In a virtual meeting with the poultry stakeholders on March 30, 2021, about the chicken cost structure, the members of the National Banner Program Committee on Livestock, Poultry, and Corn (NBPC on LPC) pointed out to the Department of Agriculture (DA) that the cost estimates they have presented were a bit modest.
The NBPC on LPC called for a consideration of other expenses that were not included in the cost structure presented and items that were underestimated.
During the meeting, Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) OIC Assistant Director for Production & Research Dr. Rene Santiago presented the DA Production Cost assumption for chicken which is at PhP102/kg at farm gate price.
It was agreed during the meeting that the technical working group on broiler will prepare a table/matrix where stakeholders can input their operational costs based on their respective actual operations that will be used as a reference in coming up with a proposed estimate for the cost structure for broiler.
The group also called to reiterate the earlier request for the strict implementation and compliance of Local Government Units (LGUs) to the DILG-Memorandum Circular 133 Series of 2020 which suspends the collection of “pass-through fees” and other illegal fees and charges that adds up to the cost structure of the poultry stakeholders.
It was also recommended to the appropriate authorized body or national government agency to require commercial poultry farms to hire licensed veterinarians to be accountable for the monitoring, reporting, and prevention of possible disease outbreaks.
Department of Agriculture Undersecretary designate for Livestock Dr. William Medrano underscored the importance of the active participation of poultry stakeholders in achieving a balance between the interest of the producers and consumers. “You are valuable to us. Your presence manifests your interest and confidence in DA’s goal of transparent and inclusive governance,” he added. # # # (CCB / DA-PCAF)
PFDA-NFPC ends 1st Quarter with 46k MT of unloaded fish, March surpasses Jan and Feb supply
Philippine Fisheries Development Authority – Navotas Fish Port Complex (PFDA-NFPC) has successfully concluded the 1st quarter of 2021 with an unloading record of 46,436.77 metric tons (MT) of fish supply for its consumers in the National Capital Region (NCR) and some parts of Central and South Luzon.
Despite the government’s extension of a strengthened community quarantine in NCR and nearby provinces, PFDA-NFPC continues to provide its clients and stakeholders with quality, sufficient, and affordable fish supply. For the March 24-31 period, PFDA-NFPC has recorded 3,606.90 MT of unloaded fish supply.
The volume of fish unloaded per sector was as follows: aquaculture (1,025.04 MT), marine (2,106.982 MT), and frozen (474.88 MT).
In total, PFDA-NFPC has unloaded 18,647.47 MT of fish supply in March, significantly surpassing its January and February volume record of 12,404.4 MT and 15,384.9 MT, respectively.
Galunggong, bangus, tilapia, tulingan, and tamban maintained their position in the top five common species with the highest availability record for March.
With the enhanced community quarantine still in place in NCR, PFDA-NFPC stands by its commitment to provide adequate and pocket-friendly fish supply available in the market. # # # (Mark Angelo N. Perez / DA-PFDA Public Information Division)
Photo caption:
Unhampered Fish Supply. Philippine Fisheries Development Authority – Navotas Fish Port Complex (PFDA-NFPC) has successfully concluded the 1st quarter of 2021 with an unloading record of 46,436.77 metric tons (MT) of fish supply for its consumers in the National Capital Region (NCR) and some parts of Central and South Luzon. (DA-PFDA)
BFAR-IX rolls out MAYA internship program for the fisheries sector
As part of the rebooting strategy of the Department of Agriculture after the devastation inflicted upon the agri-fisheries sector by the COVID-19 pandemic, an innovative and unique program was conceptualized to mobilize, capacitate and develop the next generation of Filipinos to become the country’s future agriculture and fisheries frontliners: the Mentoring and Attracting Youth in Agribusiness (MAYA) program.
The MAYA program aims to develop a young cadre of agribusiness leaders through two tracks: Employment Track (future government workers in Agri-Fisheries) and Entrepreneurial Track (future Agri-Fisheries Industrial leaders) that will train and produce a technically competent workforce by exposing them to experiential learning in the various segments of the fisheries sector. During the six-month course of the program, each intern will receive a monthly allowance of 20,000.00. Online application for the Mentoring and Attracting Youth (Maya) Program in Region IX opened on February 9, 2021.
BFAR-IX conducted its first MAYA orientation on March 21, 2021, via an online platform attended by 15 qualified applicants to introduce to them the rationale and overall objectives of the program. Mr. Al-Zath K. Kunting, Assistant Regional Director and concurrent OIC of the Regional Fisheries Training and Fisherfolk Coordination Division, Ms. Liliosa R. Paredes, Chief of the Finance and Administrative Division, and Mr. Crisanto P. Catubig, Human Resource Management Officer, served as facilitators and speakers during the orientation.
The virtual orientation was followed by a couple of face-to-face meetings held last March 23 and 26, 2021 in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Zamboanga City, respectively, to discuss an in-depth familiarization of the BFAR plans, programs, and activities.
The MAYA Employment Track interns were deployed in the various operating units and farm stations of the bureau throughout the region, while the Entrepreneurship Track interns will be assigned to the different Fisherfolk Cooperatives and Associations in Zamboanga Peninsula. # # # (DA-BFAR IX)