The Tobacco News July September 2013

Volume IV No. III July - September 2013

National Tobacco Administration (NTA) chief Edgardo D. Zaragoza (9th from right) poses with other key players of the ceremonial tree planting during the kickoff of the agency’s synchronized tree planting project last July 30 at the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC) main campus in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur. Over 86,000 employees from various government agencies and the private sector par-ticipated in the activity. (See story on page 3.)

Cigarette industry remains strong despite taxes

(Pls. turn to p2)

Despite the imposition of higher taxes on tobacco manu-facturers, the cigarette manufac-turing industry in the country re-mains strong, said the National Tobacco Administration (NTA).

NTA administrator Edgardo Zaragoza said that during con-sultations with stakeholders in the tobacco industry, it was re-solved that there is no signifi cant change in consumer demand of tobacco products.

“There were concerns that a slight rise in taxes will be det-rimental to the industry because of lower demand,” said Zarago-za. “But the industry continues to be stronger than it is.”

Stakeholders in the tobacco industry believe demand would remain high if higher taxes on tobacco products is countered by increased export and substi-tution of imported tobacco.

To do this, the quality stan-dards of local tobacco produc-tion should be raised.

The NTA concluded its bien-nial Tobacco Tripartite Consul-tative Conference during which minimum buying prices for to-

bacco were set for the next two trading years.

During the consultation meet-ing, tobacco manufacturers stressed the need for farmers to produce high quality leaf to be used by local cigarette manufac-turers so that importation would be lessened.

“Tobacco is still a crop to be-lieve in and will be around for a long time. As quality is im-proved, we are trying to keep more Philippine tobacco,” said Jorge Struecker, leaf buying manager of Philip Morris For-tune Tobacco Corporation.

“To sustain production, we need to increase production ef-fi ciency,” he added.

Tobacco growing and trading fi rms also said Philippine to-bacco needs to be competitive in the export market.

“We need to be competitive because we are not the only pro-ducer selling to cigarette manu-facturers,” said Erwin Ang of Universal Leaf Philippines, Inc.

Tobacco production this year is expected to reach 70 million (M) kilograms, a recovery from

the production level of 65-M ki-lograms in 2012 after unfavor-able weather that prevailed for most of the year.

In 2011, tobacco production reached 79-M kilograms, higher than the 2010 production level of 73-M kilograms.

Zaragoza said that of the 70 million production expectation this year, 40-M kilos are ex-pected to be exported, while 30 -M kilos would be retained for domestic production.

During the consultation, Zara-goza noted that the local manu-facturing industry actually needs 150 million kilos of leaf for its blending requirements. The bal-ance of the demand is imported from other tobacco-producing regions.

“So we are asking the mayors to come up with areas for expan-sion of tobacco crop,” said Zara-goza, noting that this would be initiated by the private sector.

is published quarterly by the Department of Agriculture - Na onal Tobacco Administra on, Panay Avenue corner Scout Reyes Street, Quezon City. Tel. nos.: 3732098. Fax: 3732095/3742505. Website: www.nta.da.gov.ph.

Editor-In-Chief : Perlita L. Baula, Ph.D.Technical Editor : Rex Antonio P. TeoxonManaging/Circula on Manager: Neyo E. ValdezContributors: Batac – Elaine A. Tinio, Divina D. Pagdilao; Cagayan – Gilbert A. Taguiam, Bernadeth C. Tamayo; FTSD – Felisa R. Aurellano; IRD – Raquel F. Señga; Isabela – Manuel M. Beltran, Nestor T. Tejada, Rogelio T. Tarun; La Union – Elvira N. Sambrana, Candido A. Liangao; Others – Czeriza Valencia, Marianne GoPhotographer: Dina B. dela Reyna

Editorial Adviser: Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza

Promoting the tobacco farmers’ interestsEDITORIAL

Vol. IV No. III July - September 20132

Believing that the de-mand for local tobacco will remain high despite higher taxes, the stake-holders join hands to in-crease exportable tobacco and substitute imported tobacco, the key to sustain the Philippine tobacco industry. Thus, the NTA leadership in collabora-tion with the tobacco buy-ers and manufacturers, see to it that the tobacco farm-ers are kept abreast with appropriate tobacco pro-duction technologies and provided the necessary technical and fi nancial support to enable them to follow the recommended inputs that will ensure them maximum productiv-ity and profi tability.

With the production of high quality tobacco, NTA ensures the profi tability of the farmers with the conduct of consultative review and establishment of fl oor prices of tobacco every two years to ensure that the tobacco farmers earn at least 25% of their investment. The new fl oor prices have been set already for 2014-2015, with the active participation of all the stakeholders includ-ing the political leaders of the major tobacco-growing provinces.

To benefi t more tobacco farmers, possible expansion areas to meet the increas-ing demand for Philippine tobacco have been identi-fi ed in coordination with the LGUs in the tobacco-pro-

Cigarette ... (from page 1)

ducing municipalities con-sidering basic requirements in tobacco production like availability of water for ir-rigation without detrimen-tal substances like chloride which destroys tobacco quality.

To increase the farmers’ income, additional live-lihood activities for the farmers and to help restore ecological integrity in the tobacco-growing areas es-pecially Regions 1 and 2, tree/bamboo seedling pro-duction and establishment of tree/bamboo plantations have been initiated by the NTA in collaboration with all stakeholders of the in-dustry and concerned gov-ernment agencies including academic institutions. Aside

from earning directly from the sale of seedlings/trees/bamboos, these would pro-vide them with the needed raw materials for their curing needs and barn structures.

Moreover, the farmers have been tapped as pro-ducers of raw materials for meat processing at the NTA AgriPinoy Tobacco Farmers Food Processing Plant and Trading Cen-ter starting with the Hog Fattening Phase of the Integrating Farming and Other Income Generating Activities Project (IFOI-GAP). To follow is broiler production and later, the production of raw materi-als for the Feed Mill Com-plex like corn, mungbean and soybeans, among oth-ers.

He noted that high-quality Burley leaf is now being grown in Isabela. In Claveria, Misamis Oriental, production areas are being expanded and the quality of tobacco produce has been im-proved.

Zaragoza said tobacco ex-ports, manufactured and un-manufactured, is expected to be more or less the same as in 2012 which was placed at 73 million kilos valued at $188.85 million, up from the 2011 production of 71 million kilos valued at $339.20 million. (Czeriza Valen-cia, Philippine Star)

The National Tobacco Ad-ministration (NTA) approved the new fl oor prices for vari-ous tobacco variants for trading years 2014 and 2015.

The new fl oor prices for Vir-ginia tobacco rose by P6 per kilogram across all grades. The new buying prices for grades of this variety are as follows: AA, P78; A, P75; B, P73; C, P71; D, P66; E, P65; F1, P59; F2, P56; R, P46.

The new minimum buying prices for Burley rose by P3 to

NTA sets new tobacco buying price for ’14-’15P10. The new minimum buying prices for grades of this variety are: A, P61; B, P59; C, P53; D, P45; E, P44; F, P37; R, P28.

The new minimum fl oor prices for native tobacco rose between P4 to P10.

The new fl oor prices for grades of this variety are HG, P66; Medium 1, P56; Medium 2, 46; Low 1, P38; Low 2, P26.

Taken into consideration in the adjustment of the buying rates is the imposition of the higher excise taxes on tobacco products which is feared to af-fect consumption.

The NTA approved the new buying prices during the Tobac-co Tripartite Consultative Con-ference which is held every two years to review and adjust the fl oor prices for various tobacco types –Virginia, Burley and Na-tive – for the next two trading years.

Present during the conference were local government chief executives from tobacco-pro-ducing regions, farmers organi-zations, and tobacco manufac-turing companies.

These include farmers group

National Federation of Tobacco Farmers Associations and Co-operatives (NAFTAC), cigarette manufac- turer Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation (PMFTC), and tobacco buyer Universal Leaf Philippines, Inc.

The last tripartite conference was held from September 10 to September 11, 2011.

Tobacco is the only industrial crop in the country that enjoys a minimum fl oor price support set by the government.

Floor price is the minimum price allowed by the govern-ment for the procurement of to-bacco buyers from farmers. This is set based on the prevailing market conditions such as pro-duction cost, reasonable margin of profi t for stakeholders, and growing conditions.

The actual buying price, which is based on prevailing market prices, is usually higher than the minimum fl oor price.

The setting of the minimum fl oor price provides tobacco farmers a guaranteed minimum return on investment of at least 25 percent for expenses. (Czeriza Valencia, Philippine Star)

Vol. IV No. III July - September 2013 3

Relative to the Renewable Fuelwood Energy Farm Devel-opment Project and Restoration of Ecological Integrity, the Syn-chronized Tree Planting activity on July 30, 2013, turned out a big success for the NTA Branch Offi ce with the coordination and leadership of Branch Manager Mario E. Corpuz through the collective efforts of the different local government units (LGUs) and other groups. The cause was set smoothly from site iden-tifi cation, hauling of seedlings and the actual tree planting ac-tivity, with the active participa-tion of NTA extension workers assigned in the different munici-palities.

The invitations sent by the of-fi ce to municipal mayors regard-ing the activity elicited response letters conveying their apprecia-tion to the NTA for their consci-entious involvement in the said endeavor.

On July 30, 2013, each exten-sion worker was deployed to co-ordinate the tree planting sites,

Gov’t, private sector kick off synchronized tree planting program

DA-NTA pilots regreening project in tobacco areasTo help restore ecological

integrity in tobacco-growing regions, the Department of Ag-riculture’s National Tobacco Administration (DA-NTA) con-ducted synchronized tree plant-ing activities in various areas in Regions I, II and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

NTA Central Offi ce employ-ees conducted their tree planting in San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal.

The NTA’s regreening project is in line with the government’s National Greening Program which seeks to improve water quality in rivers and irrigation in farm lands, and lessen fl ooding potential.

Five hundred and fi fty-one thousand (551,000) seedlings of acacia, neem, narra, mahogany and giant ipil-ipil were planted during the initial tree planting activity, led by NTA administra-tor Edgardo Zaragoza last July 30. The Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC) main campus in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur, was the command center and ceremonial planting site.

Zaragoza said the unifi ed tree planting is part of the agency’s effort to contribute its resources towards ecological restoration.

“The tobacco industry is one of the biggest users of fuelwood in tobacco-growing areas. To restore and manage the envi-ronment, the NTA initiated the effort to unify all partner agen-cies and stakeholders. We are all here because we believe in the cause of this undertaking,” Zaragoza said.

Rosalina Bistoyong, Depart-ment of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Undersecretary for Special Pro-grams and Agrarian Stakehold-ers and Relation Offi ce com-mended the NTA for initiating the activity.

“Through this, we do not only stop the continuing degradation of the environment – especially the upland areas in Ilocos Re-gion, we also provide livelihood for the tobacco farmers. We plant for food security, we plant for climate change, and for live-lihood,” Bistoyong said.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Ilocos Region (DENR) director Samuel Peñafi el congratulated the NTA for the initiative and committed

to work closely with the agency in their regreening project.

Philippine Aromatic Tobacco Development Association and Universal Leaf Philippines, Inc. (ULPI) president Winston Uy, who represented the private sec-tor, expressed his support to the NTA’s livelihood program. “We give back what we take from the land and I hope that it will not only start today, but will move towards sustainability,” he said.

The synchronized regreen-ing project is supplementary to the NTA’s livelihood assistance for tobacco farmers’ Kahuy-ang Pangkabuhayan at Pang-kalikasan, a component of the agency’s Renewable Fuelwood Energy Farm Development Project.

The project aims to provide adequate source of fuelwood and other resources needed in tobacco curing by planting trees and bamboos in 1,400 hectares.

For this year, the NTA tar-gets 4 million trees – mostly giant ipil-ipil, neem, gmelina, mahogany and kakawate – to

be planted in all the component projects and 100,000 bamboo seedlings for Cagayan, Isabela, and Pangasinan.

To the recommendation that the effort should be sustained, Zaragoza assured that the NTA is increasing its target in 2014 to 1 million trees for the syn-chronized tree planting and 1,600 hectares for the Kahuyang Pangkabuhayan module which would be increased in the ensu-ing years.

Over 86,000 farmers, stu-dents, and employees from the various government agencies and the private sector partici-pated in the activity which in-cluded: DA-Regional Field Unit I; DAR, led by Undersecretary Bistoyong; DENR led by Re-gion I executive director Peña-fi el; DPWH (IN, IS AND LU); DSWD (LU), Philippine Ports Authority (LU); Red Cross administrator and volunteers (Abra);

Department of Education, with Bacarra (IN) Compre-hensive National High School

NTA – Batac involves various sectors in the Synchronized Tree Planting in Ilocos Norte

having the biggest number of participants with 2,000 students in a single site and Cadaclan El-ementary School (San Fernando City, LU) and Dolores Central School (Abra) pupils among the youngest contingents; lo-cal government units, led by the provincial government of Ilocos Sur, and Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin leading the provincial government of Abra;

ISPSC, led by executive dean Francisco Lopez, who repre-sented its president Dr. Rafael Querubin, with high school and college students in all its cam-puses participating; Abra State Institute of Science And Tech-nology; environmental, NGO and church groups; and, the pri-vate sector, including PMFTC, CONLEAF and ULPI.

Assisting the NTA adminis-trator for the event were multi-tasking teams led by NTA man-agers Rex Antonio P. Teoxon of Corplan, Luzveminda Truong of FTSD, and Estrella De Peralta of Ilocos Sur – Candon branch offi ce.

with a roving composite team that supervised and monitored the tree planting activities in the various sites in Ilocos Norte. The fi rst team headed by Mario E. Corpuz took care of the fi rst district of Ilocos Norte, while the second team headed by Can-delario P. Corpuz led the group in the 2nd district. The visiting teams not only oversaw the ac-

The composite team led by NTA - IN Department Manager Mario Corpuz (4th from left) and Senior TPRO and Project Coordinator Luzviminda U. Padayao (10th from left) with other participants before the start of the tree planting activity in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.

tivity but more importantly en-hanced the spirit and enthusiasm of the participants.

The NTA’s partners in the syn-chronized tree planting activity were offi cials, staff and employ-ees of the Provincial Govern-ment of Ilocos Norte; City Government of Laoag; Badoc, Bangui, Burgos, Pagudpud, Pa-

(Pls. turn to p4)


NTA - Batac ... (from p3)suquin, Pinili, Solsona and Vin-tar, Ilocos Norte; teachers and students of the Bacarra National Comprehensive High School in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte; employ-ees of the Department of Public Works and Highways; Tobacco Buyer Firms (Universal Leaf Philippines, Inc. and Progres-sive Trading Center); Tobacco Farmers Association; 4Ps and hundreds of tobacco farmers and their family members.

A total of 69,228 tree seed-lings mostly ipil-ipil, Leucae-na leucocephala species were hauled for the activity.

Mayor Arlene Torralba and Vice Mayor Tomas Torralba of Badoc, Ilocos Norte participated in the tree planting held in Ca-

About 2,000 high school student of the Bacarra National Comprehensive High School participated in the Synchronized Tree Planting.

manga, Badoc; Mayor Aldrin Garvida of Nueva Era was with the group greening the Nueva Era-Abra Road, while Sanguni-ang Bayan Members Evangeline Pascua and Jerry Fernandez of Pinili, Ilocos Norte participated in the tree planting activity at Tartarabang Pinili. The Munici-pal Agriculture Offi cers and/or Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Offi cers of these towns were also present.

In some municipalities, how-ever, the MAO/MENRO rep-resented their town executives. Some DepEd offi cials in Bacar-ra, Ilocos Norte led almost 2000 students of the BNCHS in the

tree planting in the school lot in Bacarra. Barangay offi cials, presidents and offi cers of dif-ferent associations, farmer lead-ers, tobacco farmers and other private individuals, were really united in the attainment of the successful tree planting activity.

With the rains brought about by habagat, majority of the transplanted trees in the slop-ing areas are now robust and fully recovered. However, the transplants in the low lying ar-eas were slightly affected by the excessive soil moisture. (Divina D. Pagdilao)

At the mountainous areas of Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte: Chief Ag-riculturist Candelario P. Corpuz (2nd from right) with Assisting Technician Crisanta D. Agloco, Administrative Offi cer III Elaine Tinio, and Assisting Technician Eugenio S. Acoba.

Sangguniang Bayan members of Pinili, Ilocos Norte join the as-signed NTA Composite Team coordinating the 2nd district areas.

The Synchronized Tree Plant-ing spearheaded by NTA on July 30, 2013 had the full support of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur headed by Governor Ryan Luis V. Singson, National Government Agencies, Munici-pal Local Government Units and Barangay Offi cials, the De-partment of Education (DepEd), stakeholders of the tobacco in-dustry (private and farmers sec-tors), and non-government orga-nizations.

Synchronized with all other planting sites nationwide, the Branch Offi ce Team led by NTA Deputy Administrator for Support Services (DASS) and concurrent Manager of Vigan Branch Atty. Everin F. Molina; Faustino O. Taal, Chief Agricul-turist; and Jose Taclas, Jr.,TPRO III and RFEDPREI Branch

More than a hundred thousand trees to green First District of Ilocos Sur

Coordinator, took off at seven o’clock in the morning to Ba-rangay Camanggaan, San Juan, Ilocos Sur, together with the staff of NTA Area Offi ces, the Tobacco Farmers, the Offi cials and employees of LGU San Juan headed by Mayor Benjamin V. Sarmiento and employees of national government agencies based in the municipality.

The tobacco buyer fi rm which has been active in the area, Trans-Manila Inc. (TMI), was represented by Engr. Reynaldo Bagaoisan, Head of Agronomy Department, and Nestor C. Casela, Consultant. TMI pro-vided commemorative T-shirts to the participants.

From the San Juan site, the Branch Offi ce Team proceed-ed to Dean Leopoldo Yabes Memorial Elementary School

(DLYMES) at Barangay DLY, Sinait, Ilocos Sur. Dennis Yadao, Principal of DLYMES, together with the teaching staff and pu-pils, as well as LGU-Sinait rep-resented by Vice Mayor Glenn B. Guzman, and some members of the Sanguniang Bayan (SB) including the ABC President Jojo Yoro participated in the activity. Jose Bueno, Jr., DepEd District Supervisor, fully sup-ported the program because he believes that this is for the com-mon good.

Synchronized tree planting

activity in elementary schools other than DLYMES was also conducted. The Barangay Cap-tains also led their correspond-ing constituents in planting the tree seedlings in their respective barangays.

The next site attended by the Branch Offi ce Team was at Sa-bang, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur with the LGU headed by Mayor Ed-gardo S. Cobangbang together with the SB Members, Barangay Offi cials, and all employees and staff of the LGU and National

(Pls. turn to p5)


More than a hundred ... (from p4)Line Agencies.

The team led by Atty. Molina dropped by Barbarit, Magsin-gal, Ilocos Sur before proceed-ing to the fi nal destination at San Mariano, Bantay which is the site chosen by the PGIS for said activity. Employees of the Provincial Capitol and national government agencies together with the barangay offi cials of San Mariano planted 5,000 tree seedlings.

A total of 111,500 tree seed-lings of several species were planted for the Synchronized Tree Planting Activity. These

The Branch Offi ce Team led by Deputy Administrator for Support Services and Concurrent Branch Manager Atty. Everin F. Molina (third from right), Faustino O. Taal, Chief Agriculturist (second from left) and Jose A.Taclas, Jr., RFEFDPREI Branch Coordina-tor (extreme right).

included 69,177 giant ipil-ipil, 18,071 Gmelina, 22,222 ma-hogany and 2,030 madre de ca-cao which were taken from 12 nurseries established in the fi rst district and from the nursery of FTSD, Batac, Ilocos Norte un-der the RFEFDPREI Program of NTA.

Agriculturists and TPROs oversaw the tree planting activi-ties in their respective municipal areas while Branch Offi ce staff did it at the San Mariano site. (Faustino O. Taal & Noralyn I. Idica. Photos: Florence G. No-lasco)

Atty. Everin Molina and Mayor Benjamin Sarmiento lead their respective groups while Rey Bagaoisan and Nestor Casela lead the TMI group and the tobacco farmers during the Synchronized Tree Planting in Camanggaan, San Juan, Ilocos Sur.

A synchronized Tree Planting Day in La Union using ipil-ipil seedlings as planting materi-als was spearheaded by the To-bacco Administration (NTA) – La Union Branch offi ce in July 30, 2013. This is in support of the National Greening Program (NGP) of the government pursu-ant to Executive Order No. 26 .

The NTA, as the lead agency of the said tree planting activity, strived to coordinate with gov-ernment agencies, schools and municipal mayors prior to the schedule. Fortunately, almost all town chief executives respond-ed positively while farmer lead-ers of various associations also joined and showed their coop-eration leading to the success of the activity.

The government agencies, schools, Tobacco Farmers As-sociation, Tobacco Companies and Local Government Units (LGUs), who joined the syn-chronized tree planting were:

Government Agencies: De-partment of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Bu-reau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), De-partment of Public Works and Highways-La Union Extention Division 1 (DPWH-LUED1), Department of Interior and Lo-cal Governments (DILG) and Philippine National Police (PNP)-San Juan, La Union, De-partment of Agrarian Reforms (DAR) and Bureau of Fire Pro-tection (BFP), Bacnotan, La Union;

Schools: Don Mariano Mar-cos Memorial State Univer-sity- Institute of Agriculture (DMMMSU-IA), Rosario, La

Synchronized tree planting in La UnionUnion, Caba National High School (CNHS), San Gregorio Elementary School, San Juan National High School, Don Eulogio de Guzman memorial National High School (DEGM-NHS), Polytechnic College of La Union (PCLU) and Cadaclan Elementary School;

Farmers Association: BUED I and II Irrigation Association, YES-O, SSG, La Union Agri-cultural Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative (LUAFMPC), Ba-rangay Health Workers (BHW);

LGUs : Rosario, Agoo, San Juan, Bauang, Caba, Arin-gay, Pugo, Tubao, Sto. Tomas, Bacnotan, Bangar, Balaoan, Santol, Luna, Sudipen and San Fernando.

There were 64,370 seedlings planted all over La Union and 5,316 participants. (Candido I. Liangao)

Pursuant to the mandates of the Green Philippines Program, the Local Government Unit in the municipality of Quirino, Isabela (LGU-Quirino) in col-laboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Re-sources (DENR-CENRO Rox-as), and offi cers of the Tobacco Cooperatives in Quirino, Isabela planted rubber tree seedlings at various dates.

Mayor Jossie Maria Bella Lucas Juan of Quirino, Isabela provided the logistics required by the project. CENRO Dumon Mabborang and his staff, were tapped for their technical exper-

Tobacco cooperative in action in Quirino, Isabela

(Pls. turn to p14)

6 Vol. IV No. III July - September 2013

NTA’s 26th Anniversary

Congratulations to the Nation-al Tobacco Administration on the celebration of your 26th An-niversary. This is a testament to the agency’s commitment to to-bacco farmers. As we celebrate the NTA’s accomplishments, let us also take this opportunity to rejuvenate our drive to help the industry to, not only survive, but also fl ourish.

Hindi po biro ang bilang ng mga taong kasali at umaasa sa tobacco industry. Sa ngayon um-aabot sa 43,960 ang magsasaka ng tobacco, at mayroong higit kumulang 300,000 na kasali mula sa kanilang mga pamilya at tinatayang 1.56 milyon pang industry workers at dependents. Kaya, humigit kumulang na 1.93 milyong Pilipino ang umaasa dito (Source: NTA Website).

Ito ay sapat na dahilan para masabi natin na “relevant” ang industriya. Dagdag pa dito ang mahahalagang kontribusyon nito sa ekonomiya:

- halos PhP30-B ang nakuku-bra sa excise taxes kada taon, at

- humigit kumulang PhP40-B naman sa ibang fees at duties.

Ito siyempre ay nakakatulong sa pamahalaan na pondohan ang social services, kasama na ang para sa edukasyon, kalusugan at pati na sa infrastraktura.

Addressing sin tax Ang malaking tanong po ay

kung paano magpapatuloy ang industriya sa kabila ng pagpap-atupad ng sin tax.

• Salungat sa layunin ng batas, hindi po nabawasan ang panini-garilyo. Sa halip, mas pinili ng mga smokers na lumipat sa mas murang brands.

• Kailangang siguraduhin na ang quality ng tobacco ay pas-ado sa hinihingi ng export mar-ket. Bukod sa makakakuha ng interes sa labas ng bansa, pwede

DA-NTA assures continuous support for the tobacco farmers(Keynote Speech of DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala

delivered by Assistant Secretary for Administration Allan D. Umali)

ring madagdagan ang share nito sa paggawa ng local cigarettes.

Note that the local compo-nent constitutes only more than 20% of domestic manufacturing requirement. With quality en-hancement, a big portion of im-ported tobacco for blending may be substituted with the local pro-duction from our farmers.

Continuing supportWith the sin tax law in place,

we assure our farmers of con-tinuous support.

• The law provides for ample support for the farmers, through the benefi ciary Local Govern-ment Units (LGUs) of Republic Act No. 7171 and 8240 (up to PhP15 billion, should income targets be reached as projected).

The guidelines for the distri-bution of the shares to the differ-ent benefi ciary LGUs have not been out yet. Under the law, the DBM will formulate the guide-lines in consultation with the Department of Agriculture.

We will still see if we can in-sert the provision in the guide-lines that a portion of the share will be given directly to the farmers, in accordance with the spirit of the law.

If not, we will have to con-vince our friends from the benefi ciary Local Government Units to persuade all LGUs to set aside a certain percentage of their share for assistance to farmers – for quality production and for alternative livelihood.

• In addition, the NTA pro-vides production assistance to farmers on market-driven qual-ity tobacco production and on the Integrated Farming and Oth-er Income Generating Activities Project (IFOIGAP).

• Irrigation Support system – Kabilang na ang Small Diver-sion Dam at Small Water Im-pounding Projects. Ito ay para makapagtanim ng ibang crops maliban sa tobacco. Kabilang sa maaaring itanim na alterna-tive crops ang bawang, mani at mungbean.

• Paglalagay ng karagdagang post-harvest facilities – Flue-

curing barns sa 50 percent ng Virginia tobacco farmers na ki-nakailangan ang bagong barns alinsunod sa recommended structure at design.

• Pagpapalakas ng R&D – Ito ay para mapagbuti ang teknolo-hiya, farmers’ training at quality assurance services.

Gusto nating bigyang-diin na handa ang pamahalaan na tulu-ngan ang NTA at ang industriya

– mula sa mga magsasaka hang-gang sa traders. Pero maging consumers ay kasali, dahil gusto nating siguraduhin ang kalidad ng tobacco products.

Kaya sa inyong ika-27 taon, inaasahan natin ang patuloy na paglago ng industriya at ang pagtupad ng NTA sa inyong mandate at pag-meet ng inyong mga targets.

Maraming salamat!

Unang-una, magpapasalamat po tayo sa lahat ng pumunta dito at lalong-lalo na sa mga em-ployees ng NTA for keeping on working hard to make this agen-cy as vibrant and as dynamic as it is. As you see, we have under-taken this reward system as a means to continue giving inspi-ration, motivation, and continu-ing challenge to each and every employee so that they will give their best for the good of the agency and for us to be able to comply and work hard to pursue the mandates that have been as-signed to the NTA.

I just hope that for the last, almost, three years that I have been at the helm of the NTA, we have been able to do what is necessary for the agency. We all know that in the past, the agency was having problems fi nancial-ly. When I joined NTA in 2010, our income was only about PhP40-M, but right now, it’s al-most PhP150-M. Thanks to our partners in the private sector.

Actually we should be im-posing more fees for us to be able to work at least on a break-even status, meaning to recover our expenses. Our salaries are now running to almost about PhP250-M because of the series of salary increases as a result of the Salary Standardization Law. Our salaries have doubled in the last 4 years such that personal services is almost PhP160 to

(Closing Message of Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza)

Making NTA as best as it should be for the industry

PhP170M. It is unjust also on the part of the private sector to keep bearing all these expenses of the agency. Anyway, under RA 4155, we are able to draw from this fund for our expendi-tures, parang subsidy, to cover whatever defi ciencies we have in meeting our expenditures.

I would like to inform the agency personnel that based on our discussions with the DBM, at least we are assured of con-tinuing support to the NTA and that is the reason why we are able to do as much as we can. We have so many programs that we are implementing. However, rest assured na lahat ng mga benefi ts niyo, lahat na dapat, will always be given to our em-ployees.

Some say that the industry may face problems because of the sin tax, or the Framework Convention on Tobacco Con-trol, but I tell you, malakas na malakas ang industrya, wala po tayong kailangang ikabahala. It will continue to grow and to become a strong industry, espe-cially now that the industry con-tributes a very high percentage of the total revenue collections of the National Government.

In 2012, the National Govern-ment collected PhP22-B from the excise tax on cigarettes, and this year you may not believe it, we are estimating to increase to about PhP55-B, a PhP23-B in-

(Pls. turn to p9)

July 24, 2013, NTA Central Offi ce Quadrangle

7Vol. IV No. III July -September 2013

Supervisory Category, (SG 18-22) Awardee

Our Esteemed Guest of Hon-or, the Honorable Assistant Sec-retary of Agriculture, Emerson U. Palad; the Administrator and Vice Chairman of the NTA Gov-erning Board, the Honorable Ed-gardo D. Zaragoza; the former Administrator, the Honorable Alonzo Q. Ancheta; the former Member of the NTA Governing Board, the Honorable Winston P. Uy; the incumbent Members of the NTA Governing Board: the Honorable Jose S. Diño, the Honorable Geoffrey DG. Gacula, the Honorable Rogelio A. Elveña, the Honorable Pedro J. Mendiola, Jr., the Honorable Dante G. Claravall; the Deputy Administrators: Atty. Vicente D. Lasam, Atty. Everin F. Mo-lina; the Distinguished Guests from the Tobacco Private Sec-tor; the Representatives of the Tobacco Farmers; Ladies and Gentlemen; My Fellow Workers at the NTA, a pleasant evening.

Today, I take pride in present-ing the Rationale for the Grant of Employee Awards.

WORK is, foremost, an activ-ity through which an individual fi ts into the world, creates new relations, uses his talents, learns and grows, and develops his identity and a sense of belong-ing, worth, and dignity.

And as I quote Albert Camus: “Without work, all life goes rot-ten. But when work is soulless, life stifl es and dies.”

We spend much of our lives working for organizations, and our lives can only be meaning-ful if we are able to contribute the very best we can to the or-ganization that we work for, because of the symbiotic rela-tionships that we build with our respective organizations, in that, the organization profi ts from our productivity and in return, by the pay that we receive from our work, we are able to buy goods and services for ourselves and our loves ones. Today, or-ganizations succeed if they truly care for their employees.

In a corporate setting, under-standing people and recognizing their efforts play a very impor-tant role in achieving goals and objectives. Man basically needs to be praised. When this is done, employee morale is lifted up and productivity levels become

(Cristina C. Lopez, DBA, Department Manager III, Administrative Department)

The NTA Employee Awards System

impressive.Each worker is primarily re-

sponsible for his personal and professional development. The Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the worker’s Agency shall assist him, to make this possible through the creation of a workplace and a career service system that is productive, inno-vative, professional, and person-ally satisfying.

In pursuance, therefore, of Rule X of the Omnibus Rules adopted and prescribed by the Civil Service Commission in order to carry out the provi-sions of Section 35, Chapter 5, Book V of Executive Order No. 292, the NTA Management authorized the granting of the Employee Awards, cognizant of the need to encourage creativ-ity, innovativeness, effi ciency, integrity, and productivity in the public service by recogniz-ing and rewarding offi cials and employees, individually, for their superior accomplishments and other personal efforts which contributed to the effi ciency, ef-fectiveness, and economy, or, other improvement in the agen-cy operations.

To institutionalize this con-cept, the NTA adopted the Em-ployee Awards System, as an organizational tool in recogniz-ing exemplary efforts, dedicated toward the fulfi llment of the Agency’s vision and mission.

Before I end, with your very kind indulgence, may I share, to one and sundry, the Work Mo-tivation profi le of the NTA em-ployees, as gathered through the CCL Motivation Index. While all of us at the NTA, may not be Awardees, in general, the NTA employees exude a very high morale, as manifested by their willingness to cooperate with company objectives, a sense of common purpose consistent with the agency’s goal, enthusi-asm for the job, happiness, tol-eration of unpleasantness, moral behavior, and mutual trust.

Our excellent scores on the Dispositional Constructs of (1) Job Satisfaction, (2) Organi-zational Commitment, and (3) Work Commitment, spelled a 99.6% capture of the image of Work Motivation. Moreover,

Outstanding Division Chief Oustanding Research Service

Outstanding Service Category, Production and Regulations

Outstanding Support Service Employee(Pls. turn to p8)

Special Awards: Rex Antonio P. Teoxon and Cristina C. Lopez


the Personality Inventory of the NTA employees revealed that they scored highest in the dimensional domain of Con-scientiousness, which suggests that the NTA employees are “ef-fi cient and organized; have the tendency to show self-discipline, behave dutifully, carefully, and aim for achievement, whose behavior is planned rather than spontaneous.”

The second ranking person-ality domain is Agreeableness, suggesting that the NTA em-ployees have “the tendency to be compassionate and cooperative rather than be suspicious and antagonistic towards others.” The trait refl ects individual dif-ferences in general concern for harmony. Agreeable individu-als value getting along with oth-ers, are generally considerate, friendly, generous, helpful, and willing to compromise their in-terests with others.

The scores for the personality domain of Emotional Stability, indicate that the NTA employ-ees are “less easily upset and are less emotionally reactive, and free from persistent negative feelings.”

In essence, Work at the NTA, is “performed as if it were an end in itself, a calling,” which is still true today, to those who yearn for self-actualization and fulfi lment, and for those, who thrive well in public service. With these, may we please give ourselves an astounding ap-plause.

And as I close, please allow me to quote the words of an un-known poet: “NOT UNLESS YOU HAVE WITNESSED THE EBONY DARKNESS OF THE MIDNIGHT MOON, WILL YOU LEARN TO APPRECI-ATE THE BRILLIANCE OF THE NOON DAY SUN.”

I thank you.

Model Agriculturist I of IsabelaModel Agriculturist I of NTA-Cagayan

Model Agriculturist I of NTA-Abra

Model Sr. TPRO of NTA-Candon

Model TPRO I of Ilocos Norte

Model TPRO I of La Union Model TPRO I of Vigan

Model TPRO I of La Union Model Driver Model Secretary

The NTA ... (from p7)

In this year’s Foundation An-niversary of the National Tobacco Administration (NTA), the Em-ployee Awards System Commit-tee awarded NTA offi cials and employees with outstanding con-tributions and achievements in the fi eld of public service.

Deserving employees were recognized in their demonstrated competence, dedication and ex-emplary performance of duty in their respective offi ces. There were fi ve categories, namely, 1) Supervisory Category (Outstand-ing Department Manager of the Year; Outstanding Division Chief of the Year and Outstanding Su-pervisor of the Year: Salary Grade 18-22; 2) Service Category (Out-standing Researcher of the Year; Outstanding Agriculturist/Tobac-co Production and Regulation Of-fi cer (TPRO) of the Year and Out-standing Support Services Staff

NTA awards Outstanding Employees nationwide on its 26th Year: Tinio and Fiesta of NTA - Batac among the Awardees

of the Year); 3) Model Computer Operator; Model Secretary and Model Driver; 4) Model Agricul-turist/TPRO per Branch Offi ce and 5) Most Outstanding NTA Employee.

NTA-Ilocos Norte got two major awards, Elaine Arcangel Tinio, Administrative Offi cer III as Outstanding Supervisor (Sal-ary Grade 18-22) and Benjamin P. Fiesta, Science Research Special-ist II as Outstanding Researcher. They both received a Trophy of Recognition and cash prize of PhP 15,000.00 each.

Tinio who bested eight other nominees, was cited for her sturdy virtues, exemplary performance of tasks and commitment and dedication to duty as manifested by leadership, technical compe-tence of the job, ability to boost subordinate morale and depend-ability of a higher order. Fiesta

was cited for his demonstrated technical competence, dedication and exemplary performance of duty through the conduct of rec-ognized, responsive researches, ultimately towards effectively reaching out the agency’s goals and objectives.

Meanwhile, Concepcion R. Quiocho, TPRO I was also award-ed as Model TPRO of the NTA-Ilocos Norte Branch Offi ce. She received a Trophy of Recognition and a cash prize of PhP3,000. Dr. Roberto R. Bonoan, Industrial and Market Research Depart-ment Manager who bested twelve other nominees, was awarded Outstanding Department Man-ager and also Most Outstanding Employee. He received Trophies of Recognition and a cash prize of PhP 40,000.00.

The awarding ceremony was held at the NTA Quadrangle, Que-

zon City on July 24, 2013. Invited as Guest of Honor and Speaker was Agriculture Secretary Proce-so J. Alcala, represented by Asec. Allan Umali. NTA offi cials led by NTA Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza and the NTA board of directors, private sector part-ners in the tobacco industry and farmer-leaders also graced the occasion. Asec. Umali and Ad-ministrator Zaragoza handed the awards to the winners in the dif-ferent categories. (Elaine Arcangel Tinio)


I. Supervisory CategoryA. Department Manager III – Dr. Roberto R. Bonoan, Industrial Research Depart-mentB. Division Chief/OIC (Central Offi ce/Branch Offi ce) – Mr. Faustino O.Taal, Chief AgriculturistC. Supervisory (SG 18 to 22) – Ms. Elaine A. Tinio, Administrative Offi cer III, Ilocos Norte Batac Branch Offi ce

II. Service CategoryA. Research – Mr. Benjamin P. Fiesta, Sci-ence Research Specialist I, Product Devel-opment Division, Industrial Research De-partmentB. Production & Regulation – Ms. Magdalena N. Mamuyac, Tobacco Produc-tion & Reguilation Offi cer III, Pangasinan Branch Offi ceC. Support Services – Ms. Vivien F. Fera-reza, Supply Offi cer II, General Services & Procurement Division, Administrative Department

III. Model Employees A. Secretary – Gregoria L. Domingo, Cor-porate Planning Department B. Computer Operator II – Nicolas A. Men-doza, La Union Branch Offi ceC. Driver – Robel A. Micu, General Servic-es & Procurement Division, Administrative Department

IV. Model Agriculturist/Tobacco Produc-tion & Regulation Offi cer (Per Branch Offi ce)1. Florencia T. Salimbay, Agriculturist I, Abra2. Concepcion R. Quiocho, TPRO I, Ilocos Norte3. Felicitas T. Tagad, TPRO I, Ilocos Sur-Vigan4. Merly S. Sison, SrTPRO, Ilocos Sur- Candon5. Sinfrosa N. Valmonte, TPRO I, La Union6. Magdalena N. Mamuyac, TPRO III, Pangasinan7. Bella M. Daguro, Agriculturist I, Isabela8. Roberto F. Pedro, Cagayan

V. Most Outstanding Employee – Dr. Roberto R. Bonoan, DM III, IRD

NTA Employee Awards System

Making ... (from p6)crease. In the next fi ve years we are hoping to generate additional revenue from ciga-rettes of about PhP200-B. Kaya ang laking expectations sa industry and I’m very posi-tive that the industry will continue to exist.

Ang sabi kanina ni Mr. Winston Uy, there were some problems this year as a result of the production using a new system and I’m looking forward to the new tripartite confer-ence, sometime in September. I’m hoping that the private sector will be able to support us so that we will be able to come up with very reasonable and profi table levels and

that our partners, mga magsasaka namin, will continue to be inspired.

Till the end we will continue to plant to-bacco. Actually, nagkakaroon ngayon ng konting problema. There were some uncer-tainties, whether they should continue plant-ing as a result of some prices that were low in the initial period of our trading operation, but we are confi dent with the assurances coming from the private sectors, Philip Morris and Universal Leaf.

Mighty Corporation is now a very big user of tobacco. I’m sure that there will be sacrifi ces for next year and I’m sure the in-dustry will continue to grow.

Sa mga magsasaka, we assure you that NTA will continue to work as best as it can to advance the interest of the tobacco farm-ers. Ang ating tema, continuing relevance, para po sa inyo yan and we will continue to do our best to see to it that you are duly protected and you will get the best arrange-ment with our private sector, so that you will

end up profi table in the long run. As you all know, we are coming up with several com-plimentary programs to increase the income of our farmers and, hopefully, this will make a big difference on the income of our farm-ers.

Kaya yon po ang direksyon ng NTA. Aside from continuously researching with the pri-vate sector on the best method of planting, to make it cheap, to get the best prices pos-sible, to get the best yield, we are also work-ing on other programs para magkaroon ng other additional supplemental sources of income for our beloved farmers.

Sa atin pong lahat, sana ay tuloy-tuloy po ang ating paniniwala at ating pakikipagtu-lungan sa NTA. Kami sa Management, kami po ng mga kasama kong mga Deputy Ad-ministrators plus the Board, we pledge our full cooperation and sincerity to continue to make NTA as best as it should be.

Thank you at magandang gabi! Mabuhay po ang NTA!

Asec. Allan Umali, representing Secretary Proceso Alcala of the Department of Agri-culture, Atty. Ancheta, former NTA Admin-istrator, Mr. Winston Uy, the President of ULPI, distinguished guests and other stake-holders who are representing the tobacco traders, our dynamic Administrator, Hon. Edgar Zaragoza who is in tandem with two equally good Administrators, namely Atty. Vic Lasam and Atty. Everin Molina, my es-teemed colleagues in the NTA Governing Board, the high-calibre Department Heads and hard-working Branch Offi ce Managers, National Federation of Tobacco Farmers Associations and Cooperatives, headed by its President, Mr. Mario Cabasal, NTA em-ployees, other guests, ladies and gentlemen, isang gabing kay ganda sa ating lahat!

I am both humbled and honored by this privilege to share with you the wisdom of celebrating the 26th Foundation Day of the National Tobacco Administration.

In my one year and nine months stint with the hard-working NTA Governing Board, I have witnessed a dramatic transforma-tion of the Agency into a progressive and service-oriented GOCC which is endowed with gargantuan tasks and responsibilities to promote the general welfare of our tobacco farmers. It is a new NTA that is perform-ing various collaborative functions in the implementation of aligned viable projects and programs to advance corporate social responsibilites. It is a new NTA that over-sees the Philippine tobacco industry as a potential source of revenues in view of the

A united support behind the present NTA leadership

(Anniversary Message of Hon. Rogelio Elveña, Member of the NTA Governing

Board)

passage of RA 10351, otherwise known as the Sin Tax Reform Law.

As I stand before you today, I must admit with pride and honor that my impression was wrong because the NTA today is now a fast-growing agency of the government.

For the information and apppreciation of our honored guests and stakeholders, please allow me to mention a few of the NTA proj-ects.

NTA extends production assistance to tobacco farmers in various kinds that were not made available in the previous NTA ad-ministrations; it implemented the scholar-ship program that is now being enjoyed by qualifi ed dependents of tobacco farmers in collaboration with the Department of Edu-cation; it launched the small irrigation and rice production projects to boost the food suffi ciency program of DA; and very re-cently, it launched the Reforestation Project that will ensure adequate fuelwoods supply for the fl ue-curing and essentially for the restoration of ecological integrity in the to-bacco-producing provinces. Signifi cantly, this reforestation project is in consonance with the National Greening Program of the DENR to mitigate the effects of climate change as mandated by the millenium de-velopment goals.

I am glad to say that NTA is in the right track. Not long from now, it will operation-alize its AgriPinoy Food Processing and Trading Center with a component of rice and feed milling complex. It is with high hopes and optimism that AgriPinoy will propel NTA into a self-reliant GOCC someday.

Unmindful to a well-publicized anti-cig-arette smoking campaign, the tobacco and alcohol industries are earmarked to har-ness PhP33.9-B in revenues this year or PhP248-B in fi ve years. Very siginifi cantly,

(Pls. turn to p10)

Awardees:

10 Vol. IV No. III July - September

80% of the incremental reve-nues will be used to advance the Universal Healthcare Program of DOH and the remaining 20% will upgrade hospital facilities and equipment nationwide. With these developments, our tobacco farmers will become the real he-roes by their vast contributions in tobacco production for socio-economic development of the nation. Appo a Mannalon, you are the heroes of NTA and the people.

The theme of this year’s cele-brations, “Continuing Relevance for the Advancement of the To-bacco Farmers and Other Stake-holders” is so meaningful to all of us because it strengthens our social contact with the tobacco farmers who are real heroes in the tobacco industry.

Let us rally behind the pres-ent NTA leadership with our commitment to a professional, dynamic and well-motivated work force. Let us strengthen the well-established harmonious work relationships and develop team work among individuals, between offi cers and depart-ments in order to attain an ef-fi cient and effective delivery of services to achieve the mission and vision of the agency.

This is the way we can attain our collective aspirations for a sustainable and dependable Philippine tobacco industry, for all of you, for all of us, and for the generations to come.

God bless NTA, God bless the Tobacco Industry! Mabuhay po tayong lahat!

The Honorable Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza, the Hon-orable Assistant Secretary Allan Umali on behalf of Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, our former Administrator Alonzo Q. An-cheta, the Honorable Members of the Governing Board, our partners from the private sector and farmers’ group, our Deputy Administrators, Atty. Vicente D. Lasam and Atty. Everin F. Mo-lina, offi cials and staff, guests, friends and supporters of the NTA and the tobacco industry,

Good evening, everybody! Magkakasama na naman po tayo sa anibersaryo ng NTA.

It is very nice to note that of all the sectors probably, kami ang pinaka-closest sa NTA dahil we work very closely together with NTA. And it really is so refreshing to see the coopera-tion between the private sector and the NTA. Our progress, and our future, and our possibilities can only be done when govern-ment and private sector work together towards the same goal. Under the able leadership of our Administrator, whatever contra-dictions that we had in the past have been smoothened out, and we are setting for a more pro-gressive and more competitive Philippine tobacco industry.

Last year, I was here and we talked about how do we make our tobacco industry more com-petitive. We talked about going direct to the farmer. It is only when we work directly with the farmer that we can introduce a lot of the technologies, a lot of good agricultural practices, a lot of the sustainable practices that we need for us to be competi-tive. Ito ay inumpisahan natin sa Virginia last year.

This last cropping, there are challenges. But as far as we are concerned, and most of us in the private sector believe that, it is the only way to go. As we go to our next cropping, it is very nice to see that under the leader-ship of our Administrator we are about to set up best practices for the whole industry.

We started off with good envi-ronmental practices, i.e. whatev-er we take from the environment we must give back. So malaki, ang ganda po ng programa ng NTA po dito. May mga pro-

Government and private sector working together towards the same goal(Message of ULPI President, Mr. Winston P. Uy)

grama din kami dito sa private sector. We had a meeting with the NTA, with the Administra-tor, and we are going to pool all our resources to come up with one collective effort rather than individual effort, dahil iisa lang naman ang ating industriya.

Second, all the technologies that we talked about have to go directly to the farmer and then the support andiyan, yung pro-grama ng farmer sa NTA and our direct farmers. Pinagkasun-duan din namin na we will put all these together under a best practice booklet siguro, kung tatawagin natin, and hopefully in the next couple of months before the tobacco season starts, we can all train our personnel in the private sector, not just in our company but also the rest of the industry.

Together with the NTA person-nel, we would like to sit down in a workshop and come up with the best of everything – the best practices for fertilization, for seeds, for curing, for curing barn designs, cultivation, etc. That way, hindi po iba-iba ang

itinuturo sa mga farmers natin, and this way, the story of what we need to have done properly can be consistently taught to our farmers through the years.

For me, that is the most excit-ing part of what we are doing this coming season. With that, I would like to congratulate NTA for their anniversary tonight, but more importantly, I would like to thank everybody for their sincere support for our farmers, our industry!

Good evening po sa inyong lahat!

The NTA remains dedicated in pursuing its mandate (Welcome Address of EANTA President

Raquel “Bambi” F. Señga)

isang maganda at mapagpalang araw sa ating lahat!

On behalf of the NTA family, I welcome you all to our 26th Anniversary celebration with the theme “Continuing Rel-evance for the Advancement of Tobacco Farmers and Other Stakeholders.”

Amidst the grueling issues surrounding the local tobacco industry, the NTA remains a strong and vibrant institution

(Pls. turn to p15)

Former Administrator Alonzo Q. Ancheta Leah C. Fiesta

A united ... (from p9)

Virgilio Garcia and Ruby Dacanay

EMCEES, Dr. Perlita Baula and Atty. Everin Molina


Our distinguished Guest of Honor and Speaker, Hon. Pro-ceso J. Alcala, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture rep-resented by Assistant Secretary for Administration, Hon. Allan Q. Umali;

The Administrator of the NTA and Vice-Chairman of the NTA Governing Board, Hon. Edgar-do D. Zaragoza; our Deputy Ad-ministrator for Operations, Atty. Vicente D. Lasam and Deputy Administrator for Support Ser-vices, Atty. Everin F. Molina; the Honorable members of the NTA Governing Board; distinguished

Oath-taking of NAFTACI offi cials

“I salute you for the remarkable achievements we all reaped”

Guests from the government and private sectors; Offi cers of the National Federation of Tobacco Farmers Associations and Co-operatives, Inc.; my co-workers at the NTA; a pleasant evening!

I am deeply honored and equally proud of the recognition bestowed on me. It is defi nitely another feather on my cap. All I can say is, the NTA, our second home, together with all of you my superiors, peers and subor-dinates, helped me realize my potentials in this industry that we love most, which, despite its so-called hazards, is defi nitely

a tax and revenue earner. So, hold your head up because we are contributing something for the country.

At this opportune time, I would like to thank the follow-ing personalities, for without them, this recognition would not have been possible. My heartfelt gratitude goes to our former Administrators: the late Atty. Antonio M. de Guzman for moulding me into a better professional; Atty. Carlitos S. Encarnacion who initiated the drive for me to assume greater responsibilities; to our current Administrator, Hon. Edgardo D. Zaragoza whose strong and dynamic leadership inspires and motivates every NTA employee to give his best in public service. This occasion is a clear manifes-tation of that commitment and concern.

My deep appreciation also goes to the staff of the Farm Technology and Services De-partment and of the then Farm Development Department whom I have mingled and worked with for a number of years, also to my co-Managers in the Central Offi ce and in the NTA Branch Offi ces. Special mention goes to my staff at the Industrial Re-search Department, thank you to all of you for the support, en-couragement and camaraderie. Let us keep on helping and lov-ing each other and be supportive of one another.

To my fellow awardees, I salute you for the remarkable achievements we all reaped. We are proud to say – it’s all worth it.

Mabuhay ang NTA! Mabu-hay tayong lahat!

Sa ating kagalang-galang na DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, kay Asst. Secretary Allan Umali, sa lahat ng mga nasa NTA, sa pangunguna ng ating mahal na Administra-tor Edgardo Zaragoza, kasa-ma ng kanyang mga Deputy Administrators, Managers at mga empleyado. Kasama na rin po ang mga members ng NTA Governing Board, sina Dir. Jose S. Diño, Dir. Dante G. Claravall, Dir. Geoffrey DG. Gacula, Dir. Rogelio A. Elveña at Dir. Pedro J. Men-diola.

Hindi ko po makakalimu-tan ang mga kasama natin sa industriya, ang mga tobacco traders, tobacco manufac-turers, mga panauhin natin na nagbigay ng kanilang panahon upang dumalo sa pagsasalong ito, lalong-lalo na po ang mga kasama kong magsasaka. Maligayang Pag-bati sa Anibersaryo ng NTA at Magandang Gabi po sa ating lahat!

Tayong lahat ay naging saksi sa mga nagdaang pa-nahon sa industriya ng ta-bako. Kaming mga mag-sasaka ay dumanas din po ng hirap noong panahon na bumaba ang kalidad ng am-ing produkto dahil sa isyu ng “salty tobacco.” Hindi po lingid sa inyong kaalaman na lubos pong naapektuhan ang aming kita. Para po maibsan ang aming paghihirap, pikit-mata naming sinubukan ang

Mga magsasaka handang makipag-tulungan sa NTA sa pagtupad ng mga programang pangkabuhayan

(Message of newly elected Over-All Chairman and President of NAFTACI,

Mario C. Cabasal)

humingi ng kaliwa’t kanang tulong pinansiyal. Ngunit ang mga pangyayaring iyon ay na-kalipas na. Bumangon po tayo sa pagkakalugmok at muling lumaban sa mga suliraning aming kinahaharap. Natuto po kaming sumunod sa tamang pagtatanim ng tabako upang tumaas ang ka-lidad nito at madagdagan ang aming kinikita.

Sa mga panahong nakalipas, saksi ang mga magsasaka sa serbisyong ibinibigay ng NTA. Hindi po nila kami iniwan. Bagkus, ang NTA ay patuloy na tumutulong sa aming magsa-saka hindi lamang sa pagtatanim ng tabako, kundi pati na rin ang iba’t ibang produktong pang-agrikultura na lubos nagpapa-taas pa ng aming kinikita.

Ang tanong ko po sa inyo, saan naman tayo nakakita ng ahensiya ng gobyerno gaya ng NTA, na maliban sa tabako na pangunahing produkto na dapat pagtuunan ng lahat ng kanilang panahon ay patuloy at walang sawang nagplaplano at isina-sakatuparan ang mga programang pangkabuhayan para sa mga mag-sasaka? Meron pa bang iba?

Kaya wala pong dahilan ang mga ibang kritiko na bansagan

ang industriya ng tabako bi-lang isang “sunset industry.” Kahit po may suliranin tayong hinaharap sa panahon ngayon, gaya ng pagtaas ng excise tax sa produktong tabako, tayo sa industriya ay patuloy na makikipagsapalaran sa lahat ng suliranin. Wala pong im-posible, wala po tayong dapat ikabahala, malakas ang aking paniniwala na lahat ng prob-lema sa industriya ay ating malalampasan basta’t tayo ay magkasama at maging isa sa lahat ng ating adhikain at ha-ngarin para sa industriya.

Nais ko pong iparating, na kami pong mga magsasaka ay laging handang makipagtulu-ngan sa NTA at sa mga tobacco traders and manufacturers. Kung kinakailangan po ang aming partisipasyon para sa ikagaganda ng industriya, na-rito lang po kami.

Sa ngalan ng aking mga kasamahan at bagong pamu-nuan ng National Federation of Tobacco Farmers Associa-tions and Cooperatives, muli po kaming bumabati ng Happy Anniversary sa National To-bacco Administration.

Speech Delivered by Dr. Roberto R. Bonoan, IRD Manager, as Most Outstanding NTA Employee and Outstanding Supervisor,

Department Manager III Category

Fun and excitement in the NTA family ruled during its 26th An-niversary last July 24, 2013. A health buff himself, Administra-tor Edgardo D. Zaragoza, graced the mini-sports fest and led the exercises. The one-day activity is aimed at promoting physical wellness among the employees. Traditional parlor games such as Piko, Bunot race, Gagamba race and the mentally-challenging letter scramble were held in the

12

Fun and games galore in the NTA 26th Anniversary

morning, and Bingo socials in the afternoon.

The offi cials and staff gamely participated in the parlor games, each one determined to win the prizes for their respective teams.

The spirit of harmony, unity and teamwork among the em-ployees once again shone not only in work but even in play.(Raquel F. Senga)


As part of the 26th Anniver-sary celebration, the NTA Cen-tral Offi ce, through the EANTA, held the third NTA Adminis-trator’s Cup Duckpin Bowling Tournament last May 31 – July

NTA holds duckpin bowling tournament19, 2013 at the RJ Bowling Lanes, Bago Bantay, Quezon City. Offi cials and staff from the different departments and COA participated in the intercolor tournament. The participants had nine days of great bonding, fun and excitement.

Topping this year’s winners are Dinah Pichay, the Female Champion Bowler who also made a clean sweep of the high-est Single, Triple and Pinning records and Even Mag-aro, the Male Champion Bowler who also set the men’s high Single and Triple records. First runner- up awards went to Perlita Baula and Ogie Santiago. Third places were Imelda Urubio and Mon Muncal. Sor Mejia set the men’s high Pinning record.

The Light Violet Team, com-posed of Ogie Santiago, Imelda

(Pls. turn to p13)


Urubio, Joe Ronduen and Allan Ponce, established the highest Team Single and Triple records and eventually emerged the Champion Bowling Team.

The First Runner-Up award went to the Red Team of Ran-dy Abella, Myrna Lozano, Eric Villarin and Even Mag-aro. The Gold Team, composed of Mon Muncal, Lioba Pacapac, Elma Daquioag and Jess Palas-pas, landed Second Runner-Up. (Raquel F. Señga)

NTA holds ... (from p12)

Atty. Everin F. Molina, Deputy Administrator for Support Ser-vices and Concurrent Branch Manager inducts the elected of-fi cers of NTA Vigan Scholars Association.

Atty. Molina administers the Oath of Offi ce of the offi cers of the Tobacco Farmers Association Provincial Federation, First Dis-trict of Ilocos Sur.

The celebration to commemo-rate NTA’s 26th Anniversary on August 5, 2013 commenced with a Thanksgiving Mass cel-ebrated by Rev. Fr. Jack Cabatu, parish priest of Bantay and self-declared Chaplain of NTA Vi-gan Branch. This was followed by the organization and election of offi cers of the NTA Scholars under the Tobacco Free Educa-tion Program.

Elected offi cers are as follows: President, Ma. Angelie Salvador, First Year-AB Political Science; Vice President, Ian Michael Ven-tura, First Year-BS Agriculture; Secretary, Edelyn Fieldad, Sec-ond Year-BS Medical Technol-ogy; Treasurer, Shelany Marie Ibaan, Third Year-BS Business Administration; Auditor, Ma. Angeline Guzman, Third Year-BS Tourism (Ladderized); and PROs, Mildred Gaspar (UNP), Second Year-Bachelor of Li-brary & Info. Science, Jaycee Garcia (ISCC), Second Year-BS Information Technology, Mark Anthony Udani (BIT), First Year-Automotive Servicing and Blessa Niña Ines (DWCV), Sec-ond Year-BS Information Tech-nology.

The elected offi cers were in-ducted by Atty. Everin F. Mo-lina, NTA Deputy Administrator for Support Services (DASS) and concurrent Branch Man-ager. The stipends for tuition fees and monthly allowances for June and July 2013 were distrib-uted to the scholars.

The Offi cers of the Tobacco Farmers Association (TFA) Pro-vincial Federation in the First District of Ilocos Sur also took

Vigan Branch Offi ce celebrates NTA’s 26th Anniversary

their oath of offi ce before Atty. Molina. Inducted offi cers were: President, Mr. Bernard Vicente (Sinait); Vice President, Ra-mon Garcia (Cabugao); Secre-tary, Renato Aguilar (San Juan); Treasurer, Enrique Pimienta (Sto. Domingo); and Auditor, Warlito Refuerzo (Magsingal).

Another highlight of the cel-ebration was the reenactment of the Awarding of Plaque of Rec-ognition to the Best Chief Ag-riculturist of NTA, Faustino O. Taal, and to the Branch Model TPRO/Agriculturist Felicitas T. Tagad. Employees who have rendered 10 to 35 years of ser-vice to the agency were given loyalty awards, namely: Gloria L. Abella, TPRO I; Godofredo C. Alvarez, Driver II; Elpidio T. Gonzales, TPRO I; Reynaldo A. Pugrad, TPRO I; Vicky L. Ra-mos, TPRO I; Faustino O. Taal, Chief Agriculturist; Gilbert I. Yadao, Senior TPRO; and Min-erva P. Mizal, Department Man-ager III. During the celebration, Renato Aguilar shared his talent by playing the violin.

Aside from the scholars and TFA Offi cers, other visitors who graced the occasion were the staff of the NTA AgriPinoy Proj-ect headed by Minerva P. Mizal, Operations Manager; and rep-resentatives from the Universal Leaf Philippines, Inc. and the Trans-Manila, Inc. (Faustino O. Taal and Noralyn I. Idica; Pho-tos: Florence G. Nolasco)

A thanksgiving mass of tobac-co farmers in Libag, Tuguegarao City was held last July 18, 2013 at Libag Chapel.

It was sponsored by 166 to-bacco farmers of the said baran-gay. The mass was spearheaded by Rosita Macarubbo, ILTC Provincial Coordinator. The farmers believed that “Bless-ings come from the Almighty Father” and they have to bring back what is due to God and to them, it is right and proper to give thanks to God.

This cropping season gave a lot of blessings to the tobacco farmers. The high yield and bet-ter quality of tobacco produce is a product of good weather condition coupled by farmers’ attitude to follow the production technology. As a result, they got a high net income, hence a rea-son for giving thanks to God.

Present during the thanksgiv-ing mass were Rey N. Cacal, the Project Manager of ULPI-

Tuguegarao tobacco farmers hold thanksgiving mass

Minerva P. Mizal, Operations Manager of the AgriPinoy Tobac-co Farmers Food Processing and Trading Center received the Length of Service award from Atty. Molina.

Cagayan and staff, Erlina Acain, ILTC Technician; Dr. Corazon R. Riazonda, Branch Manager; and staff.

This is a yearly event held af-ter the marketing season when most of the tobacco farmers in the area have earned notable profi ts. A fellowship with sump-tuous meal was also shared by the farmers and guests after the mass. (Bernadeth C.Tamayao)


The Tobacco Farmers As-sociations and Tobacco Coop-eratives of Isabela was federated last July 16, 2013.

The federation started with the organization of clusters into associations from the different Barangays where there is no ex-isting association and/or cooper-atives in each tobacco producing municipality.

Chairpersons and Vice Chair-persons of Cooperatives and Presidents and Vice Presidents of Tobacco Farmers Associa-

The Provincial Federation of Tobacco Farmers’ Associa-tions (PFTFAs) was organized on July 16, 2013 at NTA Vigan Branch Offi ce.

The Presidents of the fi ve Municipal Federation of TFAs elected the offi cers from among themselves and they are: Pres-ident-Bernard R. Vicente (Si-nait);Vice-President-Ramon Garcia (Cabugao); Secretary-Renato Aguilar (San Juan); Treasurer-Enrique Pimienta (Sto. Domingo); and Auditor-Warlito Refuerzo (Magsingal).

Atty. Everin F. Molina, NTA Deputy Administrator for Sup-port Services and Concurrent Branch Manager together with Faustino O. Taal, Chief Agricul-turist and Gilbert I. Yadao, FOD coordinator, offi ciated the elec-tion.

There are 76 barangay-based TFAs organized in the First Dis-trict of Ilocos Sur. Atty. Molina and Taal graced all the elections of offi cers of the Municipal Fed-erations of TFAs.

The offi cers of the PFTFAs conducted their First Regular Meeting on August 12, 2013 at the NTA Vigan Branch Offi ce, Bantay, Ilocos Sur. The agenda of the meeting was mainly the adoption of the Constitution and By-Laws for the registra-tion of the organization with the Department of Labor and Employment and the eventual accreditation by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur as a non-government organization.

The meeting was assisted by Gilbert I. Yadao, Senior TPRO and Branch Coordinator for Farmers Organization Develop-ment. (Faustino O. Taal & Nora-lyn I. Idica)

The NTA-Cagayan led tobac-co farmers’ associations and co-operatives in organizing a pro-vincial federation last July 17, 2013 at the NTA Branch Offi ce. The said event was attended by 40 offi cers and representatives of the 12 tobacco producing municipal federations of To-bacco Farmers cooperatives and associations in the province of Cagayan.

Luciano Saquing, a ULPI farmer-leader from Amulung West and former member of the Board of Directors of the National Federation of Tobac-co Farmers’ Associations and Cooperatives (NAFTAC) was elected President of the Cagayan Federation of Tobacco-based Associations and Cooperatives (CAFTAC) while Romano An-tonio, a farmer-leader also from Amulung, won as the Vice-Pres-ident.

Both offi cers represented the province of Cagayan for the election of offi cers of the Na-tional Federation and the offi -cial representatives of Cagayan to the farmers’ meetings at the

Provincial Federation of Tobacco Farmers’ Associations organizedIlocos Sur District 1

Isabela

tions from the different mu-nicipalities under the coverage of Isabela Branch Offi ce were eligible as potential offi cers to serve for the next two-year term, i.e. July, 2013 up to June, 2015.

Prior to the election of the Provincial Federation of Offi -cers, Manager Herman C. Torres discussed the NTA’s projects, is-sues, concerns and updates of the recent tobacco season. The farmer leaders also shared their experiences last CY 2012-2013.

The newly elected set of of-fi cers are as follows: President, Noel T. Borromeo, Quirino; Vice President (Burley), Orlan-do Monforte, Luna; Vice Presi-dent (Native), Arnold T. Batang, Sto Tomas; Secretary, Ernesto M. Totto, Tumauini; Treasurer, Larry B. Galingana, Aurora; Assistant Treasurer, Altagracia Laguinday, Cabagan; Auditor, Artemio Zalun, Reina Mer-cedes; and Assistant Auditor, Rodrigo Miguel, Burgos.

Other representatives of to-bacco associations and coopera-tives from the different munici-palities who also attended and participated in the Federation were as follows: Reina Mer-cedes, Epifanio Solito and Zo-simo Solito, Banquero TFCC; San Pablo, Elpidio Atuan Jr, San Pablo TFCC; Ilagan, Anto-nio Uy Jr. and Bonifacio Abul, Ilagan TFCC; San Mateo, Con-stantino V. Gacusan Jr. and Lore-to A. Juan, Golden Leaf TFCC; Cabatuan, Merlyn T. Baysa and Elmer R Asuncion, Cabatuan TFCC; Roxas, Ferdinand de Je-sus and Filipino Bandera, Roxas TFCC; Burgos, Ador G. Rivera, Burgos TFCC; Benito Soliven, Joel V. Lorenzo, Benito Soliven Tobacco FA; Cabagan, Rosmito F. Guingab, Riverside Baran-gays of Cabagan Credit Coop; Sto Tomas, Rodolfo V. Galiza, SABALI MPC; Delfi n Albano, Marvin V. Agron and Benjamin M. Dumlao Jr II, Bayabo Pro-ducers Coop; and Mallig, Juan Bulauan Sr. and Josue Gumaru, 2nd Dist. Tobacco Farmers As-sociation Mallig Chapter.

All the participants are look-ing forward to a fruitful year as a federation and promised to do their part for the betterment of the organization. The group will attempt to register the federa-tion with the Department of La-bor and Employment (DOLE). (Manuel M. Beltran)

Cagayannational level.

For the new set of offi cers to fully perform their duties and responsibilities, Dr. Corazon R. Riazonda, the Branch Manager discussed the Role of a Leader in a Cooperative/Association, i.e. they are a new age leader, a role model, a team leader, a teacher and a relationship ad-vocate (supporter, promoter). They play a very important role in improving the quality of lives of the tobacco farmers if they will fully give their services to their co-farmers.

After the presentation of the set of offi cers for the newly fede-rated cooperatives/associations , the accomplishments of the differ-ent cooperatives together with the result of Crop Year 2012-2013 were presented by Gilbert A. Taguiam, the Acting Super-vising Agriculturist and FODP Coordinator. According to the reports, the farmers were con-tented with the outcome of Crop Year 2012-2013 when most of them gained remarkable profi ts. (Gilbert A. Taguiam)

Tobacco coop ... (from p5)tise. Noel T. Borromeo, Chair-man of the cooperative, took charge of the needed manpower requirement.

While the project has already started, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) among the involved parties has yet to be prepared to defi ne the roles and responsibilities of each partici-pant. They agreed that the MOA will also state that proceeds of the project will be shared by the LGU and the cooperative on a 60-40 basis.

The project is situated in ba-rangays Villa Miguel and Luna Dabbak with a total area of 60 hectares for the year 2013. First planting was launched on June 28, 2013 with the participation of about 600 coop members from barangays Sto. Domingo and Santiago. Second plant-ing on July 28, 2013 involved around 500 coop members who came from the barangays of Suerte, Luna, San Juan, Sta. Lu-cia and Villa Miguel.

Herman C. Torres, NTA Branch Manager, together with his staff Nestor T. Tejada (Ag-riculturist II), Victor L. Salva-dor (TPRO I) and Benjamin C. Lacuesta (Driver II) participated in the second schedule of tree

planting, in response to the in-vitation of the municipal mayor.

The third schedule of tree planting in September 2013 involved coop members from Manaoag, Dolores, Vintar, San Mateo, San Isidro, San Jose and San Vicente.

Rubber trees were planted following a 4 x 4 meters spac-ing equivalent to 625 plants per hectare. About 200 grams of 14-14-14 complete fertilizer was applied as basal. Maintenance that includes cleaning around the trees, application of addi-tional fertilizer for side dressing and cleaning the perimeter to serve as fi re line will be strictly observed.

It is expected that harvesting of rubber tree saps will start fi ve years after planting with an estimated production of about one kilogram sap per tree. The volume of production is ex-pected to increase for the next 35 years of the tree’s productive life.

Ultimately, this project will contribute in improving the quality of the environment and also provide livelihood oppor-tunity for the people of Quirino, Isabela. (Nestor T. Tejada)


Loyalty Awardees pose with posterity with the guest of Honor, Dr. Santiago R. Obien (4th from left), Mario E. Corpuz (5th from left) and their loved ones after the program. From left: Imelda Parbo, Mercedes M. Lucas, Elaine A. Tinio, Alexis B. Jamias, Concepcion J. Quiocho and Avelina O. Guzman.

“PARANGAL SA EMPLEYADO” NTA-Ilocos Norte celebrates the 113th Anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service

The Parangal Sa Empleyado is held annually at the NTA-Ilocos Norte Branch as part of the Honor Awards Program of the agency. This year, as a high-light of the celebration of the 113th Anniversary of the Philip-pine Civil Service, the program was conducted in a ceremony on September 27, 2013 at the NTA Auditorium to honor and recog-nize the loyalty and dedicated commitment to public service of six offi cials and employees.

The awardees this year are Avelina O. Guzman, Tobacco Production and Regulation Of-fi cer (TPRO) III (30 years); Alexis B. Jamias, Supervising TPRO (30 years); Mercedes M. Lucas, Secretary I (30 years); Imelda C. Parbo, Senior Science Research Specialist (35 years); Concepcion R. Quiocho, TPRO I (35 years) and Elaine Arcangel Tinio, Administrative Offi cer III (30 years).

They were conferred Length of Service Awards in the form of Plaque of Recognition awarded by Dr. Santiago R. Obien, Se-nior Technical Adviser of the Department of Agriculture and former Philrice and PTRTC Director, who was the Guest of Honor and Speaker.

On behalf of the awardees, Concepcion R. Quiocho and Alexis B. Jamias delivered their words of gratitude to the agen-cy and to the people they have

worked with.Non-regular employees, spe-

cifi cally the clerical and janito-rial services, were also given certifi cates of recognition dur-ing the affair for their exempla-ry performance in the course of their respective jobs. The differ-ent coordinators in the different events during the month-long celebration were also awarded.

The program which lasted for an hour was conducted with a Filipiniana motiff.

The awardees were clad in their colorful Filipiniana attire and so with some of the invi-tees. The concept was almost all in Filipino fl owing from this year’s national theme: “Lingkod Bayani Isabuhay, Ipagmalaki at Ipagbunyi.” (Elaine A. Tinio)

The National Tobacco Ad-ministration and 19 other gov-ernment agencies participated in the “Kabisig Philippine Govern-ment Expo and Trade Fair 2013” held on September 16-18, 2013 at the Events Center of SM-City Fairview, Quezon City.

With this year’s theme of “Kaalaman ng Mamamayan: Kabalikat sa Matuwid na Daan,” the Expo and Trade Fair aims to bring together in one venue all government agencies and instru-mentalities including GOCCs and LGUs to provide public awareness of their Agency’s profi les, service facilities, pro-grams, projects, products and accomplishments.

The mandates, vision, mission as well as programs and projects of NTA were presented in the fair. The NTA booth was one of the most visited sites, gen-erating questions, interest and awareness particularly on the tobacco handmade paper prod-ucts, tobacco dust and especial-ly the AgriPinoy project. It had to be explained to the visitors that while tobacco is primarily grown for cigars and cigarette manufacturing, Industrial Re-search Department has worked on the other uses of tobacco such as for pulp, handmade paper and tobacco dust for fi shpond aqua-culture which are now commer-cially available, tobacco extract as botanical insecticide and as source for ethanol production.

In addition to the regular programs and projects for the development of the tobacco industry, the NTA recently em-

NTA joins the Kabisig Philippine Gov’t Expo and Trade Fair 2013

barked on the AgriPinoy Project which is a comprehensive and market intervention project de-signed to assist tobacco farmers in the production of raw materi-als (hog and broiler) which the NTA will buy, process and sell either fresh or processed meat products. (Raquel F. Senga)

The NTA ... (from p10)as ever, what with its pool of committed and dedicated bright minds working in unison for only the best interest of all the stakeholders in the industry, the industry that, historically, has been a vanguard in providing the government with substantial revenues. In fact, tonight, the employees who have performed exceedingly well in their re-spective categories shall be given fi tting recognition. Con-gratulations to the nominees and awardees!

The government, through the NTA, shall not waver in serv-ing tobacco farmers and other stakeholders through the imple-mentation of its responsive pro-grams and projects. For all the 26 years that the NTA has been supervising the tobacco indus-try, you have probably moni-tored how conscientiously the offi cials and staff of NTA carry out their tasks be it in the Central Offi ce or Branch Offi ces and in various fora, consistent with our mandates to: (1) improve the economic and living conditions of the farmers and those who depend on the industry for their livelihood; and (2) promote the balanced and integrated growth of the tobacco industry to help make agriculture a solid basis for industrialization.

With confi dence, we can say that, for as long as the tobacco farmers continue to plant and the number of smokers who fi nd enjoyment, pleasure and satisfaction in a habit that may be frowned upon by others, con-tinue to increase, the tobacco industry is here to stay and so does the NTA, dedicated as ever in the pursuit of its mandates to serve.

Long live the tobacco indus-try! Long live the tobacco farm-ers and other industry stakehold-ers! Long live the NTA!

Thank you, and let us all en-joy the rest of our celebration.

Shown are the farmer-participants doing the activity on Learn-ing Management Activities. The activity is part of the seminar on “Leadership and Values Reorientation,” a two-day training for offi cers of farmer-cooperatives and farmer organizations. The seminar was conducted by NTA-Ilocos Norte Branch on Septem-ber 18-19, 2013.

The NTA Candon Branch Offi ce, under the leadership of Manager Estrella G. de Peralta, hosted the Seminar-Workshop on Marketing of AgriPinoy Prod-ucts for the Marketing Group/Sales Force of the Branch Of-fi ces in Region 1 and Abra, last August 20, 2013.

Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza was on hand to oversee the whole process and addressed all the questions, issues and con-cerns of the participants.

Rex Antonio P. Teoxon, Man-ager of CORPLAN, shared his words of wisdom and encour-aged the participants to work with conviction, dedication and commitment and be the best Sales Force.

Topics covered were Over-view of the AgriPinoy Project which was presented by Dr. Roberto R. Bonoan, Manager

The Marketing Coordinators of the Branch Offi ces for the AgriPinoy Project successfully completed the training course on Effective Selling and Nego-tiation Skills conducted by the Philippine Trade Training Cen-ter of Department of Trade and Industry on September 26-27, 2013 at the PTTC Bldg., Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Pasay City.

Topics covered were Sales Process Stages, Management Commitment and Closing of Sales, Identifi cation of Nego-

AgriPinoy marketing coordinators attend seminar on Effective Selling and Negotiation Skills

tiation Styles, Setting and Han-dling Negotiation Issues.

The participants included Raquel F. Señga, Ramon L. Fernandez, Jerymy Ann E. Fe-ria, Triumphante F. Viloria, Jr. (Central Offi ce), Luzviminda U. Padayao (Batac), Maricel B. Rojas (Vigan) , Carmencita T. Bersalona (Abra), Marcelia P. Pulgar (Candon), Aurie Nel-lie A. Tumbaga (La Union) and Lilia C. Maramba (Pangasinan). (Raquel Leilani Senga)

Seminar-workshop on marketing of AgriPinoy products

of Industrial and Market Re-search Department. Raw Mate-rials Production was presented by Minerva P. Mizal, AgriPinoy Operations Manager.

Myrna O. Lozano, Offi cer-in-Charge/Chemist IV of the Techno Laboratory Services and Instrumentation Division of IMRD, gave emphasis on the technical aspect of the Meat and Meat Products while Ms. Dinah E. Pichay, Manager of Internal Audit Service, expounded on the proper Systems and Pro-cedures, as well as, on the Fi-nancial Documentation for the AgriPinoy Project.

The marketing aspect and workshop proper were handled by Raquel F. Señga, Market Specialist V of IMRD. Basic marketing concepts on product quality, distribution, pricing, competition, promotion, strate-

gies and tactics in relation to the AgriPinoy Project were also discussed extensively. The group actively participated in the discussions, voicing out their respective issues and con-

cerns. The session concluded with a workshop where the par-ticipants prepared a Marketing Plan for AgriPinoy Products in their respective areas of opera-tion. (Raquel F. Senga)

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The Tobacco News July September 2013

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