Recognizing the significant contribution of women in the field of agriculture, the Department of Agriculture-Caraga hosted the Women in Organic Agriculture in Asia – in the Philippines (WOAAPhils) 2nd National Congress.
The Congress was held in Surigao City and was attended by farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs, organic farming advocates, and other women who are involved in organic agriculture.
The WOAA-Phils National Congress serves as an avenue for selected outstanding women to share their initiatives, projects, and stories of their organic agriculture journey.
In a message, Senator Cynthia Villar, a WOAA-Phils Ambassador, said that organic agriculture is a big help to farmers because it is not only less costly but it is also environment-friendly. She also
emphasized the importance of empowering women in agriculture so that they help provide for the needs of their family.
On the other hand, National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP) Director Bernadette San Juan said that the WOAA-Phils upholds the critical role of women in regenerating the environment through organic agriculture.
She also added that women in the WOAA-Phils have powerful stories of resilience, stewardship, and leadership in bringing safer food to our tables and advocating for a healthier mother earth.
Among the Resource Speakers for this year’s Congress was Sibagat, Agusan Del Sur Municipal Vice Mayor Maria Liza Evangelista who shared on their town’s Innovation and Initiatives in Territorial-Wide Asse-Based Sustainable Development Investment
Master Plan. Evangelista shared their town’s implementation of organic agriculture initiatives towards a sustainable growth and development.
Another Resource Speaker was the National Winner of 2023 Search for Outstanding Rural Woman, Mylin Tayapad from the Northern Mindanao Region. She narrated how her organic agriculture journey has helped her to hurdle and overcome the hardships she faced, from her health to her family life.
The WOAA - Phils is an organization that commits to contribute in the promotion and expansion of organic agriculture in the country. It was established back in 2019 by 12 founding members coming from regions 10 and 13. Today, the group has expanded with members coming from all over the country.
To boost the campaign on animal welfare in line with the observance of Rabies Awareness Month, the DA-Caraga conducted a Media Briefing on RA 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act on March 14 at the DA Conference Hall in Butuan City.
The activity, which aimed at highlighting the role of pet owners and LGUs according to RA 8485, is crucial in the achievement of a rabies free region and the country as a whole.
Animal Welfare Coordinator Dr. Jeanette Romero emphasized that responsible pet ownership extends beyond giving a holistic approach to animal welfare. This includes getting pets vaccinated against the rabies virus. Hence, she urged the public to protect their pets by prioritizing the timely administration of anti-rabies vaccinations.
“We urge the public to have their pets vaccinated against the rabies virus to create a safer environment for ourselves, our families, and the communities,” Dr. Romero said.
Regional Executive Director Arlan M. Mangelen also urge everyone to treat animals humanely by giving them proper housing, nutrition, disease prevention, and treatment, among others.
“In this rabies awareness month, I would like to emphasize that animals are as important as people because animals have lives too. They have a specific purpose, the same way as people do. As pet owners, we should be responsible” he said.
To strengthen the protection and promotion of the welfare of animals, Dr. Romero announced that Caraga Region is geared
towards strengthening the Animal Welfare Enforcement Officers in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) in enforcing the Animal Welfare Act.
DA-Caraga has recognized media partnership an effective way of reaching a mass audience to disseminate relevant information about rabies eradication to bolster protection and prevention efforts.
Director Mangelen expresses hope in creating a harmonious relationship with the media partners to deliver reliable information to the masses.
Thousands of Butuanons and Agusanons flocked to avail government assistance as the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) showcased hundreds of free programs and services. More than 50 government agencies joined in a two-day event on March 22-23, at the Caraga State University (CSU), Ampayon, Butuan City.
The BPSF is a one-stop shop serbisyo fair of major government services to marginalized Filipinos.
As one of the participating agencies, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga including its attached agencies and bureaus distributed over P39 million worth of agricultural products such as
STORY BY LOVELY JOY L. SALUDEZvegetable seeds, mushroom fruiting bags, planting materials, drugs and biologics, and reading materials.
Different services were also put in place such as facilitation of the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) updating of Farmers’ Records, Enrollment in Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Information System (FFEDIS), Civil Society Organization (CSO) accreditation of Farmers Beneficiaries.
Moreover, local farmers and Micro, Small, and Medium, Enterprises (MSMEs) exhibitors showcased various agricultural goods and products at a low price in the
Kadiwa ng Pangulo.
In addition, DA-Caraga turned-over various agri-machinery and equipment to the Farmers’ Cooperative and Associations (FCAs) in Butuan City and Agusan del Norte.
Newly installed DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Arlan M. Mangelen together with Regional Technical Director for Operations Rebecca R. Atega, Field Operations Divison Chief Melody M. Guimary headed the turn-over of a total of P2.5 million worth of five units Pump Irrigation System for open-source, one unit of Cassava Grater and Presser, and one unit of Rice Combine
Association Inc., Balang-Balang Farmers Association, and Federation of Cabadbaran Irrigators’ and Farmers Association Inc. were some of the beneficiaries.
Ian Jose M. Del Calzada, Chairperson of the Cabadbaran City Corn Growers Agriculture Cooperative who received one unit Pump Irrigation System and one unit of Combine Rice Harvester expressed his gratefulness to DA for the assistance.
The Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) also provided P14.4 million worth of rice seeds under RCEF.
The jam-packed engagement was led by House Speaker Martin Romualdez together with Governor Maria Angelica Rosedell M. Amante and Agusan del Norte’s 1st and 2nd District Representatives Jose Aquino III and Dale Corvera respectively.
Harvester to the Rural Improvement Club of Barangay San Mateo Incorporated, Sumilihon-Taguibo Farmers Association, Talo-Ao Womens Farmer Association, ManingalaoLingayao Agriculture Cooperative, La Gracia Farmers Agriculture Cooperative, and Cabadbaran City Corn Growers Agriculture Cooperative.
On the other hand, through the Philippine Center for Post-harvest Mechanization and Development (DA-PhilMech) distributed a total of P20.2 million worth of Four-Wheel Drive Tractors and Combine Harvesters under the RCEF Mechanization Component. The Anislag-Bilay Farmers Irrigators’
“We have always been thankful to the DA for letting us, experience the convenience of farm mechanization. These will be a big help in boosting our rice production,” Calzada uttered.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) distributed over P2.2 million worth of Food Production and Livelihood Project Inputs and Technical Assistance.
In his message, Romualdez said that no one will be left behind in reaping the fruits of a developing nation.
“We want to make you feel the love of President Marcos through this Serbisyo Caravan. We will bring government services to you, just as the President has promised. Everyone is included in the pursuit of progress,” he said.
Agri farm machinery and equipment are turned over to the Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) in Butuan City and Agusan del Norte to enhance farm productivity and become efficient in their operations.
As the nation celebrated National Women’s Month in March, the Department of Agriculture Caraga joined the commemoration with a series of activities starting with an opening program on March 1, at the DA-Caraga, Covered Court in Butuan City.
This year’s National Women’s Month celebration carried the sub-theme, “Lipunang Patas sa Bagong Pilipinas; Kakayahan ng Kababaihan, Patutunayan!”, which resonated deeply with the commitment to championing the rights and capabilities of women.
In recognition of the valuable role that women play, a series of activities were conducted such as a blood-letting activity and games. In addition, all divisions installed booths wherein women-owned businesses were displayed to introduce and promote their products and various services, and
a free taste of healthy food was also prepared. Moreover, the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita partnerfarmers joined the celebration and displayed their fresh farm produce.
The DA Gender and Development (DA-GAD) program organized a Gender Sensitivity and Safe Spaces Act Orientation among the employees which is scheduled from March until April 8, 2024.
In her message, Regional Technical Director for Operations Rebecca R. Atega recognized and thanked all the women working in the agriculture sector emphasizing its huge role for development not just in the corporate setting but also in all spheres of society.
“This women’s month, let us celebrate the remarkable strength of a woman, the courage, the persistence. May we continue to support each other. DA-Caraga is
very much supportive of creating a comfortable and safe space for women, to work together with men, and to make a transformation and development at work, home, church, and in the community,” she said.
Based on the data from the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), 46.60% of the labor force in the agriculture sector in the Caraga Region are females.
“Considering the population of females in agriculture, certainly, they will make a big contribution towards development if they are given the needed support,” Atega added.
Shiela Maglines of Brgy. Nongnong, Butuan City who was hailed as the Regional Winner of the Search for Outstanding Rural Women in 2023 believes that despite to unequal access to
FARMER’S FIELD DAY | Around 162 rice farmers from different barangay of Butuan City joined the Farmer’s Field Day of Biofertilizer Technology Demonstration at Baan, Butuan City on March 22.
The project is a collaboration of the Department of Agriculture-Caraga through the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP) and the local government unit of Butuan through the City Agriculture Office.
The techno demo started last December 2023, participated by 12 private biofertilizer companies.
Biofertilizer is a biological preparation of efficient microorganisms that promotes plant growth by improving nutrient acquisition, enhancing soil productivity by fixing atmospheric nitrogen, solubilizing soil phosphorus, and stimulating plant growth.
Edwin C. Alwag, one of the project-cooperator sees the activity as a window to gain insights to improve their livelihood.
“Thank you very much for the
FROM PAGE 6 DA-Caraga Support Women... resources, women in agriculture often confront formidable obstacles on their journey, but they persevere, their spirits unbroken, and their resolve unwavering.
“It is an honor to be one of the women who toil the fields, nurturing soil and cultivating crops that sustain us all,” she said.
Maglines also extends her gratefulness to the DA for
opportunity given to us, the farmers, to learn and to help us increase our harvest and even more,” he said enthusiastically.
The demonstration aims to showcase the impact of biofertilizers as an alternative to inorganic fertilizers and to promote balanced fertilization at a lesser cost.
The participating companies were BioPrime Agri-Industries Inc., Envireau Pacific Inc. (EPI Phil),
Unigrow Phil., Agri Growth International Corporation, Classique Herbs Corporation CHC Agritech, Smart Harvest AgriScience Corp, Ahcil Laboratories Inc., Sagrex Corporation, Aldiz Inc., Inavet Nutrition Technologies, ADAMCO (Ada Manufacturing Corp.), and Aktiv Multi Trading Co. Phils. Inc.
recognizing her role in the agricultural sector.
“May we reaffirm our commitment to supporting and empowering women in the field of agriculture and every other field of work. Let us create opportunities to build a future where every woman has an opportunity to thrive, where gender equality is not just a goal but a reality,” she added.
