December 2013 issue of Food Focus

December 2013

A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE NATIONAL FOOD AUTHORITY, REGIONAL OFFICE I, SAN JUAN, LA UNION

NFA Celebrates

41st Anniversary

Dir. Carlito G. Co (left), Asst. Regional Director Ma. Elvira M.

Martinez and Ilocos Sur Provincial Manager Fortunato B. Bulao

presents a Plaque of Appreciation to Mr. Ernesto Torres of Tor-

res Ricemill during the celebration of NFA’s 41st Anniversary in

Ilocos Sur.

The National Food Authority (NFA) enters a new decade

in its storied existence with the celebration of its 41st Anni-

versary guided by the theme: “Bagong Panahon, Bagong

Hamon”.

In the region, the Provincial Offices under the jurisdiction

of Region I held simple but meaningful activities to com-

memorate the celebration.

The Regional Office, together with the La Union Provincial

Office, kicked off the activity with a Thanksgiving Mass. This

was followed by physical activities which refresh the body

and mind of the employees.

In his Anniversary Message, Dir. Carlito G. Co thanked

the employees for their dedication to the Agency. He said that

the commitment shown by each employee exemplifies the

Agency’s struggle to provide the population with a steady

supply of rice. He urged the employees to sacrifice a little

more as the Agency prepares to accumulate more inventory

for its security and buffer stocks.

ARD Ma. Elvira M. Martinez meanwhile gave an account on

the years of the NFA. She emphasized teamwork as the best

strategy for the agency to achieve its targets. She also thanked

the men and women of the Agency for being committed and

dedicated public servants.

The Regional Director and Assistant Regional Director also

took time out to celebrate the Anniversary with other prov-

inces where several activities were also lined up by the Pro-

vincial Offices.

A Thanksgiving Mass was also conducted in Abra while fun

games to revitalize the mind and body of the employees and

stakeholders were conducted in Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos

Sur, Eastern Pangasinan and Western Pangasinan.

Ilocos Sur Provincial Office also gave recognition to stake

(Turn to page 7)

Dingras Duplex Warehouse is Dingras Duplex Warehouse is Dingras Duplex Warehouse is Dingras Duplex Warehouse is

NFA’s Best Managed NFA’s Best Managed NFA’s Best Managed NFA’s Best Managed

Warehouse AnewWarehouse AnewWarehouse AnewWarehouse Anew

Provincial Manager Beverlyn P. Peralta of Ilocos Norte and

SGOO Jonathan Corpuz receives the recognition for Best

Managed Warehouse for 2012 from Administrator Orlan A.

Calayag (left), Deputy Adminstrator Pedro S. Hernando, Jr.

(middle) and Deputy Administrator Ludovico J. Jarina (right).

The Dingras Duplex Warehouse in Dingras, Ilocos Norte was awarded as the Best Managed Warehouse in the National Level for the year 2012. The award, which is the third for the said ware-house, recognized the continued implementation of the Fundamental Standards for Good Warehouse-keeping and Stock Quality Management being im-plemented in the Dingras Duplex Warehouse. Dingras Duplex was constructed in 1980. It is located in the rice granary of the province in the municipality of Dingras. It has a designed capacity of 100,000 bags of rice/palay. Multi-Purpose Build-ing and a 2-tonnerSatakeRicemilland Mechanical Dryer are situated beside the Duplex Warehouse. This recognition of NFA Ilocos Norte Branch aims not to become only a “winner” but to highlight the innova-tions, practices and adherence to good warehouse-keeping and commitment and responsiveness to the public. This serves also a breakthrough in respond-ing to the food security for the nation with NFA’s 41st anniversary theme, “Bagong Panahon, Bagong Hamon”. The awarding ceremony was coincided with the Anniversary Celebration at NFA Central Office on September 26, 2013. Provincial Manager Beverlyn P. Peralta of Ilocos Norte together with SGOO Jona-than U. Corpuz, PSQAO Ferdinand S. Macusi and Clerk III Dianne Marie G. Agustin received the award.

EDITORIAL

NFA Management

CARLITO G.CO Regional Manager II

ENGR. MA. ELVIRA M. MARTINEZ Asst. Regional Manager

Provincial Managers

ALEXANDER C. GALVEZ Abra

CECILIA A. CONCUBIERTA Benguet

BEVERLYN P. PERALTA, PhD Ilocos Norte

ENGR. FORTUNATO B. BULAO Ilocos Sur

NICANOR S. ROSARIO, CPA La Union

ENGR. RAMON B. CUARESMA Eastern Pangasinan ROLANDO S. RUFO Western Pangasinan

2 FOOD FOCUS December 2013

CARLITO G. CO ENGR. MA. ELVIRA M. MARTINEZ

Editorial Consultants Frederick B. Dulay

Editor Nelly B. Ramos

Jennifer C. Paraton Diana Marie G. Agustin

Elizabeth T. Kai Annabelle T. Coloma Mil Joy Melendez

Chona DG Maramba Contributors

EDITORIAL STAFF

Yuletide in Yuletide in Yuletide in Yuletide in

Yolanda’s timeYolanda’s timeYolanda’s timeYolanda’s time It was an unfortunate event that no one among us ever ex-

pected nor wished would happen. For a country that is so used to

strong typhoons, it was unprecedented, in terms of its strength

and the damage that it brought to the Visayas region. It was a

disaster that brought the region to its knees, so to speak.

By now, we leave the relief

and rehabilitation efforts to

those who were given the task to

do it. Never mind if it is from the

national government or the local

government unit or interna-

tional relief and rehabilitation

organizations. What we will be

mindful now is on how people in

the affected region will react

with the onset of the coming

Christmas season which is sup-

posedly the happiest time of the

year.

For sure, as resilient as every

Filipino is, the Visayans will be

able to flash a nary smile, show

happiness despite the tragedy

and celebrate the Yuletide with

laid back if not subdued merri-

ment.

The many efforts being done

by various organizations, inter-

national and local, to normalize

the life of the once bustling city

and region tend to bring the

light in the eyes of our fellows as

they would try to rise up above

the rubbles.

When we tend to celebrate the

birth of Christ with the usual

pomp, pageantry and extrava-

gance, there is the feeling of guilt

that makes the season lost its

glimmer amidst the sparkling

Christmas lights and the angelic

voices of the carolers. Painstak-

ing as it may seem, we feel for

our fellowmen who have been

befelled by this “monstrous ca-

lamity” that is Yoalanda.

If we look around us, we see

that everybody ‘s efforts are di-

rected to one cause, that is, find-

ing ways to help. Many among us

have given up celebrating their

Christmas parties as a way of

showing oneness with our af-

fected countrymen. Was

Yolanda the proverbial Grinch

that prevented the celebration of

Christmas?

Gloom may best describe the

season. It may seem to be the

most dry Christmas that we

would celebrate.

But this should not dampen

the spirit of celebrating. As peo-

ple, we have to celebrate no mat-

ter how gloomy the prospect of

merry making.

The very nature of gift-giving

is very imminent at this time

where the opportunity to give

has been more defined. It is a

celebration in itself, it is the

spirit that makes the season the

merriest time of the year.

The opportunity to give, we as

individuals, have embraced. We

are giving not because these

people are our godchildren or

close to us. We are giving not

because these people needs

help. We are giving because this

is the spirit that brings us to-

gether as one nation able to rise

from whatever challenge that

would come to haunt us.

There are many ways of cele-

brating the season. But this time

of year, the best way is to re-

member that there are people

that may not even know that

Christmas is here. We must let

them feel the spirit of the season

and give smiles and cheers back

to their faces.

No matter how subdued, no

matter how simple the celebra-

tion will be, we must not allow

the Grinch to spoil Christmas.

We have shown it in giving our

prayers, a little of our income

and savings. This is what mat-

ters in these dark days.

with us to enlighten a new day and start a fresh begin-ning for our life. I know that it has been somewhat a very hard year for the Agency and for all of us. For the longest moment, the Agency have been at every papers pages for the wrong reasons. I under-stand that among us, there are questions that linger into our minds. But, as have been observed, we as indi-viduals worked as one in the achievement of our goal, that is, to continually pro-vide the people with a steady supply of rice. The coming months will still be a challenge for our resoluteness as we continue our struggle to balancing our mandate. The road ahead is not as rosy as it may seem, yet if we con-tinue to work together, as what has been our attitude in the previous years, there is no mountain too high that we couldn’t conquer. Time and again, we ask for you to sacrifice a little of your time in order to deliver on our targets. We see some of you coming in the office first and going out of office last. Some sacrifice their weekends with their families and their own free time just so to help the Agency deliver on its mandate. That is very much commendable for you to extend your time beyond the call of duty. Never think


DIRECTOR’s CODIRECTOR’s CODIRECTOR’s CODIRECTOR’s CO----rnerrnerrnerrner

CARLITO G. CO, Regional Director

Christmas MessageChristmas MessageChristmas MessageChristmas Message Let me greet you with the warmth of Christmas! Christmas this year might be somber and sub-dued for most of us who, in any way or another has been affected by the recent activities that almost put the country fall on its knees. Yet, despite what hap-pened to the country, we must still celebrate Christ-mas albeit in the most sim-ple ways. As devout Christians, we look at Christmas to re-kindle the spirits. To bring cheerfulness to our loved ones and smile to those whose lives we have touched and continue to touch. It is that time of the year where elaborate merriment took over from the divisiveness of the workplace or even in our personal relationships. Christmas stands as the only occasion where every-body is in a festive mood. It evokes a light mood that everyone you meet in the streets would smile cheer-fully at you extending a Yuletide greeting. As it stands, Christmas is that time of year when we set aside our differences, forget our troubles and the past behind as we look for-ward to reminisce the good tidings that come our way. Despite the gloom brought by endless disasters, the Christmas spirit should be

that these goes unnoticed because the Agency will not be where it stand today without your little sacrifices. Your dedication and com-mitment are what fuels the Agency to be more upright in realizing its goals. And what better time to reflect on this dedication and com-mitment than at Christmas time. This Christmas also, al-low me to personally thank everyone of you for doing your share in bringing hope to our countrymen who have been befelled by the recent disasters in the Visayas. Not a secret to us was the fact that some members of our NFA family in the Visayas have been greatly affected. It is endear-ing to them to hear from us and know that in this time of their distraught, their family in the NFA are here to look after them. As you enjoy the festivities that go with the season, pray for our co-employees as they continue to rise from the rubble and for our Agency to be more resolute in facing its critics. Accept my best wishes and have a Happy New Year!

DA Regional Executive Director, Dr. Valentino Perdido thanked the participants who joined in the activity and assured the public that the region has sufficient supply of rice. He also took note that the country, with the help of everybody, is on track in achieving rice sufficiency. Gracing the occasion in Laoag City were: Provin-cial Administrator Windell Chua, Batac City Mayor Jeffrey Jubal C. Nalupta and Paoay Mayor Dolores M. Clemente. The “Run4Rice” not only served as an advocacy to create awareness on the conservation of rice but was also a cause-oriented activity as proceeds from the run were donated to the vic-tims of the earthquake and typhoon that devastated the Visayas region. (Frederick Dulay and Dianne Marie G. Agustin).

ACROSS THE REGION


NFA Joins “Run4Rice” Employees of NFA Regional Office I, La Union Provincial Office and Ilocos Norte Provincial Office, joined hands with employees of the Department of Agriculture (DA), other DA-attached agencies and the Local Government Units (LGUs) on November 24, 2013 for a nationwide fun run dubbed “Run4Rice”.

The activity served as culmina-tion for the 2013 National Year of Rice and the Na-tional Rice Aware-ness Month as de-clared under Proc-lamation No. 524. The activity which was held si-multaneously na-tionwide was con-ducted in San Fer-nando City in La Union and Laoag City in Ilocos Norte for Region I. Runners from the Regional Office and La Union Pro-

vincial Office rep-r e s e n t e d t h e Agency in the San Fernando run while employees of Ilocos Norte Pro-vincial Office par-ticipated in the Ilocos Norte run. The activity cul-minated with the awarding of prizes to the top three finishers for the female and male category.

Ilocos Norte joins Ilocos Norte joins Ilocos Norte joins Ilocos Norte joins

11th Environ-11th Environ-11th Environ-11th Environ-

mental Education mental Education mental Education mental Education

Colloquium 2013Colloquium 2013Colloquium 2013Colloquium 2013

National Food Authority Ilocos Norte Branch at-tended the 11th Environ-mental Education Collo-quium 2013 on September 12, 2013 at Ilocos Norte Col-lege of Arts and Trades, Laoag City. With the topic, NFA’s Role in Ensuring Rice Suffi-ciency for a Healthy Pinoy, the Agency was able to abreast the 300 participants on NFA’s Twin Mandates of Price Stabilization and Food Security, introduced them on i-rice program and ap-prised them on the 2013 National Year of Rice with Panatang Makapalay. AO III Imelda R. Valdez lead the recitation of Panatang Makapalay to the students. An open Forum was con-ducted right after the pres-entation. The participants were comprised of High School and College Students from Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades (INCAT) and Technical Vocational Educa-tion Technology (TVET). The theme “Ensuring Food Sufficiency for a Healthy Pinoy” conveys the central role of people and education in the sustainable management, conservation and sustainable develop-ment of food production specially our food staples.

By. Dianne Marie G. Agustin

ACROSS THE REGION


2013 Briefing and

Refresher Course on

Grains Procurement

Program held By: Dianne Marie G. Agustin

In view of the Agency’s forthcom-

ing palay procurement operation,

NFA IlocosNorte conducted a two-

day Briefing on NFA Grains Procure-

ment Program, and Refresher Course

on Quality Assurance and Control

held at the Provincial Office on Sep-

tember 13- 14, 2013.

As an annual activity of the

branch, the briefing/ cum refresher

course again provided all members

of the regular procurement teams

and the newly created three compos-

ite mobile procurement teams with

updates on grains procurement poli-

cies and guiding principles for the

successful implementation of this

year’s intensified and aggressive

procurement operation.

Resource persons on day-one

were PECON Rocelynne E. Pante who

explicitly discussed the Branch’s

Grains Procurement Plans, Programs

and Policies. PISO Juan S. Padre ex-

pounded on Flow Chart of Palay and

Corn Procurement. PSQAO Ferdi-

nand S. Macusi elaborated on Palay

Anatomy, Grains Standardization

and Quality Control, Procurement

Specs/ Variety Codes and ENWF De-

termination, Iron Fortified Rice Pro-

gram and Integrated Pest Manage-

ment. Resource person from the Re-

gional Office in the person of Engr.

Eleonor A. Andres clearly presented

the Post Harvest Technology Over-

view and Flow of Quality Assurance

Activities.

The second day was confined to

hands-on laboratory exercises for

grains assessment and practical ex-

aminations.

During the closing ceremonies, PM

Beverlyn P. Peralta expressed grati-

tude to the participants and encour-

aged them to continue working as a

team in the execution of NFA’s man-

dated functions.

Briefing on Updates on RA 9184 and Its

Implementing Rules and Regulations

conducted

Participants to the Briefing on RA 9184 listens as Mayna Caymo of the

Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Cordillera Administrative

Region discusses Alternative Methods of Procurement.

In its effort to give the members of the Regional Bids and Awards

Committee (RBAC), its Technical Working Group (TWG) and the

Secretariat, updates on RA 9184 and Its Implementing Rules and

Regulations, the NFA in Region I conducted a two-day briefing on

November 25-26, 2013 at NFA Loakan Staff House and Training Cen-

ter in Baguio City.

Aside from the BAC members,

TWG and Secretariat, the briefing

was also attended by staff from the

Provincial Offices which are in-

volved in the purchase of supplies

and equipments needed in their

operations.

Speakers from the Department of

Budget and Management—

Cordillera Administrative Region

(DBM-CAR) and the NFA Central

Office took their turns in discussing

RA 9184.

For the first day of the training,

Christine Andaya, OIC-Chief Budget

and Management Specialist gave a

preview of the Public Bidding Pro-

cedures while Mayna Caymo, also

Chief Budget and Management Spe-

cialist presented Alternative Meth-

ods of Procurement.

On the second day, Atty. Kareen

L. Lucero, Chief of the Procurement

Planning and Management Depart-

ment presented Latest GPPB issu-

ances while Atty. Leizl B.

Villanueva, Director of Security Ser-

vices and Investigation Depart-

ment talk on Supreme Court rul-

ings in line with RA 9184.

Dir. Carlito G. Co in his closing

remarks underscored the impor-

tance of having a little knowledge

on the Procurement Law. He said

that he look forward for same activ-

ity as a continuing education for

employees involve in procurement.

RA 9184 or the Procurement

Law governs all procurement ac-

tivities of the national government,

including government-owned or

controlled corporations.

ACROSS THE REGION

6 FOOD FOCUS December2013

Employees of NFA Benguet Provincial Office participated in the Hataw and prepare for the “kadang-kadang” race during the

celebration of the 113th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary. (Jennifer C. Paraton)

Rolando S. Rufo, Provincial Manager of NFA Western

Pangasinan discusses the supply of rice in DZRD Sonshine

Radio’s “Talakayan sa Sonshine”. (Chona DG Maramba).

Provincial Manager Cecilia A. Concubierta of NFA Benguet

met 1st Term Congressman Nicasio Aliping, Jr. of the Lone

District of Baguio City. (Jennifer C. Paraton).

NFA Region I Industry Services Department (ISD) Personnel met

at NFA Ilocos Norte on November 20-22, 2013 to discuss issues

and concerns of the Industry Services Officers of Region I.

(Dianne Marie G. Agustin).

Provincial Manager Rolando S. Rufo of Western Pangasinan

discusses with Mayor Armando C. Domantay, Sr.of Malasiqui,

Pangasinan the Memorandum of Agreement on Rice Credit.

(Chona DG Maramba)

ACROSS THE REGION


NFA celebrates 41st...from page 1

holders and cooperating agencies who

have contributed to the continued goal

of the Agency in achieving national

food security and grains industry mod-

ernization.

Among the recognized partner was

Mr. Ernesto Torres, owner of Torres

Ricemill for pioneering the Infused

Conditioned Air to Polishing Compo-

nent of Single Pass Ricemills. Said inno-

vation, conceptualized by Provincial

Manager Fortunato B. Bulao sought to

increase milling yield, quality of rice

output and reduce post harvest losses.

DPWH Ilocos Sur was also recognized

for helping in the repair of the Provin-

cial Office.

With the dawning of a new decade,

the NFA is expected to be at the fore-

front of the Food Self-Sufficiency Pro-

gram of the government.

NFA Region I salutes Deputy Administrator Pedro S. Hernando, Jr.

December 5, 2013

ARD Ma. Elvira M. Martinez wishes Deputy Administrator

Pedro S. Hernando, Jr. good luck.

Gloria Maligalig of Western Pangasinan and Imelda Valdez of

Ilocs Norte talk about their experiences with the Deputy Ad-

ministrator.

Deputy Boy is flanked by (l-r) PM Rolando

S. Rufo, PM Fortunato B. Bulao, PM Bever-

lyn P. Perlata, RD Carlito G. Co, ARD Ma.

Elvira M. Martinez, PM Nicanor S. Rosario

and PM Alexander C. Galvez.

Dir. Co vouches for the goodness of the “Ilocano Pride” as Deputy Boy

said “forgive me if along the way, I may have hurt someone’s feelings.


ACROSS THE REGION

Ilocos Region to receive 35,000 MT of imported rice from Vietnam

Photo from Google

The National Food Authority in Region I is set to receive around 35,000 metric tons of imported rice from Vietnam as part of the 500,000 metric tons additional imported rice sought by the agency through the government-to-government import scheme. Dir. Carlito G. Co said the imported rice is meant as “pre-cautionary stocks” of the gov-ernment until it would start procuring palay anew from the farmers during the summer cropping season next year. He added that the first batch of the imported rice is expected to arrive at the Port of San Fer-nando middle of December and the remaining volume to be delivered to the region until March 2014. Dir. Co added that the rice import will help shore up the existing inventory in the region even as it continues to buy palay from the farmers. This recent development,

he added, is also seen to ease up farm gate price of palay which he said is still very high. “The infusion of the im-ported rice will hopefully cush-ion the buying price of palay by traders which is still way too high compared to the gov-ernment price of P17.00 per

kilogram”, he said. He added that with the coming of the im-ported rice, prices in the mar-ket would also loosen up. Vietnam has won the con-tract to supply rice to the Phil-ippines with a tender of $462.25 per metric ton beating Thailand’s offer of $475.00.

Lingayen conducts market inspection

To make sure the NFA rice is sold at the right price, Manager Rolando S. Rufo made rounds to public markets in Western Pangasi-nan to spot check the NFA accredited grains retailers on the selling of the low-priced gov-ernment rice. It is very interesting to note that the retailers were very cooperative in the sense that are aware of their social obligations to the consuming public. The NFA rice was sold at the prescribed prices and retailed di-rectly to the end consumers. The inspection also include the inventory of NFA stocks after their withdrawals from the NFA warehouses. (Chona DG Maramba).

Western Pangasinan Provincial Manager Ro-lando S. Rufo is seen here talking to a buyer of NFA rice during his market inspection to ensure availability of NFA rice in the market.

Documents

December 2013 issue of Food Focus