January 14, 2015

BOC files smuggling charges against rice traders

By Joel R. San Juan
THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Tuesday filed smuggling charges against two
Cagayan-based rice traders for the alleged illegal importation of over 1.3 million
kilograms of glutinous rice worth P82.68 million from Vietnam.
Charged with multiple counts of violating Section 3601 of the Tariff and Customs Code
of the Philippines for the unlawful importation and Section 29 of Presidential Decree
(PD) 4, as amended by PD 1485, for failure to obtain import permits were Elmer Caneta
and Michael Abella, owners and proprietors of EC Peninsula Commercial and New
Dawn Enterprises, respectively.
BOC Chairman John Sevilla said both firms were not issued the required import permits
from the National Food Authority (NFA) for their rice importations.
Sevilla said the illegal rice shipment arrived in November 2014 at the Port of Cagayan
de Oro.
In its import documents, New Dawn and EC Peninsula misdeclared the rice imports as
gypsum board, plaster board, kitchenware and tiles.
There was clear intent to hide the rice shipments, precisely because these traders
know that they are importing rice without the required permits. We are working closely
with the NFA to set policies and procedures that are easy and simple to understand to
improve the compliance of rice traders, Sevilla said.
EC Peninsulas shipment was contained in 35 20-foot container vans of glutinous rice
totaling 910,000 kilograms, with market value of P54.6 million.

New Dawns shipment was contained in 18 20-foot container vans totaling to 468,000
kgs, with market value of P28.08 million.
Reference: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/boc-files-smuggling-charges-against-ricetraders/
TWO TRADERS IN SMUGGLING RAP
By ASHZEL HACHERO
THE Bureau of Customs yesterday slapped smuggling charges before the Department
of Justice against two Cagayan de Oro-based rice traders for illegally importing more
than 1.3 million kilos of glutinous rice worth an estimated P82.68 million last year.
The BOC said Elmer Caneta and Michael Abella, owners and proprietors of EC
Peninsula Commercial and New Dawn Enterprises, respectively, violated Section 3601
of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines for the unlawful importation of rice and
Section 29 of Presidential Decree No. 4 for failure to obtain the necessary imports from
the National Food Authority.
Both firms, the BOC said, were not issued certificates of eligibility to import rice by the
NFA.
There was clear intent to hide the rice shipments precisely because these traders know
that they are importing rice without the required permits. We are working closely with
the NFA to set policies and procedures that are easy and simple to understand to
improve the compliance of rice traders, BOC Customs Commissioner John Sevilla said
after the filing of the case.
The BOC said the two firms mis-declared the rice imports which arrived last November
2014 at the Port of Cagayan de Oro City from Vietnam, saying the shipment contained
gypsum boards, plaster boards, kitchenware and tiles.
Reference: http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/two-traders-smuggling-rap

BoC slaps 2 CDO rice traders with smuggling raps

Written by Hector Lawas
Published in Provincial

THE Bureau of Customs yesterday filed before the Department of Justice smuggling
charges against two Cagayan De Oro-based rice traders for their alleged illegal
importation of 1,378 metric tons or 1.3 million kilos of glutinous rice worth P82.68
million.

Charged with multiple counts of violations of the Tariff and Customs Code for failure to
obtain import permits were Elmer Caeta and Michael Abella.
Caeta is the proprietor of EC Peninsula Commercial, while Abella is the proprietor of
New Dawn Enterprises.
Both firms were not issued Certificates of Eligibility to import rice by the National Food
Authority nor obtained the required import permits from the NFA for its rice
importations, the complaint stated.
The NFA regulates the importation of rice through Minimum Access Volumes.
The alleged illegal shipments arrived in November 2014 at the Port of Cagayan De Oro,
and were allegedly misdeclared as gypsum boards, plaster board, kitchenware and
tiles.
The shipment of EC Peninsula costs P54.60 million, while the shipment of New Dawn
Enterprises costs P28.08 million.
The DoJ is now readying a preliminary investigation of Caeta and Abella.
Reference: http://www.journal.com.ph/news/provincial/boc-slaps-2-cdo-rice-traders-withsmuggling-raps

2 rice smugglers charged

By: Raymund F. Antonio
Two rice traders are facing smuggling charges after they were caught by the Bureau of
Customs (BoC) illegally importing over 1.3 million kilograms of glutinous rice in Cagayan
De Oro Port.
BoC slapped charges against Elmer Caeta and Michael Abella, owners and proprietors
of EC Peninsula Commercial and New Dawn Enterprises, respectively, before the
Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday.
They were charged with multiple counts of violating Section 3601 of the Tariff and
Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP) for the unlawful importation; and Section 29 of
Presidential Decree (PD) Number 4, as amended by PD No 1485, for failure to obtain
import permits, BoC said.
The illegal rice shipments of New Dawn Enterprises and EC Peninsula Commercial
arrived in November last year at the Port of Cagayan De Oro.
The rice imports were shipped in 53 20-foot container vans and were misdeclared as
gypsum boards, plaster board, kitchenware and tiles.

In their import documents, New Dawn and EC Peninsula misdeclared the rice to prevent
detection but these were later discovered by Customs intelligence agents to contain
glutinous rice from Vietnam.
Both firms were not issued Certificates of Eligibility to import rice by the National Food
Authority (NFA) nor obtained the required import permits from the agency for its rice
importations. (Raymund F. Antonio)
Reference: http://www.tempo.com.ph/2015/01/14/2-rice-smugglers-charged/

2 CDO rice traders sued by BOC for P82M glutinous rice smuggling
By: Jerome Aning
@inquirerdotnet
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines The Bureau of Customs filed on Tuesday smuggling cases

against two Cagayan de Oro City-based rice traders at the Department of Justice for the
alleged illegal importation of over 1.3-million kilos of glutinous rice (malagkit) worth an
estimated P82.68-million.
The complaint filed by Customs commissioner John Phillip Sevilla accused Elmer
Caeta and Michael Abella owners of the EC Peninsula Commercial and New Dawn
Enterprises, respectively of multiple counts of violating Section 3601 of the Tariff and
Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP) for unlawful importation; and Section 29 of
Presidential Decree (PD) Number 4, as amended by PD No 1485 for failure to obtain
import permits.
Both firms were not issued certificates of eligibility to import rice by the National Food
Authority nor did they obtain the required import permits from the NFA for rice
importations, the complaint stated.
Sevilla said the illegal rice shipments of New Dawn Enterprises and EC Peninsula
Commercial arrived in November 2014 at the Port of Cagayan De Oro. In its import
documents, New Dawn and EC Peninsula allegedly mis-declared the rice imports as
gypsum boards, plaster board, kitchenware and tiles.
There was clear intent to hide the rice shipments precisely because these traders know
that they were importing rice without the required permits. We are working closely with
the NFA to set policies and procedures that are easy and simple to understand to
improve the compliance of rice traders, said Sevilla said.

The NFA regulates rice imports through minimum access volumes to ensure viability of
the local rice industry.
Reference: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/664387/2-cdo-rice-traders-sued-by-boc-forp82m-glutinous-rice-smuggling
Keep hands off coco fund, PNoy told
By Macon Ramos-Araneta
COCONUT farmers warned President Benigno Aquino III Tuesday to keep his hands off
the P72 billion coco levy fund, saying that as its rightful and legitimate beneficiaries,
they will not allow him and his cohorts to use it as a perpetual presidential pork barrel
and election kitty for 2016.
Nestor Villanueva, convenor and spokesperson of the Coco Levy Funds Ibalik sa Amin
(CLAIM), an organization of farmers based in Quezon province, said declaring the coco
levy fund as public funds is not one and the same as the fund becoming a part of the
national budget that can be
used at the whim and discretion of President Aquino.
The farmers also decried the plan of the government to privatize coco levy fund assets
during a protest rally at the Senate Tuesday.
The rally was timed with the meeting of the Senate committee on agriculture and foods
technical working group on coco levy fund bills pending at the Senate.
Several Senate bills and Malacanangs draft executive order propose privatizing and
investing the escrowed fund.
But Villanueva further said only the private sector and landlords in coconut farmlands
stand to benefit if the coco levy funds and assets are privatized and invested in
businesses.
We are strongly demanding that the coco levy funds be returned to small coconut
farmers and distributed in the form of cash and other socio-economic benefits to
legitimate beneficiaries and their families, Villanueva said.
Kilusang ng Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) chairman Rafael Mariano said the primary
beneficiaries of the coco levy fund should be coconut farmers and not the private sector
and businesses who want to take a piece form the coco levy pie.
Reacting to the farmers warning, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said
government seeks to use the coco levy fund for the benefit of the coconut farmers to
enable them to become productive and self-sufficient, and able to enjoy an improved
quality of life. Coconut farmers are supporting House Bill 1327 or the proposed creation
of the Genuine Small Coconut Farmers Fund filed by the Anakpawis party-list group.

The fund will be managed by coconut farmers and their respective organizations and
not by economic managers and business executives.
Under HB 1327, small coconut farmers will be the primary beneficiaries of the fund in
the form of cash and other social benefits including but not limited to pension benefits,
medical and hospitalization benefits, and educational assistance including
scholarships.
Also, socio-economic projects initiated by small coconut farmers and their organizations
or cooperatives financed by the Coconut Farmers Fund shall primarily focus on
livelihood programs and projects meant to provide additional income to small coconut
farmers, small and medium-scale coconut enterprises.
It will also provide loans to small coconut farmers.
Mariano said all coco levy funds acquired assets should be turned over to the Small
Coconut Farmers Council.
The SCFC will directly manage the operations of the Oil Mills Corp., 14 holding
companies, United Coconut Planters Bank, Coocolife and other corporations acquired
through the coco levy funds for the benefit of small coconut farmers.

Reference: http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/01/14/keep-hands-off-coco-fund-pnoytold/

Reject Noys control of coco levy fund, senators urged

Written by Charlie V. Manalo

Anakpawis Rep. Fernando Hicap yesterday appealed to the senators who authored bills
on the utilization of the coconut levy fund to scrap any provision that would give
President Aquino any form of control, and instead uphold the farmers interest.
Yesterday, the Senate held its technical working group to consolidate Senate Bills 2126
authored by Sen. Cynthia Villar, 455 by Sen. Ralph Recto and 2476 by Sen. Bam
Aquino, while hundreds of farmers from Coconut Levy Ibalik Sa Amin (Claim) organized
their protest at the gate.
Simple lang ang gusto ng mga maliliit na magsasaka sa niyugan, ibalik sa kanilang
tunay na may-ari, ang coconut levy dahil ninakaw ito sa kanila noong martial law, Hicap
said.

He added that majority of the bills proposed that the funds be under the Office of the
President, thus, giving him direct and indirect control.
The solon also criticized the composition of the proposed bodies to manage the funds,
that included Cabinet members and other government officials, while the inclusion of
coconut farmers would be subjected to accreditation of the Philippine Coconut Authority
(PCA) and National Anti-Poverty Commission.
Hicap, who himself is a small fisherman and coconut farmer from Sorsogon, has
authored House Bill 1327 or the Genuine Small Coconut Farmers Fund that proposes
the Small Coconut Farmers Council to manage the coconut levy fund.
The council is to be composed of 11 regular members where nine from the ranks of
small coconut farmers and two from non-government organizations who honestly
advocate the interests of farmers. The additional two ex-officio members from the PCA
and Presidential Commission on Good Government will have no voting rights.
Ipakita natin kay Pope Francis, na tayo bilang Pilipino, bilang lahi ay kayang ipatupad
ang social justice para sa mga biktima ng martial law, ibalik natin ang ninakaw na
coconut levy sa tunay na may-ari, Hicap said.
Reference: http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/reject-noy-s-control-of-coco-levy-fundsenators-urged

127 govt execs, importers charged over garlic cartel

By Edu Punay (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Criminal charges have been filed against 127 individuals,
including former Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) director Clarito Barron, over the alleged
collusion with traders in a supposed cartel that caused prices of garlic to skyrocket last
year.
Charges for direct bribery, profiteering and cartel under the Price Act, monopolies and
restraint of trade under the Revised Penal Code, use of fictitious names and obstruction
of justice were filed against them with the Department of Justice (DOJ) last Monday.
Apart from Barron, also charged were former BPI-Plant Quarantine Service chief Luben
Marasigan, BPI-PQS officer-in-charge Merle Palacpac and businesswoman Lilia Cruz
alias Lea Cruz, head of the Vegetable Importers, Exporters and Vendors Association of
the Philippines Inc. (VIEVA Phils.) and chairperson of the National Garlic Action Team
(NGAT) and National Onion Action Team (NOAT).
BPI is an agency under the Department of Agriculture that issues the required Plant
Quarantine Clearances (PQC) and Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary Import Clearances
(SPS-IC) for the importation of garlic.
Barron yesterday denied the allegations and said the DOJ failed to establish that
collusion indeed took place in the local garlic trade.
The results of the investigation of the DOJ-Office of Competition is unfounded as its
conclusions are based on weak accusations tainted with politics. It was not properly

determined how collusion took place. It was just declared that there was one between
traders and officials of the BPI, he added.
Headlines ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
Barron said they approved garlic import permit applications based on guidelines
provided under the BPIs mandate to ensure all plant species and products that enter
the country are free from diseases.
The issuance of plant quarantine clearance to accredited importers mean that the garlic
they import are free from disease, Barron said.
If prices rise, we no longer have control in these. It is the Bureau of Customs that is
expected to monitor this, he added.
Barron said if there were indeed dummies found, these individuals should have
immediately been charged with violation of the anti-dummy law.
The BPI has no right to reject applications that follow regulations, he said.
Barron also denied accepting bribe for the issuance of import clearances.
Barron was charged with direct bribery, graft and obstruction of justice after allegedly
receiving P240,000 from garlic importer and whistle-blower Lilybeth Valenzuela,
president of Vieva, after the issuance of four import permits for fresh garlic at P60,000
per import permit.
In her affidavit, Valenzuela claimed she gave the said amount to Barron inside his office
at BPI located in Malate, Manila in October 2012.
She also alleged that representatives of importers or the importers themselves who are
applying for import permits from BPI were required to see Director Barron at his office
after the release of the import permits in order to deliver payments for the (import
permits), according to the charge sheet.
The referral-complaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation also listed over 100
importers and members of farmers cooperatives.
The findings of the investigation show the presence of collusion among the BPI officials
and importers of Vieva Phils. The farmers associations/multi-purpose cooperatives
have no capability to complete importation transactions based on their financial
statements/annual income tax returns. The import permits they secured from BPI were
facilitated by Lilia/Lea Cruz, by paying to Director C.M. Barron the amount of P60, 000
per import permit, the NBI complaint read.

Reference: http://www.philstar.com:8080/headlines/2015/01/14/1412715/127-govtexecs-importers-charged-over-garlic-cartel
Dont touch coco levy funds, farmers ask PNoy
By Mario Casayuran
Coconut farmers warned President Aquino not to dip his fingers into the escrowed P72billion coconut levy fund.
Rightful and legitimate beneficiaries of the multi-billion-peso coco levy fund will never
allow Aquino and his cohorts to use the coco levy fund as a perpetual presidential pork
barrel fund and election kitty for 2016, the farmers claimed
The farmers, belonging to the claimants movement Coconut Levy Funds Ibalik as
Amin (CLAIM) from the coconut-producing province of Quezon, staged a demonstration
at the Senate building in Pasay city yesterday to oppose the alleged plan of the Aquino
administration to privatize the coco levy funds and assets.
The protest coincided with the holding by the Senate agriculture and food committee of
a technical working group on Senate bills and a Senate resolution and petition for
Indirect Initiative to Enact National Legislation-Coconut Farmers and Industry Fund
(CFIF).
CLAIM stated they staged the demonstration following reports that various Senate bills
and Malacaangs draft Executive Order on the use of the coco levy fund are proposing
for the privatization and investment of the P72-billion coco levy fund now being held in
escrow.
The primary beneficiaries of the coco levy fund should be coconut farmers and not the
private sector and businesses who want to take a piece of the coco levy pie, Rafael
Mariano, chairman of the left-leaning Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP).
Declaring the coco levy fund as public funds is not one and the same as the fund
becoming a part of the national budget that can be used at the whim and discretion of
President Aquino, Nestor Villanueva, convenor and CLAIM spokesman.
Villanueva said that only the private sector and landlords in coconut farmlands stand to
benefit if the coco levy funds and assets are privatized and invested in businesses.
We are strongly demanding that the coco levy funds be returned to small coconut
farmers and distributed in the form of cash and other socio-economic benefits to
legitimate beneficiaries and their families, he explained.
The coconut farmers are supporting House Bill No. 1327 which seeks the creation of
Genuine Small Coconut Farmers Fund which was filed by Anakpawis Party list.

The measure states that the fund should be managed by coconut farmers and their
respective organizations and not by economic managers and business executives.
Under the House bill, small coconut farmers will be the primary beneficiaries of the Fund
in the form of cash and other social benefits, including but not limited to
pension benefits.
Reference: http://www.mb.com.ph/dont-touch-coco-levy-funds-farmers-ask-pnoy/

Philippines Abaca Fiber Market to Grow at 5.7% through 2019, Says TechSci
Research
BURNABY, Canada, January 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -Philippines to continue its dominance as the largest global producer of abaca fiber over
the next five years
With continuing development of fiber craft industry in the Philippines, the abaca fiber
market has been witnessing a boost due to growing demand for gifts, toys and
housewares. Moreover, increasing consumer inclination for lifestyle products is further
expected to strengthen the growth trend for abaca crafts in the coming years. Currently,
there are only two major exporters of abaca fiber in the world - Philippines and Ecuador,
withPhilippines accounting for over 80% of the global production of abaca fiber. In the
Philippines, abaca plant is cultivated across 130 thousand hectares of land by over 90
thousand farmers. Abaca fiber is primarily used as a raw material by end user industries
such as pulp & paper, fiber craft, cordage, etc. According to a recently published
TechSci Research report,"Philippines Abaca Fiber Market Forecast & Opportunities,
2019", the abaca fiber market in Philippines is projected to register a CAGR of around
5.7% during 2014-19.
The pulp manufacturing industry is the leading end-user of abaca fiber, followed by
cordage manufacturing and fiber craft industry. The report also reveals that owing to the
increasing use of abaca fiber in manufacturing of speciality paper, the demand for the
fiber among pulp manufacturers is constantly surging and the trend is expected to
prevail during 2014-19. Among the leading abaca fiber suppliers, Ching Bee Trading
Corporation dominates the market in Philippines, followed by Tag Fibers, Inc. and
Selinrail International
The government of Philippines is also taking initiatives to promote the production of
high-quality abaca fiber in the domestic market. Owing to these developments, the
Philippines is expected to further strengthen its market positioning as the most dominant
abaca fiber market over the next five years, and consequently create additional growth
opportunities for new players to foray into the market. "The initiatives taken by the
Philippines government for the promotion of abaca fiber in the domestic market are

expected to augment the demand for fiber in the country. The government is also
working towards facilitating production of good quality fiber to meet the rising export
demand for abaca fiber from countries like the US,Japan, China, and the UK." said
Mr. Karan Chechi, Research Director with TechSci Research.
"Philippines Abaca FiberMarket Forecast & Opportunities, 2019" has evaluated the
future growth potential of abaca fiber market in the Philippines and provides statistics
and information on market structure and consumer behavior trends. The report includes
abaca fiber market projections and demand forecasting. The report is intended to
provide cutting-edge market intelligence and help decision makers take sound
investment evaluation. Besides, the report also identifies and analyzes the emerging
trends along with essential drivers, challenges and opportunities in the
Philippines abaca fiber market.
About TechSci Research
TechSci Research is a global market research and consulting company with offices
in Canada, UK and India. TechSci Research provides market research consulting
services in six verticals - Information Technology, Chemicals, Water & Water Recycling,
Consumer Goods & Retail, Automotive and Energy & Power. The company uses
proprietary innovative business model that focuses on improved productivity that also
ensure the creation of high-quality reports. With more than 100 client engagements with
fortune 500 clients, TechSci Research enjoys the status of a premium market research
services provider in the industry.
Reference: http://agriculture.einnews.com/article/244382617/bmdQ1dWUm8NL3xcp

Two strategies to make coconut farms profitable

By Zac Sarian
The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is taking a two-pronged approach to increase
coconut farmers income and to make coconut farming sustainable.
This was learned in an exclusive interview with Sec. Francis Pangilinan of the
Department of Agriculture who serves as the Presidential Assistant for Food Security
and Agricultural Modernization. He has been tasked to oversee four important agencies
that include PCA, National Irrigation Administration, Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority
and the National Food Authority (NFA).
INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY One approach, according to Pangilinan, is to increase
productivity so the farmers will make higher incomes. And this can be achieved through
proper fertilization, replanting and intercropping.

The farmers should not only depend on coconut for their source of income. They can
increase revenues by planting in between the coconut trees high value crops like cacao,
coffee, banana and in some places abaca.
A diversified source of income will make the farmer gainfully occupied throughout the
year. His cash flow could be well distributed all throughout so that he does not
experience any lean season.
ENTER PRISE DEVELOPMENT The second approach, according to the food czar, is
enterprise development in the countryside. This means encouraging investors to
develop processing hubs that will undertake value-adding of coconut byproducts.
Pangilinan cites as example the commercial production of coconut coir, coco peat,
coconut water, coconut sugar and others. The Secretary would like to see an active role
of the private sector to come up with processing facilities in strategic areas that will
convert the traditional waste products into products of value. Processing the coconut
husk into coconut coir and coco peat, for instance, could provide job opportunities in the
countryside. The coconut fiber which could be made into coconet for erosion control has
ready market in the Department of Public Works and Highways as well as in the
National Irrigation Administration. Not to mention the export market.
In this connection, the PCA will conduct a coconut industry summit sometime in
February where businessmen, cooperatives, local government units, NGOs and other
groups will participate in coming up with a road map for the industry.
Pangilinan is very hopeful that with the release of the over P70 billion Coco Levy Fund,
new initiatives could be undertaken to jumpstart development of the coconut industry.
The Supreme Court, he said, has already decreed that the Coco Levy Fund is a tax and
therefore it belongs to the government. The condition is that the Fund will have to be
used only for the benefit of the coconut farmers and the coconut industry.
The big amount, according to Pangilinan, could go a long way in boosting the farmers
income and in making coconut farming sustainable.
Pangilinan envisions clusters of coconut farmers producing the raw materials for
processing in facilities put up by private investors or by farmers cooperatives
themselves. Pangilinan cites a community that he visited in Thailand. There, a cluster of
32 farm families are producing the requirements of five exporters of crops like basil,
asparagus, kangkong and others.
The same idea could be adopted in the coconut producing areas. A cluster of coconut
farmers could produce the raw materials for processing such products as coco coir,
coco peat, virgin coconut oil and so on. Pangilinan said that a well-known foundation in
Quezon City is willing to buy virgin coconut oil and coco sugar which it can sell to a big
supermarket chain in the United States.

Cooperatives will also be encouraged to undertake value-adding activities. That could

create new employment among family members of the cooperative. With employment
opportunities available in the countryside, there will be less people flocking to Metro
Manila in search of greener pasture.
Oh yes, there are benefits not only for the coconut farmers themselves but for the
country as a whole if only the coconut farmers are given a chance to increase their farm
incomes. There will be less migration to the crowded cities, for one.

Reference: http://www.mb.com.ph/two-strategies-to-make-coconut-farms-profitable/

January 15, 2015

PHL slaps temporary ban on poultry meat from areas in Vietnam, Italy
By BusinessMirror

THE Philippine government has imposed a temporary ban on the importation of live
poultry and poultry meat from some areas in Vietnam, Italy and the Netherlands.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) issued four separate orders that temporarily ban the
importation of poultry products from Vinh Long and Tra Vinh, Vietnam; Veneto, Italy, Ter
Arra, Zuid-Holland, and Kamperveen and Utrecht City, the Netherlands.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala signed Memorandum Orders 103, 104, 105 and
106 last December.

Alcala said the orders were issued following confirmed reports from the Office
Internationale Des Epizooties (OIE) of the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza
(HPAI) virus serotype H5 in some areas in the three countries.

While Vietnam, Italy and the Netherlands are not traditional sources of poultry meat for
the Philippines, Alcala said the ban was put in place to protect the countrys livestock
sector.

There is a need to prevent the entry of HPAI to protect the health of the public and the
local poultry population, Alcala said in the memorandum orders.

With the ban in place, the DA has suspended the processing, evaluation of application,
and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) import clearance for live poultry and
poultry meat from some areas in Vietnam, Italy and the Netherlands.

Except for heat-treated products, all shipments of live poultry and poultry products will
be stopped and confiscated at all major ports by DA veterinary quarantine officers and
inspectors.

Outbreaks of HPAI are usually seen in European and North American countries during
the winter season, as the virus survives well in cold climates, according to the Food and
Agriculture Organization.

Currently, the Philippines is one of the few countries in Southeast Asia that remains free
from the dreaded avian influenza virus. The virus, which resurfaced in Asia in 2003,
crippled poultry industries in neighboring countries, such as Vietnam.

Earlier Agriculture Undersecretary for Livestock Jose Reano said that being an
archipelago is proving to be an advantage to the Philippines in terms of controlling
livestock diseases.

What is the advantage of being separated by islands? If disease is prevalent in one,

you can control it and spare the other islands. Contagion is more likely in countries with
a single land mass, Reano said.

Being avian-flu free, the DA said, has allowed the Philippines to export poultry products,
such as yakitori chicken, to other countries with stringent SPS requirements such as
Japan.

The Philippines is targeting to export poultry products to the United Arab Emirates and
Singapore.
Reference: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/phl-slaps-temporary-ban-on-poultry-meatfrom-areas-in-vietnam-italy/

SEA education ministers OK plan on inclusive rural development

By Rudy Fernandez (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Council (SEAMEC)

recently approved the 10th five-year plan of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for
Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).
SEARCA is mandated to provide capacity-building interventions to promote agricultural
and rural development in Southeast Asia through graduate scholarships (doctoral and
masteral), research and development, knowledge management, and training.
To date, SEARCA, headed by Gil Saguiguit Jr., has been operating on five-year plans,
which set out the centers vision, mission, and goals; as well as outline its major
strategies.
Saguiguit said the 10th plan focuses on inclusive and sustainable agriculture and rural
development (ISARD) as an effort to promote trickle-down flow. This means overall
growth should be felt at the lower levels, especially by resource-poor farmers.
With social inclusion, growth and development will benefit societys poor and vulnerable
sectors through gainful employment, income, food security, education, health and
general well-being.
At the national level, the plan puts focus on science-based studies to guide policymaking or decision-making.
Homepage (Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
A prime example is the study on smuggling of agricultural commodities. The study was
done by a SEARCA-UP Los Baos funded by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of
Agricultural Research.
The study cited policy implications and made recommendations to mitigate the
problems brought about by agricultural smuggling.
The findings touched off Senate hearings initiated by the committee on agriculture and
food headed by Sen. Cynthia Villar in an effort to identify remedial measures and policy
reforms.

The center hopes that with this increased focus on emerging problems in the
agriculture sector and translation of research findings into policy, it will give value to a
research institution like SEARCA, Saguiguit said.
Reference: http://www.philstar.com:8080/education-andhome/2015/01/15/1413071/sea-education-ministers-ok-plan-inclusive-ruraldevelopment

CASAVA PRODUCTION
By Mike U. Crismundo, Manila Bulletin

Butuan City The government, in collaboration with farmers group and individuals, is
eyeing to produce of at least four million tons of cassava by 2017. The objective was to
catch up the increasing demand of cassava for food, feeds and for other industrial uses.
Early this year, the Department of Agriculture (DA) already mobilized AgriPinoy field
coordinators, technical men and other stakeholders to look for ways to increase yield in
cassava. The DA already considered cassava now as part of the food staples pushed
under the Food Self- Sufficiency Program (FSSP). (Mike U. Crismundo)
Reference: http://www.mb.com.ph/mindanao-newsbits-for-jaunary-15-2015/

BFAR to seed Iloilo River with tilapia, bangus fry

By Lydia C. Pendon

ILOILO CITY: The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Western
Visayas has committed to dispersing high-salinity tilapia and bangus fingerlings for
every quarter this year at the Iloilo River as a means of augmenting the income of
marginal fishermen. Edna Janeo of BFAR told the Iloilo River Development Council of
the plan to introduce 40,000 tilapia frys and 20,000 bangus fingerlings. When harvesting
time comes (usually after four months), the fishermen will be allowed to catch the
matured fish using only the hook and line fishing process. Fine mesh nets will be
confiscated, she added.
Reference: http://www.manilatimes.net/bfar-seed-iloilo-river-tilapia-bangus-fry/155453/

BPI Director Barron at mga isinabit nagpalagan

Ni Butch M. Quejada (Pilipino Star Ngayon)

PINALAGAN ng mga official ng Bureau of Plant Industry na kasabwat sila sa

tinaguriang bawang cartel noong 2014 nang bumulusok pataas ang presyo ng garlic
sa market kaya naman nag-panic ang madlang mamimili.
Sinabi ng mga asset nang mga kuwago ng ORA MISMO, na nagtataka sila dating BPI
director Clarito Barron, Luben Marasigan at Merle Palacpac, kung bakit sila isinabit ng
NBI investigators sa kasong bawang kartel gayon wala naman silang kinalaman sa
operasyon ng sindikato ng bawang.
Inakusahan pang tumanggap si Barron ng P240,000 pero ito ay itinanggi ni Lito dahil
gawa-gawa lamang ito.
Sabi nga, ilusyon nang mga kritiko niya.
Sa madaling salita, gawa - gawa o imbento lamang ito dahil wala silang ebidensiya.
Ayon sa mga asset nang mga kuwago ng ORA MISMO, itinanggi ni Barron ang bintang
n Lilibeth Valenzuela, nagpapakilalang importer kuno, na kasabwat siya at mga
kasamahan nito sa kawanihan para manipulahin ang presyo ng halaga ng bawang sa
Philippines my Philippines aniya walang kinalaman ang BPI sa presyuhan ng bawang
dahil wala silang regulatory power kundi ang Department of Trade and Industry lamang
ang may kontrol dito. Ipinaliwanag ni Barron sa mga asset nang mga kuwago ng ORA
MISMO, ang mandato ng BPI ay magbigay lamang ng Plant Quarantine Permit o
magbigay kasiguruhan sa kaligtasan ng papasok na mga agriculture product sa
Philippines my Philippines at hindi ang import permit.
Binanatan ni Barron si Valenzuela dahil dehins naman totoong registradong importer ito
kundi isang broker lamang.
Ayon sa mga asset nang mga kuwago ng ORA MISMO, inakusahan ni Barron si
Valenzuela na diumanoy isang smuggler ng mga produkto at blacklisted din diumano
ito sa Bureau of Customs?
Naku ha!

Totoo kaya ito?

Ayon sa mga asset nang mga kuwago ng ORA MISMO, aapela si si Barron sa Office of
the Ombudsman na busisiin mabuti ang kasong ito nang walang bahid politika dahil
naniniwala ito na intriga lamang para sa sariling kapakanan ng iilan lamang.
Sabi nga, awayan ito ng mga diumanoy pangkat ng mga magkakalaban smuggler sa
kani-kanilang negosyo kaya damay lamang ang mga opisyal ng BPI dito.
Ayon sa mga asset nang mga kuwago ng ORA MISMO, isa si Barron sa 127 opisyales
ng BPI na sinampahan ng kawing-kawing na case problem sa Office of the
Ombudsman ng NBI dahil sa usapin bawang cartel.
Abangan.

Climate change shifts path of typhoons to lower latitudes

By Rudy Fernandez (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Most of the typhoons that hit the Philippines last year followed
the Pacific-Visayas-West Philippine Sea path, an indication the countrys traditional
typhoon belt has shifted.
This was according to recent international, regional and national fora that tackled
climate change and the typhoons it spawned.
The latest was the Second International Conference on Agricultural and Rural
Development in Southeast Asia 2014 organized by SEARCA and co-sponsored by 16
global, Asian, and national institutions and organizations held at the Shangri-La Hotel in
Makati City last November.
The ARD2014 participants more than 400 scientists, economists, academics,
government policymakers, farmer-leaders, representatives of civil society organizations,
and other stakeholders agreed that the poorest of the poor fisher folk and farmers
are the most vulnerable to climate change.
Records show that 81 to 90 percent of Filipinos are coastal inhabitants, who are also
among the countrys most deprived, reported Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and
National Economic and Development Authority director general Arsenio Balisacan, who
is also SEARCA director.
Around 81 to 90 percent of the populations of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines
live in coastal areas, Balisacan said. It was almost 100 percent in Brunei Darussalam,
52 percent in Vietnam, and 31 percent in Thailand.
Christel Weller-Molongua of the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale
Zusammenarbeit GmbH said the future of agriculture in the ASEAN region will be
strongly influenced by certain challenges, among them climate change, biodiversity
loss, a fast-growing population, and rising pressure on land resources. . . Helping the
poor population to become more resilient will be crucial.
Randy Hautea, global coordinator of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agribiotech Applications, added that achieving agricultural and rural development is
challenged by limiting agricultural resources, increasing population, and uncertainties in
climatic conditions brought about by climate change.
Appropriate strategies and solutions to overcome these challenges would include policy
adjustments, education initiatives, resource management, and development of
appropriate and new technologies, he said.
Patricio Faylon, executive director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and
Natural Resources Research and Development said ARD2014 may shape the future of

agriculture in Southeast Asia, as well as improve the lives of our countrymen in the rural
areas.
Aristeo Portugal of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization said the response to
Yolanda highlighted the significance of effective cooperation between FAO and the
Philippine government.
He said FAO continues its mandate to fight hunger amid the increasing number of
extreme disaster events by taking a collaborative and multidimensional approach to
building resilience, enhancing relief response, and implementing comprehensive longterm rehabilitation.
Reference: http://www.philstar.com/science-andenvironment/2015/01/15/1412889/climate-change-shifts-path-typhoons-lower-latitudes
BFAR creates armyto fight illegal fishing
Written by Gemi Formaran

PAGBILAO, Quezon -- Aimed at intensifying its anti-illegal fishing campaign, the Bureau
of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), an attached agency of the Department of
Agriculture (DA), has created its own army, called Fishery Law Enforcement Team.

DA Secretary Proceso Alcala and BFAR Director Asis Perez on Tuesday spearheaded
the graduation of 62 fishery law enforcers, the first batch of 1,900, at BFAR Training
Center in Bgy. Palsabangon, Pagbilao, Quezon.

In his speech during the graduation rites, Alcala said they believe that creating welltrained personnel is the best thing to do by the department through the bureau to
effectively implement fishery laws and address the perennial problem.

The agri chief said training was meant to capacitate our personnel with enough
knowledge and skills that will allow them to ensure proper management and protection
of the countrys fisheries and aquatic resources, adding that an effective law enforcer
will contribute greatly to the progress of the local fishing industry and the people whose
livelihood depends on it.

The groups creation, according to Alcala, was part of the bureaus reorganization which
started during his incumbency as agri secretary.

BFAR Director and concurrent DA Undersecretary for Fisheries Asis Perez said their
newly graduated law enforcers will now be part of the bureaus Fishery Law
Enforcement Quick Response Team tasked to combat not only illegal but also those
unreported and unregulated fishing nationwide.

Perez said the graduates, once given appointments, will become regular employees of
the bureau with plantilla positions and will gain respective ranks starting from Regulation
Officer 1, depending on their performance.

The bureau chief said the training was divided into two parts: the 30-day transition
period in which participants were indoctrinated on discipline, conduct and values, basic
tactical training and strenuous physical training; and the 60-day training on BFAR
operations and protocols, fishery laws and aquatic protection, shipboard operations and
practicum, advance tactical training, water search and rescue, field training exercises
and physical development program.

He said part of BFARs law enforcement capacity-strengthening is the procurement of

27 units of 40-footer Mmonitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) vessels, 70 units of
30-footer multi-mission vessels and two 50-meter vessels equipped with necessary
special operations tools and devices such as service firearms, GPS, night vision
goggles, scuba gears and rigid-hulled inflatable rubber boats.

Higher demand props up coconut oil export price in DecemberPCA

By Alladin S. Diega

Local coconut oil (CNO) commanded a higher price last December, indicating sustained
demand for the countrys major dollar earner, according to figures released by the
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).
PCA data obtained by the BusinessMirror showed that the trading price of CNO
averaged $1,209.6 last December, higher than the $1,186 per metric tons (MT)
recorded last November.
In the same period, palm kernel oilan alternative to CNOfetched an average price
of $970 per MT last December, which is almost unchanged from $973 per MT last
November.
Despite this, the United Coconut Association of the Philippines (Ucap) said earlier that
the Philippines is not expected to hit its CNO export of 850,000 MT for 2014 due to
much larger than anticipated damage caused by Supertyphoon Yolanda.
Ucap Executive Director Yvonne Agustin said the target will not be hit as the damage
caused by the typhoon coupled with the natural biological stress to coconut trees
resulted in a severe disruption of copra supply.
Theres a continued tightness in supply of copra, which is the raw material for coconut
oil. Recovery for the sector may take as much as four years, depending on the amount
of replanting and rehabilitation to affected coconut-producing areas, Agustin said.
Last year the PCA said that over 34 million trees have been confirmed damaged by
Yolanda in Samar, Leyte, and in Western Visayas, comprising 10 percent of 340 million
coconut trees in the country.

Shipments of coconut oil reached 751,608 MT in January to November 2014, or 25.8

percent lower in January to November 2013.
Agustin also attributed the slower than expected exports volume to the wider gap in
prices of CNO and its competitor, palm kernel oil. Buyers usually shift to cheaper
alternatives to CNO.
Coconut oil, which is used in food, cosmetics and energy-related products, is a top
dollar earner for the country.
Over 70 percent of its production is regularly exported, of which, 80 percent of the
shipments go to Europe and the US.
Reference: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/higher-demand-props-up-coconut-oilexport-price-in-december-pca/

Two strategies to make coconut farms profitable

By Zac Sarian

The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is taking a two-pronged approach to increase

coconut farmers income and to make coconut farming sustainable.
This was learned in an exclusive interview with Sec. Francis Pangilinan of the
Department of Agriculture who serves as the Presidential Assistant for Food Security
and Agricultural Modernization. He has been tasked to oversee four important agencies
that include PCA, National Irrigation Administration, Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority
and the National Food Authority (NFA).
INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY One approach, according to Pangilinan, is to increase
productivity so the farmers will make higher incomes. And this can be achieved through
proper fertilization, replanting and intercropping.

The farmers should not only depend on coconut for their source of income. They can
increase revenues by planting in between the coconut trees high value crops like cacao,
coffee, banana and in some places abaca.
A diversified source of income will make the farmer gainfully occupied throughout the
year. His cash flow could be well distributed all throughout so that he does not
experience any lean season.
ENTER PRISE DEVELOPMENT The second approach, according to the food czar, is
enterprise development in the countryside. This means encouraging investors to
develop processing hubs that will undertake value-adding of coconut byproducts.
Pangilinan cites as example the commercial production of coconut coir, coco peat,
coconut water, coconut sugar and others. The Secretary would like to see an active role
of the private sector to come up with processing facilities in strategic areas that will
convert the traditional waste products into products of value. Processing the coconut
husk into coconut coir and coco peat, for instance, could provide job opportunities in the
countryside. The coconut fiber which could be made into coconet for erosion control has
ready market in the Department of Public Works and Highways as well as in the
National Irrigation Administration. Not to mention the export market.
In this connection, the PCA will conduct a coconut industry summit sometime in
February where businessmen, cooperatives, local government units, NGOs and other
groups will participate in coming up with a road map for the industry.
Pangilinan is very hopeful that with the release of the over P70 billion Coco Levy Fund,
new initiatives could be undertaken to jumpstart development of the coconut industry.
The Supreme Court, he said, has already decreed that the Coco Levy Fund is a tax and
therefore it belongs to the government. The condition is that the Fund will have to be
used only for the benefit of the coconut farmers and the coconut industry.
The big amount, according to Pangilinan, could go a long way in boosting the farmers
income and in making coconut farming sustainable.
Pangilinan envisions clusters of coconut farmers producing the raw materials for
processing in facilities put up by private investors or by farmers cooperatives
themselves. Pangilinan cites a community that he visited in Thailand. There, a cluster of
32 farm families are producing the requirements of five exporters of crops like basil,
asparagus, kangkong and others.
The same idea could be adopted in the coconut producing areas. A cluster of coconut
farmers could produce the raw materials for processing such products as coco coir,
coco peat, virgin coconut oil and so on. Pangilinan said that a well-known foundation in
Quezon City is willing to buy virgin coconut oil and coco sugar which it can sell to a big
supermarket chain in the United States.

Cooperatives will also be encouraged to undertake value-adding activities. That could

create new employment among family members of the cooperative. With employment
opportunities available in the countryside, there will be less people flocking to Metro
Manila in search of greener pasture.
Oh yes, there are benefits not only for the coconut farmers themselves but for the
country as a whole if only the coconut farmers are given a chance to increase their farm
incomes. There will be less migration to the crowded cities, for one.
Reference: http://www.mb.com.ph/two-strategies-to-make-coconut-farms-profitable/

January 16, 2015

RP agriculture not down in the pits, insists DA
Written by Gerry Baldo

There is no substance to the claim that Philippine agriculture is down in the pits and the
nation must forever import rice and corn, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said
yesterday.
Alcala said that, in fact, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will continue to deliver the
necessary services and interventions that would translate into higher yields and better
incomes for Filipino farmers and fisherfolk.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Edilberto de Luna said that the department has been
engaging farmers who would propagate the higher-yielding rice varieties, improving
irrigation services and mechanizing agriculture.
De Luna, who heads the rice and corn programs at DA, said better technologies, better
seeds, better prices and better policies encourage farmers to produce more food.
Between now and 2017, the government will establish rural infrastructure and invest in
other post-harvest facilities to reduce production costs and enabling farmers to be
competitive, Alcala stressed.
Alcala said that in reducing the production cost, DA has implemented a rice
mechanization program that allows farmers organizations to avail themselves of farm
machinery like combine harvesters under a counterparting scheme.
This scheme allows farmers to pay only 15 percent of the cost of the machinery, with
government shouldering the balance.
DA and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) have also been implementing the Sikat
Saka Program, a credit facility which provides farmers P47,000 per hectare of land
when they plant certified rice seeds.
If they cultivate hybrid rice seeds, they are also eligible to secure credit at P52,000 per
hectare for a maximum of five hectares.
Alcala stressed that the mechanization and Sikat Saka programs raised palay
production, with the country harvesting 18.44 million metric tons (MMT) by the end of
2013.

Moreover, DA has established rice processing centers (RPCs) in strategic areas

nationwide to increase palay milling recovery rates from 65 percent to 68 percent, he
said.
Alcala added that high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and the use of other integrated crop
management practices helped farmers increase their palay output.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has reported that Philippine agriculture
managed to grow by 9.55 percent in terms of value and by 0.33 percent in terms of
volume for the first nine months of 2014 despite considerable damage caused by
successive typhoons.
Other countries in Asia, specifically South Korea, is happy that the Philippines achieved
the record harvest and they are asking us to share the things that we have done, he
added.
When Alcala visited South Korea in 2014, the South Korean government was impressed
that Filipino farmers were able to increase rice production in a matter of three years,
when it took them six years even with all of their governments interventions.
We are again leaving footprints in the agricultural sector, he said.
The secretary added that the country was able to sustain the increase.
Today, farmers are exporting superior quality rice such as black rice, red rice, jasponica
rice of Doa Maria and SL Agritech, and organic rice from Bicol and Mindanao.
As a matter of fact, we are increasing the volume of our rice exports, Alcala said.
However, he reiterated that DAs focus is not only to produce more but also to cut down
production cost by investing in irrigation, post-harvest facilities, and farmers access to
credit.
Reference: http://www.tribune.net.ph/metro/rp-agriculture-not-down-in-the-pits-insists-da

PHL slaps temporary ban on poultry meat from areas in Vietnam, Italy
By Businessmirror
THE Philippine government has imposed a temporary ban on the importation of live
poultry and poultry meat from some areas in Vietnam, Italy and the Netherlands.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) issued four separate orders that temporarily ban the
importation of poultry products from Vinh Long and Tra Vinh, Vietnam; Veneto, Italy, Ter
Arra, Zuid-Holland, and Kamperveen and Utrecht City, the Netherlands.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala signed Memorandum Orders 103, 104, 105 and
106 last December.
Alcala said the orders were issued following confirmed reports from the Office
Internationale Des Epizooties (OIE) of the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza
(HPAI) virus serotype H5 in some areas in the three countries.
While Vietnam, Italy and the Netherlands are not traditional sources of poultry meat for
the Philippines, Alcala said the ban was put in place to protect the countrys livestock
sector.
There is a need to prevent the entry of HPAI to protect the health of the public and the
local poultry population, Alcala said in the memorandum orders.
With the ban in place, the DA has suspended the processing, evaluation of application,
and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) import clearance for live poultry and
poultry meat from some areas in Vietnam, Italy and the Netherlands.
Except for heat-treated products, all shipments of live poultry and poultry products will
be stopped and confiscated at all major ports by DA veterinary quarantine officers and
inspectors.
Outbreaks of HPAI are usually seen in European and North American countries during
the winter season, as the virus survives well in cold climates, according to the Food and
Agriculture Organization.

Currently, the Philippines is one of the few countries in Southeast Asia that remains free
from the dreaded avian influenza virus. The virus, which resurfaced in Asia in 2003,
crippled poultry industries in neighboring countries, such as Vietnam.
Earlier Agriculture Undersecretary for Livestock Jose Reano said that being an
archipelago is proving to be an advantage to the Philippines in terms of controlling
livestock diseases.
What is the advantage of being separated by islands? If disease is prevalent in one,
you can control it and spare the other islands. Contagion is more likely in countries with
a single land mass, Reano said.
Being avian-flu free, the DA said, has allowed the Philippines to export poultry products,
such as yakitori chicken, to other countries with stringent SPS requirements such as
Japan.
The Philippines is targeting to export poultry products to the United Arab Emirates and
Singapore.
Reference: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/phl-slaps-temporary-ban-on-poultry-meatfrom-areas-in-vietnam-italy/

PHs huge rice production impresses South Korea

Written by Joel dela Torre
AGRICULTURE Secretary Proceso Alcala announced that other countries in Asia are
impressed how Filipino farmers achieved a record high in rice production.

Other countries in Asia, specifically South Korea, is happy that the Philippines achieved

the record harvest and they are asking us to share the things that we have done, Alcala
said.

Alcala said the Korean government during his visit last year, asked how the Philippines
was able to increase rice production in only three years when it took them six years to
do it even with their governments intervention.

Alcala said the country has achieved the highest rice harvest in history at 18.4 metric
tons by the end of 2013 by implementing a rice mechanization program.

Under the project, farmers organizations can avail of farm machine such as combine
harvesters in a counterpart scheme with 85 percent of the cost shouldered by the
government while the remaining 15 percent to be paid by the farmers group.

Between now and 2017, the government will establish rural infrastructures and other
investments needed in lowering production costs and enabling competitiveness, Alcala
said.

Based on a report by the Philippine Statistics Authority, the agriculture sector managed
to grow by 9.55 percent in terms of value and by 0.33 percent in terms of volume for the
first nine months of 2014, all despite considerable damage caused by successive
typhoons to the industry.

We are again leaving footprints in the agri sector, he said.

Alcala added the country was able to sustain the increase.

Local farmers have continued exporting superior quality rice such as black rice, red rice,
jasponica rice of Doa Maria and SL Agritech, organic rice from Bicol and Mindanao, he
said.

As a matter of fact, we are increasing the volume of our rice exports, Alcala said.

He stressed the DA will continue to deliver the necessary services and interventions for
the benefit of farmers and fisher folks as the Aquino administrations leadership comes
into a full circle this year.
Reference: http://www.journal.com.ph/news/top-stories/ph-s-huge-rice-productionimpresses-south-korea

Unsolicited advice for Alcala: Resign

By HARVEY S. KEH
With the expos of the multimillion-peso garlic scam involving officials and agencies of
his department, I think it is time for Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala to take a page
from former Health Secretary Enrique Onas book: Take a leave of absence so that the
investigation currently being conducted by the Department of Justice can proceed
without any tinge of doubt.
It may be recalled that, aside from this scam, when the National Food Authority was still
under his control, rice smugglers and hoarders made billions of pesos while majority of
Filipinos, especially those earning less than P200 a day, suffered from high rice prices.

Even assuming that Alcala told the truth when he denied his involvement in these
scams, dont these show how weak a leader he is? He has been agriculture secretary
for almost five years and yet, he says he didnt know that these things were happening
in his department. Or maybe he knew but simply chose to do nothing about them.
When this administration began in 2010, President Aquino promised everyone that one
of the pillars of his administration would be good governance. Apparently, one of his
most trusted men missed the pertinent memo.
HARVEY S. KEH, executive director, Institute for Governance and Strategic
Partnerships

Reference: http://opinion.inquirer.net/81738/unsolicited-advice-for-alcala-resign

Rice inventory good for 89 days PSA

By Czeriza Valencia (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Domestic rice stock inventory remains sufficient for 89 days as of
December, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.

The total rice stock inventory as of December was 3.03 million metric tons (MT), up 2.7
percent from the previous months inventory of 2.95 million MT. Year-on-year, this was
higher than the inventory of 2.49 million MT.
Month-on-month, the volume of rice stocks in commercial warehouses rose 8.3 percent.
Stocks in NFA depositories 96.5 percent of which was imported rice rose 12.7
percent. Rice stock levels in households decreased by 3.2 percent.
Year-on-year, rice stock levels in all sectors rose. Stocks held in households and in
commercial warehouses increased nine percent and 29.5 percent respectively. Rice
stocks in NFA depositories also increased by 62 percent.
Stocks held in households would be sufficient for 46 days, those in commercial
warehouses would be enough for 29 days, while those held in depositories of the
National Food Authority (NFA) would cover 14 days.
Around 51.7 percent of the total rice stock inventory in December were with households,
32.3 percent were held in commercial warehouses and 16 percent are in NFA
depositories.
Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
Domestic corn stock inventory in December, meanwhile, fell 9.8 percent to 216,000 MT
from 239, 500 MT in the previous month. Year-on-year, however, this was higher by
14.1 percent than the inventory of 189, 400 thousand in the same period in 2013.
Around 56.6 percent of the December corn stock inventory were with commercial
warehouses, 42.6 percent were with households and 0.8 percent were held in NFA
depositories.
Month-on-month, corn stock levels in all sectors fell. Stocks in households fell by 15.5
percent, stocks in commercial warehouses 5.1 percent, and in NFA depositories, by 6.9
percent.
Year-on-year, stock levels in households and in commercial warehouses were up 12.3
percent and 26.1 percent, respectively. Stocks in NFA depositories fell 84.1 percent.
Reference: http://www.philstar.com/business/2015/01/16/1413287/rice-inventory-good89-days-psa

SC paves way for coco funds release

By Tarra Quismundo

MANILA, PhilippinesThe Supreme Court has officially issued a partial entry of

judgment on one of the coco levy cases involving shares in the San Miguel Corp.
(SMC), paving the way for the freeing of at least P60-billion worth of funds to benefit the
countrys coconut farmers.
Following an en banc session on Tuesday, the high court ordered the release of the
partial entry of judgment on 753,848,312 SMC shares, a 31-percent Series 1 block that
was purchased using money from the tax levied on coconut farmers by the late dictator
Ferdinand Marcos.
It came nearly a month after the high court granted on Dec. 10, 2014, the governments
petition for the Supreme Court to release the document, saying it hoped to conclude
litigation over the funds and allow its proceeds to benefit the coconut farmers and their
industry.
Solicitor General Florin Hilbay said the high courts action would provide the capital for
the government to implement a long-term policy for the coconut industry.
Long-term policy
With a P60-billion to P70-billion capital, the President, through an executive order, can
now execute a long-term policy for coco farmers and their industry, said Hilbay in a
statement.
The government last October had asked the high court to issue an entry of judgment for
its decision on the coco levy case involving the SMC shares.
In the document it released on Wednesday, the high court said its Sept. 4, 2012,
resolution, where it ruled that the government owned the SMC shares, had become
final and executory by virtue of its Dec. 10 ruling.
In the latter ruling, the high court had ordered the immediate issuance of a partial entry
of judgment, which would enforce the recording of the 2012 ruling in the book of entries
of judgment and cause its execution.
The clerk of court is tasked to enter a judgment or a final order in the book of entries of
judgments if no appeal or motion for new trial or consideration is filed within 15 days,
according to the Rules on Civil Procedure.
The entry of judgment is the final order entered by the court in a case. It was only partial
in this case as government is still contesting ownership of a block of treasury shares
that had been inadvertently excluded.

In his motion for partial entry of judgment, Hilbay argued that there was no longer any
dispute over the governments ownership of the 753,848,312 SMC Series 1 preferred
shares, so that this was severable from the still pending issue.
Public funds
The high courts January 2012 ruling upheldbut modifieda decision by the
Sandiganbayan antigraft court that declared that the 31-percent block of SMC shares
had been bought with coco levy money, and may thus be considered as public funds.
However, it further ruled that the funds should be used solely for the benefit of coconut
farmers and the coconut industry. The ruling became final in September 2012.
The coconut levy fund came from a forced levy imposed on coconut farmers by Marcos
throughout the martial law years. The dictator assigned one of his cronies, businessman
Eduardo Cojuangco, to administer the fund.
Used by crony
The government, in various court cases, has contended that the collections from the
levy were used by Cojuangco and his associates to acquire various assets, including
the United Coconut Planters Bank and, most importantly, a majority stake in the SMC
food and beverage giant, which is now a diversified conglomerate.
The funds from the coco levy were sequestered after Marcos was ousted in the first
People Power Revolution of 1986.
The January 2012 Supreme Court ruling ordered that the 753,848,312 SMC shares be
used by government to help the 3.5 million impoverished coconut farmers and their
families.Tarra Quismundo
Reference: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/665038/sc-paves-way-for-coco-funds-release

Red tide still up in Pangasinan, Masbate, Bataan

By Liezle Basa Inigo

Lingayen, Pangasinan The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) here put out
a new warning to the public to remind them that all types of shellfish, shrimps, and crabs

gathered or harvested from some coastal areas of Pangasinan are not fit for human
consumption.
The OPAG said that waters off the towns of Bolinao, Anda and Bani as well as Alaminos
City remain positive of the red tide toxin which causes paralytic shellfish poisoning
(PSP).
In an advisory released earlier this week, the local government units (LGUs) concerned
are urged to require market supervisors, quarantine officers and market administrators
to demand auxiliary invoices or clearances for domestic fish movement from
transporters or dealers of fish and seashells to ensure that the commodities are safe to
eat.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has also kept the red tide alert
raised in the coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate; and the towns of Mariveles, Limay,
Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Orani, Abucay, and Samal in Bataan.
Reference: http://www.mb.com.ph/red-tide-still-up-in-pangasinan-masbate-bataan/

BFAR recruits personnel

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said Thursday it enlisted some of its
personnel in an intensive law enforcement training program to strengthen the countrys
fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

BFAR said 62 trainees were able to complete the three-month boot camp in October
2014. The training was meant to capacitate our personnel with enough knowledge and
skills that will allow them to ensure proper management and protection of the countrys
fisheries and aquatic resources, said Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala.

Agriculture undersecretary for fisheries and BFAR national director Asis Perez said the
training included a 30-day transition period in which participants were indoctrinated on
discipline, conduct and values, basic tactical training and strenuous physical training.

Perez said personnel were also trained on BFAR operations and protocols, fishery laws
and aquatic protection, shipboard operations and practicum, advance tactical training,
water search and rescue, field training exercises and physical development program.
Reference: http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/01/15/bfar-recruits-personnel/

Updates on interesting agri-people

By Zac Sarian

We are sure not a few of our readers still remember Jess Domingo of Alfonso Lista,
Ifugao. He is the fellow who gave up his corporate job when he turned 50 and pursued
his passion for farming and culinary interests.
After writing about him and his profitable organic pig farming project, so many readers
wanted to contact him because they would also like to go into organic pig production.
After all, organic farming the way he does it is very profitable. He could make a net
income of more than P5,000 from every pig he fattens for six months. Thats because
his fermented feeds that include water hyacinth is very cheap yet effective.
When we talked to him lately, he was so happy telling us that so many people have
attended his seminar on organic pig production. He also said that he has increased his
Grimaux free-range chickens. And his latest plan is to raise Paraoakan in an enclosure
in a forested area in his farm. Paraoakan is considered the biggest strain of native
chicken from the Philippines and it comes from Palawan.
RONALD COSTALES Smart guy, this Ronald Costales who owns the Costales
Nature Farms in Majayjay, Laguna. He has always something new to offer every now
and then.
He is very proud of his native pig lechon. He recently served one to a group of Leisure
Farm owners from Taiwan and they liked it. He is thinking of making organic lechon a
regular offering in his farm which is now a favorite agritourism destination.
And his latest project will be launched soon. He and Jason Javier, his first investment
partner, are coming up with bottled spring water. It may be recalled that he bought a
property with a spring a few kilometers away from his five-hectare farm. He piped the
spring water that now supplies free-flowing water for watering his plants.
Jason will provide the money to put up the bottling facility. On the other hand, Ronald
will take care of the marketing. His initial customers are the upscale restaurants which
he is now supplying with his organic lettuce and other vegetables.

By the way, Jason who works for a petroleum company in Africa, was his first investor
partner in putting up the first greenhouse in Ronalds farm about three years ago. He
provided the money to put up a 300-square meter greenhouse which Ronald uses to
produce organic vegetables. Ronald takes care of growing the veggies and marketing
them. After one crop cycle, the cash expenses are deducted and what remains is
divided equally between them.
DR. WILLIAM MEDRANO He has been updating us on the progress of rubber
production in Northern Luzon, particularly in Cagayan Valley and in Ifugao and Kalinga.
He is the vice president for research, extension and training of Isabela State University.
It appears that people with the means are planting rubber in big numbers. And they are
importing grafted planting materials from Mindanao, particularly from Dr. Pablito
Pamplona of Kabacan, North Cotabato. Recently, Dr. Pamplona delivered 10,000
grafted seedlings to Mayor Glenn Prudenciano of Alfonso Lista, Ifugao. The mayor
already has earlier plantings and is expanding his plantation.
Charlie Lim of Santiago City has also ordered some 30,000 planting materials from Dr.
Pamplona. Charlie is the president of the Cagayan Valley Rubber Planters Association.
Gov. Alvaro Antonio of Cagayan is also targeting 100 hectares for rubber, according to
Dr. Medrano. He has already planted several hectares to this plantation crop.
Dr. Medrano laments, however, that some previous plantings are of inferior varieties.
However, they are not cutting them down. They let them bear fruit so that they will use
the seeds for rootstock production. They will be putting up nurseries so that they will
produce their own grafted planting materials instead of importing them from Mindanao.
Dr. Medrano also revealed that they will conduct a regional forum on rubber production
this coming March to update the farmers on the latest developments in the industry.
Reference: http://www.mb.com.ph/updates-on-interesting-agri-people/

January 17, 2015

Local mangoes declared pest-free

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

The government on Friday declared Philippine mango free from mango seed weevil, a
development that can open more export markets for the countrys top fruit commodity.
The mango pulp weevil, or Sternochetus mangiferae, causes black or grayish scales on
the fruit that affect its quality and taste.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said in an administrative circular that except for
Palawan, the Philippines was now also free from mango pulp weevil.

The absence of both pests [except MPW in Palawan] can result in the expansion of
mango exports to countries which require area freedom from these weevils, Alcala
said.

Alcala said he ordered the Bureau of Plant Industry to strengthen and strictly implement
phytosanitary measures in Palawan.

The movement, transfer and carrying of mango planting materials, fruits or parts
thereof from Palawan is hereby prohibited, except for limited quantities and for
experimental purposes only, subject to the condition that a permit for such purpose is
first secured from the BPI director, Alcala said.

The United States began allowing the entry of fresh mangoes from all provinces of the
Philippines, except Palawan, last year.

Agriculture attach Josyline Javelosa said the US markets opening presented an

opportunity for mango-producing provinces such as Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Isabela,
Batangas,Tarlac, Cebu, Iloilo, Zamboanga del Norte, North Cotabato and Davao del
Sur.
Reference: http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/01/16/local-mangoes-declared-pestfree/

New fishery law boosts fight vs illegal fishing

by Madel Sabater Namit

New fishery law enforcers will be deployed across different parts of the country to fight
against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The Department of Agricultures Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR)

earlier sent some of its personnel in an intensive law enforcement training program at
the National Brackishwater Fisheries Technology Center in Pagbilao, Quezon.

From an initial number of 76 participants, a total of 62 trainees were able to complete

the three-month boot camp which started October, 2014.

The training was meant to capacitate our personnel with enough knowledge and skills
that will allow them to ensure proper management and protection of the countrys
fisheries and aquatic resources, said Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala.

This activity, according to Alcala, will improve the local fishing industry and the people
whose livelihood depends on it.

DA Undersecretary for Fisheries and BFAR Director Asis Perez said the training was
divided into two parts: the 30-day transition period in which participants were

indoctrinated on discipline, conduct and values, basic tactical training, and strenuous
physical training; and the 60-day training on BFAR operations and protocols, fishery
laws and aquatic protection, shipboard operations and practicum, advance tactical
training, water search and rescue, field training exercises and physical development
program.

Also part of the BFARs law enforcement capacity-strengthening is the procurement of

27 units of 40-footer Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) vessels, 70 units of 30footer multi-mission vessels and, two units 50-meter vessel equipped with necessary
special operations tools and devices such as service fire arms, GPS, night vision
goggles, scuba gears and, rigid-hulled inflatable rubber boats.

Perez, however, said this is by far only the initial batch of participants who completed
the training.

BFAR is eyeing to increase the number of law enforcers who will be strategically
deployed in the countrys fishing grounds.
Reference: http://www.mb.com.ph/new-fishery-law-boosts-fight-vs-illegal-fishing/

DA PLANS SUPPORTSERVICES UNTIL 2017

By Chito A. Chavez

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala assured the public that the department will deliver
the needed services that will benefit local farmers and fisher folks citing that the
government will establish rural infrastructure and other investments until 2017 that will
promote competitiveness through the lowering of production costs.
To reduce production cost, bolster farm efficiency and ensure timeliness of farm
operations, Alcala said the DA has implemented a rice mechanization program wherein
farmers organizations can avail of farm machines (such as combined harvesters) in a

counterpart scheme with 85 percent of the cost shouldered by the government and the
remaining 15 percent paid by the farmers group.
He stressed that the program enabled the country to achieve the highest rice harvest in
history at 18.4 million metric tons by the end of 2013. The continuing headway in rice
production was driven by other assistance to farmers including the provision of highquality seeds, fertilizers, and the use of other integrated crop management practices.
(Chito A. Chavez)
Reference: http://www.mb.com.ph/nationla-newsbits-for-january-17-2015/

Bicam to discuss supplemental budget for typhoon rehab

By Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Lawmakers will hold their bicameral conference committee

meeting on next years appropriation program on Dec. 9, with discussions likely to focus
on the allocation of a supplemental budget for the rehabilitation of areas in the Visayas
severely affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Senate finance committee chairman Francis Escudero said members of the Senate and
House contingents had to reset the meeting from yesterday to Monday next week as
they had to wait for clearer typhoon damage reports from concerned agencies.

As this developed, Sen. Alan Cayetano proposed the first amendment to the 2014
budget program with a request that P22.85 billion be channeled to his pet projects.

Cayetano said that instead of scrapping the pork barrel allocations, the funds should be
diverted to calamity-related projects.

In a letter submitted to the finance committee, Cayetano said he has clustered his
proposed projects into three categories: Presyo, Trabaho, Kita or PTK (P12 billion), pro-

business Philippines (P2.85 billion), and education (P8 billion) to be implemented by the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
(BFAR), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED).

Cayetano proposed to allocate P10 billion to DTI, or P500 million for each of the 17
regions in the Philippines and P1.5 billion for the DTI central office for allocation to
areas with special business opportunities.
Another P2 billion is being proposed to be allocated to BFAR, which is under the
Department of Agriculture (DA), for enhancing the productivity of fishermen.

In his Pro-Business Philippines category, Cayetano highlighted the need for improving
the peace and order situation in the country to enable businesses to flourish.

Cayetano is also pushing for the allocation of P2.85 billion to the PNP broken down as
follows: P1 billion or P50 million for each region to be used for the installation of
CCTVs nationwide, P850 million for the establishment of crime labs across the country,
and P1 billion for the acquisition of new vehicles.

Cayetano stressed that the proposed allocations for the PNP are on top of what it plans
to spend next year for acquisitions and other capital outlay.

Reference: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/12/03/1263610/bicam-discusssupplemental-budget-typhoon-rehab

Agriculture Fisheries 2025 not ningas cogon

By: Ernesto Ordoez (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

When 200 key agriculture stakeholders assembled for the Agricultural Fisheries 2025
(AF2025) Conference back in 2011, some said it would just be another example of
ningas cogon.
What will happen in the next three months will determine if AF2025 will become reality
or mere rhetoric.
The main convenors of the AF2025 Conference were Agricultural Secretary Proceso
Alcala, Congressional Agricultural Committee Chairs Senator Francis Pangilinan and
Rep. Mark Mendoza, and private sector leaders from agriculture and agribusiness.
Among the private sector organizations were Alyansa Agrikultura (AA) for agriculture
and the Philippine Chamber for Agriculture and Food (PCAFI) for agribusiness.
The participants formulated a vision for agriculture in 2025, as well as short and long
term programs and projects to achieve this vision.
They were divided into five sectoral groups: Rice and food crops; poultry, livestock, and
feed crops; fisheries; fruits and vegetables; and commercial crops (e.g. coconut, coffee,
cacao, etc).
A sixth group took care of cross cutting issues such as credit, technology, marketing,
organization, and Local Government Unit (LGU) involvement.
The AF2025 vision has five main elements:
An agriculture sector with strong production and purchasing power where social justice
and equity prevail;
Food security where products are plentiful and accessible, made possible through well
conceived and properly implemented agricultural subsector roadmaps;
Farmers and fisherfolk are prosperous and organized with empowered rural women,
thus providing the strongest link in an efficient agricultural supply chain;
Public and private investments are plentiful with effective technology transfer
addressing the twin challenges of global competition and climate change;
Public and private partnerships characterize the formulation and implementation of
agricultural programs, especially at the LGU level.
Since the holding of the conference, the Department of Agriculture (DA) budget has
grown.
Sadly, agriculture growth has declined.

This coming Jan. 17, the private sector elected and identified sector leaders from the
AF2025 February 2011 conference will review the implementation status of the
conferences recommendations and the corresponding outcomes.
Learning from this, they will identify the key actions the DA and the private sector should
now take to reverse our agricultural growth declining trend.
The following will discuss the issues for the sectors they were involved in during the first
February 2011 conference: former Minister of Science and Technology Emil Javier- Rice
and food crops; United Broiler Raisers Association President Elias Jose InciongPoultry, livestock, and feed crops; Tambuyog Development Center Executive Director
Arsenio Tanchuling- Fisheries; Philfoodex President Roberto Amores- Fruits and
vegetables; Agora Awardee Agribusiness Entrepreneur Philip Young- Commercial crops.
Discussing the Cross Cutting Issues are former Agricultural Secretary Senen Bacani,
former Economic Planning Secretary Cielito Habito, AA Convenor Omi Royandoyan,
PCAFI Chair Alex Escano, and Pambansang Kilusang Kababaihan sa Kanayunan
Secretary General Amparo Mesiano.
After these leaders have identified the priority actions that must be taken for their
respective sectors, they should not limit their communications to Secretary Alcala.
Instead, they should also communicate with other key leaders such as Food Security
Secretary Francis Pangilinan, Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad, and
Congressional Agricultural Committee Chairs Senator Cynthia Villar and Representative
Mark Mendoza.
They should then jointly monitor and communicate progress on a quarterly basis for the
months leading up to the May 2016 elections.
This way, AF2025 will not fall into the ningas cogon trap. Instead, it can be put on a
secure path to achieving the agricultural vision for 2025.
Reference: http://business.inquirer.net/185180/agriculture-fisheries-2025-not-ningascogon

January 18, 2015

Fishery law enforcers ready to combat IUU fishing

(The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - To strengthen the countrys fight against Illegal, Unreported and
Unregulated (IUU) fishing, the Department of Agricultures Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) has enlisted some of its personnel in an intensive law
enforcement training program at the National Brackishwater Fisheries Technology
Center in Pagbilao, Quezon.
From an initial number of 76 participants, a total of 62 trainees were able to complete
the three-month boot camp which started in October of last year.
The training was meant to capacitate our personnel with enough knowledge and skills
that will allow them to ensure proper management and protection of the countrys
fisheries and aquatic resources, said Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, adding
that an effective law enforcer would contribute greatly to the progress of the local fishing
industry and the people whose livelihood depends on it.
DA undersecretary for Fisheries and BFAR national director Asis G. Perez said the
training was divided into two parts: the 30-day transition period in which participants
were indoctrinated on discipline, conduct and values, basic tactical training, and
strenuous physical training, and the 60-day training on BFAR operations and protocols,
fishery laws and aquatic protection, shipboard operations and practicum, advance
tactical training, water search and rescue, field training exercises and physical
development program.
Meanwhile, one of the female graduates, Jemimah Tabaog of Malaksi class said that as
new law enforcers they learned to adopt new values to replace old ones. The new
values would help them survive and be more flexible in any given situation.
Also part of the BFARs law enforcement capacity-strengthening is the procurement of
27 units of 40-footer monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) vessels, 70 units of 30footer multi-mission vessels and, two units 50-meter vessel equipped with necessary
special operations tools and devices such as service fire arms, GPS, night vision
goggles, scuba gears and, rigid-hulled inflatable rubber boats.

BFAR intends to increase the number of law enforcers who will be strategically
deployed in the countrys fishing grounds.

Reference: http://www.philstar.com/agriculture/2015/01/18/1414036/fishery-lawenforcers-ready-combat-iuu-fishing

DA to expand R&D on rice

(The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture plans to expand its research and
development efforts on rice to help further improve the production of the crop.
According to Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, the DA also intends to intensify the
commercialization of diversified and integrated rice-based farming systems such as
Palayamanan to enable farmers to increase their productivity and income.
In Palayamanan, for instance, farmers are taught to combine rice growing with the
cultivation of vegetables and other high value crops, as well as fish and livestock
raising. DA promotes the technology through the Philippine Rice Research Institute
(PhilRice) and National Rice Program.
Rice production in the Philippines has been on the uptrend for the past three years.
Between 2010 and 2013, milled rice production grew by an average of 4.04 percent
according to PhilRice.
In 2014, palay (unhusked rice) harvest is projected to reach 18.88 million MT, 2.4
percent bigger than the 2013 record output of 18.44 million MT.
The DA chief said the entire country owes this to the farmers who tirelessly work to lead
the country towards greater rice sufficiency and increased food security.
We could not have reached these milestones without the farmers and without prompt
and proper intervention from the government. Never before has the Philippines had this
increment in rice, Alcala said.

DA is also banking on its current partnership with the International Rice Research
Institute (IRRI), in support of the governments food security blueprint called the Food
Staples Sufficiency Program.
Under the agreement, the DA and IRRI work together to produce and distribute highquality and improved rice seeds that are adaptable to climate change. In addition, best
agricultural practices and other support tools will be disseminated, including skillstraining for extension and field workers.
The Department also intends to engage in profiling, finger printing and purification of
traditional varieties with export potentials, Alcala said.
He added, regional or provincial location specific technology development and adaptive
studies for irrigated, rain-fed and upland ecosystem, is also included in the DAs
agenda.
Participatory varietal selection for favorable and adverse environment is included in the
DAs expanded R&D agenda for rice.
The DA will also enhance rice research capability and capacity, which includes
improving and increasing facilities, equipment and manpower.
Reference: http://www.philstar.com/agriculture/2015/01/18/1414035/da-expand-rd-rice

Unlocking biotechs potentials

(The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - A strong research and development pillar built around a robust
and creative scientific community that is able to generate novel and beneficial
technologies is needed to realize the potential benefits of biotechnology for the country,
according to Agriculture undersecretary for Policy and Planning Segfredo Serrano.
It has long been the primary concern of the DA to promote agricultural development,
translated into improvement of farm income and generation of work opportunities for
farmers, fishermen and other rural workers, he added.
Modernized smallholder agriculture and fisheries, and a diversified rural economy that
is dynamic, technologically advanced and internationally competitive are envisioned by
the Department. Needless to say, the challenges that the country continues to face

include food security, poverty alleviation, environmental problems and impacts of

climate change, Serrano said.
The pursuit of securing food and improving levels of living, with adaptability to climate
change in our minds, has led us to explore several ways and technological means to
help address productivity and resiliency issues in Philippine agriculture, Serrano
continued.
Earlier, Department of Agriculture Biotechnology Program Office (DA-BPO) director
Antonio Alfonso said biotechnology could help in the countrys drive for food selfsufficiency and could also help us adapt to climate change.
Alfonso emphasized, however, that R&D should continue in order to realize these
benefits in the form of improved varieties of crops and strains of animal and livestock
commodities.
Other important products of biotechnology are natural ingredients and bioactive
compounds with numerous applications.
Biotechnology has been used in the development of climate-ready crops, he said.
Serrano added, tissue culture, a biotechnology tool, is being used in the DAs High
Value Crops Development Program in mass propagating coconut, abaca and banana
planting materials.
Biotechnology is used in developing natural health products from indigenous Philippine
plants and in the development of bio pesticides for the control of insects that attack
jackfruit and other crop commodities, Alfonso said. According to Alfonso, because of our
rapid population growth, the Philippines agricultural lands grow smaller every day, as
rice fields give way to subdivisions and our environment gets degraded.
As our farmlands shrink, we are faced with the challenge of producing more food, feed,
fiber and even biofuels, he added, and expounded on how biotechnology could help
address these challenges.
He added, biotechnology is vital in the development of drought and flood tolerant crops
that could be dispatched to affected areas whenever there is a projection of flooding or
prolonged dry spell.
On the other hand, the DA promotes submarine rice variety, which is supposed
to withstand long periods of being submerged, to flooded areas.

Meanwhile, saline water and high temperature tolerant crop varieties are being
developed through conventional breeding and using tools of biotechnology, Alfonso
said.
The Philippines, as reflected in its national policies, has been open to modern
technologies such as biotechnology, among others, to improve the efficiency of our
agricultural system, thereby, increasing productivity in a sustainable manner.
According to Serrano, the global recognition of the potential contribution of
biotechnology and its application to securing food is unprecedented, for it offers
adaptive technologies and farming approaches that ensure crop production through
sustainable agriculture, improve resource efficiency, minimize wastage/losses in the
supply chain, ensure affordable prices, and improve food utilization.
Philippine agriculture continues to exhibit a declining contribution to the national
economy over the past years around 11 per cent share of the economic growth pie as
compared to 30 per cent back in 1946.
Poverty has stricken the agriculture sector as farmers and fishermen are among the
least paid workers in the Philippine economy. Yet, agriculture employs, on average, onethird of the total labor force.
It is precisely this reason that agriculture still plays an indispensable role in the
Philippine economy. It remains to be a main pillar of the Philippine economic growth and
a crucial sector for reducing poverty, Serrano said.
Reference: http://www.philstar.com/agriculture/2015/01/18/1414034/unlocking-biotechspotentials

Uniquely Batanes: Arius food products

By Diana Rose A. de Leon (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - When one talks about Batanes, one will probably blabber about
the endless rolling hills, the majestic view of the Pacific Ocean, the rustic Ivatan
traditional house, the lofty lighthouses, the heartwarming Ivatans, among others.
One would perhaps miss out on mentioning those pine-like trees that gloriously stand
out along the sidelines and provide a decorative landscape on the roads and landmarks
of Batanes.
Given their abundance, particularly when traversing the streets of Basco, Mahatao,
Ivana or even in the islands of Sabtang and Itbayat this tree will awe any tourist on
how the Ivantans make use of them.
The tree, known as Arius (Podocarpus costalis), is an endemic in Batanes. It serves as
an excellent ornamental tree often used by the Ivatans as a Christmas tree during the
Yuletide season.
Arius bears fruits during the months of July to October. Its berries are edible and its
appearance and taste compare to that of duhat. The Arius berry is fleshy and turns from
red to purple when mature. The taste is mildly sweet and tangy. The berry has a single
green seed attached to it, just like the cashew. Its seed is found at the end of the fruit.

Not just for decoration

It is regrettable that the Ivatans are not aware that these fruits can be processed into
valuable products said Dr. Edwin F. Macaballug, president of the Batanes State College
(BSC).

This observation was reaffirmed by the faculty of BSC who also shared that the Ivatans
would just usually let the Arius berries fall and rot from the tree or be eaten by the birds.
I told them that in the mainland (general term for Luzon) Arius is only used as
ornamental plant because it would not bear berries outside Batanes, Macaballug said.
The potential of Arius berries to turn into processed food products only started in 2012
when the director for research and extension of BSC, the late Dr. Roger G. Baltazar,
took interest on Arius berries. His interest in the berries prodded him to submit a
proposal to the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) which was then funded under the
BARs National Technology Commercialization Program (NTCP).
Making Arius known across the country as commodity that is uniquely Batanes is
starting to take shape.
Developing food products
Upon the approval of project, the first product that BSC developed was the Arius wine.
Fruit-based wines are considered a healthy beverage, if taken in moderation.
Red wine, such as those from Arius, helps fight heart diseases. The berries are high in
flavonoids which function as antioxidants in human.
With fruit-based wines progressively carving their niche in the beverage market, the
BSC has joined numerous product trade fairs and exhibits to market test Arius products
especially the wine. Based on the results, Arius wine passed the standards of a fruitbased wine.
Satisfied with the quality of Arius wine, the project team then focused on the
improvement of its packaging. They have tapped the weavers of Batanes to make the
special wine holder which is made out of the same material used in making vakul
(Ivatan traditional headgear).
We paid the elderly weavers P100 for every wine holder. It is especially designed for
the Arius wines. It is our way of helping them in getting income and promoting the
handicrafts of Batanes, said Djovi R. Durante, study leader of the project.
Other Arius-based products developed include pastillas, tart, jam, jelly, and tea.
The project team has foreseen that the demand for the Arius wine and other Ariusbased products will boom once it has been commercialized in the whole province and
most likely, the products will also appeal among the tourists who are looking for
souvenir gifts.

The BSC is drawing up strategies on how to expand their production and widen their
market reach. However, they are having problems with the availability of the Arius
berries because of its seasonality.
The influx of tourists visiting the island starts from November to June, which is the lean
season for the Arius berries. They have come up with a solution to acquire additional
cold storage equipment to store the Arius berries so that even if it is off-season, they
can still produce the products.
They BSC will also start on the technology transfer of Arius processing to the Ivatan
housewives to help them in supplying the Arius products.
Due to word-of-mouth, the tourists came to us to buy Arius products, especially the
wine, which surprised us because we are not yet promoting it heavily to the public.
There are also travel agencies who were vocal in their intentions of becoming an
exclusive distributor, shared Durante.
The project team plans to organize an Arius tree planting activity. Durante mentioned
that with the recent developments in Batanes such as the road widening, many Arius
trees are being cut down.
A newly-planted Arius tree usually takes 10 to 15 years before it bears fruit. With this
initiative on tree planting, there is an assurance that there will be Arius trees available
for future Ivatans.
Due to the uniqueness of the commodity, the Arius wine was given a citation award as
Best New Product during the BAR-organized event, the 9th National Agriculture and
Fisheries Technology Forum and Product Exhibition held at SM Megamall in 2013.
A year after heeding the recommendations for the further improvement of the product
and its packaging, the Arius-based products bagged the grand prize for the Best
Packaged Product and Best Newly-Developed Product during the North Luzon
Cluster S&T Fair organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Reference: http://www.philstar.com/agriculture/2015/01/18/1414033/uniquely-batanesarius-food-products

Fishery law enforcers ready to combat IUU fishing

(The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - To strengthen the countrys fight against Illegal, Unreported and
Unregulated (IUU) fishing, the Department of Agricultures Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) has enlisted some of its personnel in an intensive law
enforcement training program at the National Brackishwater Fisheries Technology
Center in Pagbilao, Quezon.

From an initial number of 76 participants, a total of 62 trainees were able to complete

the three-month boot camp which started in October of last year.

The training was meant to capacitate our personnel with enough knowledge and skills
that will allow them to ensure proper management and protection of the countrys
fisheries and aquatic resources, said Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, adding
that an effective law enforcer would contribute greatly to the progress of the local
fishing industry and the people whose livelihood depends on it.

DA undersecretary for Fisheries and BFAR national director Asis G. Perez said the
training was divided into two parts: the 30-day transition period in which participants
were indoctrinated on discipline, conduct and values, basic tactical training, and
strenuous physical training, and the 60-day training on BFAR operations and protocols,
fishery laws and aquatic protection, shipboard operations and practicum, advance
tactical training, water search and rescue, field training exercises and physical
development program.

Meanwhile, one of the female graduates, Jemimah Tabaog of Malaksi class said that as
new law enforcers they learned to adopt new values to replace old ones. The new
values would help them survive and be more flexible in any given situation.

Also part of the BFARs law enforcement capacity-strengthening is the procurement of

27 units of 40-footer monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) vessels, 70 units of 30footer multi-mission vessels and, two units 50-meter vessel equipped with necessary
special operations tools and devices such as service fire arms, GPS, night vision
goggles, scuba gears and, rigid-hulled inflatable rubber boats.

BFAR intends to increase the number of law enforcers who will be strategically
deployed in the countrys fishing grounds.
Reference: http://www.philstar.com/agriculture/2015/01/18/1414036/fishery-lawenforcers-ready-combat-iuu-fishing

Visayas gets fresh post-Yolanda funds for rehabilitation from IFAD

by Madelaine B. Miraflor

Western Visayas got fresh funds from the International Fund for Agricultural
Development (IFAD) more than a year the regions agricultural sector faced the
onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda, one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded in
history.

Through the Department of Agriculture (DA), IFAD has granted a total of P84 million for
the rehabilitation of the agriculture sector affected by typhoon Yolanda, which occurred
November 8, 2013.

IFAD is an international financial institution and a specialized agency of the United

Nations.

As a fund, IFADs role is to mobilize resources to invest in development opportunities for

poor rural people.

It works in close collaboration with borrowing country governments like the Philippines
and local communities to design, supervise, and assess country-led programs and
projects that support smallholders and poor rural producers.

Rene Famoso, regional rice program action officer, said a total of the entire P84 million,
P44.9 million were used to purchase 32.9 thousand bags of certified seeds distributed
to the affected farmers.

Specifically, province of Iloilo received a total 14,768 bags of rice certified seeds, while
Capiz got 13,033 bags, Negros Occidental had 2,900 bags, Antique received 1,616
bags, Aklan had 549 bags, and Guimaras had 135 bags.

Famoso said the remaining P39.1million was intended to buy 32,984 bags of urea
fertilizer due for delivery this January and February 2015.

We will follow the same scheme of one bag of fertilizer per hectare which will be given
to the affected farmers base also on the allocation per province. Famoso said.

The P84M-IFAD funds augmented the DA reconstruction and recovery initiatives which
include cash for work program, fuel subsidy, provision of Pakbet vegetable seeds, white
corn seeds, steel layer cages and provision of vitamins, antibiotics and de-wormer for
poultry and livestock.

Reference: http://www.mb.com.ph/visayas-gets-fresh-post-yolanda-funds-forrehabilitation-from-ifad/

DA vows to reduce cost of rice before term of P-Noy ends

by Madelaine B. Miraflor
The Department of Agriculture (DA) vowed to bring down the cost of rice in the country
before the term of President Benigno S. Aquino III ends in 2016.

In a statement, the DA said it will continue to deliver the necessary services and
interventions for the benefit of Filipino farmers and fisher folks as the Aquino
administrations leadership comes into a full circle this year.

Between now and 2017, the government will establish rural infrastructures and other
investments needed in lowering production costs and enabling competitiveness,
Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said during a briefing held in Quezon City.

(A worker stands on a pile of rice sacks at the National Food Authoritys warehouse in
Quezon City.)

Alcala said that DAs focus is not only to produce more rice but also to lower down
production cost which can be done through investments in irrigation, postharvest
facilities, and farmers access to credit.

To reduce production cost, DA implemented a rice mechanization program wherein

farmers organizations can avail of farm machines in a counterpart scheme, with 85
percent of the cost shouldered by the government and the remaining 15 percent to be
paid by the farmers group.

Alcala stressed that the program enabled the country to achieve the highest rice harvest
in history at 18.4 million metric tons by the end of 2013.

He adds that the continuing headway in rice production was driven by other assistance
to farmers including the provision of high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and the use of other
integrated crop management practices.

A Philippine Statistics Authority report stated that the Philippine agriculture managed to
grow by 9.55 percent in terms of value and by 0.33 percent in terms of volume for the
first nine months of 2014, all despite considerable damage caused by successive
typhoons to the industry.

Other countries in Asia, specifically South Korea, is happy that the Philippines achieved
the record harvest and they are asking us to share the things that we have done, Alcala
said.

When Alcala visited South Korea in 2014, the Korean government was impressed that
Filipino farmers were able to increase rice production in a matter of three years, when it
took them six years even with all of their governments interventions.

We are again leaving footprints in the agriculture sector, he added.

In addition, local farmers have continued exporting superior quality rice such as black
rice, red rice, jasponica rice of Doa Maria and SL Agritech, organic rice from Bicol and
Mindanao.

As a matter of fact, we are increasing the volume of our rice exports, Alcala said.

As postharvest loss continue to affect farmers income, DA has been actively

establishing rice processing centers in strategic areas nationwide to increase milling
recovery rates to 65-68 percent, he added.

Reference: http://www.mb.com.ph/da-vows-to-reduce-cost-of-rice-before-term-of-p-noyends/

SMEs in agri sector must improve productivity

Written by Ed Velasco

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors are
encouraged to improve their productivity and competitiveness with help from a
government program.
The Department of Science and Technology (DoST), through the Technology Application
and Promotion Institute (TAPI), has launched the Consu
ltancy for Agricultural and Manufacturing Productivity Improvement (CAMPI) program.
It is a level-up strategy that provides focused S&T (science and technology)
consultancy intervention/s to SMEs, said Jovito Rey Gonzales, division manager of
DoST-TAPIs Investment and Business Operations Division, in a seminar.
Gonzales said the CAMPI program aims to install focused S&T interventions to
continually improve productivity of the SMEs and tap the skills and expertise of industry
practitioners.
He said the financial assistance shall cover the professional fee and travel cost of the
consultants who will conduct consultancy services to qualified SMEs within the priority
sectors.
Gonzales said priority sectors are food processing; gifts, toys and housewares (GHD);
agriculture/horticulture; aquaculture; health products/pharmaceuticals; furniture; and
metals and engineering.
He said consultancy services include adoption of S&T innovations, process
standardization, self-life determination, packaging and labeling, Good Manufacturing
Practice certification process, Hazard Analys Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in
the agriculture and manufacturing sectors are encouraged to improve their productivity
and competitiveness with help from a government program.
The Department of Science and Technology (DoST), through the Technology Application
and Promotion Institute (TAPI), has launched the Consultancy for Agricultural and
Manufacturing Productivity Improvement (CAMPI) program.
It is a level-up strategy that provides focused S&T (science and technology)
consultancy intervention/s to SMEs, said Jovito Rey Gonzales, division manager of
DoST-TAPIs Investment and Business Operations Division, in a seminar.

Gonzales said the CAMPI program aims to install focused S&T interventions to
continually improve productivity of the SMEs and tap the skills and expertise of industry
practitioners.
He said the financial assistance shall cover the professional fee and travel cost of the
consultants who will conduct consultancy services to qualified SMEs within the priority
sectors.
Gonzales said priority sectors are food processing; gifts, toys and housewares (GHD);
agriculture/horticulture; aquaculture; health products/pharmaceuticals; furniture; and
metals and engineering.
He said consultancy services include adoption of S&T innovations, process
standardization, self-life determination, packaging and labeling, Good Manufacturing
Practice certification process, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points accreditation
process and ISO standards compliance.is and Critical Control Points accreditation
process and ISO standards compliance.

Reference: http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/smes-in-agri-sector-must-improveproductivity

PHL bans poultry imports from Nebraska

June 18, 2015 2:01pm
The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday said it ordered a temporary ban on the
importation of domesticated and wild birds and their products including poultry meat,
day-old chicks, eggs and semen from Nebraska, USA.
The ban was an offshoot of the report by Dr. John Clifford, deputy administrator of the
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
to the Office of Internationale Des Epizooties (OIE).
There has been an outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus in
Dixon County, Dixon, Nebraska, Clifford noted.

The outbreak of HPAI serotype H5N2 has affected the commercial chicken layer flock in
Dixon Country, and this was confirmed by the USDA APHIS National Veterinary
Services Laboratories, according to the DA.
Under Memorandum Order No.33-15, Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala ordered
the immediate suspension of the processing, evaluation of the application and issuance
of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) import clearances on the importation of poultry
products from the affected US territory.
Alcala instructed the DAs veterinary quarantine officers and inspectors at all major ports
to stop and confiscate all shipments of poultry and poultry products, except for heat
treated products, from Dixon County in Nebraska.
The Philippines remains free from the highly pathogenic avian influenza or bird flu, the
DA said.
The ban and other emergency measures were necessary to protect human health and
the poultry industry in the Philippines, Alcala noted.
We have been closely monitoring advisories from the OIE since we want to proactively
protect the integrity of our poultry products as avian flu-free, Alcala said.
The inter-governmental OIE informs governments of the occurrence of animal diseases
and of ways to control these diseases. It coordinates studies devoted to the surveillance
and control of animal diseases and of harmonizing regulations to facilitate trade in
animals and animal products. VS, GMA News
Reference: http://agriculture.einnews.com/article/271444093/lC28eOO7yAqCbVSJ