MONTHLY NARRATIVE REPORT MARCH 2017

Office/Division/Unit: ATI-RTC-Cordillera Administrative Region

Thematic Program Activity/ies Highlights of Accomplishments

E-extension o Continuing information drive and assistance to the e-learners such as walk-in clients

o Presentation on e-learning made during the HAARRDEC Regional Knowledge Management Group Meeting on March

17, 2017

Knowledge Center o Continuous coordination to concern FITS Centers for the site visits (FITS assessments and establishments) and MS

Setting-up & nomination and assessment

Management o Assessed MS Nominees this month:

- Valerio Ramos, operator of the VnL Learning Site located at Tuba, Benguet

- Shirley Palao-ay of Tuba, Benguet

- Mr. Brenson Dagwat , LS owner at Lamagan, Abatan, Buguias, MS nominee of OPAG Benguet

- Mr. Cornelio Benigno, operator of a Techno Demo farm located at Lusong, Baculongan, Buguias, Benguet- MS

nominee of FITS Buguias

Enhancing Access o Revisits FITS Center Buguias to AFE o Meeting of MS conducted on March 28-29, 2017 (together with the other RBOs)

Knowledge Products

o Ongoing IEC development. Brochure on Climate Change being developed -

Knowledge

Development and o IEC in various forms with different topics reproduced with a total 8,215 sets recorded

Products and

Dissemination o Continuing provision of IEC to walk-in clients , with a total of 19,911 IEC in various forms and topics provided

Services

o Continuing library management and services.

o Attended request of 109 (as recorded) walk-in clients

Knowledge Systems

Management (ICT o Continuous ICT maintenance

Services)

Communication and o 13 articles were uploaded to the ATI-CAR website.

Advocacy o Uploading of photos to the social media as part of informing the ATI-CAR’s activities for which 20 postings were

made.

o Updated the photos of Dr. Taposok displayed within the ATI Center

o Development of ATI-CAR leaflet

o Presentation on ATI KM loop on March 17, 2017 during the HAARRDEC Regional Knowledge Management Group

Meeting

Thematic

Activity/ies

Highlights of Accomplishments

Program

Training on Hybrid Rice Production for AEWs and LFTs in CAR Batch 1 – March 7-10, 2017 at Gladiola Hall, BSU Compound Batch 2 – March 21-24, 2017 at ATI-CAR, BSU Compound

o The training aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills on the up-to-date technologies and farming techniques on hybrid rice production of the AEWs and LFTs of CAR.

o They were updated on the current Philippine Rice Industry Situation o They were provided with the basic Principle of Hybrid Rice o PalayCheck System for Hybrid Rice Commercial Production (F1 Cultivation) o Enumerate Hybrid Rice Production Technologies o Differentiate Mechanized Hybrid Rice Cultivation to Manual Cultivation o Overall, the two batches were rated very satisfactory. Likewise, the Resource Speakers from ATI-CAR, PhilRice and DA-

RFO-CAR were rated very satisfactory. o Participated by 24 AEWs and 27 LFTs o Total cost spent for the two batches is 195,305.83 pesos.

Strengthening Training and Extension Support to

Competitiveness Regular Programs and Capacity of and Commodities:

the AF Sector RICE PROGRAM

Figure 1. Participants’ practical learning activities at PhilRice, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

Technical Briefing on the Sikat Saka Program and Credit Worthiness Seminar for IAs and SWISAs in Kalinga Batch 1 - TAMPCO Inn & Training Center, Tabuk City, Kalinga Batch 2 – March 28, 2017

o Last 2015-2016, a total of 1230 members of the Irrigators Association were briefed on the Sikat Saka Program and provided with the Credit Worthiness Seminar. Out of these, 133 farmers were able to avail the credit program amounting to 14, 647, 000.00 pesos covering a total area of 286.75 has rice farm.

o To further inform more rice farmers on the Sikat Saka Program that these additional batches of briefings were conducted.

o Briefed a total of 177 rice farmers.

Technical Briefing on Hybrid Rice Production for Farmers

Batch 1 – March 29, 2017 Batch 2 – March 30, 2017

o The ATI supports the goal of the Department of Agriculture to significantly raise rice productivity, increase farmers’ income, provide employment opportunities and improve food security in the country

o As support to the goal, the ATI-CAR conducted technical briefings on hybrid rice production for the rice farmers of

Kalinga who is the major rice producer of the region. o The briefings provided them the up-to-date rice production technologies and farming practices on hybrid rice

production. o Briefed a total of 444 rice farmers of Kalinga Province.

Training in Support to Organic Agriculture-Internal Control System Installation for TROFA (Phase III) – March 13- 17, 2017 at Dada, Bakun, Benguet

o The organization completed their ICS Phase 1 and 2 in 2016.

o 16 farms of the members were internally inspected on its

Training and compliance to OA standards

o Training was rated satisfactory. Resource Speaker Mr.

Extension Support to

Charlie Sagudan, OA Focal, was rated as excellent. Mr.

Regular Programs

Sagudan encouraged the group to pursue their phase IV

and Commodities:

saying, “God gave this land to us, we are just but stewards, by

ORGANIC

being a steward,let us cultivate it sustainably so that our kids

AGRICULTURE

may have something to till in the future, If we decide to abuse

PROGRAM

it, there will be no productive land for the generations to

come, be a good steward then folks, be a good organic

farmer”. o Participated by 29 members of the Traditional Raisers

Organic Farmers Association (TROFA) Figure 2. Salute to the OA Farmers of Bakun, Benguet

o Training cost is 79,264.40 pesos.

Thematic

Activity/ies

Highlights of Accomplishments

Program

Training on Computer-Based Data Management for the RFO Personnel and AEWs under the HVCD Program of CAR – February 28-March 2, 2017

o This training is one of the identified trainings needs of the HVCD Program Implementers in 2016. o They were informed on the importance of computers in agriculture and fisheries data management; taught in using the

various features of the MS Word, MS Excel and MS Powerpoint in processing and packaging/presenting A&F data; and provided with tips in designing IEC materials.

o The group was lucky to have USEC Evelyn Laviña during their closing program where she emphasized that we at the government must not to look at the farmers as our job, but to look at them as our parters.

o Both activity and resource speakers who are ATI staff were given very satisfactory rating. o Participated by 12 AEWs and and 16 RFO Personnel o Training cost is 70,820.90 pesos.

Training and Extension Support to Regular Programs and Commodities: HVCD PROGRAM

Figure 3. Age doesn’t matter when you have the interest to learn

Training of Trainers on GAP for F&V with NC II for AEWs and GAP Learning Sites of AEWs – March 7-11, 2017 at ATI- CAR

o According to the Midland Newspaper Editorial – “We have not yet prepared our farmers in the region on the global market.” Thus, ATI continuously conducts Training on GAP especially for the AEWs and the LS operators. Aside from the AEWs, LS operators are ATI’s Farmer-Partners in educating the farmers. As they have said, “it is our joy and honor to share our knowledge. Thus, we need continuous training for us to be a competent teacher to our co-farmers”.

o In her message, TCS I Myrna Sta. Maria encouraged the

participants to continue in educating the farmers in their

municipalities to produce safe, quality product, and teach

practices that will manage the environment and workers health

and welfare and be globally competitive.

o Activity and resource persons who are members of the Regional

GAP Team were rated very satisfactory.

o \Participated by 27 AEWs and three (3) LS Owners.

o Out of 30 participants assessed by TESDA on NC II on

Agricultural Crop Production, 28 passed and two (2) were only given Certificate of Competency.

o Training cost is 113,579.14 pesos.

Figure 4. Sweat and Sweet, the Agri-Crop Production NC

II Certification Process

Training Course on Good Agricultural Practices for Corn Farmers

Batch 1 - Calaccad, Tabuk City, Kalinga

Training and Batch 2 – Lubuagan, Kalinga (ATI-CO 2016 Fund)

Extension Support to Batch 3 – Pinukpuk, Kalinga (ATI-CO 2016 Fund)

Regular Programs Batch 4- Flora Apayao (ATI-CO 2016 Fund)

and Commodities:

CORN AND CASSAVA o Four (4) batches of GAP Training were implemented this month. Of which, three (3) were additional batches funded by PROGRAM ATI-CO.

o This aimed to encourage Corn Farmers especially of the provinces of Apayao and Kalinga who are major producers of corn in the region to comply with the GAP standards thereby they can apply for GAP Certification. o These were all conducted on-site by the Corn and Cassava Focal Mr. Edwin Dicksen. Training on Climate Change and Livestcok Adaptation and Mitigating Measures for Farmers of CAR - March 1-3, 2017 at ATI-CAR

Training and o This training provided the Livestock farmer-participants with full understanding of climate change and its adverse Extension Support to effects in agriculture particularly in Livestock and Poultry production and identified possible adaptation and Regular Programs mitigation strategies that will be applied in their own farms.

and Commodities: o Mr. Cruzaldo Atos, farmer from Itogon Benguet shared that, “This training made us realize that many activities in our LIVESTOCK farms will contribute to pollution. Sometimes we farmers will just think of our income and sometimes we are not PROGRAM considering our contribution to the distraction of our environment.”.

o Activity and Resource Speakers (BSU Professors and ATI-CAR staff) were rated very satisfactory. o Participated by 24 farmers from the Provinces of Benguet, Mt. Province, Ifugao and Apayao. o Training cost is 81,221.68 pesos.

TRAINING ON LIVESTOCK EMERGENCY GUIDELINES and STANDARDS FOR LIVESTOCK AEWs OF CAR (Batch 1) – March 14-16, 2017 at ATI-CAR

o This training equipped them with enough knowledge and skills in determining appropriate livestock interventions during emergency in their own respective areas of operation.

o As always, a very impressive and excellent training from ATI,

eversince I entered in service at PVO Ifugao, my expectations to

ATI trainings never failed me. Indeed, a very informative and

full of learning training. We hope we can make a very concrete

and applicable PRIM and response plan when we go back

home to help our partners in the field during disasters and

emergencies, said Dr. Rolando Pila, Vet III of PVO Ifugao in his

impression.

o Activity and Resource Speaker Dr. Karlo Romano Gicana

from UP Los Baños were rated excellent. Dr. Gicana said,

"Whatever we do, how unfair things might be it all depends on

how we perceive things. We do understand how complicated

Figure 5. A creative opener introduced by Dr. Gicana maybe your situations, in implementing your learnings in this

training, but imagine also the impact of what you will give and share to our partners in the field if you will implement" o Participated by 33 AEWs and four (4) BSU Representatives.

o Training cost is 114,121.14 pesos.

TOT on RBO (4-H, VLAP, RIC, P4MP, MS) Development and Management for New RBO Coordinators and Officers of CAR – March 7 – 9, 2017 at ATI-CAR

o The training was designed to enhance the knowledge, skills, and competitiveness of the New RBO Coordinators and Officers in effective and efficient delivery of extension services on RBO / 4H Club development and management.

Training and o The participants became aware that there are other RBOs aside from the RBO where they are a current member. Extension Support to o Mr. Cornelio Matias, a MS member from Bauko, Mt. Province, remarked,“Then and now, RBO's are known of their spirit Regular Programs of volunterism which is actually our unending culture as Igorots. This should not perish The regional officers has reflected and Commodities: 4- the give and take relationship among their members which I appreciate.The 4-Hers has also signified their interest with H PROGRAM the other RBO's. They are open to new ideas. With regards to the venue, I have no comment because we RBO's find home in

ATI”.

o Overall, activity and resource speakers were rated very satisfactory. Resource Speakers were composed of the DA-RFO RBO Coordinators, ATI-CAR RBO Focal, RBO Regional Presidents, P4MP National President and JAEC Recipients. o Completed by 29 AEWs and 22 RBO Officers.

o Utilized a total cost of 147,597.00 pesos.

Figure 6. Culminating activity through Candle lighting ceremony (L-R) Mrs. Puyoc representing the MAO's, Mrs. Fatima as parent, Mr. Balancio as DA representative, Mrs. Magtanao, the VLAP Regional President and the Ms. Melecio, the 4-H Regional President Training on Food Processing and Preservation with NC II for RIC Coordinators and Members of CAR - March 22-25, 2017 at Benguet Techno Demo Center, Wangal La Trinidad Benguet

o In time for the celebration of Women’s Month, the

Rural Improvement Club Coordinators and

Members were invited to a formal Training on

Food Processing and Preservation.

Training and o In this training, the participants were trained on

Extension Support to how they can add value to their agricultural

Regular Programs products through salting, curing and smoking,

and Commodities: fermentation and pickling and sugar

RBO PROGRAM concentration. Also, they were taught on how to

properly package their finished products.

o Participated by 10 AEWs and 15 RICs

o 23 participants took and passed the four (4)

competencies required on the Food Processing NC

II

o Overall, activity and resource speaker Ms. Norma

Figure 8. Women empowerment through skills development

Banañia was rated very satisfactory.

o Training cost is 118,921.89 pesos.

Training and Extension Support to Regular Programs and Commodities: REGULAR PROGRAM

Training for Indigenous People: Training on Cooperative Management for Bashoy Farmer's Consumers Cooperative (BFCC)– March 14-16, 2017 at Bashoy, Kabayan, Benguet

o The cooperative had been a recipient of start-up project of the ATI-CAR. To help its officers and members in managing their cooperative to that they could sustain their projects that this training was held.

o Invited Resource Speaker was the Executive Director of CARCU Ms. Emerita C. Fuerte who was rated excellent. o She were able to discuss the fundamentals of cooperative; explain the need for a sound cooperative management;

identify and explain the cooperative management components and functions; discuss relevant laws affecting cooperatives; and identify the social and economic standards for cooperatives.

o The members of the BFCC were very grateful that ATI chose their organization to be the recipient of the training. They were able to see their failures in managing their Cooperative. Learning from this training will guide them in the proper management of their Cooperative for this to be

successful. o Participated by 41 members of the Cooperative. o Activity was rated very satisfactory o Training cost is 77,659.60 pesos.

Figure 10. Participants of the training Figure 10. CARCU Executive Director Emerita Fuerte

Thematic

Activity/ies

Highlights of Accomplishments

Program

ATI’s Extension Support to Mt. Province as Among the 22 Priority Provinces for Agricultural and Rural Development

o Out of the six provinces of the Cordillera Administrative Region, the Province of Mt. Province is among the 22 Priority Provinces in the country who will be a beneficiary of the ES22PPP Program towards Agricultural and Rural Development.

- For the preparatory phase, the Provincial Orientation was conducted on March 21, 2017 at Bontoc (the capital town of the province) followed by the Municipal Orientation conducted on March 27-28, 2017 at Natonin and Paracelis, Mt. Province. - Out of the 10 municipalities of the province, the municipalities of Natonin and Paracelis were selected as pilot sites. These two (2) municipalities were not covered by the CHARMP, a foreign-funded project of the Department of Agriculture-CAR. This reason served as major consideration in the selection of the pilot sites. As agreed, the 11 barangays of Natonin and nine (9) barangays of Paracelis will be covered. - The MOU was signed by the Provincial Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan, Jr., with the Provincial Agriculturist Mr. Extension Support to John Likigan, the Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Rodelio Bagawi, the Project Coordinator Ms. Concepcion P. the 22 Poorest Wangdali and the Center Director Dr. Arlene L. Flores as witnesses. The signed MOU was already sent to the Provinces in the Central Office for signing of Director Luz Taposok. Philippines

:ES22PPP

MOU Signing

Figure 1. (From L-R): TCS II Dr. Arlene L. Flores, Governor

Figure 2. (Center): PVET Dr. Rodelio Bagawi Bonificaio Lacwasan Jr., PA John Likigan, Project Coordinator

Concepcion Wangdali

- An Executive Order was crafted and approved by Gov. Lacwasan assigning the Technical Working Group of the Poverty Alleviation and Needs Assessment Team (PANAT) that was organized to provide technical assistance to the ATI-CAR in the data gathering, formulation of the Agricultural Extension Plans, project implementation of the Extension support and other functions that may be assigned.

- To fast track the data gathering, one (1) enumerator per barangay were hired. The conduct of needs assessment shall be completed within April 1-15.

- On April 18 will be the feed backing and validation of results. - On April 9-20 will be the formulation of the Agricultural Extension Plans for the municipalities of Natonin and

Paracelis.

The Department of Agriculture through its Regional Training Center in the Cordillera joins the Municipality of La Trinidad in celebrating its month-long STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL– March 18, 2017

o The ATI-CAR was invited by the Municipality of La Trinidad to partake in the civic parade as part the celebration of the Strawberry Festival. Together with the ATI-EP scholars, the ATI-CAR proudly raised its banner in representing the DA Family.

o Invited guest speaker for the program was USEC Evelyn Laviña where she encouraged the NGAs, LGUs and Farmers to have partnership and prepare a commodity plan alongside the value chain.

Expanding Partnerships in

Advancing Partnership

Excellence in AFE

Figure 11. (R-L)La Trinidad Mayor Salda, USEC Evelyn Laviña during the awarding of token of appreciation

Meeting with TESDA – CAR – March 14, 2017

o It was an exploratory meeting on the Implementing Guidelines on Provision of Special Technical Assistance for Program on Accelerating Farm School Establishment (PAFSE), which is still a draft TESDA Circular.

o The project aims to provide scholarship grants to farmers and fishers and their families. o It shall be implemented by TESDA in coordination with DA-ATI and DOT. o To fast track the initial year of implementation, all accredited LSs, SPAs and ESPs of DA-ATI and the Agro-Tourism

Sites of the DOT will be covered by the project.

ASSIST taps ATI for Agro-meteorological Project

o “Improving agricultural productivity and food security of small farmers and farming communities through improving their access to relevant information, data and technology” is the overarching aim of ASSIST’s AGROMET project.

ASSIST, which stands for Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation, was able to avail of a funding support from the German Development Bank.

o Mr. Go, together with Mr. Lukas Rieck, Senior Associate Development and Projects of ASSIST arrived at the ATI-CAR on January 31, 2017. The ASSIST team paid a courtesy visit to ATI-CAR Training Center Director Arlene L. Flores and then oriented the ATI-CAR staff regarding the project. According to Mr. Rieck, the ASSIST is proposing for the “setting up of a network of agrometrological (AGROMET) measuring stations to provide detailed and localized weather and soil data in Benguet.” Mr. Go added that there will be 80 AGROMET stations, each can cover a maximum of 500 hectares that will compose the network. The AGROMET station, which is actually called METOS by its manufacturer, was developed by Pessl, a company based in Austria that specializes in the development of measuring instruments.

o On February 1, the ASSIST team, ATI-CAR staff, proceeded to the municipality of Buguias for a pre-assessment activity. The municipality was chosen by ASSIST as the initial pilot area for the project based on the data provided by ATI-CO and ATI-CAR. The ASSIST team noted that the areas with the highest amount of production inputs, such as pesticides and fertilizers, is preferred as the pilot area because the project also aims to measure its impact by decreasing the amount of inputs used by the farmers.

o On March 16, 2017, the group steered a Focus Group Discussion to gather initial data and information from Farmer-Leaders, LGU representatives and other stakeholders on their expectations and possible contributions to the Project.

1st Semester LGU Agriculture Office Managers Association Meeting – March 29-30, 2017 at ATI-CAR

o Provincial Agriculturists, Provincial Veterinarians and Municipal Agriculturist were organized to provide them ATI program updates and to finalize the Association’s Constitution and By-laws.

o Special input provided to them is on Banyan tree as a practical climate change mitigating measure and its other great benefits to the people.

Trainer Skills Development and Records Keeping for ATI Accredited ESP, LS, SPA, FT & T. Demo Sites of CAR – March 14 – 16, 2017 at ATI-CAR

o To enhance the tutorial, social and training skills of the farmer-owners or managers of ESP, LSs, SPAs, FTs and Techno Demo sites and thereby sustain their being “teachers” to their fellow farmers and walk-in clients who visit their farms,

a semestral capability building activities were programmed for them. o They were re-oriented on their roles and responsibilities as LS, SPA, FT, T. Demo, and ESP. o They were taught on the proper traits, skills and commitment of trainers and provided with techniques on how to present or teach a topic well.

o Since it was found out in that one of their weakness is on record keeping, so inputs on the importance of keeping records and preparing record forms were made. o They were able to present a brief status report of their organization/learning site farms (projects or activities, visitors) and learn from each other’s’ technologies, practices or strategies through their microteaching practicum.

Scaling-up AFE o "Do not belittle yourself as farmers because you are needed by the humanity three times a day. Being a Trainer “Teacher"

Innovations to your fellow farmers and youth is a noble task. You develop yourself as you develop other people. The rewards are not

Innovations only financial but also on developing others to become like you" , Mr. Cristino E. Balancio, Sr. Agriculturist, PASS Head,

ATI-CAR

o Participated by 34 Farmer-

Partners.

o Overall, the training was rated

excellent. Also, the four (4)

Resource Speakers were rated

excellent.

o The training utilized a total

amount of 99,272.14 pesos.

o As part of the training, initial

assessment of these established Learning Sites, School for

Practical Agriculture and Farm Figure 3. (Left photo) – Group Workshop on Basic Farm recording; (Right photo) – Microteaching

Tourism Sites were made.

ATI Deputy Director Alfredo Aton Visits Lily of the Valley Farm Tourism Site

o The Lily of the Valley Farm was upscaled to Farm Tourism Site in 2016. o Being operated by Pastor Jefferson Laruan. o It is located in Ampasit, La Trinidad, Benguet.

Figure 13. (L-R) ATI Deputy Director Aton, Mr. Balancio and Pastor Laruan touring the farm

Facebook account: Lily of the Valley Organic Farm - La Trinidad (www.facebook.com/LOVorganicfarm/)

Consultative Workshop, Planning and Organizational Meeting of RBOs– March 28-29, 2017 at ATI-CAR

o A total of 62 RBO Coordinators, Officers and Members convened to present their results and accomplishments for 2016, to update the status of the livelihood projects and to formulate a workable

Improving workplan for 2018-2019.

Enabling o Also, the participants were given the opportunity to visit some of

the LS within La Trinidad. This is let them appreciate and learn Environment Consultative Activity different farming technologies from the LS operators. and Quality of

o In a separate session, the MS group had a meeting to discuss Governance substances on the assessment of MS nominees and possible future

activities. o Utilized a total amount of 138,184.00 pesos.

Figure 13. Introducing the newly-established LS on GAP

Strawberry to the RBOs

Monitoring of FITS Center of Tuba, Benguet – March 14, 2017

Field Monitoring

o The FITSC is still functional, with IEC materials displayed, and tables, chairs for clients in-placed and logbook is being maintained.

o However, ICT equipment provided no longer functional and there is a need to update the FITS directory due to change of OMAg leadership 1. Gender and Development Regional Conference – March 30-31, 2017 - Attended by the GAD focals, Ms. Jam Balingan and Ms. Cristine Esnara

2. Resource Person Development Course for Grains Postharvest Technology – March 27-31, 2017 - Completed by the Training Specialist I Mr. Ronan Soriano

3. Beyond Design: Development of ATI’s Corporate Materials – March 6-10, 2017

Staff Development - Completed by the Artist Illustrator Mr. Reynaldo Versoza and Media Production Specialist Mr. Bongbong Buli-e

4. Training of Trainers on FSTP Implementation “ The Corn-Based Farmer- Scientists RDE Training Program – March 7-9, 2017 - Completed by the Corn and Cassava Program Focal Person Mr. Edwin Dicksen

5. Training on Needs Assessment - Feb.27- March 3, 2017 - Completed by the Planning Officer Ms. Vilma Lumbas ATI-CO Initiated

1. Women Symposium in Agriculture – February 28- March 3, 2017 – Non-training - participated by TCS I Myrna B. Sta. Maria, GAD Alternate Focal Ms. Cristine Esnara, Mr. Juan Mangaoang, RICs – Activities Attended Ms. Virginia Sacki, Ms. Eunice Sagyaman, Ms. Pacita Bumacas and Ms. Marina Salipio 2. 1st Quarter 2017 ATIMA Meeting – March 5-8, 2017 – - Attended by - TCS II Arlene Flores

Prepared by: Noted:

CHERRY S. SINONG ARLENE L. FLORES, Ph.D. PEO I TCS II Date: