ARBs receive indemnity thru DAR-PCIC Agri Insurance Program

Most of palay, corn destroyed during 3^rd quarter draught

A farmer-beneficiary receives indemnity check for his drought-damaged crops 

ALCALA, CAGAYAN -The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Philippine CropInsurance Corporation (PCIC) is presently distributing crop loss indemnity checks in favor of affected agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) who have availed of the DAR-PCIC Agrarian Reform Beneficiary-Agricultural Insurance Program(ARB-AIP) in Cagayan province.

According to Virgilio M. Acasili, Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO) of Cagayan-Batanes offices (DARPO-Batanes has been annexed to DARPO-Cagayan), they have already paid some of the farmers through Land Bank checks in order for them to be able to at least purchase the seeds/inputs needed for the next planting season without having to resort to heavy borrowing from usurers.

The first and second batches of indemnity payments amounting to a total of Php5,354,721.97 were made for ARBs in the municipalities of Alcala, Amulung, Piat, Gattaran, Lasam, Solana, Sto. Nino and Tuao where some 718.98 hectares of palay and corn cultivated by 449 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) were destroyed by the draught. Another set of schedule for payments of crop indemnity for affected ARBs in other municipalities have been calendared within this month of October 2013.

The ARB-AIP is a P17.1 billion crop insurance coverage plan between the DAR and PCIC, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), wherein the DAR provides a premium subsidy worth P1 billion.

The insurance program benefits agrarian reform beneficiaries who are members of agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) in Cagayan province.

The ARB-AIP will provide protection for over 224,000 ARBs and members of their households nationwide who are farming around 330,000 hectares of land and raising approximately 30,700 farm animals.

It is a safety net for ARBs against losses caused by crop pests, diseases; losses from damage of farm machineries; and also from the devastating unpredictable weather patterns due to climate change.

In addition, an ARB covered under the program shall receive protection against loss of life or limbs under an Accident and Dismemberment Security Scheme. By:christiandsales

Cagayan (North) ARBs receive ARB-AIP certificates of insurance coverage

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Regional Office 02 in Tuguegarao City distributed on August 7, 2013 during the opening ceremonies of the 4^th CARPER Anniversary celebrations at the Crown Pavilion and Hotel some 696 certificates of insurance coverage (CIC) under the DAR-DA/PCIC Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries-Agricultural Insurance Program (ARB-AIP).

The insurance program benefits some 696  agrarian reform beneficiaries (first batch) who are members in some 16 agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) in Cagayan province.

          The ARB-AIP is a P17.1 billion crop insurance coverage plan between the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), wherein the DAR shall provide a premium subsidy worth P1 billion.

The ARB-AIP will provide protection for over 224,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and members of their households who are farming around 330,000 hectares of land and raising approximately 30,700 farm animals nationwide. DAR shall identify who are the qualified ARBs under the program.

It is a safety net for ARBs against losses caused by crop pests, diseases; losses from damage of farm machineries; and also from the devastating unpredictable weather patterns due to climate change.

In addition, an ARB shall receive protection against loss of life or limbs under an Accident and Dismemberment Security Scheme.

The distribution ceremony was attended by DAR USEC Jose Z. Grageda, DAR Director Nestor Bayoneto, DAR Regional Director Marjorie P. Ayson, the different provincial and municipal agrarian reform officers, city and municipal mayors from the region, officials from DA-PCIC, and officers of the different ARBOs from Cagayan Valley, among others. /christiandsales 

The sweet Bugnay Wine of Sunrise Agrarian Reform Community

SUNRISE AGRARIAN REFORM COMMUNITY (Sunrise ARC) in Gattaran, Cagayan produces bugnay wine as a livelihood activity in addition to farming. The ARC is abundant in bugnay fruit wherein the old folks in the community commonly used as a remedy for arthritis, as a cleansing drink to cure imbalances in the body, etc.

Bugnay or Antidesma bunius L. is an edible fruit that dangle in bunches of 40-50 oviod-shaped fruits like small berries and grapes. It is easily mistaken for wild berries or grapes due to its color and size. Bugnay grows in the mountains and is native to the Philippines due to its tropical climate. From yellowish green to pale yellow or bright red to almost black when it is ripe, it is usually abundant from June to September.

It has acquired a higher value as a raw material for wine due to the increasing awareness of the benefits of red wine and has become an alternative to the more expensive imported wines.

A study has established that bugnay wine has phytochemicals, flavonoids, catechin, proyanidins (Procyanidins are  compounds found in red wine that are good for the blood vessels and considered as one of the factors attributed to the long life spans of the people from the southwest of France and Sardinia), vitamin B1 and B2.

The bugnay fruit, according to studies, possibly has compounds with potential cytotoxic properties and methanolic activities. It is rich in anti-oxidants and anti-carcinogenic properties. The anti-oxidants in bugnay wine, like red wine is said to reduce the incidence of coronary heart disease. The alcohol content of bugnay wine also inhibits fat deposits in the arteries, reducing the occurrence of atherosclerosis or arteriosclerotic vascular disease.

After undergoing some training on fruit wine production, the members of the Sunrise Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Gattaran, Cagayan started to process and produce bugnay wine as a cooperative business which proved to be a lucrative endeavour as demand for their bugnay wine has increased.

It is being promoted in trade fairs where is one of the fast selling items. Production, however, is limited by the seasons as bugnay fruit is not available all year round.  However, whenever it is abundant, it is harvested and immediately processed resulting to increase in income of the cooperative. By:christiandsales

Outstanding DOST-SETUP beneficiaries awarded at NST Week celebration

Carne Ybanag of Lighthouse Cooperative is Region 02 awardee

SMX Convention Center, Manila. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) spearheaded the celebration of the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia with a week-long exhibit, from July 23 to 27 (Tuesday to Saturday), 2013. Dubbed as ExpoScience 2013, it showcases the latest innovations and inventions of Filipino scientists and engineers, etc.

Senator Loren Legarda led the tour of the exhibition booths after the opening program. 

     The exhibit highlighted DOST technologies such as the Advanced MaterialsLaboratory (ADMATEL), a testing facility for semiconductors; the AutomatedGuideway Transit (AGT), an alternative transportation now being used at UP-Diliman; the Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards or Project NOAH which is DOST’s  response for a more accurate, integrated, and responsive disaster prevention and mitigation system especially in high-risk areas throughout the Philippines; DOST’s Certified Seed Production program for improved agricultural productivity; and the other ICT-driven tools to make the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry more competitive, and many others. It also featured the ceremonial switching of Project NOAH’s 1,000 sensors expected to be installed within the year. Also featured was DOSTv, a web channel that provides 24/7 information on the weather.

     The Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) Forum was conducted on the second day of the NSTW celebration wherein sixteen (16) business firms/ SETUP beneficiaries were awarded as Outstanding SETUP Adopters: Tartland Baguio Pasarabo (CAR); Maglaya’s Woodcraft (Region I); Carne Ybanag-LighthouseCooperative (Region II); Amanda’s Marine Products (Region III); MFP Home of Quality Food Corporation (NCR); Farmtec Foods, Inc. (Region IV-A); Mindoro Progressive Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Region IV-B); Belen’s Pinahamis Na Pili, Atbp. (Region V); Trappist Monastic Food Products (Region VI); Total Woodcraft (Region VII); TAP’s Handmade Products (Region VIII); Woodtech Builders (Region IX); Northern Mindanao Federation of Dairy Cooperatives (Region X); Rosario’s Fruit Stop (Region XI); Rafols Machine Shop and Engineering Services (Region XII); and Marjeck Food Products (CARAGA). Farmtech Foods, Inc. later received an award as the National Level Best SETUP Adopter.

     The DOST-SETUP is a banner program of the Department of Science and Technology. It is a nationwide strategy to  motivate, encourage and assist Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in improving their productivity and competitiveness  through the technology interventions like provision of the cost of equipment through Innovative System Support (ISS), technology trainings, product development, plant lay-out, equipment design with training for its utilization, laboratory tests of products, packaging and labelling, trainings on  Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), 5S, Hazard, Analytical, Critical and Control Point (HACCP), Energy Audit, Cleaner Production Technology (CPT), consultancy services through Manufacturing Productivity Extension (MPEX),  Consultancy on Agricultural Productivity Enhancement  (CAPE) and product promotion thru S&T Fairs, product flyers  and website development.

     For the last ten years of the program, it has generated over Php73 billion in sales, generated nearly 44,000 jobs, penetrated over 2,000 new markets and has Php0.5 billion fund for this year.  It is collateral-free, zero interest and proposal-driven funding that is payable to the DOST within a period of three (3) years. by:christiandsales

More photos:https://www.facebook.com/lighthousecoop/media_set?set=a.398816963556911.1073741834.100002858333858&type=1 

DOST, DAR, DA, et. al., sign Convergence MOU

SMX Convention Center. On the occasion of the celebration of the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) at the SMX Convention Center in Manila, the cabinet secretaries (and  undersecretaries) from the Departmentof Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Departmentof Agriculture (DA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) met and signed today a Convergence Memorandum of Understanding on Community-Based Sustainable Livelihood and Development Enterprises in the Countryside.

The Memorandum of Understanding on Convergence would move together the agencies involved and unite their efforts and activities with DOST to provide a combination of multiple services, programs, projects, technologies, and provide access to other developmental interventions that will promote sustainable development and access to programs such as DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP), among others. The DOST SET-UP is a more focused program of assistance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). SET-UP is a nationwide strategy to encourage and assist SMEs to adopt technological innovations to improve their operations and thus boost their productivity and competitiveness.           This is of special interest to the DAR's agrarian reform communities (ARCs) project where agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) are transforming themselves into being farmer-entrepreneurs and agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) are now engaging into economies of scale through modernization under the DAR-ARCCESS program and the block sugar farming, among others. 

            This year’s NSTW theme is “Science, Technology and Innovation: The Road to a Smarter Philippines,” emphasizes the role of science and technology in improving the peoples’ future through DOST’s projects and services that will further socio-economic development through DOST’s technologies such as the Advance Materials Testing Laboratory (ADMATEL) which is the testing facility for the nation’s semiconductor industry; Automated GuidewayTransit (AGT) system (currently in use at UP-Diliman), an alternative transportation system; PROJECT NOAH as a tool to address climate change; DOST’s Certified Seed Production Program for the agricultural sector;  and other Internet Communication Technology (ICT) driven tools to make the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry more competitive.

The NSTW runs from July 23-27, 2013 (Tuesday until Saturday) at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City and will showcase the latest innovations, interventions and inventions of Filipino scientists, engineers and various works by the entire scientific community. /christiandsales

DAR-Cagayan (North) holds regular Legal Clinic in the barangays

The Department of AgrarianReform–Cagayan (DARPO-Cagayan), Legal Assistance Division has adopted another effective strategy in bringing its services to where it is needed most by conducting a scheduled legal clinic in faraway barangays throughout the province.

This is accomplished by a team from the DARPO Legal Division going to a certain barangay in a municipality coordinated with the DAR Municipal Agrarian Reform Office (DARMO). Upon arrival, simultaneous activities such as lectures, legal counselling and mediation groups attend to specific needs of the farmers. If the parties in a case requiring mediation are present, a mediation conference is instantly conducted by assigned legal officers which usually ends up with an amicable settlement.

According to Atty. Fatima Yadao, Chief of the Legal Division of DARPO-Cagayan, many agrarian disputes have been resolved on site, i.e., farmers do not have to travel to its office at the DARPO in Tuguegarao for the resolution of issues affecting landowner-tenant relationship and other agrarian disputes.

           The onsite legal forum also includes lectures and discussions about agrarian laws. An open forum elicits questions from farmers, landowners, farm workers and local officials (barangay and municipal officials) and other CARP stakeholders usually resolves issues that would have concluded in protracted and expensive litigations. Matters requiring more serious consideration are scheduled for resolution at the DARPO if warranted. 
/christiandsales

More photos: https://www.facebook.com/amarophil.cagayan/media_set?set=a.481467975261750.1073741849.100001956556263&type=3

Tuguegarao farmers’ coop receives milk processing equipment

TUGUEGRAO CITY, July18, 2013 - The Integrated Farmer’s Cooperative (IFC) is an agrarian reform beneficiary (ARB) cooperative in the SOUTHCAG Agrarian Reform Community (SouthCag ARC) located at Namabbalan Sur in the eastern part of Tuguegarao city. It has been engaged in small scale dairy production since 2004 through fresh carabao and cow’s milk collection, processing and marketing.

            Through the IFC Milk Processing Shared Service Facility Project funded under the DTI-SSF, the 150-member ARB cooperative received two units milking machines, 6 units milking cans, one vacuum sealer and one bottle sealer. These were turned-over in a ceremony at the Philippine Carabao Center in Tuguegarao City attended by no less than Hon. Randolph S. Ting, Representative, Third District of Cagayan province and other officials of the national government agencies, among others. 

As an ARB cooperative, the IFC is also the recipient of several livelihood assistance, organizational management and skills trainings from LGU-Tuguegarao, the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Department of Trade and Industry, among others.

           Under this project, the IFC is expected to expand its market, sustain and increase the volume of production of: (1) pasteurized fresh and flavoured (mango, pandan, chocolate, melon and pineapple) carabao/cow’s milk, (2) pastillas de leche, (3) yoghurt, and (4) milk candy bars.Some of the processed milk products produced and processed by the IFC are available in groceries and supermarkets in Tuguegarao City.   by:christian sales

More photos: https://www.facebook.com/amarophil.cagayan/media_set?set=a.480910175317530.1073741847.100001956556263&type=3

PHOTOBLOG: Aggaw Nac Cagayan 2013 Agri-Trade Fair

The provincial government of Cagayan celebrates the 430^th founding anniversary of its civil government this year from June 26-30 (Wednesday-Sunday) and one of the major highlights of which is the AGRI-TRADE SHOW/EXHIBIT where products from the different municipalities are on display and sale (Click on the photo to enlarge or right click photo and open in new page for a bigger view).

Booth of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist

DA-BFAR

LGU-Alcala

LGU-Camalaniugan

LGU-Allacapan

LGU-Ballesteros

LGU-Baggao

LGU-Abulug

LGU-Amulung

LGU-Aparri

LGU-Buguey

LGU-Enrile

LGU-Gattaran

LGU-Gonzaga

LGU-Iguig

LGU-Lallo

LGU-Penablanca

LGU-Piat

LGU-Rizal

LGU-Sancez Mira

LGU-Solana

LGU-Sta Teresita

LGU-Sto Nino

LGU-Tuguegarao

DA-BFAR Booth

LGUs promote ARC products in AGGAW Agri-Trade Fair 2013

TUGUEGARAO CITY- Once again, one of the most anticipated activity in the province of Cagayan is the Agri-Trade Fair during the annual AGGAW NAC CAGAYAN celebration. The local government units (LGUs) in the province have constructed their individual unique booths at the Cagayan Sports Complex and loaded them with goods/products from their municipalities. From booths shaped like giant fruits to some mimicking caves, boats, bridges and church buildings, the trade fair booths do not fail to surprise and amuse people trooping into the trade show grounds.          

The provincial government of Cagayan celebrates the 430^th founding anniversary of its civil government this year from June 26-30 (Wednesday-Sunday) and one of the major highlights of which is the AGRI-TRADE SHOW/EXHIBIT where products from the different municipalities are on display and sale. There are lots of things to buy in these trade shows such as candies made from native fruits, there are also assorted dried fish such as eel, live fat crabs from downstream Cagayan, home-spun fabrics, hand-woven bags made from indigenous materials, the famous carabao skin Chicharabao cracklings and the equally favourite kinds bibingka, etc. Just bring some money and you will go home happy.

Also found in some LGU booths are products from the various Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) in the province, such as the In-Shell Roasted Peanut of EASTERN ALCALA ARC; the sweet Bucayu of LABDABES ARC in Allacapan; Carabao Milk Candy from SOUTHCAG ARC in Tuguegarao City; the Kabarangay Sugar Cane Vinegar of MADOVILLA ARC in Piat; and the crisp and glazed sweet Banana Chips of ESTEMARCONBAGA ARC in Amulung, Cagayan. These products are the result of the development trainings provided to agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).  

The Aggaw Nac Cagayan Agri-Trade Show is an exhibition organized by the provincial government so that micro/small entrepreneurs in various municipalities can showcase and demonstrate their latest products and services with the assistance of their LGUs. They can also study activities of their competitors so they can improve their products or services and observe recent market trends and spot opportunities. Agriculture is still the major industry in the province of Cagayan. /christiandsales

DARPO-Cagayan is CDA-accredited training provider

TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN-The Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office of Cagayan (DAR-Cagayan) is now an accredited Cooperative Training Provider after it has complied with the qualifications and requirements of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).

     A Certificate of Accreditation was personally delivered and handed over by CDA-Region 02 Regional Director Angelito U. Sacro  to DARPO-Cagayan represented by Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO) Virgilio M. Acasili on June 19, 2013 at the latter’s office in Tuguegarao City.
     Prior to DARPO-Cagayan’s accreditation, there are no accredited cooperative training provider the Cagayan province.

     The CDA’s accreditation program is mandated under the Cooperative Code of 2008 (Republic Act No.  9520) which aims to institutionalize the conduct of coordinated, rationalized, and standardized education and training for the cooperative and its officers and members. The law requires cooperative officers to attend and complete trainings from accredited training providers as mandatory requirement to develop their competencies in effectively performing their functions in the management of cooperatives.

     These mandatory trainings involve all cooperative officers (board member, general manager, secretary, treasurer and member of audit/election/mediation committee) to attend and complete a series of training courses within two years. The members of the Board of Directors are required to complete nine courses; general managers are required to complete eleven courses; secretaries, treasurers and members of the audit, election and mediation committees must complete four to seven trainings.

     Failure to complete the mandatory trainings will result to the coop’s being declared as non-compliant and it will lose certification of good standing (CGS). Without the CGS, a cooperative cannot secure tax exemption privileges from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) as it is one of the requirements in order be given tax exemption.  

     The accreditation of DARPO-Cagayan as a cooperative training provider shall primarily benefit thousands of agrarian reform beneficiaries who are members of agrarian reform cooperatives throughout the province of Cagayan.  /cds