Dredging at pagpapatibay sa riverbank ng Cagayan River all systems go na – Cimatu

Inanunsiyo noong Miyerkules ni Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary at Task Force Build Back Better chair Roy A. Cimatu na nakatakda nang simulan sa Pebrero 2 ang pagtanggal ng sandbars, pagpapalawak sa makitid na bahagi ng Cagayan River na tinatawag na Magapit Narrows at ang malawakang pagtatanim ng kawayan sa gilid ng ilog.

“This is the culmination of weeks of meticulous planning and detailed coordination to ensure that each of the dredging equipment is safely transported to the sandbar sites and that bamboos are grown at critical portions of the riverbank needing immediate measures to address stream bank erosion and instability,” sabi ni Cimatu.

Humigit kumulang na may habang isang kilometro sa riverbank ng Barangay Bangag sa Lallo ang tataniman ng 925 punla ng kawayan sa gagawing paglulunsad.

Binigyang diin ni Cimatu na ang pagtanggal ng sandbars at pagtatanim ng kawayan ay matatawag na “inseperable twins” na isang istratehiya na gagawin ng TFBBB upang maprotektahan ang agricultural lands at mga pananim tuwing may bagyo.

Bukod naman sa anim na amphibious dredgers na manggagaling sa Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) ay magpapadala rin ng 40 dredging equipment and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) na kinabibilangan ng dump trucks, bulldozers, tractors at scoop loaders.

Sisimulan ang proyekto sa unang bahagi ng dredging operations na kinakailangang tanggalin ang tatlong priority sandbars sa Magapit Narrows na may sukat na 235 ektarya at tinatayang aabot sa seven million cubic meters.

Ayon na rin sa DPWH, aabot sa 19 sandbars ang kanilang natukoy ngunit ang uunahin ay ang tatlong sandbars na nakahahadlang sa daloy ng tubig baha sa Aparri Delta papunta sa Babuyan Channel.

Ang tatlong sandbars na ito ay may estimated volume na seven million cubic meters at may sukat na 235 hectares.

Ito ay matatagpuan sa Barangay Bangag, Lal-lo na mayroong 11.4 hectares at may daming 334,305 cubic meters ng buhangin; Casicallan Norte, Gattaran, 89 hectares at may 2.7 million cubic meters ng buhangin at Dummun, Gattaran, 174.70 hectares at 4.04 million cubic meters ng buhangin.

Kukuha rin ng 100 local residents na magsisilbing laborers sa planting operation. Ito ay ang mga benipisyaryo ng Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program ng Department of Labor and Employment.

Magiging bahagi naman ng dredging operation ang 48 laborers at operators na dumaan sa pagsasanay ng Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

“This is whole-of-government at its best, with the support from almost all national agencies and the Cagayan provincial government,” saad pa ni Cimatu.

Inaasahang makakasama ng DENR chief sa gaganaping 1^st phase ng dredging activities sa Pebrero 2 sina TFBBB co-chair DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello, III at AFP Chief of Staff General Gilbert Gapay.

Magiging bahagi din ng programa sina Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba, Isabela Gov. Rodolfo Albano, Quirino Gov. Dakila Carlo Cua, Cagayan local chief executives Matthew Nolasco ng Gattaran at Oliver Pascual ng Lallo, DENR-Cagayan Valley Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan at DPWH-Cagayan Valley Director Loreta Malaluan na nagtulung-tulong para sa programa. ###–

Strategic Communication and Initiatives Service (SCIS)

DOST spearheads ReBUILD PH! for economic recovery

A year after the COVID-19 pandemic struck the country by surprise, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has remained steadfast and is still on high gear as it continues to implement innovative projects and programs that will address, not only the health crisis but, also help boost the efforts of the national government on its economic recovery program.

Taking off from the “Bayanihan to Heal as One” initiative, the DOST has now put into maximum overdrive several projects and programs under the banner “ReBUILD PH! Revitalizing Businesses, Investments, Livelihoods and Domestic Demand”.

This economic recovery program of the science department will address the following areas: enhancement of people’s livelihood, community empowerment, industry development, startup research grants, financial and technical assistance for returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), and continued services through innovation hubs, technology centers, and regional laboratories.

Livelihood Enhancement for MSMEs

One of the DOST’s flagship programs that assists micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is SETUP or Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program that aims to upgrade their technological capabilities and improve their productivity and efficiency.

SETUP provides technological interventions such as provision for innovation-enabling fund, technology transfer and commercialization assistance, consultancy, technology trainings, and testing and calibration services to empower MSMEs to innovate, move up the technology scale and become more competitive.    

Accomplishments for the period January to December 2020 were as follows:

• Number of firms/other entities provided with S&T assistance – 12,810
• Number of employments generated – 5,642
• Number of technology interventions provided – 13,113
• Number of projects assisted – 624
• Funds provided – PhP652.381M

Moving forward, the DOST Regional Offices will embark on new intervention modalities that will focus not only on enterprise level assistance but also on the industry level to address the economic, social and environmental spheres of development. SETUP 2.0 shall continue to provide both S&T and financial support to enable MSMEs to become SMARTER (Socially-Responsive, Market-Oriented, Agile, Resource-Efficient, Technology-Intensive, Environment-Friendly, Resilient) and be locally and globally competitive. The Innovation System Support Fund or ISSF will be renamed as Innovation-Enabling Fund or iFund that will particularly focus on industry level interventions.

Collaborative R&D to Leverage Philippines Economy (CRADLE) Program

The CRADLE Program in CY 2020 had a total of 38 approved/endorsed projects with budget allocation of PhP178M.

Under the CRADLE program, an industry partner identifies their problems requiring R&D to be performed by a Higher Education (academe) or the R&D Institution (RDI).

This strategy ensures that R&D provides solutions that exactly meets the need of the sectors and industries that include agriculture and fisheries, nutraceuticals, electronics and semiconductors, energy management, food processing, mining, and automation.

Pushing regional growth through S&T

To spread the benefits of science and technology in the regions, the DOST started iSTART or the Innovation, Science and Technology for Accelerating Regional Technology-Based Development Program in August 2020 that aims to support the development of local government units (LGUs) by accelerating regional growth through science, technology, and innovation. 

The DOST will assist LGUs in developing a technology-based development plan for the agri-based, manufacturing, and services sectors.  These efforts are intended to achieve inclusive growth, equitable distribution of wealth, and rural prosperity by developing areas outside of the NCR (National Capital Region) and other metropolitan cities through increased investments that will support the growing population, including increased migration to the regions.

A total of 222 personnel of DOST, NEDA, PGUs/LGUs were already trained on the formulation of settlements development model for new growth areas.

Consultations/FGDs/MOU signing were conducted and project plans were identified with PGUs/LGUs in target areas (i.e., Pangasinan, Camarines Sur, Leyte and Agusan del Sur).
On the other hand, the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology or CEST program is being implemented in the regions to strengthen and empower communities through the 5-entry points: health and nutrition, water and sanitation, livelihood and enterprise development, education and literacy, and disaster risk reduction and management.

Technology Business Incubation (TBI) Program

From January 2019 to December 2020, 22 new TBIs and eight innovation hubs were established, bringing the total to 44 TBIs and 17 innovation hubs.  

TBIs funded by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) produce a wide variety of technological solutions such as software applications and hardware devices for use in agriculture, education, health, food service industry, market research, environmental monitoring, and e-commerce.

Among the technologies featured in the TBIs funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) are on farm production; feed production; disease diagnostics, prevention and treatment; animal breeding/breed upgrading; food/meat/milk processing; vacuum packaging/labelling; equipment production; and wood processing. Products are from the various commodities across the agriculture, aquatic and natural resources sector.

Startup Research Grant Program

In 2017, DOST-PCIEERD launched the Startup Research Grant for startups to translate their early-stage technologies into market ready products through research and development (R&D) activities. It was established to help startups overcome R&D roadblocks, strengthen intellectual property, establish initial market traction and refine their business model and to enable them to access funds, access to S&T network and access to the DOST Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) services. 

Fifteen (15) technology-based startups from the different DOST TBIs received a total grant of P64M which covers their prototype improvement, field and validation tests, product market fit studies, certification procedures, provision of experts beyond the startup team and acquiring new customers. From 2019, a year after their funding up to October 2020, the 15 startups have collectively accomplished the following: created 142 jobs, raised P45M in capital/investment, acquired 328 clients and generated P85M in revenues.

iFWD PH (Innovations for Filipinos Working Distantly from the Philippines) Program

The program provides opportunities for returning OFWs and their families to establish technology-based enterprises in the country through trainings, technology pitching, and technical consultancies.

A total of 119 Overseas Filipino Workers applied for iFWD PH Phase 1 in August 2020 and 98 were accepted in the program. Furthermore, already presented were 96 DOST-developed / funded technologies with six DOST Research and Development Institutes and one sectoral council. To date, 59 OFW already completed Phase 1 of the Program.

Examples of technology-based enterprises the OFWs can embark on are those in food processing, metal working, electronics, ICT, horticulture, aquaculture, and technical consultancy. Each OFW beneficiary/group may be entitled to a package and support not exceeding PhP250,000 subject to counterpart funding requirements. The portion of the fund to be used for equipment acquisition will require repayment without interest over a three-to five-year period.

Support for industry growth

The DOST also implemented several programs that address the needs of industry and the business sector to enable them to become more competitive both in the domestic and international markets amid the pandemic.

BIST or Business Innovation through S&T for Industry Program is designed to assist Filipino-owned companies to innovate and develop their competitiveness through acquisition of new and appropriate technologies – hardware or software – for research.

As of August 2020, the BIST Program continued to engage the business sector and has conducted 21 industry consultations and received six proposals. Consultations are ongoing for the entire year to better prepare private companies in the drafting of their proposals and comply to the eligibility requirements of the program. 

The Philippines’ first 3D printing R&D institution will soon rise in the country. Called the Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMCen), it will promote research and development in Additive Manufacturing commonly known as three-dimension (3D) printing technology. 

The AMCen will feature two state-of-the-art research facilities that allow rapid fabrication of various three-dimensional objects ranging from small parts to structures as big as bridges. It has limitless potentials—from aircraft and automobile to medical and fashion applications.
Moreover, the DOST opened up the Electronics Product Development Center (EPDC) that aims to house hardware and software tools that can be used by companies or schools to design, develop, and test hardware and software for electronics products.

EPDC is the country’s first electronics design facility that will provide design, prototyping, and testing facilities for printed circuit boards (PCB), which is the primary electronics component that mechanically supports and electronically connects electronic components

Lastly, there is the OneLab, a network of laboratories that provides customers, particularly in the regions, with convenient and easy access to laboratory testing and calibration services. The OneLab Referral System allows seamless handling of samples from receiving, referral, transport, analysis to the prompt delivery of calibration and testing reports, wherever the customers are located.

As of December 2020, the OneLab network has 54 member laboratories that include 23 DOST laboratories (RSTLs and RDIs), 23 local non-DOST laboratories (private and government), and eight (8) international member laboratories from Southeast Asia, Middle East and Australia.
Eight (8) international member laboratories are the following: Intertek Thailand, SGS Thailand, Intertek Vietnam, Malayan Testing Laboratories (Malaysia), Australian Food Microbiology (Australia), Codina Farms (Australia), Geoscience Testing Laboratory (UAE), and the International Rice Research Institute.

From January to December 2020, 23 laboratories of DOST received 127,672 samples for analysis and provided 188,618 testing and calibration services among the 19,795 firms served during the period. Notably, about P 119.4 M fees were collected from the services delivered for the whole year.

A total of 69 DOST Provincial S&T Centers (PSTC) are now capable of receiving samples wherein 67 of which were able to receive and refer samples to their respective Regional Offices in 2020. For the whole year, 362 samples were referred by the PSTCs, equivalent to 923 tests conducted by the laboratories.  (S&T Media Service) #

Repatriated OFW ventures in agribusiness thru ANYO

Aspiring better income, more opportunities and upward mobility, Rico Caringal was working as a cruise ship waiter for 14 years.

Unfortunately, he was one of over 300,000 Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were repatriated since the start of the pandemic.

“February 17 sumampa ako sa barko… by March terminated na ang contract ko dahil sa COVID-19,” recalled Rico, who added that he and his co-workers were quarantined in the ship for three months and were only able to go back to the country in June.

“Isip ako ng isip kung paano ko isasalba ang mga bayarin ko,” shared Rico, who is raising three teenagers with his stay-at-home wife in San Jose, Nueva Ecija. “Iniisip ko kung ano ba ang pwede kong pagkakitaan. Hindi ko ito napaghandaan, akala ko ay tuloy-tuloy lang ang sweldo.”

NEW OPPORTUNITY IN AGRI

With his courage and resolve, Rico, who back then, worked as a barber, a promodiser, a delivery boy and a magician, ventured into agribusiness, specifically mushroom production.

Rico admitted he had no prior training about mushroom but said that he was encouraged and later on mentored by other mushroom producer-friends to embark on said business.

“Napaka-daming mushroom farmers dito sa San Jose at maganda daw ang market dito,” said Rico. “Pwede ko ibenta sa bahay-bahay, pwede rin thru online.”

TIMELY FINANCIAL SUPPORT THROUGH ANYO

“Very timely yung pagkakataon na dumating sa akin na mag-negosyo kasi may gobyernong magpapautang. Parang nagkaroon ng confirmation kaya nag-venture na ako sa mushroom,” narrated Rico.

According to Rico, he heard about the Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Credit Policy Council’s (DA-ACPC) AgriNegosyo or ANYO through his wife.

“Hindi ko pinansin nung una dahil wala akong interes sa loan. Pero habang tumatagal, nagkakaroon ako ng interes lalo nung nalaman ko na yung isa kong kaibigan nag apply din sa DA-ACPC,” said Rico.

“August nung nag apply ako. Nagkaroon ako ng series of webinars ng DA-ACPC. Na-release ang loan noong October 22,” he recalled.

“Zero interest, excellent!” exclaimed Rico. “Napakaganda ng pagtulong ng gobyerno na pagpapautang na walang interes. Salamat sa DA-ACPC dahil nakahiram ako ng kapital sa panahon na kailangan ko.”

Rico’s small mushroom production activity is now thriving amid the pandemic. He describes himself as a hands-on farmer and he was able to hire one laborer help him get the job done in the farm. More importantly, he is able to spend more time with his family while being able to provide for their needs and more.

“Pinag-aaralan ko kung paano palalakihin ang negosyo. Kapag nagging successful ito, plano ko rin na magtinda ng fruiting bags,” shared Rico, who added that he keeps on studying mushroom production techniques to enhance his skills and knowledge.

To other repatriated OFWs like him, the seafarer-turned-agripreneur offered advice based on his personal experience. “Huwag mawawalan ng pag-asa. Buksan nila ang isip nila sa agribusiness. May gobyerno naman na tumutulong,” he said. ### (DA-ACPC)

DA9 unveils first meat processing facility in ZamPen

Department of Agriculture IX (DA9) through its Livestock Program inaugurated the Regional Animal Products Meat Processing Facility in DA9 Livestock Station in Pamucutan, Zamboanga City on January 26, 2021.

A first of its kind in the region, the facility features laboratory procedures such as grinding, slicing, mixing, preservation and storage of meat which will aid the livestock farmers and meat vendors in processing their farm outputs increasing both productivity and profitability.

“This (facility) is really a big help to the livestock industry especially to those farmers affected by the pandemic. Having a meat processing facility established will add up to their options of generating income through their livestock farming,” said Regional Technical Director (RTD) for Operations Ferdinand Gamorot.

Addressing the recent spike in the prices of meat in the market, RTD Melba Wee posted a challenge for the livestock farmers to increase production and supply thereby reducing market prices.

“If there is more supply of meat, it is more likely that we make use of this facility for preparation, processing and marketing which augments the value of our meat in the market,” added Wee.

A 2-day hands-on training on meat processing and preservation technology was also conducted among 17 farmers and livestock raisers from Barangays Pamucutan and La Paz, Zamboanga City during which they were lectured and trained in the processing of meat into marketable products such as corned beef, siomai, tocino and longanisa.

For the meantime, the facility is open for trainings and other skills-enhancement activities through proper coordination with DA9.

Also present during the inauguration were Regional Livestock Coordinator Darwin Lloyd Sulay, Pamucutan Livestock Station Joel Laracochea and staff, Agricultural Program Coordinator for Zamboanga City Arnulfo Estrada, and the convergence area group of experts headed by Dr. Oscar Parawan. # # #(Darwin Reyes / DA-RFO IX, RAFIS)

ASF Re-Orientation Forum with LGU-partners held

TANAUAN, LEYTE  (Jan.28, 2021) –  A re-orientation forum on the African Swine Fever (ASF) was conducted by the Department of Agriculture yesterday and participated in by at least 35 key staff from the Municipal Agriculture Office of the Municipalities of Burauen, MacArthur; Mayorga, Dulag and Pastrana.

The main purpose of the wholeday forum is to revisit the established ASF Guidelines and Protocols; abreast concerned LGU-Partners of the status, extent and gravity of this dreaded animal disease now affecting 3 municipalities in Leyte, namely: Abuyog, Javier and La Paz.

The re-orientation was held in response to the earnest request from these LGUs located near the  epicenter where the first positive case of ASF was detected and confirmed.

Dir. Elvira C. Torres, ARD for Research and Regulatory; Dr. Andrew Orais, FOD Chief of the DA-RFO 8 spearheaded this re-orientation together with the DA8 Communications Team and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) led by Regional Director Olive Tiu.

DA-RFO8 Chief Angel C. Enriquez who on that day had a prescheduled meeting with Southern Leyte Governor Damian G. Mercado also joined the group later in the afternoon.

RED Enriquez urged the representatives of LGU-partners to seriously take to heart and  immediately apply what they learned for a collective efforts of managing, containing and controlling the further spread of ASF virus.

“The success of eradicating this dreadful animal health problem depends largely on the cooperation of concerned LGUs. Without their proactive support, sadly ASF virus, according to experts, will be here to stay even up to 30 years,”  the DA8 Chief stressed. # ## (Francis Rosaroso / DA-RFO VIII, RAFIS)

DA steps up measures vs ASF in Western Visayas

The Department of Agriculture in Region 6 (DA-6) is taking the lead in measures against the spread of African swine fever (ASF) in Western Visayas region, following a new outbreak recorded Leyte.

“We have to heighten the border restriction, quarantine, and disinfection measures in all ports of entry,” said DA-6 Regional Director Remelyn Recoter.

DA-6 is hoping that the region will remain in the green zone category, or free from ASF cases.

“We cannot compromise the ₱20-billion hog industry of Western Visayas,” Recoter pointed out.

Recoter is calling on Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and agriculturists from the local governments of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental provinces and the highly urbanized cities of Iloilo and Bacolod to step up their respective measures against ASF contamination.

So far, only the provincial governments of Antique, Capiz and Negros Occidental have issued executive orders to restrict pork and pork-based products from Leyte.

Recoter is urging other local governments to make its own amended bans on pork and pork-based products.

Meanwhile, DA-6 is backing the construction of the slaughterhouse in Sibalom town, Antique province. # # # (Tara Yap / DA-RFO VI, RAFIS)

Farmers in Albay and Masbate receive their Cash and Food Subsidy

As early as 6:30 in the morning, 69-year-old Senina De La Cruz from barangay Alimsog waited at the Sto. Domingo Covered Court to receive her cash and food aid from the government on January 26, 2020.

“Mas marhay na maatab asin maenot sa linya para sa biyaya na ining tinao kan gobyerno sako,” said de la Cruz.

She is one of the 46 coconut farmers or “cocoteros” from barangays Alimsog, San Roque, Sta. Misericordia, Salvacion, San Andres and San Fernando who will be receiving their Cash and Food Subsidy from the Philippine Coconut Authority worth Php5,000.00.

According to PCA Agriculturist Franklin Barcena,  the Cash and Food Subsidy for Marginal Farmers and Fisherfolk Program (CFSMFFP) of the Department of Agriculture will aid the beneficiaries  recover from the adverse impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and damages caused by the strong typhoons that hit the region last November and December 2020.

PCA Agriculturist Karen Rodulfo added that the cocoteros will receive Php3,000.00 cash assistance and Php2,000.00-worth of food items which include rice (Php1,000.00), dressed chicken (Php600.00), and eggs (Php400.00).

However, the cash aid will be claimed at any MLhuiller center through the use of an e-voucher system to ensure more efficient distribution.

This program will provide market support to local producers of rice, chicken, and eggs; and opening up sources of livelihood for farmers, farmer cooperatives and associations, and micro enterprises as distribution partners in the program.

For the province of Albay, a total of 209 cocoteros from Tiwi, Sto.Domingo, Polangui, Malilipot, Malinao, Guinobatan and Tabaco City will benefit from this government aid.

Meanwhile, 93 farmers from Balud, Masbate have already received said  government subsidy.

A total of 890,794 farmers and fisherfolk who are RSBSA-registered and are hardest hit are expected to benefit from the program. Out of these number, 346,534 are coconut farmers, 287,128 fisherfolk, 198,023 are corn farmers, 29,702 are sugarcane farmers, while the remaining 29,407 are members of the indigenous communities.

The P4.5-B CFSMFFP fund is under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2. # # # (Jayson M. Gonzales with additional news from Willy Nelmida with additional photos from PCA and Nelmida / DA-RFO V, RAFIS)

2-tons of fresh vegetables from CALABARZON region transported to Alabang, Pasig and Bulacan

Approximately two (2) tons of fresh vegetables from different areas in the CALABARZON region were shipped to South Supermarket branches in Alabang, the cities of Pasig and Valenzuela, and even to Malolos City on January 26, 2021.

The SAGULAY Farmers’ Association sources locally-grown vegetables such as tomato, lettuce, eggplant, beans, cucumber, corn, ginger, turmeric, onion, garlic, cabbage, potato, marble potato, cauliflower, broccoli, carrot, pole sitao, okra, ampalaya, siling panigang, and gabi weekly directly from its farmer-members in Cavite, Batangas, and Quezon. Such agricultural products are transported to the same destinations twice or thrice a week.

The association’s chairman, Mr. Raffy V. Aromin, noted that their organization continues to work with their fellow farmers in the region through the KAtuwang sa DIwa at GaWA (KADIWA) ni Ani at Kita project of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to get food closer to the communities and to ensure that their produce reach consumers quickly or are linked to customers or buyers.

Mr. Aromin is therefore very thankful to the DA for continuing to assist them in harvesting and earning. “Dahil po sa mga production input na ibinibigay ng DA ay hindi nahihinto ang aming pagtatanim, kaya naman tuluy-tuloy din ang pag-ani namin; nakakapagluwas kami ng aming mga produkto nang dahil sa KADIWA kaya, sigurado ang aming kita. Malaki po talaga ang pasasalamat namin sa DA,” he shared. # # # (DA-RFO IVA, RAFIS)

Gitnang Luzon nagbabagsak ng tone-toneladang gulay sa Metro Manila

Balintawak, Quezon City – Nagsagawa ng pagbisita sa mga magsasakang biyahero mula Bulacan ang Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka (DA) sa pangunguna ni Secretary William Dar, Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness Kristine Evangelista, Undersecretary for Operations and Agri-Fisheries Mechanization Engr. Ariel Cayanan, Regional Director ng Gitnang Luzon Crispulo Bautista at Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) Chief Fernando Lorenzo noong ika-27 ng Enero sa Juliana Market.

Ang Bulacan Farmers Agricultural Cooperative na matatagpuan sa San Ildefonso, Bulacan ang isa sa mga nagsusuplay ng mga sariwang gulay sa merkado. Kada araw nasa humigit kumulang 90 MT na lowland vegetables ang naibabagsak ng Bulacan sa merkado ng Metro Manila. Sa kanilang pag-aangkat naiiwasan na magkaroong ng middleman at nagiging mas mababa ang presyo ng mga gulay dahil direkta ng nabibili ng mga wholesalers at retailers ang kanilang mga ani.

Hinihikayat naman ng Chairperson ng Bulacan Farmers Agricultural Cooperative Daisy Duran ang mga mamimili. “Kung gusto po ninyo na makatikim ng murang gulay mayroong mga KADIWA outlet po na kung saan ay direktang mga magsasaka ang nagtitinda ng kanilang mga pananim at doon po ay sinusunod namin ang suggested retail price na tinakda ng Department of Agriculture,” ani Duran.

“Hindi na dapat taasan ang presyo ng mga gulay dahil mayroon ng sapat na suplay na galing sa iba’t ibang probinsya katulad ng Bulacan,” sambit ni Kalihim Dar.

Pahayag ni Secretary Dar ang naranasang pagbaba ng suplay ng gulay sa National Capital Region (NCR) na nagdulot ng pagtaas ng presyo ng mga gulay ay bunga ng mga nakaraang bagyo na narasan ng iba’t ibang rehiyon.

“Ang ating mga magsasaka ay apektado ng bagyo noong nakaraang Nobyembre at nakapagtanim noong Disyembre, ngayon ay nagsisimula na ang harvesting kaya nakakapag suplay na ulit ng kanilang mga produkto dito sa NCR, kasabay nito ay ang pagbaba ng mga presyo,” dagdag ni Dar.

Bukod dito, ipinahayag ng Kalihim na makikipag ugnayan sila sa Philippine Competition Commission upang siyasatin ang mga traders at sellers na nagbebenta ng higit pa sa suggested retail price na tinakda ng DA. # # # (DA-RFO III, RAFIS)

KADIWA sa Southern Cagayan Research Center, binuksan

Binuksan kahapon ang Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita sa Southern Cagayan Research Center sa Minanga Norte, Iguig, Cagayan na pamumunuan ng Cagayan Valley Mushroom Entreprenuers Cooperative.

Bukod sa mga karaniwang benta sa Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita, tulad ng gulay, prutas, isda, processed meat at marami pang iba, nagkaroon din ng ceremonial ribbon-cutting para naman sa mga by-product ng Mushroom na mula sa mga grower sa lambak.

“Our group aims to create a wider network and touch every Filipino’s life by showcasing quality local produce through our pasarabu center. Enjoy your travel, enjoy your Pasarabu. Drop and buy at PASARABU de CAGAYAN,” ani ni David D. Sumajit, chairman ng CVMEC.

Nakadisplay din ang mga samu’t-saring produktong gawang kabute na kung saan si Sumajit at ang kanyang grupo ay ipapatikim na rin ang mushroom miki na isang produkto ng Research for Development ng DA RFO 02.

Dumalo rin sa soft launching si RTD for Research and Regulatory RoseMary G. Aquino na iniimbitatahan at inaanyahan ang lahat na bisitahin ang bagong bukas na Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita. # #  #(DA-RFO II, RAFIS)