Professional Documents
Culture Documents
September 2010
Sec. Alcala said in lieu of the NFA subsidy, the DA will use P2.5 billion for NFAs grains procurement. The amount will be taken from the proposed P5-billion budget for public and private partnership (PPP) projects allotted for the agriculture and fishery sector. In addition, he said the DBM will release the balance of P6 billion allotted this year for the NFA grains procurement outlay, in time for the current season. In his budget presentation, Sec. Alcala said on top of the DAs agenda is food security. We will strive to eliminate
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Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (3rd from right) shows to Akio Isomata (middle), economic affairs minister of the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines, the initial batch of canned bangus produced by a mini fish processing plant at the DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) regional center, in Bula, Camarines Sur. With them are DA and BFAR Bicol regional directors Jose Dayao (right) and Dennis del Socorro (left), and Bula town Mayor Benjamin Decena (2nd from left).
Editorial
Gastos at Budget
Simula na naman ng pinakamahabang selebrasyon ng Pasko sa mundo, dito sa Pilipinas--na mahigit apat na buwan, simula sa Setyembre hanggang Enero. Simula na rin ng malamig na hangin sa umagat gabi, Christmas countdown ng mga radyo at TV station, at ang pagtugtog ng mga awiting pamasko sa radyo at telebisyon. Maririnig ang mga ito simula sa pagsakay mo ng FX sa umaga hanggang bago ka matulog, mapa-AM o FM. Para naman sa atin, siguro may target na kayong bilhin na appliance o cellphone sa December. Labas na rin ang ads sa dyaryo ng mga hulugang gamit. Basta may credit card, pwede nang maiuwi ang gamit at deferred pa ang bayad. Ingat lang at baka magoverspend at sa halip na mapadali ang pagbili mahirapan sa pagbabayad. Pero kung kailangan naman at talagang magagamit, kahit pa nga manghiram muna sa kaibigan pwede rin (basta bayaran din agad at wag kalimutan). Ito na rin ang nakikita nating prinsipyo ng gobyerno sa budget para sa 2011 na pinag-uusapan ngayon sa Kongreso. Itinaas lang ng 6.8 porsiyento (%) ang dating budget na 1.54 trillion pesos ngayong 2010, o sa kabuuan 1.65 trillion pesos para sa 2011. Ang dagdag na halagang ito ay halos kainin na ng inflation rate, na pumalo sa 4% nitong August 2010. Maliit lang daw ang hininging dagdag ni Pangulong Aquino dahil natukoy na nila ang priority projects. Magtatanggal na lang ng mga programang di nakaabot sa target at mas pagtutuunan na lang ang mga programang kailangan ng mas nakakarami ang mahihirap, ang naghihikahos at kapus-palad. Kaya tinawag ng Pangulo na reform budget ito. Pero ang kakaiba sa budget na ito, may safeguards tulad na lang sa pagpapagawa ng farm-tomarket roads (FMR). Ngayon, kailangang nakasunod sa road network plan na bubuuin ng DA ang hinihinging FMR, bago pa man ito gawin ng DPWH. Dagdag pa dito ay ang mas maliit na budget para sa DA, na P38.85 bilyon lamang. Nakakapagtaka dahil sa malalaking hangarin ni Pangulong Aquino at Sec. Alcala sa sektor--tulad na lang ng pag-angat ng produksyon ng palay, pagpapalawak ng irrigation at paglalagay ng postharvest facilities at equipment--paano kaya matutupad ang mga ito? Sa mga unang pagdinig, mukhang nagtaka rin ang mga Senador at mga dating kasamahan ni Sec. Alcala sa Kongreso? Kaya naman, naging bukas ang mga mambabatas sa pagdagdag sa budget ng DA, na nagpapakita ng kanilang suporta sa hangad nating makamit ang rice self sufficiency sa 2013. At kahit pa umani ng batikos dahil sa sinabing over-importation ng bigas, suportado din ng mambabatas ang pagbibigay ng P2.5 billion sa NFA, na gagamitin sa pagbili ng bigas at mais. Ang tiwala kay Sec. Alcala ang isa sa pinakamahalagang armas ng DA sa ngayon. Kung susumahin kasi, talagang kulang ang pondo ng national government. Nariyan ang pagbibigay pondo sa edukasyon, health, social welfare, ating kapulisan at militar, bukod pa sa agrikultura. Dito pumapasok ang
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Sec. Alcala (right, top photo) defends the proposed DA 2011 budget of P38.58-billion before the appropriations committee at the House of Representatives, Sept. 21, 2010. With him are undersecretary Segfredo Serrano and other top DA officials. The budget deliberation was presided by appropriations committee vice-chair Rep. Nur. G. Jaafar of Tawi-tawi (left, bottom photo), on behalf of committee chair Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya (Cavite). With him are (from left) House of Representatives minority leader Rep. Edcel C. Lagman of Albay) and Rep. Maria Milagros Magsaysay.
DA chief ...
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overdependence on rice imports in three years. He said many critics say this should not and cannot be done. We say it should be done! Among the key interventions the DA will undertake to achieve rice self-sufficiency by 2013 are: Expand areas planted to high-yielding varieties, coupled with the use of location specific technologies and seeds. Farmers will be encouraged to shift from using ordinary home-saved palay seeds to quality certified seeds; Explore niche market for upland rice varieties; Implement Quick-TurnAround or QTA and rationing programs; Generate new irrigation areas, and rehabilitate and restore existing, old irrigation systems; Provide more postharvest fa
cilities; and Construct and rehabilitate more farm-to-market roads (FMRs). The DA chief said through good governance and political will, we will rationalize government support and investments on major priorities. These include irrigation, FMRs, fish ports, postharvest facilities, trading centers, research and development,extension services, regulatory and quarantine services, and high-quality genetic materials. He stressed that said investments will be delivered through transparent and improved governnance that will harness active participation of all stakeholders--farmers, fishers, local executives and legislators, and non-governmental, peoples and civil society organizations. In his concluding statement,
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is published monthly by the Department of Agriculture Information Service, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City. Tel. nos. 9288741 loc 2148, 2150, 2155, 2156 or 2184; 9204080 or tel/fax 9280588. This issue is available in PDF file. For copies, please send requests via email: da_afis@yahoo.com.
Editor-In-Chief : Noel O. Reyes Associate Editors: Karenina Salazar & Cheryl C. Suarez Writers: Adora D. Rodriguez, Jo Anne Grace B. Pera, Arlhene S. Carro, Bethzaida Bustamante, Mc. Bien Saint Garcia, Jay Ilagan, Catherine Nanta Contributors: DA-RFU Info Officers, Public Info Officers and Staff of DA Bureaus, Attached Agencies & Corporations, Foreign-Assisted Projects Photographers: Jose Lucas, Alan Jay Jacalan, & Kathrino Resurreccion Lay-out Artist: Bethzaida Bustamante Printing & Circulation: Teresita Abejar & PCES Staff
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (top photo, left) commits to help about 400 vegetable farmers led by Teodoro Bumacas (bottom photo, right), from Bgy. Kinabuan, Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya, who plant lettuce, baguio beans, bell pepper, and cauliflower, among other semi-temperate crops, to some 1,000 hectares. He made the commitment during a farmers congress in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, initiated by Governor Luisa Cuaresma (top photo, right) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture Cagayan Valley Region, led by Dir. Andrew Villacorta (top photo, 2nd from right).
September 2010
DA Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat (2nd from left) and DA-PADCC president Marriz Agbon (left) are shown with (from left) DAR Undersecretary Jerry Pacturan, DAR Secretary Gil delos Reyes, Antique Governor Exequiel Javier, DENR Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio, GTZ EnR Program Manager Dr.Walter Salzer, Antique Congressman Paolo Javier and Barbaza Mayor Faith Francisco during the launch of the Central Antique Local Convergence Agro-enterprise Cluster.
bination of sites across poverty groups. Also, clustering should include potentials for high impact in increasing farm productivity and income of the rural poor. The presence of development-oriented local government leaders as well as the NGOs, POs, academe and research community should likewise be considered. With these as the consideration in this latest thrust of the DA-DAR-DENR National Convergence Initiative, the replication of agro-enterprise clusters in all provinces, whenever applicable, is the latest effort that the Convergence is pursuing to promote sustainable rural development. The DENR is funding a number of projects in Antique amounting to P 41.26 million. These consist of upland development and rehabilitation projects, benefiting 220 residents of Brgy. Bugasong. In addition, DENR is also supporting the development of a 70-hectare abaca and a 50hectare rattan plantation in the towns of Barbaza and Patnongon, respectively. The DENR has also approved a forest land use plan for the municipality of Laua-an. Under its Handog Titulo program, the DENR has issued land titles to 27 individuals from Barbaza, and another 51 from Patnongon. It also distributed 1,000 seedlings of fruit and forest trees to the municipality of Barbaza. For its part, the DAR launched the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project (ARISP) III for the municipalities of Laua-an and Valderrama. This involves the combination of infrastructure, institutional, agricultural and enterprise development projects, amounting to P99.21 million. Finally, the DA provided the following projects and farm equipment: Tramline for the benefit of 1,000 farmers in Brgy. Igburi, Patnongon town; Mechanical rice transplanter for the province of Antique; Several farm equipment (drum seeder, power sprayer and shredder), and bags of upland rice and vegetable seeds for five municipalities; Abaca nursery, through the DA-Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA) for Barbaza; Flatbed dryers and farm-tomarket roads for the municipality of Valderrama; The launch of the Antique convergence cluster was attended by DA undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, DAR Usec. Jerry Pacturan, DENR Usec. Demetrio Ignacio, Mr. Agbon, and mayors of the five municipalities of Barbaza, Bugasong, Laua-an, Patnongon and Valderrama, and respective regional directors of the DA, DAR and DENR. (DA-PADCC)
BAR Dir. Nicomedes Eleazar (left) shows to AMAS Dir. Leandro Gazmin a bottle of sweet sorghum syrup which is now being commercialized by the BAPAMIN Farmers Cooperative in Batac, Ilocos Norte through a BAR-funded project.(DA-BAR)
and enjoined Dir. Eleazar to work closely with AMAS particularly on sharing information on existing and new technologies as well as databases of suppliers and producers. He also advised BAR to expand the linking of technology developers with various marketing arms and potential investors.(Ma. Eloisa H. Aquino,
DA-BAR)
September 2010
PACDI photo
coco-lumber and coconut husk and coir dust as bedding. One module of pig pen requires a floor area of roughly 4 x 4 square meters. To validate and ascertain the progress and development of the project, a BAR- Technology Commercialization Unit (BAR-TCU) Evaluation and Monitoring Team composed of Ellen Garces, Eve Juanillo, and Patrick Lesaca conducted project reconnaissance in May 2010. The project visit included interviews with Dr. Rene Santiago, team leader, and Ms Fe Bien, agriculturist of the project. The team also visited the farmer-cooperators in their respective areas and saw the progress of the project. Dr. Santiago narrated to the monitoring team that the identification of collaborating municipalities is dependent on the need of the locality for the project, environmental considerations and willingness of the local government units. These criteria are of paramount importance to the success of the project. The farmer cooperators, on the other hand, were chosen based on their capability and knowledge in swine raising in general. The monitoring team noted the good relationship between the project proponents and farmer-cooperators. Native swine cages were well maintained. Feeds and alternate sources of livestock were available. More importantly, the conservation of native pigs can be said to already be achieved. It is expected that the project will boost the needed stocks of native pigs which would be made available for multiplication and livelihood production.
(DA-BAR)
IBP Var. 6:
DA firms up ...
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Instead of paying Php1,200 for a 40-kg rice certified seeds, farmers will only shoulder half the price as their equity. Originally implemented during the Dry Cropping Season 2010 (September 16, 2009 March 15, 2010), the project distributed a total of 221,999 bags of rice certified seeds to the farmers. To comply with the projects commitment, the remaining 581,751 bags are targeted to be distributed in the Extension Phase. To do this, the DA will be coordinating closely to the key partner-implementers of RaSSFiP the National Food Authority (NFA), the DARegional Field Units (RFUs), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), and the local government units (LGUs). In preparation for the RaSSFiP Extension Phase, a series of cluster-wide technical briefings were conducted on August 13-18, 2010 to orient the stakeholders of the Revised Implementing Guidelines, monthly planting targets, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting system that will be undertaken. Participants in the said briefing were the Regional Executive Directors (REDs), Regional Rice Program Coordinators (RRPCs), NFA Regional Directors, NFA Provincial Managers, Regional Seed Coordinators with the DA-
DA, Camarines Sur to Conserve Sinarapan, the worlds smallest commercially harvested fish. Agriculture Sec. Proceso J. Alcala (insert, middle) assures Mayor Rey Lacoste of Buhi, Camarines Sur (right) that the DA through its Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will pursue joint efforts with the Province of Camarines Sur led by Governor Luis Raymond Villafuerte (inset, left) and Municipality of Buhi to conserve and ensure the sustainable propagation of sinarapan (Mistichthys luzonensis), found mostly in Lakes Buhi and Bato, in Camarines Sur. The DA chief made the commitment during a consultation with about 100 provincial board members, municipal mayors, provincial and municipal agriculture officers, and heads of DA family agencies in Bicol, September 23, at Camarines Sur provincial capitol, Naga City, hosted by Gov. Villafuerte. Also shown is Catanduanes Gov. Joseph Pua (inset, right). To date, Sec. Alcala has visited seven regions to consult and share with LGU executives President Aquinos food security thrusts and programs, gathering their support and commitment via counterparting agreement to implement more agricultural and fishery infrastructure and livelihood projects.
Field Operations Service (FOS), RaFPEP Project Coordinating Office (PCO), and DA Undersecretary for Operations Joel Rudinas. Similarly, briefings for the LGUs are currently conducted by the DA-RFUs while the briefing for the Commission on Audit (COA) has been carried out on September 7, 2010. With all the preparation and effort that have been exerting for the RaSSFiP Extension Phase, Undersecretary Rudinas reminds the stakeholders that the project requires participation and close coordination among everyone. As one of the major interventions of the DA Rice Program, he reiterated that the project might be one of the ways to achieve the countrys goal of rice self-sufficiency. We have to put our best talents and expertise to ensure that this project will reach the ones who need it most our farmers, he added.
August 2010
GOING THE EXTRA MILE. Undersecretary Rudinas encourages everyone to do better in the Extension Phase because he is convinced that RaSSFiP is one way to attain the countrys self-sufficiency in rice. Also in the photo are (seated, L-R): NFA-10 Regional Director Javier Lozada, Former National Rice Program Coordinator Frisco Malabanan, DA-FOS OIC Director Rodolfo Guieb, BPI Asst. Director Henry Carpiso, and BPI Seed Production Division Chief Dante Fidel.
So, farmers and consumers alike should be aware of aflatoxin, and should employ ways to dry farm products properly. These include not only corn, but also peanut, cassava, and copra, which are susceptible to aflatoxin contamination. For his part, Felizardo Salomes, Regional Corn Banner Coordinator said to prevent aflatoxin, farmers observe the following cultural practices: Harvest corn at full maturity; Dry corn ears before shelling, and attain a moisture content (MC) ranging from 18 to 21% before shelling to prevent mechanical damage; Dry the shelled corn uniformly to 14% MC or below within two days from shelling; Separate dried corn from fresh corn grains; Prevent insect infestation in storage and prevent microbial growth during storage. (DA9)
World Rabies Day (September 28) was celebrated in Bicol with the vaccination, deworming and castration of 80 dogs at the DA compound in San Agustin, Pili, Camarines Sur. The project was jointly undertaken by the DA and Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) veterinary medicine students. (DA 5) September 2010
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DA chief ...
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centage of their income for use in their research and development, the same amount is allowable as deduction he stressed explaining that a portion thereof may be pooled together to help fund the very timely and vital research endeavor. This is a good opportunity to explore and should involve all coconut industry stakeholders he declared of the proposed PPP stressing that a definitive clinical study will not be favorable of the VCO only but to CNO, coconut milk, desiccated coconut and the whole coconut based food and nutraceutical product lines. There will be a tremendous increase in world demands for these products thereby providing a most promising area of opportunity for wealth generation for coconut farmers and
Mindanao agri ..
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Sec. Alcala said: In sum, we will be going back to the basics, and that these basic elements of equitable growth need to be pursued with deliberateness, determination and good governance. You can be sure that I will personally lead and supervise all of these programs together with the officials of the Department. We will also be most open to suggestions and advice from the private sector and the business community on how we can increase investments and economic activity for rural development. Below are the other key interventions that the DA will undertake for other major commodities and sectors. For corn: Provision of one-pollinated varieties as support to increasing national production and consumption of white corn, which will ease off the supply pressure on rice. Promotion of cassava as a corn substitute for feed. Farm mechanization Provision of postharvest facilities For livestock: Improvement of genetic materials Disease prevention, control and eradication Establishment of meat centers (with slaughterhouse, cutting floor, cold storage, and processing and packaging facilities) For high-value commercial crops: Provision of quality seeds and planting materials Construction of production, postharvest facilities and trading centers Intensify extension services For fisheries: Maintenance and operation of existing mariculture parks Establishment of seaweed nurseries Provision of training and technical assistance Establishment of multi-species hatcheries Implement more coastal resources management projects Strengthen the fisheries and aquatic resource and management councils Ensure compliance with global food safety standards Pursue bilateral talks with neighboring coastal states for fishing access Actively participate in the Coral Triangle Initiative.
the coconut industry. However, these findings together with innumerable anecdotal stories still a need a definitive clinical study to once and for all establish that indeed VCO and CNO are beneficial to body cholesterol. Pool R&D Resources for Clinical Study Considering the magnitude, precision and authoritativeness that the clinical study will require, Garin bared that the PCA is considering the adoption of the PPP or Public Sector Private Sector Partnership strategy enunciated by President Benigno S. Aquino III as may be applicable to research and development cooperation. For one, we know for a fact that all business entities, including our coconut products manufacturers, are allowed by law to set aside a certain per-
Editorial...
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kakayahan ni Sec. Alcala na kumbinsihin ang mga lokal na opisyal na tulungan ang DA sa mga programang sila rin ang makikinabang. Hindi tulad dati na sa national government nakaatang ang pag-unlad ng pagsasaka. Sabay na pag-gastos, sabay na pakikinabang. Oras na nga na ayusin natin ang paggastos ng sarili nating pera, pati na rin ang pera ng gobyerno. Tutal, sa buwis din naman natin galing yun. Kung tayo nga may listahan kung saan napupunta ang ating perang pinaghirapan, lalo nang kailangan ito sa gobyerno, na kung saan bilyon-bilyon ang pinaguusapan. Nang sa ganun pag-gising natin sa bagong taon, may kinukumpuni na na bagong daan, wala nang naka-bilad na palay sa highway at may tubig na sa mga sakahan. Tiwala kami sa iyo Sec. Procy, pero di ba ang tiwala ay kailangang paghirapan at alagaan? Sabi nga sa ating paboritong mga tele-serye, mula kay Marimar hanggang sa Magkaribal: Abangan!
ers 225 of the 420 towns across Mindanao, jointly funded by the World Bank, national and local governments, and project proponents. The MRDP implements projects like farm-to-market roads, communal irrigation systems, potable water systems, bridges and other infrastructure critical to increasing farm yield, resource-based livelihoods, environmental conservation, and governance reform The infrastructure projects are undertaken via counterparting arrangement or cost-sharing scheme, where half of the cost is shouldered by the DA-MRDP and the remaining half by the LGU proponent. MRDP Dir. Ramos said when President Aquino assumed office in July 2010, LGUs began submitting more proposals for infrastructure projects. To date, of the six regions covered by MRDP, Northern Mindanao (Region 10) has the most proposed projects, at P1.357 billion, followed by Central Mindanao (Region 12), with P1 billion. The other four regions, with their corresponding amount of proposed projects are: Western Mindanao (Region 9), P722.7million; Caraga (Region 13), P612.7M; Davao Region (Region 11), P533.9M; and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, P248.7M. Along with the thrust of the current administration, we need to invest more on infrastructure to maximize the agriculture production potential of Mindanao. These projects could increase yields, improve incomes of farmers, cut transportation costs and open more economic opportunities to farmers, fisherfolk and the local government units, Ramos said. Further, she said under the MRDP Community Fund for Agricultural Development component, a total of 1,532 livelihood projects were proposed by 225 municipalities, where about 35% of beneficiaries are rural women and indigenous peoples. Among the completed MRDP projects are several farm-to-market roads (totaling 94 kilometers), five potable water systems, and 1 bridge, measuring 39 meters long. Set for completion are: 1 irrigation system in Davao del Sur, servicing 100 hectares; several FMRs, totalling 163.18 km, three potable water systems, and two postharvest facilities.
(Sherwin Manual, DA-MRDP)
September 2010
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Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (top photo, middle) appreciates a miniature model of the P500-million modern corn processing and bulk storage facility in Reina Mercedes, Isabela, a project of Mindanao Grains Processing Co. Inc. of La Filipina Uycongco Corp. When completed, the facility can process up to 200,000 metric tons (MT) of corn-on-cobs into dried quality grains, and store these in huge bulk silos (foreground) with a total capacity of 60,000 MT. With Sec. Alcala are Sammy Mamauag (left) and Jess Bioco, of Mindanao Grains Processing.
penalized with imprisonment from two years to six years for the boat captain and master fisherman, and a fine from P2,000 to P20,000, upon the discretion of the court, and confiscation and forfeiture of fish catch. Meanwhile, boat owners/ parks in partnership with host LGUs. They will jointly identify the poorest of the poor fishermen who will be prioritized to rent and operate fish cages. He added that the DA-BFAR and LGUs will jointly enhance the production of capiz (Placuna Placenta), which is abundant in San Miguel Bay, as source of sustainable income for fishermen and their families. Also present during the inauguration ceremonies were: Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymund Villafuerte, Jr.; Rep. Luis Villafuerte (3rd District, Camarines Sur); Mr. Akio Isomata, minister for economic affairs, Japan Embassy; Mr.Takehiko Sakata, Japan Embassy agriculture attach; Bula town Mayor Benjamin Decena; operators employing unlicensed fisherfolk or fishworkers are imposed a fine of P500 each for every month that the same has been employed and/or P1,000 for every month for each unlicensed crew member who has been employed. (DA-BFAR) and DA-BFAR Bicol region director Dennis del Socorro. Thereafter, the DA chief had a dialogue with 2,500 students of the (CBSUA) in Pili, Camarines Sur, where he announced that the DA will provide 20 scholarship grants to qualified students. Sec. Alcala then motored to Camarines Sur convention center, where he awarded P16-million worth of farm and fishery projects and equipment to dozens of farmers associations and cooperatives (FAs/FCs), rural improvement clubs (RICs), 4-H clubs, and LGUs. He also handed over certificate of completion to 200 farmers who finished a five-week school-on-the air course on postharvest technologies.
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(NAFC). The facilities include a laboratory, feed mill, fish processing plant, and a training cum dormitory. Sec. Alcala thanked the Japanese government on behalf of President Benigno S. Aquino III and the Filipino people for its continuing support to helping the Philippines increase the productivity and income of Filipino farmers and fishermen. He urged DA-BFAR to optimize the use of the facilities to teach more Bicolano fishermen adopt modern and sustainable production and processing technologies so they could produce and earn more. Further, he said the DA-BFAR will establish more mariculture