THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is working double time to increase the level of rice production in the Philippines with lower expenditures to alleviate the burden of global inflation in other food and non-food products, particularly rice.
In a news forum in Quezon City, DA Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa said the government will use greater mechanization and efficient post-harvest processes to boost agricultural activity in the country.
“So, ngayon ang tutok pa rin namin ngayon ay sa palayan na mapataas ang lebel ng produksiyon at mapababa iyong cost to produce, again sa pamamagitan ng mechanization at mapababa rin iyong post-harvest losses kaya iyon ang tinututukan din ni Secretary Tiu Laurel,” De Mesa said.
De Mesa admitted that there is now about 15 to 20 percent post-harvest losses especially during the drying and milling process due to the variety of rice being planted and harvested.
“Ang percentage is about 15 to 20 percent depende kung saang area at saang level. Ang karamihan niyan ay doon sa drying at saka sa milling. Iyong halimbawa sa milling natin, sa kiskisan – malaki na sa atin iyong 65% na milling recovery pero marami pa rin sa kiskisan nasa 50 to 55 percent ang milling recovery,” De Mesa said.
“Ang isang dahilan nito, maraming variety ng bigas na mayroon ngayon na natatanim at mayroong masyadong mahaba, mayroong bilugan, masyadong maliit. So iyong kiskisan kasi ano ‘yan eh, ‘pag rubber hull, ‘pag hindi maganda iyong clearance…talagang maraming durog o kaya marami iyong palay pa o ipa na natitira so kailangan ikiskis uli so maraming nasasayang,” he added.
There are more than 18 existing varieties of rice per region to which the DA plans to cut down to just two or three for every region to ensure an efficient milling system with higher milling recovery.
“So, ang focus ngayon again ni Secretary Tiu Laurel ay ma-ensure na hindi tataas sa tatlo kada rehiyon iyong variety ng palay na maitanim. Ang bet namin isa/dalawa lang eh kaya very efficient iyong kanilang milling system and eventually iyong kanilang milling recovery napakataas,” De Mesa said.
DA sees stable fish supply for PH
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is projecting stable fish supply in the coming months following the department’s implementation of necessary regulations to address overfishing and ensure the protection of the country’s fish stocks.
“Maganda iyong projection natin, dahil ngayon March hanggang June ito ay open fishing season. Tinaon talaga ni Secretary Tui Laurel, iyong paglabas noong Memorandum Order No. 14 dito sa open fishing season para hindi maapektuhan iyong supply noong local,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said in a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday.
“Iyong ipinagbawal sa MO 14 iyong Round scad o galunggong iyong bonito o tulingan at saka iyong mackerel o alumahan. Pero, may exemption doon. Exempted iyong mackerel doon sa pagbabawal, basta iyong darating o iyong i-import nila ay papabase doon sa sales na naganap noong last year,” he pointed out.
It was decided to have 10-percent additional volume to ensure supply flexibility for fish intended for cannery or for mackerel processing, De Mesa said.
The agriculture official also said the stable fish supply in the past months was the result of good fish catch after allowing some period of stock replenishment.
“Siguro epekto na rin noong maganda iyong huli natin dahil iyong…mas importante kasi na nakakapahinga iyong dagat eh,” De Mesa explained as he commended the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for its policies protecting fish stocks. Kasi iyong isang isda nangingitlog iyan ng marami eh, kahit 10 to 15 percent lang o 1 to 5 percent lang iyong mabuhay doon sa mga itlog na iyon, malaking bagay kasi milyon iyong iniitlog nila eh, so malaking bagay iyon para maka-recover iyong ating fishery,” he noted.
Among the major fish sources in the Philippines include the country’s municipal waters, Sulu and Celebes Seas, and Visayan Sea, the DA official said,.
PBBM adopts DICT’s National Cybersecurity Plan 2023-2028
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued Executive Order No. 58, adopting the National Cybersecurity Plan (NCSP) 2023-2028 of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) as part of the administration’s efforts to strengthen the security and resilience of the country’s cyberspace.
In a two-page EO 58, President Marcos said strengthening the security and resilience of the Philippine cyberspace is one of the key strategies to ensure safety and security in cyber and physical spaces under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.
“The NCSP 2023-2028 is hereby adopted as the whole-of-nation roadmap for the integrated development and strategic direction of the country’s cybersecurity,” stated EO 58 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin on April 4.
Under Section 15 of Republic Act 10844, or the DICT Act of 2015, the department has formulated the NCSP 2023-2028, which outlines the country’s policy direction and provides operational guidelines towards a trusted, secured, and resilient cyberspace for every Filipino.
Under EO 58, all concerned national government agencies and instrumentalities and local government units (LGUs) are directed to support and cooperate towards the successful implementation of the NCSP 2023-2028 while the DICT is ordered to adopt a system for the effective implementation, monitoring and review of the plan.
It added that the DICT, in cooperation with the private sector, shall provide technical assistance to other government agencies and offices relative to the implementation of the NCSP 2023-2028, as may be necessary.
The DICT is also directed to submit to the President a bi-annual report on the status and progress of the implementation of the NCSP 2023-2028 through the Office of the Executive Secretary and the National Cybersecurity Inter-Agency Committee (NCIAC).
EO 58 will take effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette, or a newspaper of general circulation.
CARD Program in Eastern Visayas: Over 2M kgs of rice, P250M in cash aid granted to 83k beneficiaries
OVER 2 million kilograms of rice and a total of P250 million in cash aid were granted to 83,000 beneficiaries in Eastern Visayas under the revolutionary Cash Assistance and Rice Distribution (CARD) Program from April 5 to 7 held in several areas in Region VIII.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez reaffirmed President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr.’s dedication to fulfilling its promise of providing the necessary assistance to the Filipino people.
“Lumapag na po sa Leyte, Samar at Biliran ang CARD Program upang maghatid ng libreng bigas at ayuda para sa ating mga kababayan na nagmumula sa mga vulnerable sectors. Dito po ipinadadama ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Marcos sa ating mga mamamayan ang pagkalinga ng pamahalaan,” said Speaker Romualdez, the leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives.
“Ang programa pong ito ay masusi nating pinag-aralan para makapagbigay ng ginhawa sa ating mga mamamayan. Buong Pilipinas po ang target natin sa CARD, at isusunod na po natin ang ibang lugar na hindi pa natin napuntahan. Saan man kayo, aabutin kayo ng ating pamahalaan,” he added.
House Deputy Secretary General Sofonias “Ponyong” Gabonada Jr. said the CARD Program, an initiative of Speaker Romualdez in response to President Marcos’ call to the House of Representatives to address the increasing price of rice, has benefitted the citizens of Tacloban City, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar.
“Under the leadership of Speaker Martin, the House of Representatives is fully committed to addressing President Marcos’ challenges, focusing on aiding the vulnerable sectors,” said
Gabonada who leads the secretariat for the House of Representatives’ CARD program, in collaboration with Social Welfare and Development Sec. Rex Gatchalian.
Speaker Romualdez thanked the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), especially Gatchalian, for taking part in the program that aims to support vulnerable Filipinos by providing them with affordable access to rice and essential cash assistance.
For the CARD Program in Eastern Visayas, a total of P3,000 was granted to each of the 83,000 beneficiaries through the DSWD AICS Program, broken down as follows: P1,000 designated for rice (approx. 25 kilos at the rate of P40 per kilo) and P2,000 for miscellaneous essential expenses.
Beneficiaries mostly came from marginalized groups, including the poor, senior citizens, PWDs, single parents, and family breadwinners, among others.
“Ito na ang pinakamalaking CARD Program distribution simula noong ilunsad natin ito noong nakaraang taon. Makakaasa kayo na mas palalakihin at palalakasin pa natin ang programa para mas maraming Pilipino ang makinabang sa bigas at ayuda mula sa gobyerno,” Speaker Romualdez said.
A total of 2,075,000 kilograms of premium rice were allocated for the benefit of the intended beneficiaries of the program, with over P250 million in AICS payout.
The breakdown of the 83,000 beneficiaries, together with the areas in Eastern Visayas, is as follows:
– 1st District of Leyte: 11,000
– Tacloban City: 4,000
– Palo, Leyte: 1,000
– Tanauan, Leyte: 1,000
– Tolosa, Leyte: 1,000
– Babatngon, Leyte: 1,000
– Sta. Fe, Leyte: 1,000
– Along Alang, Leyte: 1,000
– San Miguel, Leyte: 1,000
– 2nd District of Leyte: 6,000
– 3rd District of Leyte: 6,000
– 4th District of Leyte: 6,000
– 5th District of Leyte: 6,000
– 1st District of Southern Leyte: 6,000
– 2nd District of Southern Leyte: 6,000
– Lone District of Biliran: 6,000
– Lone District of Eastern Samar: 6,000
– 1st District of Samar: 6,000
– 2nd District of Samar: 6,000
– 1st District of Northern Samar: 6,000
– 2nd District of Northern Samar: 6,000
The CARD Program was launched last year, and it seeks to provide cash and rice assistance to qualified Filipino families, which will be identified by legislative districts.
The pilot distribution was done in Metro Manila, covering all its 33 legislative districts with each having 10,000 beneficiaries for a total of 330,000 residents, and in Biñan City and Sta. Rosa in Laguna.
The CARD program was also rolled out as part of President Marcos’ nationwide Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF).
It not only intends to boost the purchasing power of the public but also serves as a strategic measure against hoarding and price manipulation of rice stocks.
OFW Rep. Magsino concludes 5-day visit to Japan
OFW Party List Representative Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino concluded a 5-day visit to Japan from March 10 to 15, 2024 wherein she attended the 86th Council Meeting and 52nd General Assembly of the Asian-Pacific Parliamentarians’ Union (APPU) as one of the delegates and met with Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and various stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of their situation and concerns in Japan.
The council meeting and assembly of the APPU, centered towards addressing the pressing issues of Climate Change Prevention and Mitigation, particularly in the context of large-scale disasters.
After the APPU meetings, Rep. Magsino met with Philippine Ambassador Mylene Garcia-Albano and Labor Attache Ramon Pastrana to discuss key issues faced by our fellow Filipinos residing and working in Japan. Rep. Magsino also conducted a town-hall meeting with the Filipino Community Leaders, which was organized by the Philippine Embassy and Migrant Workers Office in Tokyo. More than 40 Filipino leaders, mostly OFWs from diverse sectors, including professionals from engineering and information technology fields, specified skilled workers, and even renowned professional basketball player Mr. Kai Sotto, graced the occasion with their presence.
The town-hall meeting tackled the importance of proactive measures to combat the proliferation of online scams, which pose significant risks to the financial security and well-being of OFWs. They also discussed the evolving challenges faced by overseas performing artists, necessitating a nuanced approach to address their unique circumstances and ensure that their rights are upheld. Furthermore, proposals for vital legislation, such as a Magna Carta for OFWs and Overseas Government Workers, were discussed as essential steps towards providing comprehensive legal frameworks that safeguard the rights and welfare of Filipino workers abroad.
Chairman Reynaldo A. Regalado of the Philippine Insurance Commission also attended the event and addressed requests for legitimate lists of insurance companies to safeguard OFWs from falling victim to fraudulent activities.
Rep. Magsino’s visit also provided an opportunity for Filipino Community Leaders to learn about the programs offered by the OFW Party List for their benefit and that of their families. These programs encompass social welfare assistance, scholarships, medical assistance, livelihood opportunities, and repatriation aid.
