2016 Accomplishments DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ...storage.googleapis.com/request-attachments...comprising Region IV and improve the delivery of public services”, Executive Order

2016 ACCOMPLISHMENTS Department of Agriculture RFO MIMAROPA

3rd ATI Bldg., Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City Website: www.mimaropa.da.gov.ph Email: [email protected] Telefax: 927-43-50

2016 ACCOMPLISHMENTS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE RFO MIMAROPA

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MIMAROPA, “The Destination of Choice!”

A region endowed with distinct beauty, a very rich culture and natural resources, MIMAROPA is

indeed a realizing dream with almost a decade and a half in its existence. It is a home of the

worlds famous Puerto Princesa Underground River, acclaimed as one of the Seven Wonders of

Nature; also the site of the Tubattaha Reef and the Apo Reef, both renowned UNESCO heritage,

and a lot of nostalgic tourist destination such as white beaches, crystal clear rivers, virgin

forests, resource-rich mountains, fascinating islands and islets with a vast track of agricultural

land and rich fishing grounds. Certainly, MIMAROPA is a haven for tourism and agri-industry,

congenial to the people, environment and culture.

Figure 1. Map of MIMAROPA Region

MIMAROPA is originally a part of Region IV, known as the Southern Tagalog Region. formerly

the largest and considered the prime region in the country due to its size and population.

However, “to accelerate the social and economic development of the provinces and cities


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comprising Region IV and improve the delivery of public services”, Executive Order No. 103

dated May 17, 2002 was issued dividing Region IV into Region IV-A to be known as

CALABARZON and Region IV-B to be known as MIMAROPA. MIMAROPA stands for Mindoro

(Occidental and Oriental), Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan. With the division, Aurora

province was transferred to Region III being proximate to Central Luzon.

On July 17, 2016, Republic Act 10879 was enacted, “establishing the Southwestern Tagalog

to be known as the MIMAROPA Region, in accordance with Article VI, Section 27 (1) of the

Philippine Constitution. RA 10879 establishes the MIMAROPA Region comprising the

provinces and cities of Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon,

Palawan, Puerto Princesa City, and Calapan City.

With its relevant role as a Food basket of Metro Manila and CALABARZON, MIMAROPA Region

significantly produces major staples and agricultural commodities such as rice, corn, saba

banana, calamansi, cashew, onion, garlic, arrowroot, cassava, coconut and seaweeds. Oriental

Mindoro is the top national producer of calamansi, Palawan is the top cashew nut producing

province while Occidental Mindoro is the 2nd largest red onion producing province in the

country.

MIMAROPA has also expanded area planted to agri-industrial crops like rubber, cacao and

coffee to more significantly contribute to national production aside from maintaining its vast

varieties of high value crops like mango, lanzones, rambutan, durian and vegetables.


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As an all-island province, various marine products abound in the fishing grounds of Mogpog

Pass, Tablas Strait, Honda Bay, Cuyo Pass, Malampaya Ground, and the Mindoro Strait which is

one of the migratory pathways for the country’s most valuable yellow fin tuna. Palawan is the

top producer of fresh and dried seaweeds in the country today.

Rice Program

MIMAROPA’s Rice Program mainly focus on the Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP) of the

Department of Agriculture with a mandate to produce enough, accessible and affordable food

for every Filipino and a decent income for all. To achieve this goal, the region aims to address

various challenges confronting the rice sector like increasing productivity to ensure food

security in the region and contribute in attaining the goal of rice sufficiency in the country. To

achieve the program goal, modernization of farm technologies will have a huge impact on

increased productivity, reduced labor cost and saved post-harvest losses. The region is likewise

implementing and adopting strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change through buffer

seed stocking, distribution of stress tolerant rice varieties and concreting of irrigation earth

canal.

During the early part of 2016, MIMAROPA region was negatively affected by the El Niño

Phenomenon. This has caused palay production to drop by 17% or 76,091 metric tons and

managed to produce only a total of 366,500 metric tons as compared to previous year’s

production of 442,591 metric tons.

However, during the wet cropping season, palay production bounced back according to data

from the Philippine Statistics Authority with a palay production of 712,100 metric tons or an

increase by 11.40 % or an equivalent of 72,858 metric tons over a total of 639,242 metric tons

in 2015. The increase can be attributed to the farmers’ increasing use of quality seeds and on

farm mechanization interventions that minimized the cost of production and postharvest losses

of farmers.

During the 3rd quarter of 2016, under the new administration, a Project MANa (Masaganang

Agrikultura sa Nayon) that aims to expand the rice area of the country by opening new

potential areas and converting rainfed to irrigated lands thru provisions of applicable irrigation

projects was launched. The region was one of the few regions that was able to finish conducting

field validations of the identified polygons. A total of 11,647 hectares have the potential to be

converted to new rice areas while 35,213 hectares of rainfed areas that were validated are

potential areas for irrigation projects that can be converted to irrigated ecosystem.


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During the 2016 National Agri-Pinoy Rice Awards, the province of Occidental Mindoro ranked

first place among the top five provinces in the country in terms of production performance and

yield per hectare and hailed as a Hall of Fame awardee for having won the award three times.

The Municipality of Nara in Palawan was also recognized as one of the top municipalities while

four local Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) from Occidental Mindoro and Palawan were

awarded as part of the 24 Outstanding Agricultural Extension Workers.

The Region also actively participated in the Department of Agricultures’ #Brown4Good

Challenge and continuously facilitates the conduct of School-on-the-Air on Rice Production in

which the DA Secretary fully supports.


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Corn Program

Under the Corn Program, MIMAROPA Region has managed to produce 114,143.00 metric tons

of white and yellow corn for 2016 from a total area of 30,510 hectares with an average yield of

3.74mt/ha. This can be attributed to interventions like provision of farm inputs, construction of

irrigation facilities and farm mechanization given to either individual farmer, LGU's,

cooperatives or associations and provision of extension support in the form of trainings such as

Farmers’ Field Schools (FFS), Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), techno-demos, cooking

demonstration and Bantay Peste program conducted for the various farmers’ groups around

MIMAROPA provinces.

At the 4th National Corn Quality Achievements Awards (NQCAA) 2016, the Region once again.

has produced winners from Occidental Mindoro. The Municipality of Abra de Ilog was awarded

the Outstanding Municipality for Corn Production and received a plaque of recognition and one

million pesos worth of project while its Municipal Agricultural Officer Julius Judelito A. Amodia

was awarded the category of Outstanding Municipal Agriculturist/Municipal Corn Coordinator

and received a check worth P30,000.00 while 10 Agricultural Extension Workers received

P20,000 worth of check each under the category of Outstanding Agricultural Extension Workers

(AEWs). Four of the awardees came from the municipality of Sablayan (one of whom is a hall of

famer), three from San Jose, two from Abra de Ilog and one from the Municipality of Calintaan.


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High Value Commercial Development Program

The High Value Crop Development Program provides assorted vegetable seeds and planting

materials to increase production and income, create livelihood opportunities among farmers,

promote the commercial production of onion, garlic, mung bean, peanut and black pepper to

reduce the country’s importation. Support value adding/product development projects thru

provision /establishment of community based processing facility and the market promotion of

high value crops.

The program has expanded areas for cashew, rubber, cacao and coffee through provision of

quality planting materials to qualified, registered and interested farmers group or cooperatives

Hybrid vegetable seeds were also provided to vegetable farmers to increase production of

vegetables in the region. However, priority interventions shall be given to calamansi, cashew

and banana saba, identified during the later part of 2016 as Regional Priority Commodities, for

the succeeding years.

While Oriental Mindoro is still the Calamansi King of the country in terms of hectarage, the

production of calamansi has declined in 2016 due to the onslaught of Typhoon “Nona” that led

to the decrease in number of bearing trees and area harvested for calamansi in the province.

According to the PSA Bulletin, MIMAROPA landed to 2nd highest producer during the 1st quarter,

with 16.5 percent share. But with the on-going implementation of the World-Bank assisted

project, the Philippine Rural Development Project, through the completion of a long-stretch

FMR within the range of the calamansi production areas, reviving the highest producer status

would never be difficult to recover.

The newly established Mango Pulp Weevil Detection Center in Aborlan, Palawan, funded by the

High Value Crops Development Program, was turned over to the LGU. Said Center and X-ray

Machine would serve as the venue for the detection of mango pulp weevil in mango fruits

produced and transported to and from the southern municipalities of Palawan and in order to

select and certify MPW-free mango fruits

A regional cacao investment forum was conducted with a total of 80 cacao stakeholders in

MIMAROPA as participants. The positive feedback from the farmer participants has resulted to

participant’s commitment to expand areas for cacao production in their respective areas. This

led to the conduct of municipal level cacao and coffee investment fora and the creation of the

regional cacao industry council. The region is now consulting the Council for possible

interventions needed for the Cacao Industry.


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During the Regional Gawad Saka Search, a farmer from Occidental Mindoro was awarded as the

outstanding regional farmer for high value crops (Saba Banana). Mr. Lamberto Untalan, a rebel

returnee has given his trust back to the government by availing programs offered by the

Department of Agriculture. The banner program has helped him succeed in planting banana-

saba thru the provision of technical assistance during the initial stages of his farm

establishment.

Livestock Program

The Livestock program aims to improve livestock productivity and increase farmers’ income by

providing technology, support services and infrastructure. The program continuously provides

trainings and services on goat and native chicken production, beekeeping, artificial

insemination and vaccination.

In 2016, the two (2) island municipalities of Romblon (San Jose and Romblon) were declared as

Rabies-Free Zone. The province of Marinduque was recognized as one among the 37 Best LGU

Implementer of Rabies Program. For Rabies-Free Philippines Vision for Year 2020, the Region, in

continuous partnership with LGU veterinarians, supports the MIMAROPA Initiative “Free Spay


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and Neuter on Dogs and Cats”. A total of 755 dogs and cats were spayed and neutered in the

provinces of Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro & Romblon.

The DA-RFO MIMAROPA, in continuous collaboration with Bureau of Animal Industry, Philippine

Carabao Center and National Dairy Authority has ensured the production of better breeds of

ruminant animals that are resistant to diseases and also produces high quality meat and

nutritious milk. Partner agencies help to provide technical assistance through trainings and

conduct of various programs like provision of semen straws and massive estrus synchronization

in coordination with LGU counterparts. A total of 2,086 animal raisers throughout the region

have benefitted from the conduct of artificial insemination for large ruminants. Semen straws

(LN2 tank, AI paraphernalia) and pasture seeds in support to pasture development were

distributed regionwide.

The Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL) together with the Regulatory

Division is consistently monitoring and conducting surveillance for Foot & Mouth Disease and

Avian Influenza. A total of 333 FMD and 531 AI blood samples were submitted to BAI-ADDRL.

Laboratory results showed that the region has maintained its Foot & Mouth Disease-Free and

Avian Influenza-Free status. For the strengthening of Diagnostic and Biological Infrastructure


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and Feed Laboratory Service, a total of 4473 laboratory services had been rendered by the

Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory & Regional Animal Feed Laboratory. In support

to animal health, disease prevention and control program, 59,597 heads of dogs & cats were

vaccinated against rabies, 56 native pigs for hog cholera, and 500 native chickens for new castle

disease.

Organic Agriculture Program

Under the Organic Agriculture Program, MIMAROPA has 10,627.99 hectares devoted for

organic farming with an increase of 327.7 % from 2015 (2, 485), in terms of volume of

production (partially collected data as of December 31, 2016). There’s an increase of 40.6 %

(567.65 mt) from the previous year in an average yield of 403.5 mt. To boost the market

opportunities for these products, consumer awareness and Capacity Building of Organic

Farmers Organization in Entrepreneurship Development and Market Access were conducted

and as a result, market niches (7 destinations) were established in Mindoro provinces, Batangas,

Antipolo, Alabang, Cavite, Metro Manila and Quezon City. Moreover, trading post were

established and maintained in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro,

and Odiongan, Romblon. Through continuous information dissemination and maintaining demo

farms as promotional strategies, 493 (31%) more individuals were encouraged to practice

organic farming (Data: 2015 – 2,088; 2016- 2,735).

A number of different production and postharvest facilities and equipments had been

distributed and constructed. These interventions had provided notable help to organic

practitioners, local government units and farmers’ associations in contributing sustainable

agriculture and supply of organic products in the markets.

Regulatory Division

The Regulatory Division d safety standards related to feed quality manufacturing, veterinary

drugs and product utilization with devotion to good agricultural practices, good animal

husbandry practices and international animal welfare standards. The Division had complied to

a number of Republic Acts that support regular monitoring, spot inspection and sample

collection, quarterly inventory of seedling stocks, and processing and endorsement of facilities

for registration and for renewal, among others. Plant pests and animals animal diseases

monitoring, surveillance and early warning activities had been undertaken for the prevention

and control of the damages and spread/outbreak of economically significant plant/animal

diseases/pests that had ultimately ensured food safety. The Division had achieved the 3rdparty

certification and registration of three organic farms in Or. Mindoro namely DJMV Farm and


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Gabutero Organic Farm (the first organic farms certified and registered in the country and the

first private organic farms subsidized for 3rd party certified organic farms in the country) and the

Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Center (Product: Organic Pig and Non-milled and

Milled Rice). Another important milestone made by the Division was the evaluation and pre-

assessment preparation for inspection of four organic farms by the Organic Certifying Body, the

Negros Island Certification, which is scheduled by February 2017.

Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Center, Victoria, Oriental Mindoro

Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division

The Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division supported the program of the Department

especially in promoting coffee and cacao plantation in the region. The AMAD had continuously

conducted investment fora on coffee and cacao in the provinces of Oriental Mindoro, Romblon

and Marinduque, where most of the participants were “Balikbayans”.


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Through the activities, the farmers were encouraged to revitalize their existing associations,

rehabilitate/rejuvenate their coffee/cacao trees, to establish their own nurseries and

processing centers. Some land owners are willing to lend their land for cacao production

particularly in the province of Marinduque, while others decided to expand their areas for

cacao production.

The AMAD had continued participating in both local and international trade fairs to support the

local farmers in promoting their products. AMAD had participated in the Seoul Food Expo in

Korea. The Ambassador to Korea had the chance to see and taste the Philippine products on

display, especially the MIMAROPA products. During the event the exhibitor (Bahaghari Global

Food Inc.) has recorded a negotiated sale of around US$ 741,002.00 equivalents to

Php33,345,090.00, and has generated a total sales of Php2, 200,000.00. and also closed a

deal with estimated volume of around One Container from the US and One Container banana

chips in Middle East with a total value of Four Million Pesos.

One of AMAD’s regular activities is the updating the Directory of Farmers/Producers/Processors

from time to time to support the product promotion in the region, and for the convenience of

the potential buyers to identify farmers/producers of a particular commodity.

During the first Regional Secretary’s Visit of Sec. Emmanuel Piñol to Oriental Mindoro, the

community of the Tadyawan Tribe in Pola municipality and the Oriental Mindoro Calamansi

Trading Center in Victoria municipality had been visited. Market matching of Calamansi

between NaFA and the Tadyawan tribe with a total of 19, 000 kilos at 10 pesos per kilogram

amounting to Php. 190,000 as of September 2016 took place. The amount traded for

96,565.03 kilos was equivalent to 1,465, 704.07 pesos.

In 2016, AMAD had continued the accreditation of food lane to help our farmers/producers,

viajeros, and traders attain/realize higher income. This will provide them hassle – free


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movement of truckers without the high cost of freight and different incidental expenses

incurred along the road. Currently the region has recorded a total of 16 traders/viajeros with

food lane accreditation.

Research Division

The Research Division had completed 7 researches in 2016 while 35 Research Projects (20-BAR

funded, 12- Regional Research Allocation, 2- Corn Program and 2- Livestock Program funded)

were conducted. Under the DA-BAR-funded Projects, the following composed the newly-

approved projects: Compendium of Research Projects for 2005-2015 (P1.2M); Establishment

of Research & Development Building of the Palawan Research and Experiment Station (P 5.0M;

Management & Operation of the Regional Research Development & Extension Network of DA-

MIMAROPA (P 0.375M); Upgrading & Improvement of Mushroom Research & Development (P

1.95M); Development Facilities of DA-RFO IVB Experiment Stations in Or. Mindoro, Occ.

Mindoro and Palawan; Survey & Early Warning on Cassava Arthropod Pests &Diseases in Region

IVB (P0.675M). A compendium of research projects for CY 2005-2015 entitled “A Decade of

Success” had been published. This compendium would be of great help to individuals and

groups in need of research studies for their data analysis tools.

The Palawan Research and Experiment Station (PRES) had conducted production and

distribution of seeds and planting materials and other fertilizers and soil ameliorants. Other

activities undertaken included maintenance of scion foundation grove, maintenance and


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establishment of techno-demo farms for various crops (cashew, mango, pineapple, coffee,

mushroom) and collection/preservation of indigenous fruits as well as germplasm collection of

banana, and landscaping of various edible crops/plants. DA PRES also organized and trained

banana growers to strengthen the banana industry in the province.The Livestock Resource

Center (LRC) under the Station had been continuously maintaining multiplier farms, pasture

area, animals (cattle/horse), parawakan (a native chicken specie) stocks (in support to various

research funds/organic), and forage/pasture demo. It had also undertaken production of

animals (cattle/offsprings) and vermicomposts, distribution of forage grasses/seedlings/cuttings,

and extension of breeding services (artificial insemination), training services, and Farmers’

Information Technology Services (in coordination with the ATI. Dairy Production and

Development Center (DPDC) showcase the Dairy Farming Techniques through Good Animal

Husbandry Practices and help address malnutrition in the community and improve farmer

income through milk processing livelihood projects. DPDC also produce different forages and

pasture grasses for cut and carrymethods and herding for animal stocks. On December 5-6,

2016 a Grand Field Day of PRES was conducted to showcase different technologies developed

and was attended by 500 farmers, NGO’s and other partner agencies. Ground breaking

Ceremony of the Research and Development Building and ribbon cutting of training hall of LRC

and composting facilities were done.

Integrated Laboratory Division

The Regional Animal Feed Laboratory (RAFL) had received and analyzed a total of 1,325 samples

(138% accomplishment) for 2016. A total of 74 clients were served (148% accomplishment).

Occidental Mindoro submitted a total of 112 samples, 96.43% of which passed the quality

standards. Oriental Mindoro submitted the most number of samples (621), 87.60 % passed;

Palawan -244 samples, 95.90% passed. Romblon - 241 samples, 96.27% passed. Marinduque -

107 samples, 93.46% passed.

The Regional Soils Laboratory (Barcenga, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro) had conducted the soil

sampling and testing for fertility and crop sustainability assessment (in collaboration with the

Bureau of Soils and Water Management). The DA Secretary had tasked the Bureau to prepare

color–coded guide maps on soil fertility and crop sustainability, hence, this program is

implemented nationwide. For Phase I project implementation, Oriental and Occidental

Mindoro were included in the 47 major rice-producing provinces. Pre-field survey and field

survey were used for the project where a total of 258 soil samples had been collected from

municipalities of Calapan, Baco and Naujan (as of September 3, 2016). The survey output had


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shown that the chemical analysis (pH, N, P andK) of 2,104 soil samples from the provinces of

Oriental and Occidental Mindoro had been determined.

The Regional Crop Protection Center had conducted continuous validation, monitoring,

diagnosis and lecturing activities in the different parts of MIMAROPA provinces for the past

year.

As part of the Damage Assessment of Typhoon Nona, a RCPC team had conducted a site visit to

Lanzones plantation hardly hit by the said typhoon

Crop health data on PRISM monitoring sites in Palawan had been gathered while a disease on

Rambutan (Vein Necrosis) based on the sample submitted had been Validated and diagnosed.

The Palawan Soils Laboratory had continuously conducted soils analysis for fertilizer

recommendation (of various crops), liquid Trichoderma and Trichoderma harzianum production

and distribution to various rice areas in Palawan. Briefings to farmer beneficiaries for soil

sampling procedures on soil test and application procedures of trichoderma harzianum for

compost had also bee conducted. PSL staff also gave lectures to agriculture students for soil

test determination.


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The Regional Animal Diseases Diagnosis Laboratory (RADDL) and the Satellite Diseases

Diagnosis Laboratory (SADDL) had conducted a total of three thousand one hundred fourty

eight (3,148) laboratory tests and served a total of five hundred fourty eight (548) in 2016. The

laboratory hds accomplished one hundred fourty seven point thirty-seven percent (147.37 %) of

its physical target on total laboratory tests conducted.

The 147.37 % accomplishment had comprised of: 33.70% (1, 061) of the test conducted for the

parasitological examination (Direct Fecal Smear, Floatation and Sedimentation), 13.41% (422

test) for the bacteriology, 44.54% (1, 402) on the virology, 7.91% (249) for the serology and

0.44% (14) necropsy procedure conducted.

The RADDL and SADDL staff attended several trainings and seminars which will enhance and

improve the capabilities and skills of the stations’ human resources.

Philippine Rural Development Project

To date, the RPCO I Plan Component had developed 17 Value Chain Analysis (VCA) where 11

had already been issued with No Objection Letter (NOL). The three (3) VCAs are currently being

reviewed by PRDP-National Project Coordination Office (NPCO) while the remaining four (4)

VCAs are undergoing data gathering/ drafting. Presently, six (6) provinces including the city of

Puerto Princesa had already endorsed their updated Provincial Commodity Investment Plans

(PCIPs). PCIP rationalizes the interventions within the various segments of the value chain of

commodities that are of significance to the province and that will contribute to the national

goals of the agriculture and fishery sectors.

Agricultural development has been hampered by the acute lack of rural infrastructure such as

roads and bridges, communal irrigation and potable water supply. RPCO MIMAROPA has a total

of 23 subprojects where 4 SPs are 50% & above physical progress, 6 SPs issued NOL 1, 5 SPs

endorsed for issuance of NOL 1, 4 SPs under FS/DED preparation and 4 SPs already validated.

The I-REAP component had been supporting the development, implementation and

sustainability of agricultural, livestock or fishery-based entrepreneurial activities, based on the

analysis of priority value chains being supported under AFMPs and as reflected in the PCIPs.

Under I-Reap, there are 39 subprojects and 16 SPs under I-Reap regular and 17 micro-

enterprise SP for typhoon-affected areas (Lando & Nona) and 6 SPs for Global Environmental

Facility (GEF). On the status of I-REAP SPs, 21 SPs are under identification/validation and BP

Preparation, 2 SPs are approved, 15 SP with NOL 1 issued and 1 SP with NOL 2.


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The I-Support component, on the other hand had continued extending various support

activities to overall implementation of the project like site inspection and validation, conduct of

various meetings (RPAB, consultations, etc.) and submission of various reports.

Bottom Up Budgeting Program

The regional BUB Teams were able to obligate the 100% of the 2016 BuB funds amounting to

almost 122.6 million. We were able to transfer around 23 Million of the budget among different

LGUs in the region who had already complied with the requirements particularly the liquidation

of their cash advances. On the other hand, the remaining funds will be transferred to LGUs once

they complied the liquidation requirement. The regional office had also conducted series of

turn-over ceremonies of the different BUB projects, one of which was in Puerto Princesa City

wherein the regional office had turned-over the one (1) unit combine harvester and one (1) unit

90 HP Four Wheel Drive Tractor amounting to four 4.1 million pesos. Aside from the above

mentioned accomplishments mid-year and year-end review were conducted to monitor the

project implementation as well as to have grasp on the issues, concerns and learnings that are

of great importance in the successful implementation of the BuB projects.

Documents

2016 Accomplishments DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ...storage.googleapis.com/request-attachments...comprising Region IV and improve the delivery of public services”, Executive Order