Programang Gulayan ng Masa (PGMA) Addresses Rights of a Child to Grow Healthy

by: Aurell P. Arais

Brgy. Magsaysay, Veruela, Agusan del Sur - Principle 4 of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child as proclaimed by the UN General Assembly resolution 1386 (XIV) of November 1959 states that “The child shall enjoy the benefits of social security. He shall be entitled to grow and develop in health…The child has the right to adequate nutrition, housing, recreation and medical services.

Part and parcel to comply the said provision, the Municipal Agriculture Office of Veruela, Agusan del Sur through its Agricultural Extension Workers strengthen its advocacy to the community to have their own communal garden and to the household to have its backyard gardens. One of the barangay that responded the advocacy fervently is Barangay Magsaysay of Agusan del Sur.

In Purok 1 of the said barangay, residents help each other to take care and maintain their communal garden aside from their gardens on their respective houses.

The said purok availed of the assistance from the Department of Agriculture through Programang Gulayan ng Masa (PGMA) such as free vegetable seeds and other inputs as well as trainings.

According to Elesio Nonog, 62 years old, a barangay treasurer that since the implementation of the PGMA project in their area, residents were encourage to plant vegetables thus minimizing wastage of time.

The produce..? Well, pupils from day care center enjoyed the good and nutritious meal during feeding activities.

Nonog said that they see to it that foods to be served during feeding program is nutritious and will surely nourish their kids, thus veggie menu is on the top of the list.

Moreover unconsumed produce will be divided by the residents in the community who renders their time on the communal garden.

Nonog shared that he himself feels good and rejuvenated every time he eats vegetables. “Siyempre makadugang gyud na sa kusog ug enerhiya” (Of course it can adds strength and energy), he said in vernacular.

Meanwhile Maria Nona Ramillano, Agricultural Technician on the area said that she feels happy and fulfilled since her hard labor finally takes off on persuading the residents to engage in gardening.

“Pinaagi sa mga meeting sa Farmers Association (FA) ug Rural Improvement Club (RIC) ako gyud silang ginadasig nga mananum ug gulay ug gipahibalo nako sa ila ang advantage niini aron mapakunhod ang malnourished nga mga kabataan sa barangay (Through meetings of Farmers Associations and Rural Improvement Club I really advocated them to plant vegetables by presenting the advantages of doing as such which would greatly help to eliminate malnourished children in the barangay), she said.

Programang Gulayan ng Masa (PGMA) is a project of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Department of Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap with the help of Local Government Units (LGU’s) and other private sector which aims to reduce rural hunger and malnutrition through the promotion of home, communal, barangay and school gardening in the country. (Aurell P. Arais/RAFID-DA CARAGA)



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Barangay LGU Policy:Plant Vegetable First Before Obtaining Barangay Clearance…

by: Aurell P. Arais

Brgy. Karaos, San Francisco, ADS – The rule is clear! If you want to obtain a certification or clearance from the barangay, show first your vegetable garden, thus said Barangay Captain Delailah Bacera of Barangay Karaos, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.

Barangay Captain Delailah Bacera said that to attain food sufficiency and to eradicate malnutrition in the barangay, political will of a local chief executive is very much crucial that is why they imposed such policy.

According to her, before a barangay resident can obtain a barangay certification or clearce, he or she shall get an approval from the purok chairman which in turn the purok chairman rules that only those purok residents who have their own backyard garden or at least render time on the communal garden during pahina (bayanihan) will be given an approval.

As a result it is seldom to see a house without a garden and a purok waiting shed without a garden on its background.

Communal garden or backyard garden in Barangay Karaos bears various veggies such as eggplant (talong), bitter gourd (ampalaya), alugbati, string beans, patola, lemon grass (tanglad), kangkong, camote and some herbal plants.

To sustain the program, a yearly search will be conducted by the barangay for outstanding puroks who sustain and maintain their respective gardens with prizes at stake.

“Mao ni ang among paagi sa pagsuporta sa Programang Gulayan ng Masa (PGMA) sa atong pinanggang presidente” (This is our way of supporting the Programang Gulayan ng Masa, a program of our beloved president), Bacera said in vernacular.

Meanwhile, Purok 5 Chairman Efren Armodia expressed his gratitude to the Department of Agriculture for providing free seeds and other inputs which deeply encourages his constituents to plant vegetables. And indeed empower him to exercise his authority as purok chairman since a resident who want to transact in the barangay office should bear his approval first.

“Kaniadto mamalit mi ug gulay sa merkado karon dili na gyud kay naa naman sa among nataran mismo ug presko pa gyud” (Before we bought vegetables from the market but now no more since we can get it from our own backyard and so fresh”, he said with a smile.

Programang Gulayan ng Masa (PGMA) is a project of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Department of Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap with the help of Local Government Units (LGU’s) and other private sector which aims to reduce rural hunger and malnutrition through the promotion of home, communal, barangay and school gardening in the country. (Aurell P. Arais/RAFID-DA CARAGA)


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Barangay LGU Policy:

NAFC Validates Hard Infra in Agusan del Sur and Dinagat Islands

by: Aurell P. Arais

Butuan City – A team from National Agricultural and Fisheries Council (NAFC) successfully conducted the second round of validation of hard infrastructure projects implemented here in Caraga Region under the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached agencies.

The validation took place last September 14-19, 2009 wherein the four NAFC validators were divided into two groups to validate projects sites in Agusan del Sur and Province of Dinagat Islands.

The Agusan del Sur group were composed of Marilu Peralta and Eduardo Cunan while the Dinagat Island group were Engr. Jahensi Supanga and Troadio Montemayor.

The team visited various projects sites accompanied by some DA Regional Field Unit 13staff and its counterparts from provincial and municipal level together with provincial and municipal agricultural and fishery council (PAFC/MAFC) both in Dinagat and Agusan del Sur, representative from Department of Public Works and Highways and National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

In the Province of Dinagat Islands, the group validated hard infrastructure projects in the municipalities of Cagdianao, Dinagat, San Jose, Basilisa, Libjo and Tubajon with 11 irrigation projects and five farm to market roads (FMR) which also include two municipalities in Agusan del Sur particularly Bayugan and Esperanza with one irrigation project and ten farm to market roads.

Meanwhile the Agusan del Sur group able to validate 12 irrigation projects and 22 farm to market roads situated in different towns such as Veruela, Sta. Josefa, Trento, Bunawan, Rosario, San Francisco, Prosperidad, Talacogon and La Paz.

Projects were implemented through the DA funding downloaded to various implementing agencies such as NIA, DPWH as well as local government units of the province and municipal government.

Some projects were also funded through the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP).

Based on general findings of the validating team, most of the projects were in place however some were delayed particularly in Dinagat Islands and recommended to the concerned implementing agencies to strengthen coordination and monitoring for smooth project implementation.

DA RFU 13 Regional Technical Director Edgardo Dahino gladly accepted the recommendations from the validation team and vowed to work hard for its improvement.

The first round of NAFC validation was conducted April 13-18, 2009 covering the provinces of Agusan del Norte, portion of Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte including Siargao Islands. (Aurell P. Arais/DA RAFID-Caraga)


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SUCCESS STORY: Infrastructure for Rural Productivity Enhancement Sector Project (InfRES)

DA’s InfRES Makes Life Easier



by: Aurell P. Arais

Caraga Region - “Tungod sa InfRES misayon gyud ang among kinabuhi”. (InfRES makes our life easier).

A word of relief uttered by Marilyn Sugian, a resident of Purok 6, Brgy. Panikian, Carrascal, Surigao del Norte after being freed from daily hardships on their place going to and from Poblacion to their barangay due to almost inaccessible road.

According to her before the construction of the farm to market road through the Infrastructure for Rural Productivity Enhancement Sector Project (InfRES) in their place farmers experienced the pain of agony on how to bring their produce to the market and even buyers refrain to fetch their product due to the difficulty of the road.

In effect, farmers will carry their farm produce manually or with the help of carabao resulting to delay of time and eventually affecting the quality of their product.

“Luoy gyud kaayo mi kaniadto kay ang among abot sa uma mabaligya na lang ug barato kaysa sa malata lang”, (We’re so pity before because we are compelled to sell our farm produce at lower price than completely spoiled”, she said in vernacular.

She also said that in times of bad weather they will not be able to travel especially when the river they need to cross will overflow.

Marilyn also said that education in their place was greatly hampered. “Kaniadto daghan gyud ang miundang ug eskwela kay dili na kaantos sa kalisod sa agianan labi na ug mu-ulan” (Before several students were forced to stop from going to school due to hardships on the way to school more so if its raining), she narrated.

And even on emergency cases, they’re having difficulty in rushing ill person to the hospital for an immediate health care.

However, she said since the completion of the farm to market road on their barangay their agony before were gone and completely change the community life and hasten development in their area.

The town of Carrascal, Surigao del Sur is a recipient of Construction and Rehabilitation of Farm to Market Road (FMR) with appurtenant structures last 2008 through the Infrastructure for Rural Productivity Enhancement Sector Project (INFRES) with local government unit counterpart worth 19,436,193.85 traversing the barangays of Tag-anito, Panikian, Bacolod, Babuyan and Gamuton.

Marilyn happily said that due to the InfRES Project traders would now come to their barangay to purchase farm produce at reasonable price while reviving the eagerness of their children to study hard and even boasted that several of the students from their place got honored in the class.

A regular public vehicle now served their place and people who need medical attention can now easily go the hospital even at night time.

More government services have now reached their area such as agricultural technicians, health personnel, police officers and investors that resulted to the development of the area.

Same situation was also experienced by the residents of Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur also a recipient of Farm to Market Road through the InfRES serving the barangays of Osmeña, Panaytay, Marcelina and Charito.

Former Panaytay Barangay Captain Dominga Lumanglas said that before the project of InfRES their barangay was considered a sleeping area since only few houses were seen and some residents even decided to leave the area due to the isolation from livelihood opportunity.

However due to the InFRES project their barangay were awaken, more houses were constructed; more opportunities came in and helped alleviate the plight of the farmers. Barangay Kagawad Angelito Diamos of Charito also shared the same testimony.

Truly, the InfRES Project provided support to Government initiatives for removing infrastructure constraints in rural areas in Caraga Region and thereby helped rural production and productivity.

InfRES indeed makes life easier. (Aurell P. Arais/ da rafid caraga)


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DA- RFU 13 Joins Kalayaan 2009

by: Aurell P.Arais

Butuan City – The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 13 (DA RFU 13) had actively participated in the celebration of 111th Independence Day last June 12, 2009dubbed as Kalayaan 2009.

A contingent of DA personnel participated during the motorcade and attended the program held at Inland Resort Convention Center led by Regional Technical Director (RTD) for Research, Administration and Finance Edgardo Dahino.

Guest of honor during the celebration was Tourism Secretary Ace Durano who at the same time designated for Caraga as Cabinet Officer for Regional Development (CORD).

The Kalayaan 2009 offered various services to the public such as jobs far, livelihood fair, processing of various clearances and documents, awarding of employment contracts, health and wellness, medical services and livelihood grants to workers-beneficiaries under the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) participated by various government offices and private entities.

On the part of DA, the Human Resources Management Office headed by Josefa Gidacan conducted screening of qualified applicants for 10 available positions, priority were those relatives of displaced workers.

During the affair two farmers groups in Agusan del Norte who benefited mechanical drying facilities from Department of Agriculture namely Sto. Niño Multipurpose Cooperative (Butuan City) represented by Plenio Atega and Abad Irrigators Association (RTR) represented by Jun Paiste received the certificate of turn-over handed through Secretary Durano.

In Caraga Region, the implementing agencies for CLEEP are the following: Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and Local Government Units (LGUs) and Department of Agriculture (DA).

Data presented during the program showed that CLEEP in Caraga generated 11,554 jobs with 11,554 individually employed and a total of 6,512,576.58 pesos funding assistance. (Aurell P. Arais/rafid da caraga)


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DA-AMAD, LGU San Franz, Launch 3rd Bagsakan Center in Caraga

by: Aurell P. Arais

San Francisco, Agusan del Sur – The Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 13 (DA RFU 13) and the local government unit of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur jointly launched the 3rd Bagsakan Center (BC) in Caraga Region located at Brgy. 1 of the said town last June 20, 2009.

Gracing the occasion were local officials of San Francisco led by Mayor Carl Elias Lademora, vendors association officers and members, farmers and staff from DA-RFU 13 led by AMAD OIC Servilla Balaan.

In order for the public to fully understand the project, Balaan shared the overview of the project while municipal vice mayor Bernardino Ursos warmly welcomed all the guests and visitors.

On his speech Mayor Carl Lademora expressed optimism that the project would greatly contribute to the economic plight of farmers as well as the residents of the area.

He urged farmers to deliver their produce directly to the Bagsakan Center to eliminate the unscrupulous middle men resulting to the soaring of farm prices sold to the end buyers.

Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Jennny de Asis representing Governor Valentina Plaza on the other hand reiterated their commitment to fully support the agricultural sector of the province through the necessary legislation and funding.

To signal the formal start of the operation, Balaan awarded the Certificate to Operate to the LGU San Francisco as operator received by Mayor Lademora.

Two guests from Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) of DA Central Office visited the site after the launching to see for themselves on an actual operation of the project. The two AMAS staff was Jenny Torred, Barangay Bagsakan and Bagsakan Center (BB/BC) coordinator for Caraga and Jose Manta, AMAS Marketing Division Chief.

The Bagsakan Center (BC) in San Francisco is the 3rd in the entire region of Caraga. First was in Aras-asan, Cagwait, Surigao del Sur and followed by Cancohoy, del Carmen, Siargao Islands, Surigao del Norte.

BC is a component of the Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program (AHMP) aimed to suppress hunger and malnutrition in the countryside through access of affordable and nutritious food supply. (Aurell P. Arais/ rafid da caraga)


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