One Mindanao - July 17, 2014

Mindanao’s homegrown bank opens 100th branch in DavOr Rudolph AlamaSOUTHERN MINDANAO

THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 222

Government preparations for typhoon ‘Glenda’ were sufficient, Palace says

NATIONAL

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NORTHERN MINDANAO

WESTERN MINDANAO

WESTERN MINDANAO

CARAGA REGION

SOUTHERN MINDANAO

Exec backs health care, gives 100,630 toothbrushes, 5,383 toothpaste to public schools

Farmcasters enrich broadcasting, crisis handling skills

PS-DBM depot opens in Ipil town

NorthCot town gets over P10M worth of infra projects

DA 12 brings soil analysis service to villages

DOH-9, NNC conduct nutrition information caravan

Mary Kay-Butuan supports PIA’s advocacy on CCA

Price and poor use of fertilizers threaten PH agri sector

DAR releases P2.2M for the farmers of Asuncion

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Information to Empower Filipinos

7PIO

Alma L. Tingcang

Shahana Joy Duerme

Danilo E. Doguiles

Claro A. Lanipa

Jennifer P. Gaitano

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Vannessa Mae S. Siano

Mindanao’s homegrown bank opens 100th branch in DavOr

Mindanao’s homegrown bank opens 100th branch in DavOr

One Network Bank, currently recognized as Mindanao’s widest banking

network, celebrated the official grand opening of its 100th branch in the City of

ONB President, Alex V. Buenaventura, joined by the Management Team headed by the members of the corporation’s executive committee, expressed their happiness over the success of the banking institution, which now also expands beyond the countryside of Mindanao. Buenaventura, during the grand opening, said that aside from ONB’s usual financing of agricultural businesses, they are also looking at bankrolling funds for provincial government’s development projects, particularly in providing financial support to small farmers and

entrepreneurs. He stated ONB’s interest over financing agribusiness that involves high-value crops that include among others, banana, rubber, and oil palm, which are now widely encouraged in the province’s east coast towns hit by typhoon Pablo in 2012. Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon, who graced the event, said that the opening of the bank’s newest branch in the province is

by RG Alama

COVER STORY

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very timely as the province is now aggressively opening its doors to investors and is creating an ideal climate for businesses to transform the province into a major investment destination as well as a major player in tourism and agribusiness. “You have come at a time when we are seriously empowering our marginal farmers to actively engage in production of high value crops for their long-term livelihood, while the government facilitates access to financing facilities and markets,” she said. She further thanked the ONB management for providing people access to financial services and new opportunities. “You are indeed a catalyst to countryside development,”

said Governor Malanyaon. “Together, we can be partners in raising the quality of life of our rural people and in addressing our development concerns,” she added. Also present during the grand opening were Vice Governor Joel ‘Mayo’ Z. Almario, City of Mati Mayor Carlo Rabat, and Rural Banking Association of the Philippines

President Vittorio Almario. Davao Oriental’s newest branch is located at Limatoc Street in the City of Mati offering expanded services, such as internet banking as well as cheap and fast money transfer.

Homegrown bank One Network Bank was formed

in 200 with the consolidation of Network Rural Bank of Davao del Sur, the Rural Bank of Panabo of Davao del Norte and the Provident Rural Bank of Cotabato. It is considered as the largest rural bank in the country in terms of assets. Prior to the consolidation the three banks existed as separate entities but operated as one single group in terms of sharing common central office systems and policies.

After eight long years of engagement the three banks decided to operate as one. Thus One Network Bank was born. Its main office is in Davao City where a modern 7-storey ONB Center was opened in 2012.

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Across the Nation

President Aquino: Military modernization meant for disaster response and internal defense only

President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Thursday that the military modernization that he initiated when he assumed office

is meant to upgrade the country for disaster response and internal defense.

“Our efforts seek to modernize the capabilities of our security sector is to address the needs in human disaster response arenas and for our own internal defense. None of these actions are meant to increase tensions in the region; rather, they are meant to address our domestic problems and issues,” he said during his

speech to open the Asian Defense, Security and Crisis Management (ADAS) Exhibition 2014 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

President Aquino said that since he assumed office in 2010, he has released P40 billion to modernize and upgrade the capabilities of the military.

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“Compare this to the P26 billion that my predecessor released in a span of nearly 10 years. On top of this, we made it a point to follow a procurement process that is fair, transparent, and strategic,” he said.

The Commander-in-Chief noted that over the past four years, his administration has acquired two Hamilton Class Cutters for the Navy -- the BRP Gregorio del Pilar and the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, eight Sokol Combat Utility Helicopters, three AW-109 naval helicopters, four refurbished UH-1 helicopters, and the BRP Tagbanua, the first locally-built landing craft utility ship, among others.

The government has already received the first batch of M4 Caliber 5.56 mm rifles, and expects that all 50,629 units shall have been distributed by the end of the year, he added.

“Because of our fair and transparent procurement process, we have saved

P1.2 billion on these rifles, which has allowed us to order another 12,657 M4s, and to set aside a budget for succeeding rifle procurements,” he said.

The President further said that the government is expecting the arrival of two out of 12 FA-50 lead-in fighter trainer jets, 17 more refurbished UH-1 helicopters, eight more combat utility helicopters, two long-range patrol aircrafts, six close-air support aircrafts, two anti-submarine helicopters, two frigates, three full missile capable multi-purpose attack crafts, and other equipment that will strengthen the capacity of the country’s armed forces.

“Clearly, if this event is any indication, we have no plans of slowing down. Anytime we have an opportunity to make our military more efficient, we have every intention of taking that opportunity,” the President said. PND

Government preparations for typhoon ‘Glenda’ were sufficient, Palace saysGovernment preparations for Typhoon “Glenda” have

paid off, with casualties kept to a minimum, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said Thursday.

“We will notice that this is the first major storm after Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ and there was sufficient preparation orchestrated by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC),” Coloma told reporters during a press briefing.

He also commended the Department

of Science and Technology – Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) and Project NOAH (Nationwide Operation Assessment of Hazards) for “the very accurate forecasts,” which were disseminated through

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Government preparations for typhoon ‘Glenda’ were sufficient, Palace says

the social media on a real-time basis.The Palace official noted that

preparations actually began in January when the President met his Cabinet for a post-‘Yolanda’ assessment, during which he instructed his Cabinet Secretaries to prepare for the onset of the rainy season.

“Indeed the different departments buckled down to brass tacks and proceeded to make their preparations in their respective spheres,” he said, adding that the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) conducted seminars and workshops at the local government level, as well as drills for flood evacuation.

“Kaya’t makikita natin na sa aspeto ng kahandaan, marami na ring mga pagbabago at pagpapahusay ng mga sistema na naisagawa simula noong Typhoon Yolanda, at nakita nga rito ‘yung mas mataas na antas na kahandaan ng mga pamahalaang lokal sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa kanilang mga komunidad… Marami-rami na rin namang mga aral na natutunan na nagamit at napahusay sa paghahanda para sa Typhoon Glenda,” he said.

Coloma also cited the efforts made by Albay Governor Joey Salceda, who ordered the evacuation of 150,000 residents from danger zones 24 hours before the expected landfall in Bicol.

“Yung mga bilang ng casualties ay napanatili sa mababang numero, at marami ring mga nag-report na sa maraming munisipalidad ay naka-attain talaga sila ng zero casualties,” he said, taking note that the typhoon struck the most populous areas of the country.

Data issued by the NDRRMC put the casualties at 38 dead, 10 injured and eight missing.

“We continue to learn from the experience and prepare even harder and better for the next storm,” Coloma said. PN

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Breastfeeding stations installed in Northern MindanaoMore than 50 commercial establishments in Northern

Mindanao have installed lactation stations in their premises, thereby complying key provisions of Republic Act (RA) 10028, otherwise known as the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009.


Mildred Dablio, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 10 information officer and a nursing mother herself of a three-month-old baby, reported that the agency has started cooperating with the local advocacy group Mommy Bright Side in effecting the implementation.

Dablio, however, said that the number is still small compared to the 2,788 commercial establishments that operate in Region 10.

As of April 2014, only six lactations stations among the number of establishments monitored by the Mommy Bright Side in Northern Mindanao have complied with RA 10028, Dablio said.

However, the proponents of the Mommy Bright Side group have considered the six lactations stations as already an improvement as far as compliance of RA 10028 is concerned, Dablio said.

With the DOLE’s coming into the picture and the putting up of an initial 50 lactation stations in various establishments in Northern Mindanao, the RA 10028 would be given more teeth, she said.

Dablio said that the DOLE would prioritize the putting up of lactation stations in establishments or companies with more than 200 workers.

A nursing mother would be allowed to have a total of 40 minutes of break for each eight-hour working shift so she could use this period to pump milk from her breasts, Dablio said.

Thus, a lactation station must not just have a table, chair and decent cover for privacy, but must also have an electrical outlet for breast pumps and a lavatory for washing hands, Dablio added.

She said that RA 10028 does not have any penal provisions since the law was enacted mainly to promote family welfare in the workplace. “Actually, the lactation station is just a tip of the advocacy,” Dablio said.

Other areas that DOLE compliance officers are looking into a holistic workplace environment are the following – Reproductive Health, Responsible Parenthood, Gender Equality, Spirituality, Values Formation; Extra Income Generation, Livelihood and Cooperative Membership for Lactating Mothers; Nutrition, Hygiene and Sanitation; and Sports and Leisure.

Each year, DOLE compliance officers are inspecting more than 2,000 commercial establishments in Northern Mindanao using the Philippine Labor Code as their weapon, Dablio said. (PNA)


Phil Army’s ‘Project Shoebox’ gives joy to school kids

MATI CITY Province of Davao Oriental — Kids from selected el-ementary schools around the prov-ince recently received shoe boxes filled with school supplies through the Philippine Army’s Project Shoebox. Some 6,450 pieces of donated school supplies, mostly donations coming from the

National Bookstore Foundation and cargo firm 2GO express, were delivered to the poorest far-flung areas in the province, while some of thesupplies also reached the municipalities of Trento and Lingigin Agusandel Sur andSurigao del Sur, respectively. 701st Brigade Commander of the Philippine Army, Col. Benjamin


DAR releases P2.2M for the farmers of Asuncion

Madrigal, Jr., during the turn over ceremony, explained that the project was started in 2012 by the 4th Light Armor Battalion (LAB) based in Quezon Province, headed by Lt. Col. Thomas Sedano Jr. with the support of the Alpha Sigma Sorority of UP Los Baños. “From 1000 pieces of school supplies, it unexpectedly ballooned to about 10,000, which drove the proponents to extend and reach beyond their battalion’s covered areas,” recalled Col. Madrigal. Committee Head for Peace and Order, Board Member Roland V. Lara, who donated P30, 000 to the 701st Brigade to support its projects, expressed his gratitude

towards the Philippine Army. He further lauded their efforts in maintaining peace and security in the province and for being the province’s active partner in community development. He said, they not have only endeared themselves to the people but as well as earned their trust and confidence. Teachers also conveyed their thanks to the Philippine Army and to the donors. “This simple act of kindness and generosity is already a huge gift of hope and joy to the children,” says one. PIO (with report from Van JorainRufin)

DAVAO DEL NORTE – The Depart-ment of Agrarian Reform (DAR) – Davao thru Assistant Regional Director Venchito Mandap turned over on Friday (July 11) the amount of P2.2 million to the Lo-cal Government of the Municipality of Asuncion as an initial capital for the opening, upgrading as well as rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads (FMRs). The project aimed to provide the farmers in the locality easy and convenient access roads for

the delivery of their agricultural products to the market as well as lure traders to get their agricultural products straight from the farmers’ agricultural area. The project also aimed to provide “all weather” access roads to benefit nearly a thousand identified farmers in the area, which will eventually bring significant reduction in transportation expenses and faster delivery of agricultural products among other consequent benefits.


Before, farmers used to worry about the coming of unexpected rains that usually made their roads impassable that caused unnecessary delays in the delivery of their agricultural produce. As the locality is principally devoted to the production of exportable Cavendish bananas, delay in the delivery of this kind would be too costly to the investors. The completion of the project will generate inclusive growth in the municipality and would attract more investors to venture in the area.In his turn-over message, Assistant Regional Director Mandap stressed that agrarian reform program does not end simply by distributing agricultural lands to the landless farmers but by providing the necessary support services to ensure the economic viability of the program of improving agricultural production and uplifting the quality of life of the farmers. He expressed confidence that the completion of the project is a leap towards the right direction.In his message, Asuncion Municipal Mayor Joseph Nilo Farreñas expresses thanks to DAR as the project will not only help the economic condition of the farmers but also contributes to the increase of the agricultural production and revenue to the municipality. It is also anticipated that the project will spawn enthusiasm in

the banana industry in the area. Upon completion of the project, an additional amount will be released again to the LGU of Asuncion, which will be taken from the Bottom-Up and Budgeting program implementation funds of DAR. This Bottom-Up Planning and Budgeting (BUB), now called the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting (GPB), was formally adopted as a strategy in pursuing the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of reducing poverty, as well as the national government’s goals of inclusive growth and poverty reduction, as indicated in the 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan (PDP). The program is also intended to make the planning and budgeting processes of both local and national governments more participatory through the genuine involvement of grassroots organizations and communities, and to strengthen the convergence of the delivery of national services in the community. DAR is among the 13 participating government agencies in the implementation of the BUB/GPB. Last 2 May 2014, the amount of P1.2 million was also released to the LGU Kapalong Municipality under the BUB/GPB program. (DAR PR)


DOST 10 launches new projects catered for MSMEsby Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) region 10 introduced high impact technology projects particularly on food development during the opening of the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) on July 8 at Luxe Hotel, this city.


These are the Food Innovation Center, Complementary Foods, and the Packaging and Labeling Center housed in the campus of the Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST) in the city. The Food Innovation Center which was inaugurated on June 20 is envisioned to be a Center of Excellence in food innovation; a one-stop food resource facility and globally competitive food innovation center in developing export-quality food products that are one of the bests in the world. According to DOST regional director Alfonso P. Alamban, this is foreseen to promote quality and marketability of local food products and strengthen local entrepreneurial activities and the entire food processing in the region and in the country. Meanwhile, the Packaging and Labeling Services Center will cater to the packaging and labeling needs of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in region 10 and the nearby provinces and cities. The center envisions a one-stop shop for all packaging and labeling needs of the food processing industry in the region. It is expected to serve the growing need on cheaper but quality and readily available packaging and labeling services and materials. Further, the center’s banner services include label designing, label graphics improvement and implementation of mandatory food packaging and labeling requirements. DOST Region 10 has also turned-over on June 20, a

check amounting to P1,180,000.00 to MUST for quality control equipment to the Food Packaging and Labeling center. Meanwhile, Alamban said that the Complementary Foods help to curb malnutrition especially among school children in the region. Last year, the technology was turned over to two Universities in the city particularly MUST and Xavier University (XU) – Ateneo de Cagayan. The project is focused in reducing the prevalence of undernutrition aged six to 35 months or below three years old children. DOST – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) developed complementary food blends and snack food such as BigMo ready-to-cook blend, BigMo rice-mongo instant blend and BigMo curls cheese flavor. The complementary food project was developed to make the food locally available using simple technology. DOST will be celebrating NSTW on July 24-28, 2014 with the theme, “Philippines: A Science Nation Meeting Global Challenges.” NSTW is conducted yearly with the aim of showcasing significant contributions of Science Technology and Innovation to inclusive growth and national development.


Governor Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano said this is in support of the Department of Education (DepEd) flagship program on the Essential Health Care Program (EHCP). “We in the provincial government support EHCP. This is to promote proper tooth brushing among pre-school and elementary pupils in the province, for them to have healthy teeth. Thus, to achieve so, we provided them with toothbrushes and bottles of toothpaste,” the governor said. Rosana S. Emanal, Salay Central School head said this is the first time

he saw a local chief executive personally distributing. “In my three years as school principal, karon lang ko nakakita gobernador nga nangunay og panghatag (this is the first time Im able to see a governor who personally distributes the items to the beneficiaries). Salay Central School is very thankful to

receive toothbrushes and toothpastes from the provincial government as this will help the school children maintain healthy teeth,” Emanal said. Nicole Love P. Chavez, a grade six pupil expressed thanks saying, “Nagpasalamat kami nga gitagaan kami niini. We assure Gov. Bambi nga amo kining ampingan, pati among mga ngipon among ampingan aron healthy mi,” (We are thankful that we are provided with these. We assure Gov. Bambi that we will take good care of them including our teeth so we will be healthy) Chavez said.

Exec backs health care, gives 100,630 toothbrushes, 5,383 toothpaste to public schools by PIO

MISAMIS ORIENTAL - The provincial government of Misamis Oriental has distributed 100,630 toothbrushes and 5,383 bottles of toothpaste to kindergarten and elementary pupils to different public schools in the province on Monday, July 14 at Salay Central School.


This was held during the joint 2nd Quarterly RIO Meeting and Farmcasters’ Conference in Calamba City, Laguna on July 1-4, 2014. The activity aimed to apprise the RIOs and farmcasters on the latest programs and policies of the agency for them to properly and effectively convey information to agricultural stakeholders and the general public. Among the topics discussed by

the pool of experts include the use of social media as one of the information-dissemination tools in conveying DA success stories, updates, among others; managing c o m m u n i c a t i o n s during crisis; and how to conduct a journalistic interview and handle issues and controversies. Atty. Emerson U. Palad, DA-U n d e r s e c r e t a r y for Operations

recognized the role of the RIOs and farmcasters in molding the public’s perception of the DA. With the convergence of the RIOs and farmcasters, the DA is optimistic that its information campaign on the agency’s thrusts will be more intensified and will reach each segment of the society, especially down at the grassroots level.

Farmcasters enrich broadcasting, crisis handling skills by Vannessa Mae S. Siano

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Department of Agriculture through the Agriculture and Fisheries Information Division (DA-AFID) conducted training on Enhancing Broadcasting Skills and Handling Crisis Issues to around 65 farmcasters together with the Regional Information Officers (RIOs) throughout the country.


DENR-13 chief highlights vital role of IOs in CCA advocacyBy Jennifer P. GaitanoBUTUAN CITY- “Being information officers, you possess skills in communication which is an effective tool in bringing down the needed information especially on our climate change advocacy to the people living in the uplands, hinterland barangays and folk living along the seashores and beaches.”


This was the statement of regional director Nonito Tamayo of the Department of Environ-ment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga during the Re-gional Information Officers’ Summit on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation ad-vocacy held on Wednesday at Dottie’s Place Hotel, this city. “Let me congratulate director Abner Caga and his entire staff of the Philippine Information Agen-cy for holding this event. This gathering of information officers from the different local govern-ment units and non-government organizations is important and timely. The so-called “digital me-dia” powered by the best tech-nology we can get may be vital in our advocacy campaign on cli-

mate change, yet, its range is limited and can only reach cer-tain areas living a wide section of our population in the rural ar-eas deprived of vital informa-tion on Climate Change. The in-formation officers could fill this gap where they can effectively carry the load of the important information to the people re-mote places,” expressed Tamayo. Tamayo also relayed that Secretary Ramon JP Paje has emphasized the immense con-tribution of environmental ad-vocacy on safety and readiness of the population against di-sasters noting that the Philip-pines is ranked third in the World Risk Index for 2013 on “hazard proneness and vulnerabilities.”


“We owe it to factors like dwindling natural resources, in-adequate basic infrastructure and systems to cope with, during disas-ters and emergencies and many of our fellow citizens exposed to physical hazards,” he quoted. Tamayo further stressed that mitigating the effects of cli-mate change is not only the main responsibility of the government but also the responsibility of each

ind iv idu-als. “This is now the new normal that is why we should al-ways be ready and prepared and should know what to do in times of disasters so we can be saved and

be able to save others,” he said. Said summit is initiated by PIA and DENR-Caraga, and sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), and Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB). Partners from the private sector such as Mary Kay, PLDT-Philcom and Bayan Telecommunications also contributed to the activity.


Mary Kay-Butuan supports PIA’s advocacy on CCABy Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY- In line with this year’s Regional Information Officers’ Summit on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation advocacy on July 16-17, 2014 at Dottie’s Place Hotel here, the beauty consultants of Mary Kay here expressed their support to the summit initiated by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga, in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“We the independent sales force of Mary Kay Philippines is geared with the company’s mission in enriching lives through our quality products and services. As such, I believe PIA is also geared towards the professional growth of every men and women at work, and through this, we can be of service to you through our partnership in making them confident and feel good about themselves and which in turn, they will do wonderful deeds for the community,” expressed Maria Irene Matig-a, Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant.

Matig-a further said she and her

team will be conducting free facial and make over to the women and men who will be participating in the said summit.

“We will provide all our skin care and make up materials for everyone who is interested to have facial make over. We guarantee you this will be full of fun and learning for everyone,” emphasized Matig-a.

Mary Kay Philippines is the 30th subsidiary of Mary Kay, Inc., one of the largest direct selling skin care and color cosmetic companies in the world.


Mary Kay-Butuan supports PIA’s advocacy on CCA

Price and poor use of fertilizers threaten PH agri sector MANILA - Large discrepancies in the commercial price of fertilizers and the sub-optimal application of fertilizer of farmers are major challenges that threaten the Philippine agricultural sector.

Study author Dr. Roehlano Briones, senior research fellow of state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies, identified two significant challenges facing the sector agriculture in regards to fertilizer sector---inefficient fertilizer marketing (as seen in the large discrepancies in pricing across adjacent regions) and sub-optimal amounts of fertilizer applied by farmers.

“Across the country, there is a wide dispersion in retail prices of fertilizer,” Briones said. “The cheapest fertilizers are found in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas, and Davao region,” he said.

Moreover, the most expensive fertilizers are ironically sold in the poorest regions in the country such as the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Eastern Visayas, Briones said.

Future research is needed to resolve the pricing disparities in fertilizer, Briones noted. It would

help to identify if disparities may be attributed to transaction cost differences or area-specific gaps in infrastructure and logistics, he said.

“The diminishing importance of domestic production of fertilizer is also noticeable,” Briones said. Domestic production of fertilizer was accounted for at least 70 percent of consumption from 1994 to 1996, but now the share is down to 30 percent or lower, he said.

Locally produced fertilizers are sourced from five firms, four of which are based in Luzon. These are mostly producers of smaller quantities of various common and specialty fertilizers, Briones said.

Soiltech Agricultural Products has a capacity to produce 1 million tons of fertilizers in a year and considered as the market leader in domestically produced fertilizer in Luzon, Briones said. Meanwhile, PHILPHOS, located in the Visayas, has the capacity


to produce 1.17 million ton of fertilizer that distributes all over the country, he said.

“Clearly there are large scale economies at work, limiting the number of domestic manufacturers, but the market as a whole need not be an oligopoly if there is strong competition from imports,” Briones said. “Statistical analysis shows that ups and downs in the world price are efficiently transmitted to domestic markets. There is no evidence to support the hypothesis of excess

profit from buying low abroad and selling high locally.”

“Imports are mostly sourced from ASEAN and other free trade partners where the import duty is zero. There is in effect free trade in fertilizers.” Briones said. “China is by far the largest source of imports of the Philippines,” he said. Moreover, domestic production depends mainly on imported raw materials such as rock phosphate, anhydrous ammonia, sulfuric acid, and


other finished fertilizer grades, he added.

Briones also found that farmers continue to apply sub-optimal amounts of fertilizer both for the main nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) and for micronutrients.

Although fertilizers positively contribute to profitability of rice farming, fertilizer is being underutilized in Philippine farms compared to other ASEAN countries, Briones said. Based on the FAO FertiSTAT data (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Fertilizer Use Statistics) for 2001, fertilizer application in the country’s paddy rice areas was only 51 kilograms per hectare against Indonesia’s

application at 105 kilograms per hectare.

Access to credit and risk aversion are not strong factors on the issue of sub-optimal amounts of fertilizer used in Philippine farms, Briones said.Lack of information and aversion to loss are other possible reasons. Pinning down the explanation will require evidenced-based analysis at the level of the market and the farmer,to arrive at a comprehensive understanding of the farmer’s goals, opportunities, and constraints, he said.

If you want to read the full study, you may download this link:http://dirp3.pids.gov.ph/webportal/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidsdps1414.pdf.


NCIP-9 chief urges IP students to support climate change advocacyBy Franklin P. Gumapon

DIPOLOG CITY – As climate change is here affecting the environment, the student-beneficiaries of the Educational Assistance Program (EAP) of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) have been encouraged to take active role in climate change advocacy campaign.


Speaking during the second day of the journalistic writing workshop for indigenous people (IP) students at the Top Plaza Hotel here last week, NCIP-9 Regional Director Timuey Woy Lim P. Wong called on EAP grantees to get involved in the promotion of climate change adaptation and mitigation. “As your theme for this training, IP youth: advocates for climate change adaptation and resiliency, you should help advocate through your write-ups environmental issues particularly those that have bearing on climate change,” said the NCIP-9 chief.

Director Wong also recalled that during his student days, his teacher made him managing editor of the school paper. At first he protested because his English was not excellent. But he realized that it was an opportunity for him to hone his writing skills in English. And he made it. The journalistic writing workshop for IP students is a joint project of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9, NCIP-9 and the US Embassy in Manila. It is the first of its kind being implemented in the region with IP students as beneficiaries.


PS-DBM depot opens in Ipil town By Alma L. Tingcang

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – A depot of the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) was recently inaugurated here with its executive director, Atty. Estanislao C. Granados Jr., in attendance and Bishop Julius S. Tonel as officiating clergy. In his message, Director Granados lauded the initiative of Governor Wilter Palma for opening the depot in response to AO No. 17 of President Benigno C. Aquino III, directing the use of the Procurement Service and the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System in all procurement activities. This enables the government to buy the cheapest supplies to avoid overpricing in the procurement of supplies and equipment. Governor Palma called on all government agencies and LGUs to patronize the cheapest and good quality supplies which can be

obtained at the PS-DBM depot. It does not need a bidding and does not require a long procurement process. Government agencies and LGUs can visit the nearest PS depot and check on available supplies and prepare the APR or the “agency procurement request” and prepare the check for payment of supplies and equipment. Ms. Annabelle C. Echavez, DBM-9 Regional Director, heads of national government agencies and local chief executives in Zamboanga Peninsula Region also came to attend the event.

DOH-9, NNC conduct nutrition information caravan By Claro A. Lanipa

PAGADIAN CITY - In line with the celebration of the 40th Nutrition Month this July, the Department of Health (DOH)-9 together with the National Nutrition Council (NNC)-9 in collaboration with the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) recently conducted a nutrition information caravan focusing on Nutrition in Emergencies at Hotel Guillermo this city.


PS-DBM depot opens in Ipil town

Nutrition Officer Nimfa Ekong of the NNC said that “Nutrition in Emergencies” aims to provide the venue for the general public to realize the importance of preparedness, respond and recovery during emergencies. Ekong emphasized that in times of emergencies and disasters the local nutrition cluster of the local government units (LGUs) shall take charge of nutrition management. Meanwhile, Ms. Evelyn Capistrano, Regional Nutrition

Coordinator presented the Minimum Nutrition Service Package or the so-called “Recommended Nutrition Cluster.” The activity was attended by a multi-sectoral group composed of the academe, national government agencies (NGAs), nurses and Municipal Nutrition Action Officers (MNAOs) in the province. This year’s Nutrition Month celebration is anchored on the theme, “Kalamidad Paghandaan, Gutom at Malnutrisyon Agapan.”


T’nalak Festival Bahay Kubo Competition At least five best and most promising products of each of the ten muniicipalities and lone city of South Cotabato at the 2014 T’nalak Festival Bahay Kubo Competition. This year, judging of the Bahay Kubo gives more weight on the product display rather than the beuati-fication and aesthetics of the traditional hut. (photo by DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- SOCCSKSARGEN Region should be able to harvest 4.2 million metric tons (MT) in the next three years, an of-ficial of the Department of Agriculture said.

DA 12 eyes 4.2 million MT rice production by 2016By: Danilo E. Doguiles

Amalia Jayag-Datukan, regional executive director of DA 12, told Philippine Information Agency that in accordance with the national government’s pledge to attain rice self-sufficiency, SOCCSKSARGEN Region is aiming at achieving a total rice yield of 4,266,619 MT from 2014 to 2016.

SOCCSKSARGEN is comprised of the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan, and Cotabato.

“The region aspires to increase rice production in the next three years, starting off at 1,393,137 MT in 2014; 1,415,282 MT in 2015; and 1,458,200 MT in 2016,” Director Datukan specifically cited.

To achieve these targets, she said, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala has already mandated DA 12 to expand the area devoted to rice and to increase the yield per hectare.

“We will also maximize the provision of pre- and post-harvest facilities to farmer groups for them to hasten their farming activities and later achieve


ALAMADA, North Cotabato—Over P10 million worth of infrastructure proj-ects were turned over to this municipality recently.

NorthCot town gets over P10M worth of infra projectsBy Shahana Joy Duerme

These include the upgrading of the town’s Rural Health Unit (RHU), construction of a classroom building at the Manglicmot Elementary School in the village of Camansi and a complex building at the Alamada Community District Hospital.

The RHU upgrading costs P2 million and was funded by the Department of Health - Health Facilities Enhancement Program (DOH-HFEP) with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as the implementing agency.

DOH also allocated P1 million for the RHU’s medical equipment.

Meanwhile, the new classroom building was funded by the provincial government with P700,000 and is now being used by Grade 5 pupils of the school.

Restituta E. Batomalaque,

teacher-in-charge of Manglicmot Elementary School stated that the new classroom building answered the school’s difficulty of lack of classroom.

With this, she lauded the provincial for the project she referred to as ‘worthwhile use of the people’s taxes’.

On the other hand, the ongoing construction of a complex building at the Alamada Community District Hospital is worth P8 million and is also funded by the DOH-HFEP.

Dr. Mary Joy Posada, head of the Alamada Community District Hospital said that the complex, once completed will give the hospital greater capacity for providing medical and health services to its patients.

Meanwhile, in her message,

higher rice production because postharvest losses are lessened,” she said.

Based on the data released by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, rice production of SOCCSKSARGEN Region for the first quarter of 2014 was 399,120 MT harvested from more than 103,000 hectares or an average yield of 3.84MT per hectare.

In 2013, SOCCSKSARGEN posted

1.3 million MT production, which translates to a 129 percent rice self-sufficiency.

Earlier this month, Agriculture Assistant Secretary and National Rice Program Director Edilberto de Luna announced that the national government is aiming at production 60 million metric tons of rice from 2014 to 2016. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with report from LMSalvo-DA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – With correct information regarding the soil fertility of the farms they are tilling, rice growers in Sto. Niño town this province are looking forward to better yield.

DA 12 brings soil analysis service to villagesBy: Danilo E. Doguiles

Just recently, the Soils Mobile Clinic of DA led by Engr. Nadia Gayanan-dang went to the said town to con-duct soil analysis in ten barangays where at least 5,417 hectares of rice production areas were covered.

Gayanandang said that based on the results soils analyzed were Ni-trogen-deficient. Nitrogen is consid-ered the most important nutrient a plant needs for growth and repro-duction.

To address such deficiency, Gayanandang advised rice farmers in the area to apply fertilizers rich in Ni-trogen like Bio-N fertilizer.

Bio-N (short for Bio-Nitrogen) is an organic or microbial inoculant fertil-izer used for rice, corn and other ag-ricultural crops.

More importantly, Bio-N hastens better consumption of nitrogen by converting airborne nitrogen into

ammonia, which penetrates the root zone of the plant and provides 50% nitrogen required by the plant, she added.

In behalf of hundreds of farmers, Municipal Agriculturist Ofelia Duco, conveyed thankfulness to the DA 12’s Soils Mobile Clinic for the help to ad-dress local farmers’ long-time con-cern of low yield.

“I am thankful that DA 12 Soils Lab quickly responded and granted the request of our farmers,” Duco said adding that they are now even more committed to increase their rice yield from 4.5 metric tons to 5 or 6 metric tons.

Said activity was a collaborative ef-fort of DA 12 with the Office of the Mu-nicipal Agriculturist and Local Farmer Technicians (LFTs) of Sto. Niño. (DE-Doguiles-PIA 12 with report from RH-Dumaraog & LMSalvo-DA 12)

Governor Emmylou emphasized that the projects implemented by the provincial government and partner agencies are aimed at improving and sustaining the health conditions and other needs of the people.

“To further promote the welfare

of our constituents, I am encouraging everyone especially government workers to strengthen service to the public,” Mendoza added. (SJDuerme-PIA12/JSta.Cruz&RASotto-N. Cotabato Provincial Government)

One Mindanao - July 17, 2014

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