Alcala launches ‘Year of Rice’ in Bicol

NAGA CITY - Agriculture secretary Proceso J. Alcala thanked the Bicolano farmers and other agriculture stakeholders for doing their share in ensuring that our country attain self-sufficiency in rice by year end of 2013 as he assured them that the country is on track in its target to attain this goal. Addressing some 2,000 farmers, consumers, retailers, fisherfolk and other agri-stakeholders who attended the Regional launching of the National Year of Rice (NYR) last Thursday (Jan. 31), at the J. M. Robredo Coliseum here, secretary Alcala said Bicol region is one of the regions that has already attained rice self-sufficiency and even exceeded its target as of last year recording a 113% sufficiency level.

He said that at the national level , rice production in our country has increased by 8% from 16.68 million metric tons in 2011 to 18.03 million metric tons last year. This is the highest recorded production increase for the past 12 years.

Although the secretary stayed only briefly as there was an urgent call from the president, he delighted the Bicolanos with his bantering, warm and sincere interaction with them and his practical down-to-earth approaches to achieve food sufficiency for the country. Before he left he made sure that participants have something to bring home as he authorized the DA regional officials to raffle off right there and then valuable items worth over P1.3M. The raffled items include 2 units hand tractors with trailer worth P130,00 each; 2 units threshers worth about P85,000 each ; 2 carabao with implements worth P33,000 each; 400 pieces laminated sacks worth P500 each, 300 bags of palay seeds worth P1,200 each ; 24 bags of open pollinated corn seeds worth P700 each; and 400 fruit bearing pili trees worth P20.00 each. BFAR also raffled off 5 units 16 HP engine for motorized banca worth P30,000 each and 25 units gillnets worth P3,000 each. Due to limited time other items slated to be raffled to lucky participants were no longer given away but will be raffled in the forthcoming activities.

The Philippine Coconut Authority through deputy administrator Roel M. Rosales also turned over check incentives worth P415,800 for 68 farmers who planted a total of 29,700 coconut seedlings. The checks were received by Tinambac municipal councilor Francisco Alvarez.

Also present during the launching were assistant secretary Dante S. de Lima, national rice program coordinator who presented the overview of the Food Staples Sufficiency Program, Dr. Eufemio T. Rasco Jr., executive director of Philippine Rice Institute (PhilRice) and also a Bicolano who presented the rationale and the planned activities for the NYR celebration.

The observance of the National Year of Rice was declared by president Benigno S. Aquino III last year to enjoin producers, consumers and other stakeholders to complement the efforts of the government in attaining self-sufficiency; raise public awareness on responsible rice consumption and boost farmer’s morale and motivate them to adopt technologies and good practices to improve farm productivity.

The secretary was also joined in Naga City by Mayor John S. Bongat, Atty. Leny G. Robredo, DA assistant secretary Salvador S. Salacup, asst. secretary Edilberto M. de Luna who is also the national corn program coordinator; PCA deputy administrator Roel M. Rosales, NIA administrator Antonio S. Nangel; PhilMech executive director Rex L. Bingabing, newly assumed DA Bicol OIC, regional executive director (RED), Engr. Abelardo Bragas, out-going RED , Dr. Jose V. Dayao, BFAR regional director Dennis del Socorro, PCA regional director Eduardo Allorde, NIA regional Director William Ragodon, DA Regional technical director for Operations and Extension and focal person for the Rice Program Dr. Elena B. de los Santos and heads of DA attached agencies in the region.

A techno clinic participated by DA attached agencies like NFA, NIA, PhilMech, Phil-Rice, BSWM and PCIC was also held during the NYR launch which afforded the participants the opportunity to consult and relay their issues and concerns to the various DA attached agencies who participated in the event. The activity ended about 6 p.m. with the participants delighted with the raffled items they won and the added new knowledge and information they brought home with them. -Emily B. Bordado