Aquino signs a bill on modernization of agriculture and fisheries sector into law

President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed into law a bill in a bid to boost the modernization of the agriculture and fisheries sector.

The Chief Executive signed on June 5 Republic Act No. 10601 otherwise known as the “Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech) Law”.

The Act, which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 3338 and House Bill No. 6548, was finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on February 4, 2013.

The law mandates the state to promote the development and adoption of modern, appropriate and cost-effective and environmentally-safe agricultural and fisheries machinery and equipment to enhance farm productivity and efficiency in order to achieve food security and safety and increase farmers’ income, the President said.

The state is mandated to provide a conducive environment for the assembly and manufacture of engines, machinery and equipment for agricultural and fisheries production, processing and marketing.

The state shall strengthen support services such as credit faculties, research, training and extension programs, rural infrastructures, postharvest facilities and marketing services.

The law, likewise, mandates the state to deliver integrated support services to farmers, fisherfolk and other stakeholders, and assist them to be able to viably operate and manage their agricultural and fisheries mechanization projects.

Under the Act, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will craft a five-year National Agri-Fishery Program to promote a conducive-environment for the local assembling and manufacturing of equipment for agricultural and fisheries production, processing and marketing.

The local government units, through an ordinance, shall also formulate in consultation with the DA and implement their respective provincial, city and municipal agricultural and fishery mechanization plans as a vital component of their respective local development plans.

The DA, together with the Department of Agrarian Reform, shall carry out contiguous farming projects in order to effect suitable field shapes and sizes conducive to efficient operation of agricultural machinery and equipment and likewise to ensure economies of scale.

The use of renewable and nonconventional energy such as wind, solar, hydro, biomass and other farm-based energy sources shall be promoted as power sources for the operation and maintenance of agricultural and fisheries machinery.

All manufacturers, fabricators, assemblers and importers must register with the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) within six months upon enactment of RA 10601.

Registrants must provide certification by an accredited certifying body of all products sold in the market within the next three years. Registrants must also submit to the list of local or imported equipment within a year after the enactment of the law.

The law imposes penalties and sanctions on prohibited acts such as sale or lease of agricultural and fishery machinery not registered with the BAFE and without warranty, among others. Violators of the law may face a fine ranging from P1,000 to P10,000 and imprisonment of two months to one year.

"The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the DA’s program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act," the President said.

This Act shall take effect after 15 days from its publication in the Official Gazette or 2 newspapers of general circulation.

Public vet services go full swing

By Jorie C. Valcorza

MAMBAJAO CAMIGUIN, June 18 (PIA) -- The provincial government has now opened its doors to people seeking medical attention for their pets and farm animals.

Owners of small animals (dogs, cats, & swine) need only to pay the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) a fee of P20 to P40 fee, while examination and treatment fee for large farm animals is pegged at P40 to P80.

A total of 973 farming families were assisted starting January to May of this year, or 2,903 animals of various species have been treated.

Other services include deworming, castration, fecal and semen examinations for horses, carabaos, goats, swine and cattle.

This affords residents in the province cheaper alternative for veterinary services, and helps in the outbreak of diseases.

As a tourist destination area, local leaders here have worked not only in maintaining its natural wonders but also in keeping its surroundings safe. It is the first province in the country to be declared as ‘rabies free’ in 2004 and was able to maintain it up to present.

Under its rabies vaccination campaign program, 3,381 dogs and cats of 2,406 owners have been served lduring the said period. (JCV/PIA)

Photo Exhibit Highlights DAR-10 CARP Silver Anniversary Celebration

By Editha R. Salvador

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 17 (PIA) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform in Region 10 mounted a photo exhibit at the Foyer, 3rd Floor, Centrio Mall on June 14-16, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

Dubbed “CARP @ 25”, the exhibit featured significant images representing the various programs and projects implemented under the agrarian reform program for the past 25 years. The presentation focused on the different activities made under the three major components of the CARP namely- land tenure improvement, program beneficiaries development and agrarian justice delivery.

Open to the public, the exhibit formally started in the afternoon of June 14 after a short program.

Former Misamis Oriental Governor and now Cagayan de Oro Mayor-elect Oscar Moreno shared his experience in transforming Sitio Lantad, Barangay Kibanban,Balingasag, from a rebel lair into a special agrarian reform community.

Also as part of the celebration, a CARP quiz bowl was held in the afternoon of June 16 in the same venue. Several colleges and universities in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Bukidnon sent student-participants in the contest. Cash prizes and plaques were awarded to the winners and the participating schools.

In June 10, 1988 then Pres. Corazon C. Aquino signed into law RA 6657 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law and made CARP the centerpiece of her administration.

The Department of Agrarian Reform is the lead agency in the CARP implementation. Other CARP implementing agencies include the Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Labor and Employment, National Irrigation Administration, Land Registration Authority and Land Bank of the Philippines. (Editha R. Salvador/DAR 10/PIA)

COHARA to stage Kumbira 2013 on August 14-16

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 17 (PIA) -- The Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association (COHARA) will once again mount its annual culinary festival on August 14 to 16 at the Atrium of Limketkai Center, this city.

Dubbed 'Kumbira,' this Mindanao’s premiere annual culinary show and competition aims to showcase the best culinary creations of the region while incorporating latest culinary trends.

It also aims to promote healthy competition and camaraderie among different hotels and restaurants, hotel and restaurant schools, as well as elevate the standards of the culinary industry in the region.

Now on its 17th year, Kumbira is the longest-running regional culinary arts show and competition that recognizes the culinary skills and talents of both professionals and students and promote the development of creativity and excellence in food and beverage artistry through various exhibitions to further upgrade the food and beverage industry.

During the show, Kumbira enthusiasts will witness culinary live competitions for professionals and students; interactive booth allowing visitors to listen to short demo and do hands-on activities; seminars on food, beverage, and hospitality; food selling area showcasing specialties of different member-establishments; photo competition dubbed Kumbira Moments; and three-day culinary trade exhibit.

The event will also feature renowned Chefs and industry practitioners as judges who will help hone the various skills, artistry and creativeness of the food and beverage practitioners and students in the competition.

For this year, Kumbira will focus on the theme “Negosyo Kulinarya – Building Home-Grown Brands.”

COHARA President Nelia B. Lee said they came-up with such theme to promote local products and enriched the home-produced of Cagayan de Oro City.

"We hope that Kumbira will add another attraction to Cagayan de Oro, not just as tourist adventure destination, but also as a culinary highway promoting the city to food enthusiasts all over the world," she said. (APB/PIA-10)

Exhibit marks opening of Sinuglaw Festival

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 17 (PIA) -- An exhibit on the different varieties of Sinuglaw and its preparations marked the opening of Sinuglaw Festival here.

The exhibit, held at the SM-CDO Atrium on June 14, was led by Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association (COHARA) in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 10.

COHARA Board of Director Eileen E. San Juan said Sinuglaw Festival is a city-wide event to drum-up the August fiesta celebration of the city and to prelude “Kumbira,” COHARA’s annual culinary show and competition.

She said the festival aims to feature and highlight the local dish, Sinuglaw, in the member hotels and restaurants and at the same time promote its as a truly Kagay-anon dish to its guests, tourists and locals alike.

“We realized that in tourism promotion, we must have a distinct product to promote and claim as our own,” she said.

According to her, the term “Sinuglaw” is a combination of “sinugba” which means grill, and “kinilaw” which is cooking by soaking in vinegard or citric acid.

“In Sinuglaw, the sinugba refers to the grilled pork belly sliced into bite-size pieces while kinilaw is the raw fish, popularly using malasugue or tanguigue, soaked in coconut vinegar with onions, ginger, salt, suwa, and tabon-tabon," explained San Juan.

"All these ingredients are mixed together...and we have Sinuglaw,"she added.

She said the use of indigenous ingredients like suwa, a native lime, and tabon-tabon, a brown nut that looks like a chico fruit, gives the distinctive feature of a Kagay-anon Sinuglaw.

Meanwhile, the exhibit was highlighted by free demonstration on Sinuglaw preparation by Chef Isidro Sobriano of the VIP Hotel as well as food tasting of the different varieties of Sinuglaw prepared by 14 participating hotels and restaurants.

These included N Hotel, Kagay-anon Restaurant, Thai Me Up, Hotel Koresco, De Luxe Hotel, VIP Hotel, Cagayan River View Inn, Bigby’s Cafe, Casa Crystalla, Mapawa Nature Park, Apple Tree Resort, Dynasty Court Hotel, Duka Bay Resort, and Xavier Sports and Country Club. (APB/PIA-10)