Surigao City LGU Allocates Bigger Chunk of Budget for Agri over Infra

Surigao City – The newly elected city mayor of Surigao Ernesto Matugas set a clear direction for the city to prioritize agriculture through allocating bigger chunk of budget from 20 percent development fund over infrastructure.

Probably first time in the whole country the local government unit (LGU) of Surigao will allocate 70% for agriculture and aquaculture while the remaining 30% will be for infrastructure taken from the 20% development fund of the city.

The amount is totally reverse from the previous administration which according to him allocated the 30% for agriculture while 70% for infrastructure.

“Bahala na mangasuko nako ang mga contractor kay 30 porseyinto lang ang maila, ang importante sa ako kamo mga mag-uuma ug mga mangingisda” (I don’t care contractors will got irked of me because only 30% are due to them, what is important to me are you, farmers and fisherfolks), he said boldly during a forum with the farmers.

Matugas said that under his administration the city of Surigao will embark more on food production.

Meanwhile, Matugas lauded the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 13 through the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Division (RAFID) for conducting University on the Air in the province of Surigao del Norte including Surigao City on Hybrid Rice Production.

During the mass enrollment held last July 13-15, 2010, Matugas notably the lone local chief executive who attended the activity said that giving an opportunity to the farmers to study rice production through a radio station is a great contributory factor towards the attainment of food sufficiency program of the government.

Regional Agriculture and F isheries Information Division (RAFID) OIC Rebecca Atega, was overwhelmed due to hundreds of farmers flocked during the mass enrollment that took place in Tagana-an, Placer, San Francisco and Bacuag in Surigao del Norte and in Surigao City and soon in Sison.

The University on the Air on Hybrid Rice Production, an advocacy program of RAFID will start August 4, 2010 and ends November 24, 2010 through farm casters Zenaida Peramide of Surigao del Norte Provincial Agriculture Office and Aurell Arais of RAFID DA-RFU 13. (Aurell P. Arais/ RAFID DA-CARAGA)


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DA-CARIARC Hosts RDE Network 2nd Quarter Zonal Meeting 2010 Successfully

by: Aurell P. Arais

Trento, Agusan del Sur - The Caraga Integrated Agricultural Research Center of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 13 (DA-CARIARC) successfully hosted the 2nd Quarter Zonal Meeting of Mindanao Zonal Research Development and Extension (RDE) Network last June 23-25, 2010.

Supported by DA RFU 13, Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) the three days zonal meeting was participated in by key research and extension personnel from region 9 led by Regional Technical Director (RTD) Constancio Alama, Region 10 led by RTD Lester Jaducana, Region 11 led by RTD Romulo Palcon, Region 12 led by RTD Jimmy Olivo and Caraga Region led by RTD Edgardo D. Dahino.

Also present were BFAR XI Director Jorge Campeon and BAR Coordinator for Caraga Engr. Rodolfo Fernandez.

During the opening program, Municipal Mayor Irenea Hitgano of Trento wherein CARIARC is situated, recognized the importance of R&D in agricultural development and shared her vision for farmers towards economic freedom that serves a driving force for her to write a book about natural farming system.

To update the participants on what are the latest; Salve Ritual, Chief of Research Coordination Division and Digna Sandoval, Chief of Technology Commercialization Unit of BAR reported BAR updates.

Presided by RTD Dahino and RTD Jaducana various agenda were tackled during the meeting proper including some plans and proposals.

The 2nd Quarter Zonal Meeting culminates with a field tour.

CARIARC Center Chief Wilfreda Maslog was so gratefully to all staff of DA RFU 13 headed by OIC Regional Executive Director Constancio C. Maghanoy, Jr.,for extending support and assistance that makes the hosting of DA-CARIARC of the meeting successful. (Aurell P. Arais/RAFID DA CARAGA)


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Farmers and Fisherfolks Month in Caraga Region

by: Aurell P. Arais

Hailed as the backbone of the country, farmers and fisherfolks alike were given due recognition especially in the month of May for the Farmers and Fisherfolks Month celebration. This year’s theme “Magsasaka at Mangingisda Sama-samang Harapin ang Hamon ng Climate Change Gamit ang Makabagong Teknolohiya “ seems so fitting as different LGUs become aware of the effects on climate change to the agriculture sector. Thus, in this year’s commemoration, discussion on climate change has been the focus.

In Caraga Region, various local government units (LGU) conducted activities in line with the celebration for the year 2010.

Last May 5, 2010, Carrascal in Surigao del Sur celebrated it with a grand parade and various contest participated in by different farmers and fisherfolks association.

Local Chief Executive Alfred Arreza said that the economy of Carrascal relies mainly on farming and fishing activities thus they are given priority by the local government through the Municipal Agriculture Office under the leadership of Municipal Agriculturist Edgardo P. Intano.

It was the 5th Farmers and Fisherfolks Month Celebration of the town.

Meanwhile on May 18, the LGU of San Francisco, Surigao del Norte conducted its Joint 23rd Municipal Agriculture & Fishery Council (MAFC) Day and Farmers & Fisherfolks Month at the Municipal Gym.

As Municipal Agriculturist Marieto Clerigo said, San Francisco is the only town that has consistently celebrated the Farmers & Fisherfolks Month annually.

Among of the highlights of the activity was the Agro-Trade Fair which was participated in by the different barangays of the said town.

The participants displayed various products in their barangay wherein Barangay Banbanon was adjudged as the winner.

The City of Cabadbaran also took part in the celebration last May 26 through a Farm Family Forum in which DA-13’s Regional Technical Director for Administration, Finance & Regulatory Teodora P. Fiel, DVM graced the occasion.

In her address, RTD Fiel lauded the officialdom of Cabadbaran LGU led by Mayor Dale Corvera for conducting such activity which is an indication of a strong commitment of the town to empower the farmers and fisherfolks. She also acknowledged the efforts done by the Office of the City Agriculturist through CA Floreza D. Montalban and staff for being the led of the said occasion.

On the other hand, in Barobo, Surigao del Sur , a culminating activity to commemorate the Farmers and Fisherfolks Forum was conducted wherein Municipal Agriculturist Lyrio R. Campos presented the programs and projects implemented by Barobo LGU though the Municipal Agriculture Office. The participants were given time to exchange views and ideas thus the forum served as a consultation between the local officials of LGU in to further improve local governance.

A mass dog vaccination against rabies was also conducted during the event to curb the reported rising problem of dog bites in the municipality. There was also an agrivan showing of the different agricultural technologies through the DA-RAFID . (Aurell P. Arais/ Vanessa P. Sanchez/ RAFID DA CARAGA)

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Caraganons Life…at ease with InFRES

by: Aurell P. Arais

The struggle of farmers to have a better life is full of hardships and tedious process but not until the Infrastructure for Rural Productivity Enhancement Sector (InfRES) of the Department of Agriculture reaches its arm to Caraga Region.

In Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, InFRES brings milestone for development. The town now enjoyed two subprojects: livelihood engaging in livestock and cassava projects and farm to market road with a total project cost of more than 19 million pesos serving the barangays of Bacolod, Taganito, Panikian, Babuyan and Gamuton.

Marilyn Suguian, a recipient of working carabao said that she saves a lot on her farm since she no longer hire farm workers and the money she had save helps a lot to send her daughter to school and just recently her daughter taking up social work emerged top 7 among all examinees nationwide in the recent board examination.

Upon seeing the impact of the projects to the recipient community, Mayor Alfred Arreza is so grateful and vows that LGU of Carrascal is so willing to enroll again if there’s another round.

Another completed InFRES project is located in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur. 13.2 kilometers of farm to market road was put in place traversing the barangays of Osmeña, Panaytay, Charito and Marcelina.

According to Engr. Primitivo Alimpoos, the city planning and development officer of Bayugan the Infres FMR helps a lot in delivering farm produce and other products to the market.

He also said that InFRES FMR not just serves the residents of Bayugan, but also serve as the alternate access road going to and from Bayugan to its neighboring town of San Luis and some barangays of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.

Just recently, November 17, 2009, another InFRES projects was formally turned-over to the local government unit of Sta. Monica, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte. Three road segment of farm to market road were completed, the Garcia-Alegria Road segment, Garcia-Campayato Road Segment and Magsaysay Tamdumon-Libertad Road with a total length of 5.86 kilometers and with a total project cost of 14,154,443 pesos.

The completion of the said farm to market road renews the hope of farmers to strive and produce more as well as open up new livelihood opportunities for barangay residents.

Rosalinda Arlan-Penera the local chief executive of Sta. Monica, express her gratefulness to all officers and staff of DA-InFRES for giving their municipality the chance to enroll the program and urged her constituents to help in maintaining the projects for sustainability.

November 25, 2009, another project of InFRES was formally turned-over to the local government unit of Jabonga, Agusan del Norte.

The municipality of Jabonga grabbed two sub-projects, the rehabilitation and improvement of San Vicente-San Jose-Magdagooc Farm to Market road stretching 8 kilometers with total project costs of P24, 236, 677.92 and rehabilitation and improvement of Celopan and Mayuga Level 11 Water Systems with a total project cost of P 6,135,120.71.

Engr. Ramon Lagura, the Municipal Planning and Development Officer of Jabonga narrated that before the InFRES FMR were put in place, farmers mostly coconut growers and fishermen, experienced difficulty in delivering their produce to the town proper but with the completion of the InFRES FMR brings ease to their problem.

InFRES, ultimately help in increasing farm household income, reduced rural poverty incidence and improved rural accessibility…. inFRES truly makes the life of Caraganons easier. (Aurell P. Arais/RAFID DA CARAGA)

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DA RFU 13 Conducts Briefing on RaSSFiP Implementing Guidelines

by: Aurell P. Arais

Butuan City – In a bid to further boost the production of palay in the next cropping season, a new scheme on rice seeds procurement and distribution will be adopted to be jointly undertaken by the National Food Authority (NFA) and Department of Agriculture with the respective local government units (LGUs).

The new scheme was based on the memorandum of agreement (MOA) earlier signed by DA Secretary Arthur C. Yap and NFA Administrator Jessup P. Navarro as an offshoot of the Rapid Seed Supply Financing Project (RaSSFiP) financed through the International Fund for Agricultural Development-European Commission (IFAD-EC) loan and grant.

Last September 11, 2009, a briefing about the implementing guidelines of the scheme was conducted at Conference Hall of DA RFU 13 attended by DA personnel involved in rice program, NFA staff headed by NFA Caraga Regional Director Gil Pepito Paqueo and other rice program stakeholders from different provinces in Caraga including some rice seed producers.

Based on the Implementing guidelines, DA will download to the NFA the RaSSFiP fund in the amount of P668,819,742.00, a loan from IFAD and the IFAD-EC grant of P430,665.420.00.

The said amount will be used by NFA for the procurement of Certified Inbred Seeds based on the volume and variety as determined by DA from certified seed growers and with certification from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).

On distribution aspect, DA shall determine the target distribution areas, the seed requirements per area in terms of variety and the volume and the farmer beneficiaries in consonance with the local government units.

Farmers could still avail the seeds on 50% discounted price through the DA authorized representative upon payment of the farmer’s equity to NFA.

In his speech during the program, Regional Technical Director (RTD) for Operations Eliseo T. Tila expressed optimism that the new scheme on seeds procurement and distribution would yield positively which may translate to higher production of rice in the region.

Before the RaSSFiP, procurement and distribution of seeds was handled solely by DA but nowadays a joint effort of DA, NFA as well as with the LGUs concerned. (Aurell P. Arais/DA-RAFID Caraga)


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DA RFU 13 Hosts GMA-National Livestock Program 3rd Quarter Performance Review and Workshop

Surigao City- Despite heavy downpour and gusty winds on the onslaught of tropical storm Urduja, the Livestock Division of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 13 successfully hosted the GMA-Livestock Program 3rd Quarter Performance Review and Workshop held at Lipata, Surigao City last November 23-25, 2009.

Participants of the three day activity were livestock coordinators from various regions in the country except from region 2 and 7 who failed to arrive due to unfavorable weather condition.

Gracing the occasion were Mayor Alfonso Casurra of Surigao City, Provincial Governor Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte, Director Felix Valenzuela of GMA Livestock Program and Regional Technical Director for Admin, Finance and Research Edgardo Dahino.

On his speech, Mayor Casurra was so grateful for choosing his city as the venue of the national gathering and reiterated his commitment for agricultural development under his administration.

Meanwhile Governor Barbers posed challenge to all the livestock coordinators to implement a sustainable livestock program.

“Farmers need not only ruminants but to include other basic inputs. What we need is total package of approach to sustain the program”, he said.

A lively exchange of views and ideas were encouraged on the entire duration of the workshop to clarify some issues and concerns especially on the program implementation aspect.

The next Performance Review is slated to be held in Zamboanga City early part of 2010. (Aurell P. Arais/RAFID DA CARAGA)


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DA RFU 13 Conducts Hands-on Training on PhilRice-B&S Combine Rice Harvester

by: Aurell P. Arais


Butuan City – To maximize farm mechanization in Caraga Region, the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 13 (DA RFU13) through the Regional Agriculture Engineering Division (RAED) spearheaded a Hands-on Training on PhilRice Combine Harvester last November 4-5, 2009.

Participants of the said two day activity were Agricultural Engineers and Technicians from provincial agriculture offices of Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, and City Agriculture Office of Butuan.

Gracing the occasion were Engr. Rene Morales, RAED OIC; Regional Rice Coordinator June Anthony Ouano; Regional Technical Director for Operations Eliseo Tila; and Regional Executive Director Ricardo Regis.

First day of the training was briefing about the Combine Rice Harvester specifically about its design and parts familiarization held at DA 13 Conference Room and the subsequent day was the actual demonstration and operation of the farm machine held at the rice field of Barangay Captain Desiderio Tabelon of Tiniwisan, Butuan City.

During the briefing Engr. Alfredo Penafiel Jr. said that the machine has outstanding features such as Combines harvesting, threshing, cleaning, and bagging; can harvest 1hectare a day; with grain losses from 1-3%; lower harvesting cost compared to traditional; lightweight and small; easy to operate and designed for local condition and locally manufactured.

Based on an earlier model from China, the said farm implement is manufactured by Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Central Experiment Station based in Science City of Monuz, Nueva Ecija in collaboration with the Briggs & Stratton Corporation.

Each region in the country was provided of such farm implement for demonstration purposes for the farmers to appreciate the usefulness and advantages of the machine and eventually adopt it on their respective farms.

After giving the participants the opportunity to operate the unit, comments or suggestions were gathered about the performance of the machine and was taken by representatives of PhilRice Agusan Experiment Stations as basis for possible further innovations or improvements.

Farm mechanization is a step to address problem of losses incurred both in the production and post production operations affecting the agriculture industry and forms part of the implementation of agricultural mechanization program under Republic Act 8435 otherwise known as the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA). (Aurell P. Arais/RAFID DA CARAGA)

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DA RFU 13 Hosts BPI-RCPC-KASAKALIKASAN National Workshop

by: Aurell P. Arais


Carmen, Agusan del Norte – The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 13 successfully hosted the four day National Workshop to Strengthen BPI-RCPC-KASAKALIKASAN Linkage in Support of Village Crop Protection Strategies held at Veranda 2, Carmen, Agusan del Norte.

A total of 65 crop program stakeholders coming from all regions in Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon who are serving under the department of agriculture regional field unit offices and few from provincial level flocked and join the pool of participants.

Gracing the occasion were Dr. Jesus Binamira, National Program Officer of KASAKALIKASAN; Ms. Wilma Cuaterno, Chief of Crop Protection Division of Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the host Regional Executive Director Ricardo Regis of DA RFU 13.

During the opening program, RED Regis emphasized the importance of strengthening the linkages of Bureau of Plant Industry, Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC) and KASAKALIKASAN to bolster the effort in increasing food production in the country.

Meanwhile, Dr. Binamira challenges all the participants to look for ways to enhance crop protection through pest management and be alert on the eventualities brought about by climate change.

He said that there is urgency for the participants to make the farmers be adaptive on the realities brought about by climate change through providing “a responsive, accurate surveillance, management and system”.

Highlight of the workshop was the sharing of programs and projects undertaken each region in crop protection as well as its experiences and its plans to strengthen pest management program.

A special program was also conducted as tribute to two colleagues who are bound to retire from government service soon; namely Pepito Leysa and Sammy Simbajon.

During the entire duration of the national gathering, RED Regis made every effort to ensure the event more fruitful and memorable that actually really paid off as the participants show eagerness in all their activity. (Aurell P. Arais/RAFID DA CARAGA)


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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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