- 1 Jul –Sep 2019

A Quarterly Publication of Extension & Technical Services Division Jul –Sep 2019

Volume 16-2019 Issue No. 54

The Sugar Regulatory Administration

(SRA) conducted a stakeholders’ summit on

August 5, 2019 for the Batangas Mill Dis-

trict at the Don Pedro MDDFI Compound in

Bgy. Guinhawa, Tuy, in which different

issues and concerns were raised and ad-

dressed.

Aimed to inspire the farmers towards better

farming, the successful activity was attend-

ed by over 450 participants representing

different associations, cooperatives, milling

companies, planters, and other sugarcane

industry dependents.

Gracing the affair were SRA Administrator

Mr. Hermenegildo Serafica, Board Member Atty. Emilio

Bernardino Yulo and Philsurin General Director Ms. Regina

Bautista-Martin. Three distinguished leaders from the Ba-

tangas mill district namely, Don Pedro MDDFI’s Mr. Nu-

meriano Toreja, BAFESPA’s Mr. Peter Oliver Palacio and

BISPCMA’s Mr. Cornelio Toreja were also in attendance

and shared their knowledge on the causes and effects of low

production in the province.

Mr. Joel G. Ronario, Balayan Mill District Officer, clearly

discussed the total production of Batangas including its

problems, productivity constraints, action plan and pre-

prelim crop estimates for CY2019-2020.

On their part, SRA bigwigs encouraged everybody to work

hand-in-hand to reach the Php 2 Million ton goal when it

comes to the province’s production. Adm. Serafica said that:

“Everybody’s help is needed to attain the goal!” while Atty.

Yulo shed light on some concerns in the sugarcane industry.

Meanwhile, Ms. Martin explained the role and importance of

Philsurin in the sugarcane industry and also gave emphasis

on their new varieties and priority projects.

In the course of the summit, CADP and URC-SURE assured

the planters that they will give the right sugarcane sweetness

and improve their operation for the benefit of the whole in-

dustry. Meanwhile, PROGREEN showed a glimpse of pro-

cesses on how sugarcane and molasses are converted to bio-

fuel through a video. Operations Manager Mr. Baffy Zafra

gave further explanations.

Before the event came to a close, SRA reiterated its projects

and programs for planters, farm workers and other industry

dependents such as Block Farming, HYV Rapid Propaga-

tion, Scholarship, Socialized Credit and Infrastructure.-

Joel Ronario

The summit was a resounding success with the turnout of the participants.

SRA Sponsors Stakeholders Summit in Batangas

SRA Administrator Hermenegildo Serafica pointed out the importance of working hand-in-hand to reach the 2M ton goal in Batangas province’s production.

Apart from SRA bigwigs, industry leaders in the district at-tended the event.

- 2 Jul –Sep 2019

3rd MDDC Summit

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) organized the

3rd Mill District Development Council (MDDC) Summit on

August 13, 2019 at the Golden Cowrie in Lahug, Cebu City

whose objectives were to activate the Mill District

Development Program Committee (MDDPC) through the

election of its members, amend and update the previous

policies issued by SRA related to the role and functions of

MDDCs in the sugarcane industry, sharing of best MDDC

practices, and determine the priority areas for development

of the mill districts. SRA recognized that the roles and

functions of the MDDC are most crucial at this time for the

effective and efficient implementation of the projects and

programs funded by the government, specifically the

Sugarcane Industry Development Act (SIDA) of 2015.

Atty. Bernardino Yulo, SRA-Board Member (Planters’

Sector), reiterated that the MDDCs are important because

they are the government’s link to sugarcane stakeholders

including the planters. Interestingly, Don Pedro shared their

best practices in their MDDC operations to the body. One of

their highlights is

the sustainability of

their projects from

the revenues they

generated. Lopez

MDDC also shared

their best practices

in their operations.

One of their highlights is that they are able to convince their

members to contribute funds (P 2/LKg) to the MDDC. These

contributions are given back to their planters by providing

good planting materials through their nurseries and soil

analysis from their soils laboratory.

The MDDP Committee which is one of the committees

identified by the SIDA to implement its programs is activated

through the election of its committee members. It is

composed of SRA as Chairman through its Board Member, 1

representative from Ethanol Producers of the Philippines

(EPAP), 1 representative from Sugar Millers, 5

representatives from Visayas, 2 representatives from Luzon,

2 representatives from Mindanao, and 1 representative from

Block Farms. The elected members took their oath.

Participants were divided into 3 groups for the workshop

proper.

Each group presented their respective outputs to the plenary

for further comments or suggestions.

The MDDC raised the two resolutions before the summit

adjourned:

1. MDDCs can attend the MDDP Committee meeting as a

non-voting observer and be provided with the agenda.

2. The MDDC Chairman shall be furnished with a copy of

the minutes of the meeting after each assembly of the

MDDP Committee.

Meanwhile, below is the list of the elected Mill District

Development Program Committee Officers:

MILL DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM COMMITTEE OFFICERS

Luzon-

Mr. Numeriano Toreja and Mr. Jose Angelo Flores

Visayas

Panay (Iloilo/Capiz/Antique)-Mr. Dengel Palmares

Neg. Occ. North- Mr. Israel Telis

Neg. Occ. South-Mr. Florencio Alonso Jr.

Negros Oriental- Mr. Luis Sumalpong

Cebu/Leyte/Ormoc- Mr. Jonathan Aviles

Mindanao-

Mr. Constancio Galinato and Mr. Pablo Lorenzo III

Board Member Emilio Bernardino Yulo, Chair, SIDA-MDDC Committee gives some valuable insights during the MDDC Summit.

- 3 Jul –Sep 2019

SRA GRANTS FUND TO THE PENSUMIL MDDC FOR DEMO

FARM PROJECT

In line with the sugarcane variety improvement

program, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA)

granted the Pensumil MDDC the amount of Php

316,000.00 for the Demonstration Farm on the Use of

Newly Released Sugarcane Varieties.

The two-hectare Demo Farm project was spearheaded

by Dr. Dina Padilla-Fernandez, OIC RDE Manager III

and Engr. Laverne Olalia, OIC of LAREC. It was

established on August 2019 at Brgy. Himaao, Pili,

Camarines Sur using four (4) new different varieties

namely; Phil 06-1899, Phil 06-2289, Phil 00-2569 and

Phil 99-1793 sourced from SRA- LAREC in

Paguiruan, Floridablanca, Pampanga.

During the inception meeting held on August 22, 2019,

Mr. Adel Catuira, OIC, Extension Services Division

(Luzon and Mindanao) discussed the project details

with the MDDC Officers and SRA Pensumil District

Personnel. Atty. William T. Enrile, owner and CEO of

Pensumil was also present during the meeting and

expressed support for any development project SRA

has for the district in the coming days.

The MDDC is very grateful to SRA for the grant

received and is looking forward to a more fruitful

collaboration with the agency and more development

projects geared towards increasing farm productivity

in the district.

The Demo Farm project duration is two years – 1 plant

cane and 1 ratoon to evaluate which of the varieties

performs well in terms of productivity. The best

performing variety will then be recommended for

propagation and wider adoption in the district. - -Ma.

Teresa Caballero

Turn-over of the Demo Farm Project Fund to Pensumil

MDDC.

During the inception meeting for the Demo Farm Project with SRA and Pensumil MDDC representatives.

Block Farm-

President- Ian Dignadice

Vice President

Luzon- Richard Torno

Visayas- Reynaldo Cañete

Mindanao- Dionisio Villaflor

Secretary- Corazon Dumasig

(Visayas)

Treasurer- Marilyn Competente

(Luzon)

PRO- Luzon-Maximo Garpida

Visayas- Armando Parcon

Mindanao- Ibrahim Mama

- Doc Ng

WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER– SRA

- 4 Jul –Sep 2019

Financial Literacy Training Conducted in Don Pedro Mill District

A two-day Financial Literacy Training (FLT), which was attended by 16 participants, was conducted at the Barangay Hall of Brgy. Catandaan, Nasugbu, Batangas from July 18-19, 2019. The main objective of the seminar was to educate the participants on proper financial management.

On the first day of the training, Ms. Amorcielo Dimapilis, ATTP Officer of SRA-Don Pedro Mill District, discussed the following topics: (1) Overview of Financial Literacy and its Significance, (2) Filipino Values: Its Importance to Successful Agri-Enterprises, (3) The Business Cycle and Characteristics of Successful Agri-Enterprise, (4) Concept and Importance of Farm Record-Keeping and Getting and Managing a Loan, and (5) Exploring Your Crop Portfolio and Developing a Business Plan. It was followed by a lecture from Mr. Zoren Suello, Project Evaluation Officer I, about: (1) Savings and Loans: Introduction to Savings and (2) Credit Policy and Guidelines of the LBP on the Socialized Credit Program.

The following day, Ms. Dimapilis had a lengthy lecture on Farm Planning, Budgeting and Creating a Simple Budget. She emphasized the importance of proper planning and ensuring that the budget that was set be strictly adhered to. After this, Ms. Jennifer Bacal, representative of the Landbank of the Philippines-Batangas Lending Center, discussed the processes and the terms and agreement of the Socialized Credit Program (SCP). She also enumerated the list of applicants whose loan applications were already processed and approved. The last activity for the day was the signing of the Credit Line Agreement between LBP Batangas Lending Center and loan applicants, Mr. Efren Abellera and Ms. Luisa de Torres.

The participants actively took part in the discussions and raised their concerns and/or clarifications regarding matters which are not clear to them. All in all, the FLT activities went well and the target number of participants was reached, and their concerns and questions resolved.

—Zyrus Montiel

Figure 1. Financial Literacy Training (FLT) for the SIDA-Socialized Credit Program (SCP) applicants

from the Don Pedro Mill District held on July 18-19, 2019 at the Barangay Hall of Brgy. Catandaan,

Nasugbu, Batangas

Financial Literacy Training (FLT) for the SIDA-Socialized Credit Program (SCP) applicants from the Don Pedro Mill District held on July 18-19, 2019 at the Barangay Hall of Brgy. Catandaan, Nasugbu, Batangas.

- 5 Jul –Sep 2019

Climate Change Mitigation Seminar Conducted

A Climate Change Mitigation Seminar was held in

Brgy. Bershiba, Kitaotao, Bukidnon on July 25,

2019 which was attended by thirty -five (35)

participants from the Bershiba Agrarian Reform

Community Cooperative (BARCC). The seminar

was facilitated by SRA staffs headed by Senior

Agriculturist Mr. Wilfredo A. Mapano whose aim

was to impart knowledge on the importance of

Climate Change mitigation to sugarcane planters.

Mrs. Arlene Permias (BARCC Block Farm

Chairperson) welcomed all the guests and

participants. Then, Mr. Mapano gave a short

message to the

participants and

introduced the resource

speaker, Forester

Concepcion C.

Pacatang from the

Bukidnon Municipal

Environmental and

Natural Resources

Office (MENRO), an

LGU in Maramag.

She discussed about

Climate Change and its effects. She said that, “The

Philippines is the third biggest contributor to

pollution worldwide.” She then added that,

Climate Change can cause hurricane, heat wave,

drought, intense rain, flood and melting of glaciers

that may result to the rising of sea level which can

affect the farming

industry.

Moreover, Ms. Pacatang

zeroed in on the Global

Warming process and

Greenhouse Effect. She

ended her presentation

with various Climate

Change mitigating

measures where she

encouraged the

participants to practice

contour farming

especially in sloppy

areas for soil

conservation and flood control.

Indeed, the seminar opened the eyes of the

participants on the adverse effects of Global

Warming and what they can contribute in their

own little way to protect Mother Earth to ensure a

better and sustainable future.

SRA Stages DRRM Training

On July 22, 2019, a Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management (DRRM) seminar was held in Brgy.

Lumintao, Quezon, Bukidnon which was attended

The Bershiba Agrarian Reform Community Cooperative (BARCC) members pose for a souvenir shot after the training.

Participants of the DRRM Serminar surely learned a lot on standard procedures during calamities.

- 6 Jul –Sep 2019

by forty (40) participants from the Lumintao

Farmer Multipurpose Cooperative (LUFAMCO).

The SRA’s Mr. Edgar V. Aclao Sr. and Mr.

Wilfredo A. Mapano were in attendance. The said

seminar was conducted to stir the awareness of

sugarcane planters on standard procedures during

different disasters and calamities.

Resource speaker Mr. Michael C. Gaite from the

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office

(DRRMO) LGU-Valencia City, Bukidnon

discussed about first aid. He emphasized the roles

and responsibilities, objectives and characteristics

of a good first aider. He also introduced and

explained the usage of different first aid

equipment and supplies and the suggested first aid

kit content.

The second topic was about Patient Casualty

Handling in which he tackled on Emergency

Rescue and Transfer. He explained the proper

procedure in rescuing patients during different

casualties like drowning, electrocution, collapsing

walls, fire or explosion and natural calamities. He

added on how to deal with shock. A depressed

condition of many body functions due to the

failure of enough blood to circulate, its signs and

symptoms and danger of shock.

The one day seminar was a success. All the

participants from the Lumintao Farmer

Multipurpose Cooperative (LUFAMCO) were

thankful to SRA because of the great opportunity

given to them. It enlightened their minds on how

to properly react and respond to various calamities

they may encounter in the future. On its part, SRA

was happy for the full cooperation of the

participants.

A Worthwhile Undertaking

On July 3, 2019, the Sugar Regulatory

Administration (SRA) conducted a seminar on

“Promotions of the SIDA Socialized Credit,

Scholarship and Block Farming Program.” There

were 30 farmers, 4 Philippine Crop Insurance

Corporation staff (PCIC), two Land Bank

representatives and six SRA staffers in

attendance. The seminar was held at the RZ Wok

and Grill, in Don Carlos, Bukidnon.

Regulation Officer Ms. Elisa Lao gave the

opening remarks and welcomed the participants

and resource speakers while Senior Agriculturist

Mr. Wilfredo A. Mapano, discussed the SIDA

projects and their purposes. He also tackled the

declaration of policy, strategies, and objectives.

Meanwhile, Ms. Anna Marie B. Agor, Project

Evaluation Officer I handled the Socialized Credit

& Scholarship Program. She thoroughly explained

the objectives, qualifications, priority of relevant

programs, benefits of the program, and gave a

sample of documentary requirements to be

submitted.

The Socialized Credit Program was discussed by

Mr. El Mark O. Jakosalem, Agriculturist I. He

highlighted the objectives, interest rates, loan

maturity, collateral and the documentary

requirements for applicants.

The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation

(PCIC) Region 10 Regional Manager Engr.

Luther Romeo Salting together with Mr. Roy

Arthur Alambaan (Marketing Chief Officer), Mr.

Ernesto Chaves and Mr. Alex Bendijo participated

in the said seminar.

General information on the High-Value

Commercial Crop Insurance Program was

presented by Mr. Alambaan. He discussed the

functions and responsibilities of PCIC and the

partnership of the Corporation with the SRA. The

Participants were all-ears to each resource speaker as they made their respective presentation.

- 7 Jul –Sep 2019

Land Bank of the Philippines also made its

presence felt through its representative, Mr. Eric

Agbu.

The seminar was a successful and productive one.

The participants were enlightened on a lot of

things about the various programs of SRA. They

were able to raise their concerns which will later

contribute to the improvement and development of

the agency’s services and assistance to the farmers

of Bukidnon.

Info Drive Seminar Held

To promote the SIDA projects like the Socialized

Credit and Scholarship Programs, an Info-Drive

seminar was held at the Pangantucan Gymnasium

in Pangantucan, Bukidnon on September 24, 2019

which was attended by 61 farmers from the said

area. Prior to this, a similar seminar was conducted

in Bocboc, Don Carlos, Bukidnon on September

18, 2019 with 30 participants in attendance.

During the seminars, the participants were

welcomed by the Municipal Agriculture Officer of

the respective barangays. It was headed by SRA’s

Mr. Wilfredo A. Mapano, (Senior Agriculturist)

together with some staffers.

Mr. Francis V. Ucat explained the Scholarship

Program and Mr. Carloweh Blanco discussed the

SCP to the farmers of Pangantucan, Bukidnon.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mapano talked about the SIDA

programs and projects and Mr. El Mark O.

Jakosalem tackle the SCP to the farmers of

Bocboc, Don Carlos,

Bukidnon.

After the thorough

explanations from the resource

speakers, there was an open

forum that addressed the

queries and concerns of the

participants. The SRA

distributed SCP forms as well

to those interested farmers.

The participants went home

with smiles on their faces since

the SIDA projects and

programs will surely help them not only in their

farming but in sending their children to school as

well..

BIO-ORGANIC FERTILIZER

PROJECT

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA)

recently established a bio-organic fertilizer facility

in the Cotabato Mill District in the amount of Php

1, 200,000.00.

The facility was completed in the last week of

September, 2019 and started operating the

following month. A small back hoe which does the

mixing and loading was among the equipment

included in the project. This equipment is also

being used in the ditching of the HYV nursery.

The building was made up of the main floor which

serves as the area for mixing, a small room for the

equipment and a comfort room located at the right

wing. The MDDC connected a water system and

electricity for the facility.

With the abundance of mud press and bagasse in

the mill site, affordable and quality organic

fertilizers can now be distributed to the planters.

The MDDC tapped the loan assistance program of

The customary photo opportunity after the seminar.

- 8 Jul –Sep 2019

Luzon & Mindanao Mill District Balita

M. Dina Padilla-Fernandez, PhD Editor-in-Chief

Joseph Peter R. Gonzales Managing Editor

Mafi Ramos John Paul Antes Contributing Writers

Adel V. Catuira Evelyn Estanislao Laverne C. Olalia

Field Reporters

Lito Caranguian (Cagayan/Isabela)

Joel G. Ronario (Balayan)

Zyrus Montiel (Don Pedro)

Celso Ersando (Pampanga)

Lucio Santiago (Tarlac)

Salvador B. Ocampo (Pensumil)

Wilfredo A. Mapano (Bukidnon)

Edgar V. Aclao (Davao)

Ireneo F. Nuňez (Cotabato)

Marissa Tiu Reproduction and Distribution

COSUCECO in which part of the loan for

fertilizers required 10 bags of organic fertilizer per

loan application. The price of the finished product

is P135.00 per bag of 40 kilos.— Ireneo Nuňez

The completed Bio-organic building.

The back hoe equipment in display.

The mud press stock for mixing and the facility

entrance on the background.