News Monitor February 18, 2013

 

Submitted by Adora D. Rodriguez/Arlhene Carro  (DA-AFIS)

Newspaper

Page

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Business Mirror

B3

 

Photo Release:  DA Sec. Alcala and UP Pres. Alfredo Pascual shake hands as PCA Admin. Forbes and UP Vice Pres. For Academy Affairs Gisela Concepcion look on after they signed an agreement to team up in boosting the Philippine coconut industry. 

The Manila Times

A3

Jing Villamente

Alcala accuser has graft cases

The man who filed graft and falsification charges against DA Sec. Alcala is facing at least four charges of violation of the antigraft and corruption law, before the Office of the Ombudsman.  Earlier, Alcala denied the accusation, saying that the charges against him were politically motivated.  Alcala also said that the timing of the filing of the cases against him is also suspect since the mid-term elections are fast approaching.

The Daily Tribune

4

 

DA chief accuser also face raps

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Abante

6

Noel Abuel

Secretary Alcala umalma ng pamumulitika

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Balita

2

Mary Ann Santiago

Isinampang kaso kay Alcala, pinalagan

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Remate

2

Macs Borja

Patong-patong na kaso sa nagsampa ng reklamo kay Alcala

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Pilipino Star Ngayon

2

Butch Quejada

Umasunto sa DA Sec. may 4 kaso sa Ombudsman

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Pilipino Mirror

3

Raffy Tulfo

Sniper: Manloloko, madyikero at mandarambong

Ilang mga magsasaka ng Quezon province ang dumulog para isumbong ang umano’y malaking panloloko na ginawa sa kanila ni DA Sec. Alcala noong ito’y kongresista ng 2nd district ng Quezon.  Ipinalitaw ni Alcala na sila at nabigyan ng P50,000 bawat isa mula sa PDAF noong taong 2008 ngunit ayon sa kanila, wala ni isang kusing na pera ang sumayad sa kamay nila at pineke lang ang kanilang mga pirma.  Inirekomenda din sa Senate probe committee na imbestigahan ng Ombudsman ang dating NFA Admin. Banayo na sangkot umano sa ma-anumalyang pagbibigay ng rice import quotas sa mga importer na gumamit ng dummy companies.  Isang Clarito Barron naman na mismong taga-BPI ang putok na putok din ang pangalan pagdating sa pagbibigay umano ng monopoly sa pinabuburang dummy companies para sa garlic permits.    

The Manila Times

A7

James Galvez

Distribution of rice machines stepped up

As part of the government’s bid for rice self-sufficiency, the DA will distribute this year billions worth of farm machinery to qualified irrigators’ associations nationwide.  For this year, the PhilMech will coordinate the distribution of 278 mechanical driers; 652 hand tractors; 99-four-wheel tractors; 438 palay threshers; nine rice mills (all types); 418 rice drum seeders; rice reapers; 322 rice cutters/harvesters; and 76 rice combine harvesters.

The Philippine Star

C2

Czeriza Valencia

PhilMech to distribute more farm machinery

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Philippine Daily Inquirer

B3-1

Niña Calleja

Abaca exports seen to grow in ‘13

The FIDA expects abaca exports to grow by 5-8% in 2013 as new markets open up inFrance,Spain,QatarandRussia.  According to data from FIDA, the total value of abaca fiber exported from January to November in 2012 fell by 24.2% to $100M from $132M in the same period in 2011. 

The Philippine Star

B13

Czeriza Valencia

Gov’t opening new markets for abaca fiber

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Business World

2/S1

RJRP

Abaca exports decrease by 24.24%

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Business Mirror

B3

Max de Leon

Philippine abaca output plunged by 11.8% in 2012

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The Philippine Star

A28

Manny Galvez

Singaporean firm bags Ecija dam project

An energy company inSingaporehas been given the go-signal by the NIA to undertake the P13.6B Balintingon reservoir multi-purpose project that can potentially irrigate 63,000 hectares of agricultural lands in southern N. Ecija and other parts ofCentral Luzon. 

The Philippine Star

B10

Czeriza Valencia

NIA expanding service areas

NIA Admin. Antonio Nangel said some 150,000 hectares of new irrigation areas, mostly inMindanao, will be added to the current service area coverage.  These would be located mostly inMindanaowhich the DA is aggressively developing this year. 

Business World

2/S1

 

Irrigation completed

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Daily Tribune  

3

 

Cayetano wants more protection for fisherfolk

Cayetano lamented that despite the long history of fishing as an industry in the country, the support it gets from the government is still minimal. BFAR is the only division of DA overseeing the welfare of the fishing industry.

Business Mirror

B3

 

Vegetable, fruit industries in Mindanao need more infra investments, says study

The movement of highly perishable crops such as fruits and vegetables from key production areas in Mindanao to intermediate and terminal markets within and outside the island region is hampered by the inadequacy of efficient and effective transport systems, and port shipping services.

Manila Bulletin

15

 

Road network

MRDP has completed 489.10 kilometer FMR amounting to P995.23 million, among other projects under the rural infrastructure component.

Manila Bulletin

15

 

Seaweed production

Seaweed growers and fishermen in the coastal areas of Mati and Baganga in Davao oriental are now recovering from the devastation of typhoon Pablo last year, which racked up hundred of millions of pesos in damage.

Tempo 

4

PNA

Villar vows more jobs, livelihood

In line with focusing on impoverished Filipinos – 70% of whom is in the agriculture sector – Villar said she would bat for the review of the AFMA.

Philippine Daily Inquirer 

A4

Dona Pazzibugan

Smarter Philippines DOST’s new program

DA and DOST are designing farm implements for more effective farming.

Philippine Star  

17

Paolo Romero

House Oks animal welfare act

The bill creates an animal welfare division in BAI which will be responsible for overseeing, supervising, regulating and promoting the welfare of animals including all animal facilities and establishment where animals are held, treated, maintained, kept, bred or trained.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

News Monitor February 15, 2013

 

Submitted by Adora D. Rodriguez (DA-AFIS)

Newspaper

Page

Writer

Article

Manila Times

A1

Beting Dolor/Jhoana Ballaran

New NFA head: Another case of kabarkada appointment

Whether the young Calayag can do a better job of protecting thePhilippines’ rice farmers and assuring the Filipinos a sufficient supply of rice will become clear in the weeks and months to come.

Manila Times

A7

Neil Alcober

Answers elude probers of rice smuggling

After getting dragged in an investigation of a multi-million rice smuggling fiasco, former NFA admin Angelito Banayo clarified that the Senate is not filing a case against him. Sec. Alcala said he is open to conduct an investigation and to hold individuals involved in issuing import permit to farmers cooperative allegedly used by rice smugglers, as front. 

Balita

3

Rommel Tabbad

NFA employees, mananagot sa smuggling

-do-

Philippine Star

B9

CzerizaValencia

Livestock sector beefs up competitiveness before integration

Sec. Alcala said that the livestock sector is a bright spot for agricultural competitiveness amid tough competition that is expected to be brought about by elimination of tariff on most farm good traded within the ASEAN region in 2015. 

Manila Bulletin

B2

Edu Lopez

Local dairy production expansion pushed

NDA in partnership with dairy farmers’ groups and National Dairy Confederation will embark on a sustained dairy herd build-up though intensified upgrading and preservation of local stock, augmented by importation of dairy animals, embryos and equipment, and establishment of more multiplier and grow-out ponds.

Business Mirror

B3

Marvyn Benaning

Carabao agency launches buffalo breeding facility

PCC has launched a modern laboratory in Nueva Ecija, where it will breed superior water buffaloes using advanced techniques in biotechnology, semen preservation and artificial insemination.

Business Mirror

B2

PNA

Dairy body begins cattle-raising tests in Negros Occidental

NDA has started testing the viability of backyard cattle-raising in the municipalities of San Enrique and Pontevedra and the city ofLa Carlotain Negros Occidental.  NDA granted five heads of cattle to farmer-beneficiaries in the said areas under a five-year installment scheme.

Manila Bulletin

18

 

Davao coco coir facility mulled

A P150 million coco coir tufting plant facility is expected to be built in this city to process coco coir fibers into mats, ropes, twines, and other coir products that will benefit thousands of coconut farmers providing coco husks as raw materials.

Pilipino Mirror

15

 

Central Luzon ligtas sa red tide

Ayon sa BFAR, walang red tide ang mga baybaying tubig ng Bulacan sa Manila Bay, Masinloc Bay sa Zambales, at mga baybaying tubig ng Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Orani, Abucay, at Samal sa Bataan.

Business Mirror

B3

Noel Provido

World Bank study:Pre-, post-harvest projects most feasible for farmers

According to a study conducted by MRDP, pre- and post-harvest facilities provide farmers with instant income, as do food-processing facilities, particularly for rural women.

Balita

5

Rommel Tabbad

CLoudseeding

Sinimulan na ng DA-Reg. II ang mga cloudseeding operations kaugnay ng nalalapit na tagtuyot.

Business World

10

RLA Embodo

Smuggled rice in Mindanao seized

The smuggled rice reached the MCT in the third quarter of last year with no import papers and consent to import from NFA.

 People’s Journal

5

 

P9M rice consigned to CDO coop seized

-do-

Manila Bulletin

18

PNA

Cacao center

The Cacao-Banana Agri-Enterprise Development project of the Fedco has paid off with the launching of theCacao-BananaExtensionCenter. In Brgy. Balaguna, Sto. Tomas DavaodelNorte. The CBEC serves as training center of the farmers enrolled in the Farmer Field School of CBAED.

Pilipino Star Ngayon

4

Editoryal

Patuloy ang rice smuggling

Labinlinmang buwan na sa puwesto si Customs commissioner Ruffy Biazon pero hanggang ngayon, patuloy pa rin ang smuggling ng bigas. Tila nagkamali si Pres. Aquino sa pagpili kay Biazon sapagkat hindi nito mapigil ang rice smuggling. Nakaka-intercept nga ang BoC ng mga smuggled na bigas pero hindi naman matukoy ang consignee nito.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

News Monitor February 14, 2013

 

Submitted by Adora D. Rodriguez/Arlhene S. Carro (DA-AFIS)

Newspaper

Page

Writer

Article

Manila Bulletin

B1

 

Photo Release:  Bi-annual ‘Year-end Economic Briefing by the administration’s economic team for the business community at the PICC on February 13, 2013 (with DA Sec. Alcala)

The Philippine Star

B9

 

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Business Mirror

A1

 

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The Philippine Star

8

Delon Porcalla

‘Cabinet men not barred from joining campaign sorties’

Cabinet members are not barred from joining the campaign sorties of the senatorial candidates of the Administration party.  Lacierda cited the President’s visit to the provinces when he would need DA Sec. Alcala to accompany him to provide details on agricultural projects, or Agrarian reform Sec. Virgilio delos Reyes for inputs on agrarian reform programs. 

The Philippine Star

A31

Jess Diaz

DA chief fields son for Quezon governor

DA Sec. Alcala has fielded his congressman-son Irvin for4 governor of Quezon.  Procy fielded his son for governor even though the younger Alcala is just a neophyte congressman and could run for a second term, a third term after his second. 

The Manila Times

B1

James Galvez

DA to tap Mindanao agriculture potential

Mindanaois the next frontier for the country’s agriculture sector, as the government prepares industries ahead of the removal of the AFTA, the DA said on Wednesday.  DA Sec. Alcala said that theMindanaoregion. Would play a major role in the government’s effort to improve competitiveness in the farm sector ahead of the trade liberalization. 

Business World

6

RJR Portillo

Farm dep’t to put up corn labs by 2015

The DA plans to put up tow germplasm laboratories by 2015 for the preservation and development of corn varieties in the country. National Corn Program coordinator Edilberto de Luna said this project will make sure that all the corn varieties are preserved and maintained for breeding purposes. 

The Philippine Star

B4

Czeriza Valencia

January rice stocks good for 74 days

The country’s total rice stock inventory as of January fell month-on-month and year-on-year with stocks sufficient for 74 days, according to the BAS.  The total rice stock inventory as of January 1 was placed at 2.52MMT, 3.4% lower than the previous month’s inventory of 2.61MMT and 3.9% lower than last year’s record of 2.62MMT. 

Business Mirror

B3

Marvyn Benaning

Dairy body seeks more investments to strengthen PHL milk industry

Billions of pesos are needed for local milk producers to make a dent on a dairy market dominated by theUS,New Zealand,AustraliaandFrance. The NDA said.  NDA Admin. Grace Cenas said the country should support local milk producers if it wants to reduce its imports of milk and other dairy products. 

Business Mirror

B2-8

Sherwin Manual

MRDP builds more roads, offers opportunities in Mindanao

There are more road networks now inMindanao, driving more economic opportunities for the rural people, especially farmers.  Lealyn A. Ramos, program director of the DA MRDP, said the program has completed a total of 489.10 kilometers of FMR roads amounting to P995.23M, among other projects under the program’s rural infrastructure (RI) component.    

 People’s Tonight

12

Paul Gutierrez

Biazon to profile rice, agri importers

A report has recommended for the filing of appropriate criminal charges against former NFA administrator Lito Banayo and other agency officials.

Manila Standard Today 

A3

Joel Zurbano, Maricel Cruz

Grains smuggling foiled in Cagayan

Customs agents in Cagayan de Oro confiscated a shipment of 5,000 bags of smuggled rice worth P9 million fromVietnam.

Manila Times 

A3

Neil Alcober

Farmers back probe of former NFA chief

KMP said they will be supporting the Senate recommendation for the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate former NFA admin. Lito Banayo and other officials for possible graft, in connection with the alleged use of the authority’s licensed rice importers as dummies.  

Business Mirror

A5

Marvyn Benaning

Farmers back probe of Banayo

-do-

Philippine Star

14

Editorial

No end to rice smuggling

Rice smuggling has not disappeared under the Aquino administration, with the former administrator of NFA accused of involvement in the illegal activity. The President should look into the accusations and see what can be done to clean up the NFA and curb rice smuggling.

Manila Standard Today

A5

Val Abelgas

Buying from rice smugglers

Farmers have increased their yield the past two years, but are unable to sell their produce at a profitable price because smuggled rice fromChinaandVietnamhave flooded the market. The increased production and rampant smuggling have resulted in oversupply and huge losses for the farmers, and hefty profits for the rice cartels and the rice smugglers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

News Monitor February 13, 2013

 

Submitted by Adora D. Rodriguez/Catherine N. Nanta (DA-AFIS)

 

Newspaper

Page

Writer

Article

 Business Mirror

B3

 

Photo release

Agriculture Sec. Proceso Alcala urges farmers, fisherfolk, and government officials in Caviteprovince to take advantage of their proximity to Metro Manila to further increase farm and fishery productivity and incomes, during the Alay sa Mamamayan forum in Imus on Feb 7.  

Business World

10

KMPT

Penalties up vs illegal cutting of coconut trees 

RA 8048 or the Coconut Preservation Act of 1995 states that no coconut trees shall be cut except in the following cases and with the corresponding permit: when the tree is 60 years old, no longer economically productive, disease-infested, damaged by typhoon or lightning, and would cause hazard to life and property.

Philippine Star

6

 

Senate wants Banayo charged with over rice smuggling

The Senate has established a that a big-time rice cartel was operating in the country, at least In 2012, which used farmers’ cooperatives as willing dummies to bankroll rice smuggling operations.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

A2

Norman Bordadora

Senate wants Banayo probed

-do-

Philippine Daily Inquirer

B2-3

Niña Calleja

PH rice, corn stocks declined in January

BAS said that the rice stock as of January 1 this year has reached 2.52 MMT-lower than last year’s record of 2.62 million MT.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

A18

Cai Panlilio

5,000 bags of Vietnam rice seized in De Oro

The shipment was kept in 10 20-foot container vans that were stored at the MCT since July last year and consigned to the Bubog Farmers Cooperative.

Business Mirror

B3

PNA

Davao del Sur’s dwarf mango trees bear bigger, better fruits

DTI and DA have programs for the mango industry that could be tapped by the cluster to complement whatever funding assistance they could get from foreign donors.

Business Mirror

B3

 

Agri dept allots P89 million for projects in Cavite

SPJA said that the agency will provide technical support, inputs, farm machinery and marketing assistance to farmers and local government units to revive the province’s coffee and vegetable industry.

Business World

6

Raymond Portillo

DA allots P89 million for farm facilities in Cavite

-do-

Philippine Star

B4

CzerizaValencia

DA allots P89M eqpm’t for Cavite

-do-

Philippine Star

B8

CzerizaValencia

More investments needed to boost milk production

NDA Adm. Grace Cenas said that in the dairy industry’s value chain, the production segment which comprises the breeding of dairy animals and milk harvesting is a priority investment area because this would spur growth in the processing and marketing segments of the chain.

Manila Times

A7

Rhaydz Barcia

Bicol marks success in field tests of rich rice

As President Benigno Aquino 3rd’s administration pursues food sufficiency and eradication of malnutrition in the economy, DA in partnership with PhilRice succeeded in field trials of golden rice in CamarinesSur.

Daily Tribune

1

Angie Rosales

Banayo, et al. face graft raps over ‘rice cartel’

Banayo and others have been specifically recommended for further investigation by the Ombudsman and BoC for possible violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act by four Senate committees from their probe into the botched smuggling of Indian white rice in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Tempo

4

Hanna Torregoza

Ex-NFA chief Banayo faces graft raps over rice smuggling

-do-

Business Mirror

B3

Ramon Efren Lazaro

DA, PhilRice new support for National Year of Rice

NYR 2013 is a national government program led by the DA that aims to encourage everyone to help the country achieve rice self-sufficiency, promote better health among the crop’s consumers and increase income of farmers.

Manila Times

B2

James Galvez

Farming in Asia, Philippines faces human resource problems

SEARCA Dir. Dr. Gil Saguiguit Jr. noted that the challenges to agricultural human resources development are now being examined by various agencies worldwide. He added that thePhilippineswith a modernizing farming sector, is experiencing the problem of youth preferring to look for jobs in urban areas or abroad.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

News Monitor February 12, 2013

 

Submitted by Adora D. Rodriguez/Arlhene Carro (DA-AFIS)

 

Newspaper

Page

Writer

Article

Business Mirror

B3

 

Photo Release:  DA Sec. Alcala encourages farmers and other rice-industry stakeholders to continue working together to further boost the Bicol region’s reputation as a rice producer, during the launch of the national year of Rice advocacy campaign at the J.M. Robredo Coliseum inNagaCity, Camarines Sur province, on January 31. 

Business World

2/S1

Raymond Portillo

Total rice stock drops 3.9%

The country’s total rice stock inventory fell by 3.9% in early January compared to the same month last year, data from the BAS showed.  As of January 1, total rice stock inventory is 2.52MMT, 3.9% lower that January 2012’s 2.62MMT.  Compared to December 2012’s level, total rice stocks is lower by 3.4%.

TheManilaTimes

B3

James Galvez

DA sets dairy herd build up

The DA has vowed continued support for the local dairy industry, through a herd build up and breeding program, to sustain the growth in the industry. The NDA said.  NDA admin. Grace Cenas said that with the animals, local milk production reached 18.45M liters in 2012, higher by 12% from the 16.45M liters in 2011.

Business World

2/S1

Raymond Portillo

Better productivity boosts dairy output

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Business Mirror

B3

Max de Leon

Govt, private sector team up to strengthen dairy industry

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Manila Standard-Today

B1

Anna Estrada

Fresh milk production

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Business Mirror

A4

Marvyn Benaning

Farmers question mandate of task force on coco funds

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and theCoco-Levy Funds Ibalik sa Amin (CLAIM) are questioning the mandate of the Presidential task Force on Coco-Levy Funds (PTFCLF) headed by NAPC Secretary Joel Rocamora.  KMP Secretary Gen. Willy Marbella said that they will present the concrete proposal to DA Sec. Alcala in the next few days.  For now, they suggest that Alcala be open to their demands and stop shutting doors to them. Alcala is reportedly opposed to the individual distribution of the levy money and instead suggested that the assets to be used to rehabilitate and modernize the coconut industry, arguing that its benefits would trickle down to the poorest coconut farmer. 

Manila Bulletin

B12

Melody Aguiba

Disease resistant swine facility up

A P31M swine genomic facility being put up by the BAI to identify disease resistance genes and other superior traits in animals and maximize revenue from thePhilippines’ native breeds. 

People’s Tonight

10

Gemi Formaran

BFAR to journalists: Focus on environment, marine protection

Stressing the benefit the community dependent on marine industry will get, the BFAR is asking journalists to have a more focused understanding and reporting about environment protection and conservation specifically on the depleted marine species. 

Business Mirror

B3

PNA

Agrarian reform dept, sugar agency ink deal to establish new sugar-cane block farms

The DAR and the SRA recently signed an agreement to establish 29 sugarcane block farms in the country with funds amounting to P41.,4M. 

Philippine Daily Inquirer

B3

Niña Calleja

PH hybrid rice captures big slice of Bangladesh market

A hybrid rice variety developed in the Philippines has captured 20% of Bangladesh’s hybrid rice market, thus helping the developing country in South Asia meets its goal to become self sufficient in rice an exporting Filipino firm (SL Agritech Corp), said Monday.   SL Agritech has been shipping its SL-8H variety seeds toBangladeshsince the initial production of seeds in 2006. 

Business Mirror

B3

Ramon Lazaro

Hybrid-rice variety developed in PHL, popular in Bangladesh

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TheManilaTimes

B2

James Galvez

SL seeds help boost Bangladesh rice output

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Malaya

A2

 

PH-developed hybrid rice a success in Bangladesh

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Philippine Daily Inquirer

A17

AFP, AP

Extensive strategy

Meanwhile, government officials who travelled toCampDarapananwith the President were Cabinet Secretaries including DA Sec. Alcala. 

Business World 

4/S1

Rolando Dy

Agriculture investments and long-term finance

Government services, including DA, DENR, DAR, NCIP, as well as local government units and civil society organizations will help in accessing ready-to-use lands.

Manila Times

A1

Ben Kritz

Expanded support for the elderly is a

sensible idea

DA is left to determine the discounts on

basic food item not specified in the law.

Tempo

6

Editorial

Government to pursue institutional reforms for the country’s enduring progress

The government has solved the program in NFA which had an outstanding obligation that amounted to P4.4 billion for importing more rice, investing more funds into irrigation, arterial roads, research into higher-yielding varieties,

and other technologies. 

Manila Bulletin

10

Editorial

Government to pursue institutional reforms for the country’s enduring progress

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Tempo

3

 

Government’s national community driven development program

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Balita  

6

Editorial

Mga repormang institusyunal isusulong ng gobyerno para sa pangmatagalang kaunlaran

-do-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

News Monitor February 10, 2013

Submitted by Arlhene S. Carro, DA-AFIS

Newspaper

Page

Writer

Article

Manila Standard-Today

A2

Joel Zurbano

Rice crisis looms, farmers and millers issue warning

Pres. Aquino is under pressure from farmers to crack the whip on Customs officials for their failure to curb grains smuggling.  Abono partylist Chairman Rosendo So said that if the government is helpless against smugglers, it should increase the volume of paddy rice that the NFA is buying to assist the farmers who were affected by the rice glut. 

The Philippine Star

A29

Czeriza Valencia

P-Noy asked to curb rice smuggling

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Balita

3

Agence France-Presse

Coconut craze, paano pakikinabangan ng maliliit na magsasaka ng niyog

Hindi problema ang suplay sa Pilipinas sa 350M puno ng niyog na tumutubo mula sa mga dalampasigan hanggang sa kaburulan at umaani ng 15B prutas bawat taon, ayon sa PCA.  Sinabi nig DA Sec. Alcala na habang ang coconut water ay may malaking potensyal sa pagpapabuti sa buhay ng maralitang Pilipinong magsasaka ng niyog, nahahadlangan ito ng logistical issues.   

Philippine Daily Inquirer

B2-2

 

Monterey salutes Department of Agriculture and Blade Award winners

Monterey, a platinum awardee in the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand Awards, gave back the recognition it sowed for three consecutive years to the DA and its exemplary Monterey Neighborhood Meatshop franchises at the recent launch of Monterey Know Your Meat Caravan Wave II under its annual award giving program, the Blade Awards. 

Manila Bulletin

B1

Edu Lopez

FIDA eyes 1,000 hectares for abaca

The government is expanding the country’s abaca plantation by another 1,000 hectares this year in a bid to meet the demand for abaca fibers in both the local and foreign markets. 

Manila Bulletin

B1

PNF

Export fees

The BFAR at the One Stop Export Documentation Center (SEDC) in manila started implementing this month the collection of export fees based on Fisheries Administrative Order or FAO 233-1 and 233-2. 

-      end –

News Monitor February 9, 2012

Submitted by Catherine Nanta, DA-AFIS 

 Newspaper 

 Page

Writer

Article

Manila Standard Today

B1

 

Photo release: Coconut modernization

The Agriculture Department and UP forged a comprehensive and long-term partnership to modernize and further boost the global competitiveness of the country’s coconut industry.

Philippine Star

13

 

Photo release: President Aquino presides over a Cabinet meeting at Malacañang during his birthday yesterday.

Daily Tribune

3

PNA

RP may export ‘Basmate’ rice next year—DA

DA-RFU I RTD Ed Gonzales said that SPJA proclaimed that the country will not only achieve rice self sufficiency, but will also start exporting part of its harvest to Middle East. The DA is now giving farm tools and machinery so farmers can increase their harvests.

People’s Tonight

10

Gemi Formaran

Quezon farmers finally receive CLOAs,               Php30-M aid

After struggling for decades, almost 800 land reform beneficiaries from eight of the 12 towns of Bondoc Peninsula finally received their CLOAs representing almost 2, 000 hectares under the CARP.

Manila Standard Today

A5

Rod Kapunan

Solving the problem of rice shortage

The PNoy administration is not doing anything to avert potentially dangerous crisis of rice shortage. In fact, had the Senate pursued the investigation of the P500 million worth of smuggled Indian rice at Subic Free Port where Banayo’s name was repeatedly mentioned, the expose could have turned out to be the greatest corruption mess involving this government claiming to be incorruptible and highly principled.   

The Daily Tribune

4

Charlie Manalo

New NFA chief asked to talk on his citizenship

House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez yesterday asked newly appointed NFA Adm. Orlan Calayag to clarify the issue regarding his citizenship.

Abante Tonite

2

Bernard Taguinod

Citizenship ng NGA chief pinapalinaw

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Abante

3

B. Taguinod

Pagka-Pinoy ng NFA boss, kinuwestiyon

-do-

Pilipino Star Ngayon

2

Butch Quejada

NFA administrator, US citizen?

-do-

Pilipino Mirror

4

BM

35, 000 walang kayod dahil sa fishing ban?

Ayon kay BFAR Dir. Asis Perez, ang ban ay tatagal hanggang March 1 at samantala’y magpapatrol ang BFAR sa Dumanquillas Bay sa Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Basilan, Sulu at Tawi-Tawi.

Manila Bulletin

10

Editorial

Strong 2012 Agriculture sector performance

Philippine Agriculture Sector grew by 2.92% in 2012, led by the crops, livestock, and poultry subsectors which posted a combined growth rate of 3.60 the value of agricultural production totaled P1.4 trillion, higher by 1.17% from 2011 level. Main sources of growth were palay and corn where outputs went up by 8.08% and 6.25%, respectively.

Balita

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Editorial

Strong 2012 agriculture sector  performance

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Tempo

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Editorial

Strong 2012 agriculture sector performance

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Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Shellfish Bulletin No.3

Based on the latest lab results of the BFAR and LGUs, shellfishes collected at Dumanquillas Bay, and  Murcielagos Bay are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.

News Monitor February 11, 2013

 

Submitted by Adora D. Rodriguez/Arlhene Carro (DA-AFIS)

 

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Philippine Star

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Photo release

DA and UP recently forged a comprehensive and long-term partnership to modernize and further boost the global competitiveness of the country’s coconut industry.

Business Mirror

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Jonathan Mayuga

DAR, DENR to distribute Upals, titled timberlands

TheBondocPeninsulais being eyed as

a corn-production area under the

Convergence initiative of DA and DAR.

Business Mirror

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Ramon Efren Lazaro

DA, PhilRice finish golden rice trials in CamSur

DA-V and PhilRice have completed two seasons of multilocation field trials of so-called golden rice in Cam Sur province. The trials are part of the Golden Rice project of IRRI in working on with other leading nutrition and agricultural research organizations to develop and evaluate golden rice as a new way to reduce Vit. A deficiency in the country. 

Manila Bulletin

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Mike Crismundo

Fishery Assistance

A significant number of fishermen in this infant city in NE Mindanao is expected to benefit from multi-million peso equipment that their cooperative had received from DA.

Business World

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RJRP

Coconut oil exports surge as of January

Coconut oil exports nearly doubles as of last month as the global demand for the product continues to normalize. The volume of coconut oil exports increased by 81.35% to 115,186 MT in January 2013 from 63,517 MT reported in the same month last year. 

Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Niña Calleja

Coconut oil exports rose 81% in January

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Manila Bulletin

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Melody Aguiba

Disease resistant swine facility up

A P31-million swine genomic facility is being put up by BAI to identify disease resistance genes and other A P31-million swine genomic facility is being put up by BAI to identify disease resistance genes and other superior traits in animals and maximize revenue even fromPhilippinesnative breeds.

Manila Bulletin

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Irene Fernando

Going organic

The organic industry is set to boom further this year as DA aims to spend the entire P9.2 million budget allocated for organic farming in line with the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Delfin Mallari

Tillers decry Palace hold on coco levy

The task force created in 2011, composed of representatives from NAPC, PMS, PCA, DA, DAR and DBM, is tasked to study what to do with the coco levy fund and has no power to dispose of coco levy money.

Business Mirror

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Mayvelin Caraballo

NEDA eyes OFWs for job generation

The NEDA is targeting more OFWs for integration back to thePhilippines, through entrepreneurial programs to drive investments in the micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sector.  The report added that the website BaLinkBayan, or Business Advisory Link para sa Bayan provides link to DTI’s One-Town-One-Product program, as well as other community-level convergence programs of the DA, DAR and DENR.

Pilipino Mirror

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Monchet Laraño

Coconut oil ng Pinas patok sa US, Europa

Tumaaas ang shipment ng coconut oil noong Enero dahil sa lumaking pangangailangan ng suplay ng langis sa ibang bansa.  Ito ang inihayag ng UCAP matapos maitala ang 81.35% pagtaas sa pagsuplay ng langis mula sa niyog na 115, 186MT mula sa 63,517MT noong Enero 2012. 

Abante

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Jake Macasaet

Kung Sabagay: Export ng bigas? Paano ‘yun?

Si Pangulong Noynoy mismo ang nagsabi na kung hindi masalanta ng bagyo o mahabang tag-nit ang taniman ng palay magiging masagana sa bigas sa taong ito.  Baka nga magkaroon pa ng surplus para mag-export.  Hindi mangyayari iyan.  Kulang na nga sa bigas ang hungkag na tiyan ng mahihirap na Pilipino, mag-eexport pa? Ang bigas ay kaakibat ng pulitika.  Kaya nagbubulag-bulagan ang pamahalaan sa smuggling.  Basta sapat sa bigas at mura ang halaga, walang reklamo ang mahihirap.  Sila ang naghalal sa Pangulo.  Kailangan silang kuntento. 

People’s Tonight

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Vic Reyes

Tingnan Natin:  Mas mabigat na multa sa magtitinda ng ‘bocha’

Inaprubahan na sa pangatlo at final reading ang Senate Bill 3388 na nagtatakda ng mas mabigat na parusa sa  mga nagtitinda ng botcha sa Pilipinas.  Sa ilalim ng bill, mabibilanggo ng 12 taon at magmumulta ng P1M ang lalabag sa nasabing batas.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

News Monitor February 8, 2013

 

Submitted by Adora D. Rodriguez/Arlhene Carro (DA-AFIS)

 

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Business Mirror

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Photo Release:  DAR Sec. Virgilio delos Reyes, DA Sec. Alcala, Commission on Human Rights Chairman Rosales and NAPC Secretary Joel Rocamora pose with agrarian-reform beneficiaries from Quezon province’s Bondoc Peninsula on Wednesday.  De los Reyes distributed certificates of land ownership awards to the farmers, while Alcala distributed P33M worth of farm equipment and inputs.    

People’s Journal

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Gemi Formaran

Quezon farmers receive land titles

Around 800 land reform beneficiaries form eight of the 12 towns ofBondocPeninsulafinally received their Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOA) under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, in simple ceremonies held at the townplazaofMulanay, Quezon on Wednesday.  DA Sec. Alcala, on the other hand, turned over P30M worth of support services to various farmers’ organizations. 

People’s Tonight

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Gemi Formaran

Quezon farmers finally receive CLOAs, Php30-M aid

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Business Mirror

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Marvyn Benaning

Rice smuggling endangers govt’s self-sufficiency goal – grains group

Unless rice smuggling is minimized, the government’s goal to attain rice self-sufficiency will not be reached, the Philcon grains has warned.  The warning came after members of the organization complained that large stocks of palay in their warehouses are not moving as shipments of the staple had been unloaded in the ports ofCebuCity,DavaoCityand Cagayan de Oro City.  The fact is that the imported rice cargoes were unloaded last year.  Since November 2012, the NFA has not issued any import permit.  Thus the rice entering the market has not been authorized by the grains agency.   

TheManilaTimes

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Belly Otordoz

Peasant bloc hits plan to use coco levy funds

The militant group Pinag-isang Lakas ng mga Magbubukid sa Quezon (PIGLAS-Quezon) today assails the Aquino government’s plan to use the coco levy funds for what they called the bogus Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms.  Some 200 members of Piglas-Quezon held a protest on Wednesday during the visit in Mulanay, Quezon of DA Sec. Alcala and NAPC Chairman Joel Rocamora. 

The Daily Tribune

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PNA

DA offers low-cost loans to ‘Pablo’-hit farmers

The DA in Tagum, Davao del Norte has offered loans at lower interest rates to farmers and fisherfolk in two provinces in the Davao Region most devastated by typhoon “Pablo” on Dec. 4, 2012. 

Business Mirror

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AP Rimando

BFAR’s ban on sardine fishing leaves 35,000 workers jobless

Some 35,000 people, most of them local fish cannery employees, have become jobless after the BFAR ordered, since December 2012, a “closed season for fishing sardines” in the waters of Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Sulu. 

Business World

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Crop damage reporting system pushed

Davao del Norte is developing a standardized crop damage reporting system, which officials said would lead to appropriate interventions in times of calamity.  Such standardization is necessary in view of the difficulties encountered in the wake of typhoon Pablo, which left P3.5B in damage to the province’s agriculture sector. 

Philippine Daily Inquirer

 

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Michael Lim Ubac

Bypassed Cabinet members to be reappointed

 The appointment of NFA Administrator Orlan Calayag appeared to be in jeopardy after it was learned that he had a dual citizenship. Calayag assured Sec. Alcala that during his stewardship of the NFA, he would ensure that the country’s food security is protected and the prices of rice and corn will be stable.

Balita

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Light Nolasco

Gitnang Luzon, sapat sa bigas

Nakapagtala ang Gitnang Luzon ng 138% rice sufficiency level noong nakaraang taon kahit pa sinalanta ito ng matinding pag-ulan dulot ng hanging habagat.

Remate

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Seaweed production for seaweed farmers

A P1.9 million project rolled out by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in ARMM targets to assist up to 400 seaweed farmers in the coastal town ofParang, Maguindanao.

Malaya

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MMSU

A most versatile crop

Sweet sorghum, provides grains for human consumption and animal feed; stalks and leaves for animal fodder. The stalk also yields juice for fuel; ethanol.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Ernesto Ordoñez

Abaca’s unfulfilled potential

Since abaca originated in thePhilippinesand we are its global market leader, both the government and the private sector must now give abaca its full support so that it can attain its unfulfilled potential.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

News Monitor February 7, 2013

 

Submitted by Adora D. Rodriguez/Arlhene Carro (DA-AFIS)

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Business Mirror

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Photo Release:  DA Sec. Alcala turns over to Albay Gov. Salceda a mini tractor and 15 sets of pump engine for shallow tubes worth P9M.  The facilities are provided to a group of Albay farmers to help them increase their farm productivity and incomes. 

Business Mirror

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Jonathan Mayuga

Manila to start exporting 100,000MT of ‘heirloom’ rice within Q1- agri dept

ThePhilippineswill start exporting fancy rice to at least our countries within the first quarter of the year (Q1), according to DA Sec. Alcala.  Alcala said the buyers of fancy heirloom rice grown inMt.Provinceare Macau, Hongkong, some parts ofSaudi Arabiaand theUnited States.  He also said the target figure for the export within the first quarter is between 50,000Mt and 100,000MT. 

Manila Bulletin

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Ellayn de Vera

Heirloom rice

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Business Mirror

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Max de Leon

Ensure rice self-sufficiency this year, Alcala urges officials

DA Sec. Alcala recently gathered officials of his department, including those from the regions, and ordered them to achieve the government’s goal of attaining rice self-sufficiency.  He said that the President is confident that the goal will be achieved this year despite doubts raised by some sectors.   

Manila Standard-Today

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Maricel Cruz

Alcala hit over farm products smuggling

The pressure on DA Sec. Alcala mounted on Wednesday after the opposition bloc in the House of Representatives urged him to take a leave of absence as a result of what they called his failure to stop the smuggling of farm commodities including palm oil.  Rep. Danilo Suarez said the smuggling of rice and backstabbing of coconut farmers by the government agencies cannot happen if there is a true leadership at the DA.   He added that the sincerity of the DA Secretary with regard to the plight of farmers is now seriously in question by a graft case filed by former Mayor Ramon Talaga at the Ombudsman.     

TheManilaTimes

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Llanesca Panti

‘DA Secretary should take a leave over pending P3.5M graft charges’

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People’s Tonight

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Ryan Pacpaco

Opposition to Alcala: Take leave of absence

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TheManilaTimes

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James Galvez

Govt stops German poultry imports

The DA has temporarily suspended the importation of poultry and pother poultry products fromGermany, because of the occurrence of an outbreak of two separate strings of avian influenza.

Business World

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Bird flu ban

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Pilipino Mirror

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Monchet Laraño

Manok mula sa Germany bawal muna

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Business World

2/S1

 

Sugar block farms

Eight sugar block farms have been organized in N. Occidental following the signing of a memorandum of agreement between top officials of DAR and the Sugar Regulatory Administration. SRA aims to bring sugarcane farms to plantation size and be productive.

Balita

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Rommel Tabbad

Bigas sa Palawan, sapat – NFA

Umaabot na sa 119,017 sako ng bigas ang nakaimbak sa bodega ng ahensya sa lalawigan habang may 315,733 sako ng palay naman sa mga imbakan ng Narra, Brooke’s Point, Coron at Puerto Princesa.

Tempo

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Farmers hope for coconut windfall

According to PCA, supply is not the problem in thePhilippineswith 350 million coconut trees growing from the beaches up to its hills and yielding 15 billion fruits a year.

Business World 

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Foreign-backed project seeks to sustain coco oil production

A program to develop a certified coconut oil supply chain to enhance sustainability and improve the livelihoods of 2,500 coconut growers in thePhilippineshas been launched.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Ramon Tulfo

Gov’t looks weak in Sulu conflict

A certain Ramon Talaga Jr., who filed the case, said Alcala, then a congressman, misused P3.5 million of his Priority Development Assistance Fund by faking the signatures of beneficiaries of a project that provided livelihood to the poor farmers in Quezon. Why was the case filed only now when Alcala is about to make the country a rice exporter, which didn’t happen during the time of his predecessors at DA. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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