Cradling hands, nurturing heart

Baras MAFC Chairperson Oropesa shares how she was inspired to persevere in 

reaching out to their remote town at the awarding ceremony for the 2015 Search for 

Outstanding Rural Women.

“It is an honor to be a woman. We play a big role in shaping our nation,” said Baras MAFC Chairperson Luzviminda Oropesa as she encouraged women to take part in nation-building.

An awardee of the prestigious 2015 Search for Outstanding Rural Women of the Department of Agriculture, Chairperson Oropesa endeavored in promoting organic agriculture through setting up a demo farm with her own resources.

Her passion for agriculture started when she was with Nicua-Leyte Ironsand Corporation as corporate social responsibility officer prior to her retirement. 

“I was tasked to manage soil rehabilitation work of mined areas in Leyte. I realized that there is more to it than just soil rehabilitation work, so, right after my retirement, I went back to my hometown in Baras, Catanduanes and started agricultural development projects,” she recalled.

It was in 2011 that she decided to develop her 3.3-hectare farm, “What we eat should holistically nurture us. However, majority of the foods available in the market today are heavily mixed with fertilizers and pesticides that could harm us. So I decided to go organic and grow my family’s own food.”

Chairperson Oropesa imparts her knowledge in agriculture to the other 

members of her community.

But it didn’t end with her family as she also started sharing her knowledge in organic farming within her community because she believes that “through organic agriculture, every farmer would become sustainable.”

My heart is always with the small community of Baras. It is where I was born, it is where I was raised and it is where I would spend the rest of my life. It feels great when I wake up to simple living each morning. Agriculture makes me appreciate my Creator more,” she shared.

Her vision

Last July, the Outstanding Rural Women awardee was elected as MAFC Chairperson in Baras, Catanduanes.

Being new to the council, she aims to establish a good partnership with the Baras local government unit (LGU).

“I hope that the LGU will understand that we are their partners towards agricultural development,” she said.

She also envisions that someday, more families will engage in farming: “Our farmers are already old, I hope that their children will continue their parents’ endeavors in tilling the land where they were born.”

Her mission

“Everyone was born with a mission. Mine is to help farmers improve the quality of their lives,” Chairperson Oropesa said.

She believes that changing one’s mindset is the first step towards development.

“What the farmers needed was someone to guide them, thus I opened my farm so they could learn from it and I could learn from them. That’s how the Happy Farmers Producers Integrated and Livelihood Association, Inc., or HAFPILAINC Farm, started. It aims to empower responsible and sustainable rural farmers” she emphasized.

“Women have the hands that rocks our country’s cradle and have the heart that nurtures with patience. It is our mission to make life beautiful,” she underscored.

PCAF hosts 4th Halal inter-agency meeting

In support to the development and promotion of the Philippine Halal Industry, the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) hosted the 4^th Halal Inter-agency Meeting spearheaded by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) on September 2, 2015 at the PCAF Apacible Conference Room A. Among the government bodies represented at the meeting were the Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Foreign Affairs, National Economic Development Authority, Department of Science and Technology, and the Bureau of Customs, as well as other stakeholders from some local government units, the private sector and the academe. The NCMF, led by Commissioner Edilwasif Baddiri, reported on updates on the commission’s plans and activities on Halal. The NCMF’s presentations included the stakeholders’ comments on the proposed Philippine Halal logo, local ordinances on Halal, the draft Terms of Reference on the Promotion and Development of the Philippine Halal Industry, and the draft proposal on the Procedures for Recognition of Foreign Halal Certification Bodies. Presentations were also rendered on the Halal Hub by the Department of Tourism, the Zamboanga Special Economic Zone, and Halal Programs by the Province of Palawan and by the City of Tanauan. The NCMF serves as the lead agency in Halal programs mandated under Republic Act No. 9997 to “promote and develop the Philippine Halal Industry and accredit Halal certifying entities/bodies for the utmost benefit of Muslim Filipinos and in partnership or cooperation with appropriate agencies, individuals and institutions here and abroad.”

source: http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2015/inter-agency.php

PCAF creates Full-Time Delivery Unit, conducts workshop

Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 46 series of 2015, the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) established a Full-time Delivery Unit (FDU) to enhance program and project implementation as well as budget utilization. The FDU is chaired by PCAF Executive Director Ariel Cayanan with the operating unit heads as members. The FDU will review all performance measurements of each program, identify potential constraints, undertake data analysis and historical trends, and facilitate smooth implementation of the agency’s programs. A workshop on the implementation of the FDU was also conducted last August 12-15 in Angeles City, Pampanga. In July, PCAF Exec. Dir. Cayanan issued a memorandum directing all units of the agency to submit program status reports to the FDU every first Monday of the month starting August 3, 2015.

Source: http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2015/full-time.php

PCAF, BPI launch upgraded pesticide residue laboratories; grateful for at Japan’s 2KR program

DA Assistant Secretary for Regulation and BPI OIC Director Paz Benavidez II (third from left) and Japan First Secretary for Agriculture Kenji Terada (second from left), assisted by PCAF Exec. Dir. Ariel Cayanan and DA Records Division Chief Dennis Arpia, unveil the marker of the 2KR-assisted project entitled “Upgrading of Pesticide Residue Laboratories” on July 30 at the National Pesticide Analytical Laboratory in Quezon City.

In a short program, the Japan 2KR-assisted project entitled “Upgrading of Pesticide Residue Laboratories” that covers facilities in Quezon City and Davao was launched on July 30 at the National Pesticide Analytical Laboratory (NPAL) - Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) in Diliman, Quezon City.

In her opening message, Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Regulation and BPI Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Director Paz Benavidez II shared the agency’s aim for NPAL and the Davao Pesticide Analytical Laboratory to be top-notch facilities for pesticide formulation and residue analysis.

“Now, we are better equipped to face new challenges such as implementing the Food Safety Act and meeting standards in screening agricultural commodities including Japan’s positive list system,” she added.

Meanwhile, BPI Plant Product Safety Services Division OIC Maria Lourdes de Mata presented the accomplishment of the project as of June 30, 2015. She shared that through the project, necessary equipment, such as Liquid Chromatograph and Gas Chromatograph both with tandem mass spectrometer and Gas Chromatograph with mass spectrometer, were installed in the two laboratories.

They also conducted trainings to familiarize the staff on the use, maintenance and troubleshooting of the said equipment.

On the other hand, Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) Executive Director Ariel Cayanan emphasized that the agency will continue to strengthen its participatory and collaborative mechanisms to achieve a globally competitive and sustainable agriculture sector.

“We do hope that these laboratory facilities will be able to create more opportunities to support more Filipinos in the years to come,” PCAF Exec. Dir. Cayanan stressed.

As mentioned by Japan First Secretary for Agriculture Kenji Terada, Japan is one of the biggest importers of Philippine agricultural produce, such as mango and okra. He also underscored the importance of producing safe food for everyone.

With the installation of upgraded equipment at the pesticide analytical laboratories in Quezon City and Davao, “we are assured that mango and okra that are exported to Japan have passed meticulous and stringent standard,” said First Secretary Terada.

He also hopes that through the upgraded laboratory facilities, the Philippines will be able to ensure its compliance to international food safety standards as it also exports its agricultural goods to other countries such as the ASEAN and US markets.

Representing BPI Assistant Director Dante Fidel, BPI Crop Pest Management Division OIC Wilma Cuaterno thanked the Japanese government, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and PCAF for making the said project possible.

“The assistance you gave us will truly strengthen the foundation of our institutional mechanisms ensuring that the Philippines will be able to compete better in the context of globalization of agricultural trade,” she said.

She also challenged the BPI Plant Safety Services Division staff to do their best in protecting the interest of their stakeholders as she closed the program.

The ceremonial unveiling of the project marker and a tour on the laboratory facilities followed after the short opening program.

AFC leaders complete training course on social mobilization

In its pursuit to enhance the competencies of the secretariat and the overall operations of the Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFCs), the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) held a series of area-wide Facilitation Skills Training for AFC Coordinators starting this March.

The first batch that received training last March 16-18 in Pampanga was composed of 24 AFC Coordinators from the regional and provincial levels and staff from some RAFC Offices from Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, 4B and the Cordilleras.

A total of 103 AFC volunteer-leaders from the 16 regions learned the necessary skills on mobilizing their respective communities during the four-part series of the Training Course on Social Mobilization cum AFC Orientation.

“Social mobilization is an essential key of community development and people empowerment,” Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) Executive Director Ariel Cayanan emphasized as he closed the series of Training on the Basics of Social Mobilization cum Orientation for Agricultural and Fishery Council (AFC) leaders.

Participated by a total of 103 AFC leaders from the 16 regions, the training series was conducted in Cagayan de Oro City for the Mindanao cluster last June 8-12; Dauis, Bohol for the Visayas cluster last June 16-20; Batangas City for the Luzon B cluster last June 29-July 3; and, Baguio City for the Luzon A cluster last July 7-11.

The training aimed to enable AFC leaders and members to recognize the importance of social mobilization in building stronger and more sustainable AFCs and to mobilize support from key stakeholders.

It also envisioned to enhance their commitment, build team spirit and increase appreciation for social mobilization, networking and alliance-building.

In her opening message in Cagayan de Oro City, PCAF Deputy Executive Director Florabelle Uy-Yap explained that “the training is designed especially to revitalize, nurture and maximize the community of AFCs nationwide, particularly your commitment towards development and the spirit of volunteerism that you imbibe.”

Gracing the four-part series of training for the AFC volunteer leaders, PCAF Exec. Dir. Ariel Cayanan welcomes the participants of the training series and thanked them for their commitment to help champion the needs of the Filipino farmers and fisherfolk.

Meanwhile, Exec. Dir. Cayanan, said in his closing message that he is “deeply glad that this training has truly re-energized your dedication and fervor to be of service to your fellow farmers and fishers who are, sadly, considered the poorest sectors in our society today.”

The training focused on the following approaches: (1) Promoting Choice and Voice; (2) Discovering Champions; (3) Building High Performing AFC Teams; (4) Making Change Happen; (5) Building Social Capital; and (6) Leveraging for Success.

The participants were also oriented on the AFC Volunteer’s Manual to enable them to perform their task and responsibilities affiliated to their positions as volunteers and carry out their functions competently. A commitment-setting activity for the AFC leaders was also conducted.

Facilitators during the series of training were the PCAF SocMob Core Team who attended the Customized Training on Strengthening the Capability of the then National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC) and its AFC to Effectively Conduct Social Mobilization in 2003 through the assistance of the Philippine-Australia Short-Term Training Facility.

Source: http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2015/mobilization.html

Dir. Cayanan swears in PCAFEA officials

Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) Executive Director Ariel Cayanan administered the oath of office of the members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Officers of the PCAF Employees’ Association (PCAFEA) last July 13, 2015 in a simple ceremony at the executive director’s office. The oath-taking ceremony of the officers of the PCAFEA Governing Body was witnessed by Deputy Executive Director Florabelle Uy-Yap and the members of the electoral board. PCAFEA is an organization of rank-and-file employees of PCAF created pursuant to Executive Order 180, Series of 1987 for the furtherance and protection of the interests of its members. PCAF’s Budget Section Chief Redentor Besenio leads the five-member Board of Directors as chairperson while PCAF Area Coordinator for ARMM Benjamin Donor serves as the president of the eight Executive Officers, all of whom were duly elected last June 29. To officially put its creation into effect, PCAFEA is set to register with the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Labor and Employment and formulate terms of reference for its Governing Body.

PCAF congratulates employee for completing doctorate degree

Photo shows Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) Development Management Officer III Pedro Dumaraos, Jr. and family during his graduation at the University of the Philippines – Diliman last June 28 at the College of Social Work and Community Development. Supported by his PCAF family, Dumaraos earned his doctorate degree on Social Development in his personal capacity with a dissertation entitled Images and Voices of Citizen’s Participation in Local Governance: Potentials and Challenges of Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFCs) as Participatory Mechanisms. The study documented the lives, experiences and struggles of the Provincial and Municipal AFCs in Benguet and Iloilo. (Photo courtesy of UP College of Social Work and Community Development)