MRDP-RPCO M&E Unit Caraga Conducts Series of CBMEG Training in ADS

by: Aurell P. Arais

Butuan City – To ensure sustainability of sub-projects of the Mindanao Rural Development Program Adaptable Program Loan 2 (MRDP-APL2) implemented on various local government units, the Regional Program Coordinating Office Monitoring and Evaluation Unit of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 13 conducted a series of Community Based Monitoring and Evaluation (CBMEG) training in several municipalities in Agusan del Sur.

The series of CBMEG trainings started in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur last March 4 and 5, 2009 held at Municipal Agricultural Training Center

The occasion was graced by the chief executive of the said municipality Honorable Leonida P. Manpatilan.

After Esperanza, the same training was conducted at Trento last last March 10 to 11 held at Hills View Inn Conference Room and followed by Bunawan last March 17 to 18, 2009 held at Kalahi Training Center.

Each CBMEG training were consist of two days and were jointly spearheaded by RPCO M&E Unit Head Rebecca R. Atega, Provincial Program Management and Implementing Unit (PPMIU) of Agusan del Sur headed by Engr. Cynthia Lumanta with PPMIU M&E Unit Head Edna Tongson and staff and the respective Municipal Program Management and Implementing Unit (MPMIU) with MPMIU M&E Unit.

Through CBMEG, the communities were empowered to participate on monitoring and evaluating the implementation of MRDP sub-projects on their locality and report their findings directly to the municipal level.

MRPDP has four sub-projects namely Investments for Governance Reform (IGR), Community Fund for Agricultural Development (CFAD), Natural Resources Management (NRM) and Rural Infrastructure (RI).

IGR aims to make more effective the devolution to complement the Local Government Code and further improve competitiveness of agricultural sector, RI focus on rehabilitation and construction of communal irrigation systems, farm to market roads, single lane bridges, potable water supplies an other agricultural infrastructure critical in enhancing farm productivity and access to markets, CFAD serves the disadvantaged sectors through livelihood projects to increase rural incomes and NRM mainstreams the protection and conservation of the environment.

Of the four components, majority of the LGU in Agusan del Sur who availed the program through a particular counter parting scheme embraced two subprojects such as CFAD and RI.

The series of CBMEG trainings serves as the output of the Training of Trainors (TOT) conducted through the Program Support Office based in Davao City last February 24 to 25 held at the Provincial Training Center, Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.

Similar CBMEG Trainings will be conducted in other municipalities and provinces in Caraga Region soon. (Aurell P. Arais/ rafid da caraga/Info Ace)



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MANGAGOY FISHERMEN MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE (MAFISCO)

Brief Story of
MANGAGOY FISHERMEN MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE (MAFISCO)
A Cooperative as a Tool for Reform

Bislig City is not only the seat of the formerly largest wood and paper industry in Southeast Asia but also one of the fishing grounds in the province of Surigao del Sur hence majority of its inhabitants make a living out of fishing.

However, when the fishing regulations and local ordinances were strictly imposed by the LGU of Bislig, disallowing to fish within the 14 km. radius from the coastal area, majority of the small fishermen were dislocated and deprived of a living to sustain the daily needs of their families.

At this instance, a brilliant idea was born. Seventeen individual consisted of small fishermen, fish traders, marine products traders and ice distributors agreed to form a multi-purpose cooperative that on August 8, 1994, the group comes up with an initial paid-up capital of only P16,150.00.

Due to financial constraint, the group faced a subsequent difficulty in pursuing their first project in marketing of fish and marine products, thus they focused their attention in looking for somebody or entity for financial assistance.

Unfortunately the request for financial assistance to the Office of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan last November 17, 1994 had been denied due to the election ban imposed at that time. The first disappointment of the group did not stop them from pursuing its determination to exist and instead proceeded on acquiring the official recognition of the government by registering their group in its official name Mangagoy Fishermen Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MAFISCO) from the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).

From then on, the group aggressively continues their quest to ask financial and technical assistance from different government offices and entities which includes the Department of Agriculture for bigger capital and for proper management of the cooperative. Their efforts were being paid off after raising a start off capital amounting to P200,000.00 that was invested for retail lending and marketing of fish and marine products.

In a matter of seven (7) months since its birth their initial capital has rose to P201,086.34 from P16,150.00 and P2,770,888.81 in 1999.

In 2002 with enough capitalization, MAFISCO has proudly launched a prototype mini banking operation under a project called Member Savings Operations which includes micro-lending with only 2% interest rate and eventually frees the borrowers from the hook of persons engaging in lending with higher interest rate ranging from 5-10%. Same year, a P10 million worth of Ice Plant Facility was established to stabilize the supply and price of ice in the locality.
October 3, 2006 a fire broke out in Mangagoy, Bislig City burning almost 5,000 houses wherein most of the coop members were affected including some important papers of the cooperative was turn into ashes. But the tragedy, never weaken the eagerness of the group to pursue its dreams, it still manages to stand and continue its business venture despite of its losses and the affected member-borrowers.

No matter what the crisis that beset the local economy; MAFISCO has consistently manifested a serious meaning to its area of business with added venture- rice trading particularly wholesale and retail, which in turn the whole operation helps to generate employment with 15 personnel who are mostly displaced workers from PICOP who ceased its operation.

Based on record the collection rate has never go beyond the minimum passing grade of 70% and instead made an average of 96% spread out in five years or an overall collection grade of 102%.

From year 2000 up to 2008, the capitalization from P2,983,959.80 now rose to P 6,316,137.47. Capital share from P 1,686,244.90 to P6,216,302.53 in the year 2008. Coop assets from P2,983,959.80 in 2000 steadfastly increased to P25,450,070.89 in the year 2008.

Due to good performance and success of the coop, from its 17 original members now rose to 747 including the associate members, garnering numerous honors, awards and recognition which include Outstanding Surigaonon Entrepinoy Award and Outstanding This is a great indication of the Power of COOPERATIVISM.

MAFISCO is also socially involved in the community. They are part of the Bundle of Joy, a gift-giving activity for the poor children of Bislig, also a benefactor of Adopt-a-Street Children program, actively participated in the Tree Planting and activities during celebration of the Cooperative Month every October.

This year 2009, MAFISCO is currently pushing for an expansion of its business venture such as Ice Plant and Cold Storage Facility, Purified Drinking Water Station and Rice Trading Wholesale and Retail.

With the Coop’s thrust toward self-reliance coupled with competent officers, nothing is impossible for MAFISCO to excel on its field of endeavor now and for the years to come.

MAFISCO is indeed a Cooperative, a tool for Reform.


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DA-RFU 13 Supports PNRC Blood Donation Drive

by: Aurell P. Arais



Butuan City – Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 13 (DA-RFU 13) strongly supports the drive of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) for blood donation campaign.

The support was manifested by allowing personnel from PNRC Butuan City/Agusan del Norte Chapter to utilize the DA lobby as venue for blood donation drive last February 9, 2009.

A dozen of DA personnel responded on the campaign by donating their blood for about 450 cc each.

Other personnel also availed the services of PNRC such as free taking of blood pressure (BP) and blood type.

Seven (7) staff from PNRC Butuan City/Agusan del Norte Chapter composed the team headed by Soljin M. Robles, Registered Medical Technologist (RMT).

In an interview, Robles explained that a person who donates blood will received a card and may use it anytime to avail free blood from their office on an emergency situation.

Donating blood is a healthy practice to keep healthy blood cells in the body produced by bone marrow. (Aurell P. Arais/rafid da caraga)



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Seed Producers Training/Seminar Conducted at Trento

By: Aurell P. Arais


Trento, Agusan del Sur – A seminar/training for seed producers in the province of Agusan del Sur was successfully conducted last week..

The said activity was held last July 28 to August 1, 2008 at Sasepco Warehouse., Trento, Agusan del Sur.

It was learned from Rose Marzo, municipal agriculture officer of Trento that the said seminar were participated by old and new applicant for seed producer.

Participants were coming from Veruela, Sta. Josefa, Bunawan, Loreto, San Francisco and Trento, all of Agusan del Sur.

Marzo emphasized that the seminar served as retooling for old producers while the new applicant will acquire knowledge on proper way of seed production and the law related to this kind of undertaking.

Resource persons during the training were Abner Montecalvo, GMA Rice Program Coordinator for Mindanao who talked about status of the rice seed industry in Mindanao/ Region and Varietal Selection and Characteristics; Henry Carpiso, chief of National Seed Quality Control Services (NSQCS) Central Office in Quezon City, who delievered about the policies and guidelines on seed certification for inbred rice seed production; Jane Rasco- Wagas, officer in charge of RSQCS Caraga; Johnny Ramos of Provincial Agriculture Office, Agusan del Sur; Jojo Dagum, delivered the overview of the training course and other speakers from Philrice namely Frenciso Varquez, Jisell Rendon and Richard Tabudlong.

For the past few years, the province of Agusan del Sur rice seed growers had difficulties in providing sufficient supply to the farmers which would affect the government efforts geared towards rice sufficiency, thus the seminar was conducted to train more seed growers.

It is not only the province of Agusan del Sur who suffered such shortage of seed supply but on the entire province of Caraga thus the same training will be conducted on other parts of the region soon.(Aurell P. Arais/rafid da caraga)


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DA-LGU Holds Plan Integration Workshop for CY 2009

Butuan City – To ensure a unified program implementation approach for the year 2009 between the agriculture department and the local government units (LGUs) in Caraga Region on FIELDS program, the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 13 (DA RFU 13) conducted a two day DA-LGU Plan Integration Workshop.

The activity was held at Goat2Geder Hotel and Restaurant, this city last January 29-30, 2009 and was participated by City and Provincial Agriculturists and Veterinarians in the region.

Regional Technical Director (RTD) Edgardo E. Dahino warmly welcomes all the participants during his opening remarks and lauded the planning division headed by Josephine Alban for spearheading the workshop.

Meanwhile, Regional Executive Director Ricardo C. Regis extends his appreciation to all the LGU-DA participants and urged to work closely for a common direction towards agricultural development.

Each veterinary and agriculture officers presented their LGU Plans and Programs for calendar year CY 2009.

Regional Agriculture Statistics Officer Melchor Bautista of BAS also presented the agricultural trends in the region that may serve as basis for effective program planning.

Highlight of the gathering was the workshop by sector or component such as Ginintuang Masagang Ani (GMA) Rice, Corn, High Value Commercial Crops (HVCC), and Livestock.

Regional Technical Director Eliseo T. Tila answered one by one all the issues and concerns surfaced during the open forum such as on DA-LGU project counterparting schemes, incentives and other matters.

Financial matters were also ably addressed by Finance Division Chief Jessica Daan. (Aurell P. Arais/rafid da caraga)


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DA-AMAS Director Francisco Ramos III Spearheads BB Launching in SDS

Surigao del Sur – To personally oversee the start of the operation, Director Francisco “Bong” Ramos III of the Department of Agriculture-Agribusiness, Marketing and Assistance Services (DA-AMAS) spearheaded the launching of its flagship project Barangay Bagsakan in Surigao del Sur.

For the whole month of November 2008, the Agribusiness, Marketing and Assistance Division (AMAD) headed by OIC Servilla Balaan, a regional counterpart of AMAS in central office conducted a series of Barangay Bagsakan launching in several location within the province.

Last November 18, Barangay Bagsakan in Diatagon, Lianga was successfully launched and on November 20 another BB was launched in Poblacion Barobo, Surigao del Sur.

It was followed on November 26 at Gamut, Tago; November 27 at Bungtod, Tandag City and a day after in Agsam, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur.

Prior to the formal launching, an information caravan was conducted with the staff of Regional Agriculture and Fishery Information Division (RAFID) on the neighboring areas of the BB sites to let the public know about the big event.

Director Ramos was the keynote speaker in Bungtod, Tandag City and in Agsam, Lanuza wherein he emphasized the value of cooperation among operators for smooth implementation of the project.

He also said before the agriculture department bombarded the farmers through its interventions to have more produced but without offering an option where to market the harvest, but nowadays marketing aspects is given priority through the Barangay Bagsakan and Bagsakan Center projects.

Barangay Bagsakan in Surigao del Sur was strongly supported by Governor Vicente Pimentel through Provincial Agriculturist Mark Quico and the whole officialdom on respective local government units where the BB site is located.

Notably in Lanuza, Mayor Algerico Irizari even vowed to replicate the project in another barangay within his town if the BB project in Agsam will succeed.

BB/BC is a barangay-based food depot and distribution system offering affordable, safe and quality food products like meat, poultry, fish, vegetables and fruits, directly links farmers and fisherfolk producers to the consumers and community participated retail food distribution system.

This project is jointly undertaken by the local government unit (LGU) who will provide the space/land, building and operating capital and designate a recipient to operate the BB/BC and DA who will provide the technical assistance during the pre-operation and actual operation, links suppliers and provides Cold Storage Facility, Plastic Crates and other facilities needed for the project.

Barangay Bagsakan and Bagsakan Center formerly known as Barangay Food Terminal (BFT) started its implementation since 2006 in Metro Manila but in 2007 it has expanded its scope of operation on the provinces to support the hunger mitigation program of the president Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

As of press time, a total of 13 BB sites had been launched all over Caraga Region but Balaan revealed that they are targeting around 14 BB and three (3) Bagsakan Centers before the year ends.

Due to be launched this month is the BB site in Mainit, Surigao del Norte and Barangay Centers in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur; Cancohoy, Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte and Aras-asan, Cagwait, Surigao del Sur.

According to Director Ramos the DA-AMAS is targeting around 160 BB/BC sites all over the country but as of now they have already launched close to 200 sites.(Aurell P. Arais/rafid da caraga)

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Fire Prevention Month Kicks Off in Bukidnon

by: Aurell P. Arais

Malaybalay City - Various activities have been lined-up here in the province of Bukidnon to observe the month of March as the Fire Prevention Month.

In an exclusive interview with Monitor Today, Fire Superentident Allan Aladano, Provincial Fire Marshall disclosed that the celebration kicked off last March 1, 2008
through a thanksgiving program.

This year's observation of Fire Prevention Month has a theme: "Prevent Fire: Be Informed, Get Involved."

"Be informed means education is a vital aspects in the prevention of fire through demostration, seminars, lectures and media guesting", Aladano explained.

He further stated that get involved means fire prevention is everybody's concern.

"Fire is the most common man-made calamity just like what had happened in Camp Alagar, Ozone Disco and in KJFM", he said.

Aladano also clarified that fire prevention should start in home through adopting the concept called EDITH which means Exit Drill in the Home.

"Every member of the family should know what to do and where to go in case of fire", he explained.

Other activities line-up are conduct of continuous fire prevention lectures, physical fitness and enhancement activities, recoreda at least twice a week in identified fire prone areas, inspection of water sources and fire hydrants, bumbero mascot tour, fire olympics and more.

"Fire prevention should be observed everyday", Aladano concluded.

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Bukidnon Celebrates 91st Founding Anniversary

by: Aurell P. Arais

Malaybalay City - The whole province of Bukidnon successfully celebrated its 91st
foundation day last March 10, 2008 with civic parade as highlight.

The parade was participated by thousand of contingent from different municipal and city local government units( LGU's, private sector and business sector, peoples organization as well as member of Bukidnon media both from print and broacast.

Upon arriving at the capitol stage, Governor Jose Ma. R. Zubiri, happily waved his hands and exclaimed that the contingent of the civi parade was the biggest ever.

A formal program followed shortly after the parade with Senate President Manuel Villar, Jr., as the guest honor.

On his keynote speech, Villar lauded the cooperation of all stakeholders who make the celebration successful and appreciated very much the cold climate yet warm peole of the province.

"Dapat ipag-alam sa buong bansa na ganito pala kaganda ang Bukidnon" (the whole country should know how beautiful Bukidnon is", he said.

After his speech, Governor Zubiri declared Villar as an adopted son of the province which the senator happily smiled.

Before stepping back from the stage, Zubiri asked the senator to allocate an amount of P10 million pesos for the province to be used for housing program which the senator nodded positively.

Farm Employee Shot Dead

by: Aurell P. Arais

Malaybalay City – Police authorities are still conducting an in-depth investigation on a shooting incident that caused to instantaneous death of an employee of Guingona Farm located in Dalwangan, this city at around 6:00 in the morning last March 26, 2008.

Records obtained from Malaybalay City PNP identified the victim was one Mike Jimeno, 47, married and a resident of Purok 8, Barangay 11, this city.

According to report the victim was fatally shot by an unidentified person using an unknown handgun.

Initial investigation conducted by the police disclosed that the victim while disembarking from his Isuzu Elf service with plate number GHB 247 in front of his residence, lone male suspect suddenly approached and shot the victim.

After shooting, the suspect fled riding on a motorcycle park just a few meters from the crime scene.

Attending physician from Bethel Baptist Hospital declared the victim dead who sustained one gunshot wound on the right portion of his head.

Motive of killing is still unknown as of press time.

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School Principal Shot Dead

by: Aurell P. Arais

Malaybalay City – A school principal of Airport Village Elementary School in Casisang, this city was shot dead by an unidentified lone suspect inside on his office at around 5:00 in the afternoon last March 25, 2008.

Police record identified the victim as Onesimo Salga,, 60 and married.

Prior to the incident the victim was inside on his office watching television together with his wife one Vivian Salga washing utensils when one unidentified male suspect wearing bonnet suddenly entered and shot the victim twice hitting his head.

The wife upon hearing the gun burst immediately rushed to the comfort room for fear of her life and later went outside to call for help upon sensing that the suspect had left.

Some witness said that the gun man fled on foot with two allege unidentified companions believed to be back-up and rode on the motorcycle park a few meters from the crime scene.

Responding police officers recovered from the crime scene three (3) fired empty shells of caliber .45.

Dr. Grace Buquiran of Malaybalay City Emergency Response Unit (MERU) who examined the victim’s body found out two (2) gunshot wounds on the left portion of his head in which the bullet exited through on the right portion and another one gunshot wound on the left wrist.

Police operatives are still conducting a thorough investigation on the case for possible motive and to arrest the perpetrator.
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Fake Media Off During Kaamulan

by: Aurell P. Arais

Malaybalay City – Local media practitioners will be given top priority by the provincial government on aspect on access of media coverage during the Kaamulan Festival 2008.

This was the assurance from Provincial Spokesperson Cesar Apao in a media briefing helt at Phillippine Information Agency (PIA) office, Capitol Ground this city last February 11, 2008.

Apao is also the chairman of the promotion and publication committee of the celebration.

“Under my watch I can assure you that local media will be my first and foremost priority. You are the rist in line”, Apao said.

On previouss years as per experience, the local media during big events will always be left behind when national media step in from big media companies coming from Manila.

“National media should they come must coordinate first to local media for us to have unity and equal access”, he reiterated.

The provincial government through Governor Jose Zubiri Jr., has provided a media booth located in a very strategic area within Capitol Grounds for easy access on every event during the festivities.

The media booth is located just beside the PNP booth for security reasons and for easy coordination, which Apao said will be provided with water, communication facilities, electrical outlets and even food especially during major events.

Local media then was organized and urged to render their time voluntarilly in shifting basis in manning the booth wherein visitors may obtain vital information about the festivities and about the province as well.

A media watch tower is also provided just beside the provincial stage for easy media access during the ground performances.

“This is not the way of controlling you guys but for us to have unity and order and we should show how professional we are”, Apao clarified.

However, he vowed to sanitize the group to avoid being infiltrated by the fake media or fondly called as (media-media) or (tigbas group).

He urged media outlet superiors to watch their own rank by recommending only certified media practitioners on his office for Kaamulan Media ID. (ADPA)

9 LGU Vie for Kaamulan Streetdancing

by: Aurell P. Arais

Malaybalay City – Seven municipalities and two cities will compete during the streetdancing as highlight of the crowd-drawing Kaamulan Festival 2008.

This was learned from Mayflor P. Intong, the Kaamulan overall in-charge during the media briefing helt at PIA office last February 11, 2008.

Intong said that the nine local government units are the municipalities of Maramag, Don Carlos, Libona, Manolo Fortich, Baungon, Lantapan and Sumilao and the two cities of Valencia and Malaybalay.

During the ethnic streetdancing competition two categories will be adjudged, namely streetdancing and float competition.

Prizes at stake for the streetdacing were: third prize P50,000.00, second prize P100,000.00 and first prize or the champion will receive P150,000.00.

Meanwhile the winners for float competition will receive P20,000.00, P 30,000.00 and P50,000.00 for the third, second and first or champion respectively.

As of presstime, the criterion for judging is not yet available.

Accordingly each participating group will have a maximum member of not more than 200 persons.

For his part, Provincial Spokesperson Cesar Apao boasted that this year’s Kaamulan has a bit of authenticity since each participating contingent are required to have a member that are really real native in Bukidnon.

Apao enjoined people in Bukidnon to enjoy during the festivities that serves as the window of the province not just in our country but in the whole world.

Kaamulan is derived from the lumad term amul-amul which means gathering of the seven tribe of Bukidnon; Umayamnon, Tigwahanon, Matigsalog, Bukidnon, Manobo, Higaonon and Talaandig.