to FMPC. Subsequently, as A&M reached
FMPC’s proposed cassava volume, DA-PRDP intervenes to finalize the documents.
A visit
by the Investment in Rural Enterprises and Agriculture and Fisheries
Productivity (I-REAP) or enterprise component in FMPC on April 6-8 in Region-8
ensured that the marketing agreement will then be signed to proceed with the
delivery of A&M’s produce.
The
DA-PRDP inculcates the importance of forging a formal marketing agreement where
both parties remain grounded and protected. This provides in-depth detail of
the product’s volume, quality, and delivery frequency.
The
marketing agreement guarantees A&M’s produce will be purchased and FMPC
will get the required volume of cassava granules.
“Cassava
is not only a staple food but a primary commodity. We, in DA-PRDP, are like
supporting actors for the success of this project. With this, we make sure to
establish a market for the produce of the A&M to make it profitable,” Lynn
A. PareΓ±as, DA-Caraga PRDP I-REAP component head said.
Furthermore,
the signed document is one way of educating the farmers to exercise their
rights and authority especially when it comes to bulk orders.
“During
investment forums, we bring in personnel from the industry itself including San
Miguel Foods, Inc. (SMFI). Through this, they will have a picture of the coops’
needs. These forums built a close partnership with the SMFI which also allowed
us to connect to FMPC, one of their cassava granules suppliers,” she added.
A&M
cooperative agreed to supply 10 metric tons or 10,000 kilograms of cassava
granules per month with a buying price of P11/kg to FMPC. This will then be
delivered by FMPC to SMFI to be processed as feeds.
“I-REAP
assures that cassava granules consolidation and marketing are viable
considering the market. Even if the project reaches its term, the enterprise
can still continue, and support from DA will always be there,” PareΓ±as
guaranteed.
Moreover,
I-REAP plans to organize a field visit for the staff of A&M to the
facilities of FMC to expose them to the coop’s process and give them a hands-on
experience of the machines used.
Also, a
prospect production training which will be funded by I-REAP in partnership with
FMC will happen in Dinagat Islands for the cassava farmers of A&M.
“For
now, as the project progress, we also continue the capability building,
institutional development, and other related engagements with A&M,” PareΓ±as
asserted.
The MOA
that will be signed in May serves as the go signal for the maiden voyage of
A&M’s high-quality cassava granules. This will be tentatively transported
to Matalom Leyte, then directly delivered to SMFI BMEG Plant in Ormoc City. (DA-RFO
XIII, PRPD/PIA-Caraga)
4Ks fosters IPs growth through agriculture
By Vanessa P. Sanchez
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Apr. 16 -- To ensure that no one gets left behind, the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Caraga has taken upon its arm to include the indigenous peoples (IPs) in its quest for agricultural development through the 4Ks program.
The
Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo or 4 Ks is a new special project
of the DA in partnership with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples
(NCIP). Generally, it aims to develop the ancestral domains of the indigenous
cultural communities (ICCs)/IPs in order to improve productivity by developing
sustainable agricultural enterprises and profitability by increasing their
income in consideration with their customs, traditions, values, beliefs, and
interests.
The
program provides assistance to the ICCs/IPs in the form of agricultural and
fishery-related livelihood opportunities, investments, and various support
services through targeted community needs assessments (CNA).
On
March 23 to 25, a Cultural Sensitivity Training and Technical Briefing was
conducted among DA personnel involved in the program implementation.
DA-Caraga’s
4Ks focal person Edelmira R. Luminarias emphasized the significance of being
aware of the IPs’ culture and rights. “It is important that we know about their
culture and rights to have a better understanding of their needs and be able to
provide the appropriate interventions,” she said.
Meanwhile,
Girlie E. Patagan of the NCIP - Surigao del Norte Provincial Office said that
cultural sensitivity begins with recognizing cultural differences between
people.
Atty.
Victor Marc Bernal, the Legal Officer of the NCIP - Surigao del Norte
Provincial Office stressed that along with cultural sensitivity, it is
important to conduct the Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) before implementing
a project in a certain ancestral domain to ensure that the community is aware
and in agreement with the said project. “This way, the agency is secure and the
IPs are also protected,” he said.
In
Caraga, there are currently 26 approved Certificate of Ancestral Domains Title
(CADT) that spans in 639,000 hectares. This year, there are eight proposed
projects which include corn, rice, vegetable, abaca and banana production, as
well as Chicken Multiplier Project and Goat Multiplier Project. (DA
13-RAFIS/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
U.S. provides P170-M to support COVID-19 vaccine deployment in PH
BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 16 -- The United States (U.S.) government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing the Philippines P170 million ($3.5 million) to support the Department of Health (DOH) in its COVID-19 vaccination rollout.
This
new assistance, which brings total U.S. government support for the Philippines’
COVID-19 response to nearly P1.3 billion ($27 million), will strengthen the
country’s health system and vaccine delivery efforts.
U.S.
Embassy ChargΓ© d’Affaires John Law announced this new assistance during a visit
to a vaccination site in Caloocan City with Philippine Secretary of Health
Francisco Duque III, Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan, USAID Philippines
Mission Director Lawrence Hardy II, and other U.S. and Philippine officials.
Through
this new funding, USAID will support the Philippines in strengthening the
vaccine supply chain, monitoring vaccine safety, and delivering effective communication
campaigns to address vaccine hesitancy. This assistance will also support local
government units as they plan for, track, and administer vaccines.
“While
the pandemic has tested our peoples and our economies, the strong bonds between
Americans and Filipinos will help us rise above this challenge. We will
continue to fight this unprecedented global health crisis together,” said Law.
U.S.
government support for the Philippines’ COVID-19 response has helped the
country implement internationally-recognized infection prevention and control
strategies, strengthen laboratory systems and case management, and communicate
effectively about health risks.
In
addition, the White House recently announced a P194 billion ($4 billion)
commitment to support the COVAX facility, a global initiative to support early
vaccine access for 92 countries, including the Philippines.
An
initial P97.2-billion ($2 billion) contribution, provided through
USAID, is supporting the purchase and delivery of safe and effective COVID-19
vaccines.
Through the COVAX effort - of which the United States is the largest donor - the Philippines will receive enough vaccines to immunize at least 20 percent of its population by the end of 2021. (U.S. Embassy in the Philippines/PIA-Caraga)
Matatag fighters, NPAs clash in Agusan Norte
The exchange of fire lasted for
about five minutes afterward, the enemy withdrew towards the northeast
direction.
The troops have recovered one
AK47, one long AK47 magazine loaded with 20 rounds, two backpacks, two
hammocks, one flashlight, one poncho tent, 15 kilos of rice with canned goods,
other personal belongings and subversive documents with high intelligence
value.
Lt. Col. Aristotle Antonio, Acting
Commanding Officer of 29IB, said the CNTs number is already weakening. "We
assure that we will continue to hunt those remaining members of the group until
there is no one left," he said.
"You still have time to
heed our calls to surrender and go back to the mainstream. Do not waste
your precious life moving in the mountains and enduring ceaseless pain. The
government is ever willing to help you find your ways. So, come now,
surrender, and be reunited with your family once again," Antonio
added. (CMO Officer, 29IB PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)
IPs sa hilit na lugar sa Nasipit mapasalamaton sa AguSerbisyo sa AgNor
By Shena Mae Pabia
DAKBAYAN
SA BUTUAN, Abril 16 -- Mapasalamaton kaayo ang mga residente sa hilit nga
komunidad sa Indigenous Peoples (IP) sa Sitio Mimbahandi ug mga kasikbit niini
nga mga sitio sa mga barangay sa Camagong ug Jaguimitan sa Nasipit tungod sa
pagpadangat sa probinysal nga panggamhanan sa Agusan del Norte og
nagkalain-laing serbisyo sa pagpanguna mismo ni Gob. Dale B. Corvera, Mayor
Enrico Corvera sa Nasipit ug mga ahensya sa nasudnong panggamhan niadtong Abril
12-13.
“Dako gyud ang among pagpasalamat nga si Gobernor [Dale B. Corvera] nga usa sa naghatag ug higayon nga diri gyud gidala ang immersion, kay sa tinuod, ang diri sa minbahandi, sukad-sukad karon pagyud nahigdaan og tanan ahensya sa gobyerno nga nakita gyud sa katawhan,” sumala ni Datu Talagsaon Jimbo M. Mansaguinda, ang tibal chieftain sa Sitio Minbahandi.
Dugang ni Datu Jimbo nga “Bisan
lisod atong dalan, kritikal, pero naningkamot ang mga ahensya sa gobyerno nga
makaabot dinhi sa Sitio Minbahandi, aron pagdala ug paghatod sa mga daghang
dugang nga mga project para kanato nga mga tribong Higaonon.”
Sa iyang mensahe giapasabot ni
Gob. Corvera nga ang pagpadangat sa maong mga serbis “bunga sa panagsabot sa
mga ahensya, lokal ug nasyunal, aron mapaabot kaninyo ang mga services karong
adlawa gikan sa provincial government”.
Ubay-ubay nga mga serbisyo ang
napadangat sa maong AguSerbisyo ubos sa AGUSAN UP!, ang kampanya sa pagpalambo
sa administtrasyon ni Gob. Corvera kaabag ang buhatan ni Kong Angel
Amante-Matba, nga nagsilbi usab nga immersion activity sa nagkalainlaing nasyonal
nga ahensya. Nagsilbi usab ang maong kalihukan nga kabahin sa Renewed
Intensified Community Outreach (RICO) program sa lungsod sa Nasipit.
Apil sa mga napadangat ug ang
gidaghanon sa benepisyaryo niini mao ang mosunod: Medical consultation-467;
Operation tuli-68 ug Dental Services-58, Family Planning Services (Pap
Smear)-78; Excision mask surgery-4; Operation Alis-bukol, ug; Blood sugar
monitoring.
Nakahatag usab og Walking
canes-10, Wheelchairs-15, Mosquito Nets-400, Food packs, Reading glasses,
Surgical kits, Dental Kits, Medical kits, Buntis kits, Women/Child health care,
Vitamins, Medicines.
Nakahatag
usab ang Provincial Agriculture Office [PAO] og baboy, manok-300, Vegetable ug
Corn seeds, Tilapia Fingerlings-5,000.
Ang Environmental and Natural Resources
Division [ENRD] nananom og fruit trees, mahogany ug lambog seedlings-155 ka
punoan; lakip na ang monoblock ug kiddie chairs, portable sound system; Ice
cream-15 tubes, water drums-5, Printer sa skwelahan sa sitio-2;
Nakahimo
usab ang buhatan sa Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office
[PDDRMO] og Basic Life Support Training.
Ang
buhatan sa Department of Interior and Local Government [DILG] nanghatag ug
libreng flashlight kada-panimalay. Ang National Commission on Indigenous
Peoples [NCIP] naghatag og Libreng legal nga konsultasyon kabahin sa mga IP ug
CADT.
Ang
Department of Trade and Industry [DTI] usab nagpahigayon ug libre nga demo sa
paghimo ug Powder Detergent nga sabon, product clinic ug konsultasyon sa
negosyo. Ang Eastern Gateway Eagles Club Region II nanghatag ug libreng
tsinelas ug hygiene kits. Ang Philippine Red Cross libreng nagpahigayon og
Information drive ug bloodletting.
Ang Philippine National Police
adunay libreng tupi, hygiene kits, Lice Alis ug Padula sa laro ng lahi.
Ang Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority [TESDA] nagpahigayon og pagbansay sa kahanas ug naka
gradawar og 581 ka lumulupyo kansang gradwasyon gitambongan ni Sec. Isidro
LapeΓ±a mismo. Nakig partner usab kini sa munisipyo pagpahiluna og bakery,
repair shop ug hardware ubos sa Busilak Enterprise.
Sa maong okasyon usab gilusad sa
probinsya ang “CADT OG-KAAGPAS” (Pinulongang Higaonon sa CADT Express) ubos sa
AGUSAN UP! gihapon. Ubos niini tutokan ang suporta sa pagpananum sa kayutaan sa
mga IPs ug pagproseso sa abot niini alang sa ilang ekonomikanhong paglambo.
Kaabag usab sa probinsya sa maong
kalihukan mga kasundaloan, kapulisan, DOST, DepEd, DSWD, DOT, DENR, DAR, DA,
DOLE, NIA, Land Bank, DBP, PhilFida, DPWH, Aboitiz Power, Pilmico, Adfil ug uban
pa. (Agusan Up, LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)
Kampanya pagsugpo sa diabetes ug hypertension gilusad
DAKBAYAN
SA BUTUAN, Abril 16 -- Gilusad sa probinsya sa Agusan del Norte ang Diabetes
and Hypertension Club sa Tagkatong, Carmen, Agusan del Norte.
Gitambongan
usab ang kalihukan sa LGU-Carmen Officials nga representahan ni Eva Palarca, SB
Committee on Health Chair, Municipal Health ug Barangay Officials.
Ang
pagpadangat og mas malukpanon pang health services kabahin sa Amomang Agusanon
Flagship Program sa probinsya ubos sa AGUSAN UP!, ang kampanya sa pagpalambo sa
administrasyon ni Gob. Dale B. Corvera kaabag ang buhatan ni Kongw. Angel
Amante-Matba.
Sa
gilusad nga kalihukan, mosuma sa 150 ka indibidwal ang nahigayonan og
konsultasyon, blood sugar testing ug chest x-ray.
Naghatag
pod ang DOH og oryentasyon sa mga lumulupyo kalabot sa kamapanya batok sa
diabetes ug hypertension aron makasayud sa mga lakang nga kinahanglan sundon
apil na ang hustong pagpili sa pagkaon.
Ang mga lakang nga buhaton ning maong kampanya pagbatok sa diabetes ug hypertension mao ang mosunod: Step 1 - Registration, Step 2 pagkuha og BP ug timbang, Step 3 - Zumba, Step 4 - Fasting Blood Sugar, Step 5- Advocacy and Counselling ug, Step 6 - Paghatag og mga Medisina. (Shena Mae Pabia with a report from Jhenny Fabian, Agusan Up, LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)
