A Monthly DA-RFO8 E-Newsletter
Vol. II Series of 2018
Sec. Piñol to Leyte District 5 Farmers, Fisherfolk: I consider Leyte as my second province “This is my advocacy – to touch the lives of the poor people. I know that you want to hear what the government could give you,” Secretary Emmanuel “Manny” F. Piñol exhorted during the Dialogue with Agri-Fishery Stakeholders of Leyte District 5 in one of his Biyaheng Bukid sorties in Eastern Visayas on April 11, 2018.
Around 1,000 farmers, fisherfolk and other stakeholders from the Local Government Units of Abuyog, Bato, Baybay, Hindang, Hilongos, Inopacan, Javier, Mahaplag and Matalom trooped to Baybay City Gymansium to share their issues and concerns relative to agri-fishery production in the countryside. The Secretary immediately responded to the queries and
approved some requests, subject for validation by the concerned agencies. The activity was also highlighted with the turnover of agricultural interventions to the municipalities of Leyte District 5, amounting to Php46 million which vary from inputs such as (Go to page 5)
Burauen farmers receive farm equipment under YRRP The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 8 (DARFO 8 ) through its Yolanda Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program (YRRP) distributed farm implements and other agricultural inputs to six (6) Farmers’ Associations (FAs) in Burauen, Leyte on March 2, 2018 at the Burauen Community Center. A total of P 7,411,631 worth of farm equipment including corn mills, corn shellers, hand tractors, 4WD Tractors, floating tillers, rice reapers, rice threshers, pump and engines, and many others have been given to the said FA-beneficiaries. LGU-Burauen with their Municipal Mayor, Hon. Juanito Renomeron accessed the fund under the 2016 YRRP.
have discipline and trust among themselves so that their association will be sustained and developed
Meanwhile, YRRP focal person, Mr. Rolando B. Hipe During the event, Mayof DA-RFO 8, graced the said or Renomeron thanked the event. DA for helping the LGU and its farmers to avail brand new In his message, Mr. Hipe farm equipment. emphasized the LGU’s hard work in accomplishing all the “It is a huge help for our farmrequirements to access its ers since all these intervenYRRP fund. tions will be of great use to increase our agricultural pro“I commend all of you for duction,” he said. helping us deliver all these Likewise, he under- interventions. It’s a two-way scored that farmers should effort, and the DA can only 2
do so much. This would not be possible without your LGU’s effort in complying all the required documents,” he stressed. The six (6) FA-beneficiaries are the Patong Rice Farmers’ Association, Nuestra Sra. de Asuncion Farmers’ Association, Paitan Farmers’ Association, Sr. San Jose Farmers’ Association, San Antonio de Padua Farmers’ Association, and Burauen Malitbog Farmers-Irrigators Association.
In a Year’s Time, Farmers Affirm SAAD Program’s Huge Help
SAAD or Special Areas for Agricultural Development is a strategy of the Department of Agriculture to look at the weaknesses of an area in terms of potentials for food production and livelihood programs. It intends to alleviate poverty through increased food production and productivity in the target areas by providing the appropriate technology, financing, marketing and other support services in order to make the famers and fisherfolk productive and profitable. The Project is targeting individuals, families and organized farmers and fisherfolk, in the target areas.
Joel P. Agalon is an unassuming tenant–farmer tilling two (2) parcels of rice land at Brgy. MacArthur, Lavezares, Northern Samar. One hectare, which he rents on pasaka basis, was planted with a cavan of PSB Rc300 seeds and fertilized with inputs provided by SAAD Program (3 sacks complete fertilizer, 2 sacks urea, 1 sack Muriate of Potash, and 6 sacks organic fertilizer); while the other 1½ ha., also on pasaka, was planted with seeds and fertilizers he procured on his own. Pasaka is a system by which a landowner rents out a parcel of land to a tenant, and upon harvest of the crops, proceeds are equally divided among the owner, tenant, and tillers, net of expenses incurred in planting, threshing, and harvesting. 3
During the recent visit of the monitoring team from DA–Special Projects Coordination and Monitoring Division (SPCMD), SAAD Program NPMSO, and RPMSO, Mr. Agalon, in behalf of the 42 other farmer–beneficiaries who are members of the MacArthur Farmers’ Association, expressed his appreciation and gratitude to program management for the substantial assistance it provided them. He said, even if he and his fellow farmers engage in vegetable gardening and copra production, coupled with their rice farms, the income they earn from these various endeavors is still not enough to support their families. But with the windfall from SAAD Program, it could surely earn for them a bountiful harvest, thereby ensuring more than average income, not to mention, seeds for the next cropping season.
The sentiments of Mr. Agalon were echoed by other farmers whom the monitoring team visited in their farms during the tour to SAAD Program areas, to wit: 1. Marivic Tomada, President of the Rural Improvement Club of Brgy. Libas, Lavezares, N. Samar that count 35 as members, is a beneficiary of the swine fattening project. Each member was provided with 3 piglets, 4.5 bags Pigrolac starter feeds, and 2.5 bags grower feeds as starting capital for a viable backyard hog–raising venture. A related training will still be administered to them. 2. Cesar E. Mabini, President of the Uswag Pequit Association of Brgy. Pequit, Paranas, Samar, is engaged in peanut production, together with 64 other members. The multi–cultivator provided by the program is a boon to their farming activity because they will no longer plow the soil conventionally, and it is faster because 4 days plowing by carabao will only take 1 day using the equipment. 3. Couple Florita & Antonieto Abarratigue of Brgy. Pabanog, Paranas, Samar, are among 34 recipients of the rice production enhancement project. They learned about the program through DSWD’s 4Ps Program’s Family Development Session and through MAO Romelo Anade. They are
particularly thankful that they were given the right variety they needed, NSIC Rc300, because local rice varieties do not yield much, especially when not enough fertilizer is added.
Florita & Antonieto Abarratigue of Brgy. Pabanog, Paranas, Samar.
4. Belen Abaincia Samar of Brgy. Panayuran, Calbiga, Samar was provided with 46 ube plantlets by the program, which the 43 other members of Panayuran Upland Farmers’ Association (PUFA) also received. They planted the materials in December 2017 and, as of monitoring time, the cultured plantlets seemed not to have adapted well to the steep, hilly environment. 5. Rufino Habagat, Jr. is currently President of the Sta. Margarita Farmers’ Association (SMFA) in Brgy. Sta. Margarita, Quinapondan, Eastern Samar. He, together with 35 member–beneficiaries of the group, took time to sit down with the monitoring team for an interview. The farmers’ tilling area ranges from ½ to 1 hectare, and yields an average of 15–20 cavans palay per harvest. With the program interventions, they hope to at least double their 4
harvest because of complete agricultural inputs. 6. Luzviminda Pabello and Francisco Baello of Brgy. Bagte, Quinapondan, Eastern Samar are among the 15 beneficiaries of the goat production project who were each provided with 3 goats (1 male and 2 females) on December 20, 2017. Goat mortality was high among the population due to orf virus, which the Municipal/Provincial Veterinarian were not able to manage anymore due to late reporting. Nevertheless, they are grateful for this alternative livelihood assistance, which will afford them with additional income from traditionally grown rootcrops and vegetables, and copra farming. 7. The last two farmers monitored, Glenelyn V. Borja of Brgy. Binalay, and Alfredo Amoyan of Brgy. San Isidro, both of Gen. MacArthur, Quinapondan, Eastern Samar, were subjects of a previously published article entitled, SAAD Program: A Beacon of Hope for Marginalized Farmers. Luzviminda Pabello. One of the beneficiaries of the goat production project
(Continuation of Sec. Piñol to Leyte District 5 Farmers, Fisherfolk...) seeds, planting materials, fertilizers; drugs and biologics; farm equipment, machinery and diversion dam, among others. Program interventions worth Php5.7 million were also committed for the different municipalities. In addition, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-8, Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority and
Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, handed-over fiber glass boats, abaca planting materials, and indemnity checks. Also present in the said event were Congressman Jose Carlos L. Cari, Mayor Carmen L. Cari of LGU Baybay, Mayor Leonardo M. Javier, Jr. of LGU Javier, Mayor Albert R.
RE-LAUNCHING THE FARMER-RED As part of the 2018 Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month celebration, the DA RFO 8 in coordination with RAFC-8, implements
the Farmer-Director program anew. astern Samar’s Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council (PAFC) Chair, Mr. Inocencio R. 5
Villahermosa of LGU Hilongos, Board Member Emmanuel Gacis who represented Leyte Governor, Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla, Regional Executive Director Cipriano G. Santiago of DA RFO 8 and other heads or representatives of DA attached agencies.
Morallos will sit as this year’s Farmer-Director for Region 8. Director Morallos vows to serve as link between the LGUs and marginalized farmers to enhance agri-fishery development in the countryside.
“It’s not enough to be intelligent. They [leaders] should have good values and the right attitude.” - Dr. Wolfreda Alesna
WOLFREDA: Leading the Pack “I never wanted to be a leader,” and Rural Development, Inc. said Dr. Wolfreda T. Alesna. (ViFARD, Inc.) from 2005 up to the present, Dr. Alesna Who would have thought sure was born to lead. Only, you’d hear this from someshe doesn’t believe in that one who has been a leader all cliche. throughout her professional life? “Anyone can be a leader… and real leaders are Head of Visayas State chosen and made,” she University’s Department of confidently said. “I didn’t Development Communicaaspire to become a leader, tion (DDC) for 13 years and but I was chosen, so I had to of the Information Office for be one.” nine years, Coordinator of the Regional Applied ComA graduate of BS in Business munication Office (RACO) Administration major in of the Visayas Consortium Banking and Finance from for Agriculture, Aquatic the Southwestern University and Resources Program in Cebu City in 1973, where, (ViCAARP) for 30 years and as a working student, she Executive Director of the Visca was secretary to the uniFoundation for Agricultural versity registrar. Dr. Alesna 6
pursued her Master’s and PhD degree in Development Communication at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños and graduated in 1979 and 1987, respectively. Since then, she has untiringly dedicated her life to serving the VSU and the ViCAARP as Coordinator of the Regional Communication and Training Unit (RCTU) now renamed Knowledge Management Unit (KMU). As RCTU Coordinator, she organized the Region Eight Applied Communication Task Force (REACTF) in June 1986 and closely worked with the applied communicators from Consortium member agencies/institutions in support of the programs of the Consortium and its
cooperating agencies until she retired in December 2017. She values commitment and loyalty, and highlighted that one should never forget the people and institution that made him/her.
was not any of them that she prized the most.
people who will support the development programs of the government. “The greatest [reward] for me “I want them to grow like me, from being a clerk to becomis the knowledge that many people, especially the REACTF ing a professor. It doesn’t matmembers, support me as their ter how you started, just give your all,” she added. leader. It was easy for me to Dr. Alesna became project run the show because I know and study leaders of varithat I have my members’ sup- When asked about the secrets on becoming an effective leadous research and extension port and, of course, the head er, Dr. Alesna answered: activities of the university, of the agencies/institutions’ funded by local, national and support,” Dr. Alesna said. She It’s not enough to be even international agencies specially mentioned the active intelligent. They [leaders] should have good values such as the USAID and Aussupport given by the Departand the right attitude. They Aid, among others. She has ment of Agriculture-Regionshould be selfless, decisive yet published and produced sev- al Field Office No. 8 through compassionate. Also, a leader eral materials in print, radio the Regional Agriculture and and digital, including the Fisheries Information Division does not compete with his/her members but help them,” she VSU Obelisk, ViCAARP High(DA-RAFID) from the organilights, and the ViCARP Tezation of the REACTF in 1987 added. knoPinoy Disc which contains until now. “Give them [staff] the voice, popularized research and development technologies/ Even with all the prestige she empower them, train them. Look at their strengths and information. She was also has acquired in her life, Dr. happy to announce that the Alesna is still humbled about weaknesses. Strengthen them and fill in their weaknesses so said disc will soon be availhow she started and how far able online, with the help of she has been from her starting that when you’re gone, there would be many who can fill in the KMU-Regional Managepoint. your absence,” she quipped. ment Information Services “I only asked for less, but God Coordinator, so that it could Dr. Alesna is currently gave me more. I only asked be shared to the world. enjoying her well-earned for a BS [Bachelor’s Degree], retirement since December but He [God] gave me a PhD Dr. Alesna has brought of 2017. In April, during VSU’s [Doctor of Philosophy]. I only home several recognitions asked for a decent, stable job 94th founding anniversary, she including the Exemplary will be receiving the Mt. Pan[clerk], but I became a proAward for Extension in 1996, fessor,” I was then thinking gasugan Award in recognition Outstanding RACO Coordithat maybe the Lord wants of her 42 years of dedicated nator Award in 2001, Academe to do more. So, I tried to service and priceless contrimician of the Year Award in learn more so that I could give butions to the development of 2003, and the UPLB-Alumni more, said Dr. Alesna VSU. Association Distinguished Alumna Award in 2008, She added that those Indeed, Dr. Alesna has proved among others. blessings drove her to share to the world that women can her knowledge and expertise conquer greater heights with But among all the awards she and build up people especially determination, passion and has received in her 42 years those with ability and capabil- the desire to make a differof service to the academe, it ity so that there will be more ence. Salute to all women! 7
CACAO LAVEZARES: THE NEXT BIG THING Cacao, is known to be the “food of the Gods” because its scientific name Theobroma cacao is derived from the Greek word Theos, which means God, and broma which means food. A quick throwback to the Mayan and Aztec civilization would tell that this crop was used as a royal treat for the Gods. They regarded cacao as a sacred plant and its beans were valued as currency. But there’s someone in our region who has taken on the challenge of nurturing cacao, and royalty concerns aside, Dr. Raul Destura and his family is well on a chocolate business enterprise aptly called, ‘Cacao Lavezares.’
Complete Package A physician by profession, Dr. Raul is the president of the Cacao Lavezares. He graduated at the University of Sto. Tomas with the course Microbiology, pursued Medicine at the De La Salle University, and specialized in internal medicine in Infectious diseases at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. He then took up a Master’s Degree in Business Administration at the Ateneo de Manila University. This cacao venture appears unlikely in his career path. But according to business circles, the chocolate venture is the first well-established busi8
ness in the province of Northern Samar, with strong emphasis on social entrepreneurship, because it takes into account the importance of human resource development and the environment. “We created Cacao Lavezares as a social entrepreneurship where we give importance to human resource, environment and profitability. We designed it in a way that would allow our business to flourish without jeopardizing the environment and our people,” Dr. Raul said. 4 Pillars of Cacao Lavezares Four pillars serve as pedestals to Dr. Raul’s chocolate business.
First is the “Cacao Lavezares Farms”, located in Lavezares, Northern Samar. Its primary objective is to empower cacao farmers in the province. Here farmers are given the technical expertise in cacao production. “We bring the latest technologies on post-harvest and processing through the provision of technical assistance even as early as raw material development,” the doctor said. Second, the creation of the “Chocolate Academy - Cacao Lavezares School for Chocolates, located in Marikina City. Third is the “Cacao Lavezares Confiserie,” a chocolate shop showcasing the best chocolate treats using Samarenos’ cacao.
Going Back to the Roots When asked “Why cacao?”, Dr. Raul explained that his burning passion for cacao mirrors a representation of his family and the whole Province of Northern Samar. The doctor belongs to a family of farmers with his father, Dr. Pedro Destura, himself also a farmer who has cultured cacao since he was young.
Dr. Raul acknowledges: “I owe everything to my parents. They molded us to be who we are now.”
“It reminds me of happiness and home. When we were young, my parents used to make tableya at home which is our favorite drink every morning. Every time I smell tableya, it reminds me of my family,” he added.
From a gardener/farmer, the older doctor went on to become President of the University of the Eastern Philippines.
Lastly, the “Cacao Lavezares Educational Foundation for Children of Farmers.” This project aims to give educational scholarship support for cacao farmers’ children in the province who want to take up agri-related courses. “We feel that the best way to give back to our farmers is to give their children educational support but not on a monetary basis,” Dr. Raul said. He said with this initiative, farmers will be able to improve their lives and get themselves out of the cycle of poverty, and that the province will have a community of knowledgeable and empowered individuals.
Starting from Left : Mr. Jesus Legaspi, Mr. Rami Garado, Dr. Raul Destura, Mr. Willie Madjus, Dr. Francisco Dayap, Dr. Pedro Destura, and the chocolatiers.
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www.da08.da.gov.ph da8.rafis@gmail.com 321-0023 / (053) 832 - 0813