Regional Agricultural Engineering Division 12- DA RFO SOX

17/08/2024

17/08/2024

16/08/2024

𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤 || 𝐌𝐒𝐔-𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐧, 𝐌𝐒𝐔-𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐬, 𝐂𝐏𝐔, 𝐔𝐒𝐌-𝐊𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐁𝐄 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐎𝐧-𝐭𝐡𝐞-𝐉𝐨𝐛 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐀-𝐑𝐀𝐄𝐃 12

𝘼𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙙! The following Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE) students from different universities had successfully completed their On-the-Job Training at the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office XII – Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED).

Central Philippine University
Montaño, Jehu Lex T.

Mindanao State University- General Santos City
Panes, Fristine D.
Saya-ang, Ritz Angel B.
Yamazaki, Sakura Kea L.

Mindanao State University- Main Campus
Abduljabbar, Ayah O.
Ahing, Mohamad B.
Bantuas, Ayman G.
Belandres, Romesyl P.
Lucino, Justine Eunice D.
Undac, Omelkhair P.

University of Southern Mindanao - Kabacan Campus
Bendita, Lutherine P.
Carmona, Chloely P.
Ebus, Farhana Mae A.
Huinda, Babylene S.
Nicor, Shella Mae A.
Taguiam, Dominic Kim G.

The students experienced to participate in different field activities regularly conducted by the RAED Staffs. The OJTs were exposed to validation for machinery beneficiaries, site survey for proposed agricultural infrastructure, monitoring of ongoing projects, machine testing, and operation and maintenance training. They were also trained in preparing Detailed Engineering Designs (DED) for different animal housing.

The RAED encouraged the trainees to leverage the skills and knowledge acquired during the OJT program in their future career endeavors. The hands-on experience and insights gained will serve as a strong foundation for continued professional growth and impactful contributions to the agriculture sector specifically in the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering profession.

Congratulations to each student on your outstanding achievements. We are excited to see how you will apply your new competencies and look forward in celebrating your future successes.

✍️ | Engr. Rel-Mark Salivio

16/08/2024

𝐃𝐀-𝐁𝐀𝐅𝐄, 𝐃𝐀, 𝐃𝐈𝐋𝐆, 𝐃𝐏𝐖𝐇, 𝐍𝐈𝐀, 𝐃𝐀𝐑, 𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓, 𝐃𝐎𝐓, 𝐋𝐂𝐄𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐏/𝐂/𝐌𝐋𝐆𝐔𝐬 𝐯𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐌𝐑𝐍𝐏 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝟏𝟐

The Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Office XII (DA-RFO XII) through the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) and in collaboration with the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE), partner government agencies, and Local Chief Executives (LCEs) or their designated representatives from various Provincial, City, and Municipal Local Government Units (LGUs) within the SOCCSKSARGEN Region, collectively affirmed their commitment to the formulation, implementation, and updating of the Farm-to-Market Road Network Plan (FMRNP) 2023-2028 across the provinces of Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani during the culmination of the three-day localization of the FMRNP workshop on August 15 at Greenleaf Hotel, General Santos City.

The initiative aimed to enhance road network maps and market connectivity for farmers, aligning with the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. regarding the improvement of infrastructure connecting rural farms to urban markets, thereby facilitating easy and efficient road access for the delivery of agricultural products.

Among the government officials who pledged their commitment to the formulation, implementation, and updating of the five-year FMRNP were the Local Chief Executives (LCEs) or their representatives from various provinces, cities, and municipalities, along with representatives from the Congressional Districts of General Santos City and Cotabato 1st District, namely Engr. Teddy Dumagan and Nicanor T. Nanlasi, respectively, and Hon. Jonathan Tabara, a board member from the Cotabato Province.

Multi-agency collaboration was also highlighted as key personnel from the various regional offices affirmed their commitment to the formulation of the FMRNP. Among these key personnel were Director Roberto T. Perales and Engr. Abraham M. Onotan, the Regional Executive Director and Regional Technical Director for Special Concerns of the Department of Agriculture - RFO XII, respectively; Engr. Hermina S. Ontoy, Chief of the PDMU of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) XII; Engr. Rosie C. Javate, Assistant Regional Director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) XII; Babai K. Tagittcan, Chief Science Research Specialist of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) XII; Engr. Cory Hazel Daasin, Supervising Engineer A of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) XII; and Engr. Charisma D. Valdez from the Program Beneficiary Division of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). The Department of Tourism (DOT) was duly represented by Donita Andres, Tourism Operations Officer II, who signified her participation on the first day of the localization of the FMRNP workshop.

Director of DA-BAFE, Engr. Ariodear C. Rico, emphasized the pivotal roles and responsibilities of the Local Government Units (LGUs), along with partnerships with other government agencies, highlighting their essential role in supporting rural development through well-maintained road networks. "With a harmonized collaboration with partner agencies, the adoption of the FMRNP can be pivotal in establishing an efficient road network by improving and interconnecting linkages between key agricultural and fisheries production areas and markets in the Philippines," Engr. Rico stated.

He further stated that through this workshop, government officials and partner agencies will gain a comprehensive understanding of their commitments and crucial roles in collaborating to establish a strategic framework and an integrated planning and implementation approach to FMR development and management in Region 12.

Engr. Rosie C. Javate, Assistant Regional Director of DPWH XII, asserted, “It is high time for an imperative convergence with other government agencies, particularly to improve existing road fragments through comprehensive planning, such as the Farm-to-Market Road Network Plan.”

Dr. Jocelyn F. Torres, Chief of the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division of DA XII, underscored the necessity of collaborative efforts to achieve the objectives of the FMRNP by utilizing digital tools like the GEOAGRI map to streamline the planning and implementation of FMR projects. Dr. Torres further highlighted that the GEOAGRI system includes a comprehensive map layer showing the location and status of agricultural machinery, post harvest facilities, and farm-to-market roads, allowing for region-specific data filtering.

DILG Central Office Undersecretary for Project Development Management, Atty. Odilon Pasaraba, in his virtual message, also underscored the significance of the formulation and updating of the FMRNP and acknowledged the importance of these initiatives for local government units (LGUs) and assured its support, encouraging LGUs to seek assistance through various programs, including the Financial Assistance for Local Government Units (FALGU).

In addition to integrating infrastructure governance and digitizing road networks in the crafting of the FMRNP, policy directives on the creation of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE) units were discussed by Director Ariodear Rico to strengthen and devolve key functions and responsibilities of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at the LGU level.

The signing of the commitment wall for the formulation, implementation, and updating of the FMRNP, alongside the discussion of policy directives for the creation of ABE units at LGUs, marked the culmination of the three-day workshop on the crafting of the five-year development plan of the FMRNP at the Greenleaf Hotel, General Santos City.

On the second day of the workshop, the key roles and responsibilities of LGUs in prioritizing projects for road maintenance and sustainable development of the FMR were discussed by Engr. Hermina S. Ontoy, Chief of the PDMU of DILG XII. This discussion encompassed the comprehensive planning, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of projects from the pre-implementation phase to the completion stage.

Participants engaged in hands-on activities related to the data build-up and updating of network maps by province, district, city, and municipality in agricultural and fisheries production areas, coastal landing sites, post-harvest facilities, and markets on the first day. Selected provincial, city, and municipal LGUs in the SOCCSKSARGEN region presented their output during the workshop.

✍️ │ Engr. Bench Mark Corporal
📷 │ RAFIS - DA RFO XII

23/07/2024

25/06/2024

𝐃𝐀-𝐑𝐅𝐎 𝐗𝐈𝐈, 𝐃𝐏𝐖𝐇 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 1𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐌𝐑 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬

Earlier today, the Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Office XII (DA-RFO XII), through its Regional Agricultural Engineering Division, conducted a collaboration meeting on the Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) Projects with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at Agua Frio Resort, Koronadal City.

Participants in the said activity were representatives from various District Engineering Offices (DEO) across Region XII, Engr. Windel Ven Mamon from DPWH Region XII, and staff from Regional Agricultural Engineering Division of DA-XII, headed by its chief, Dr. Jocelyn Torres.

The meeting aimed to assess the physical and financial status of FMR projects for the fiscal year 2024 and reviewed the monitored FMR projects funded in 2023. Key administrative concerns were addressed to ensure alignment of reports and adherence to the established guidelines by both agencies.

Furthermore, the proposed FMR projects for 2025,under Tiers I and II, were also discussed to ensure that the new proposals did not overlap with any existing projects implemented by the DPWH.

25/06/2024

[News] Ten ABE On-the-Job Trainees render courtesy call to RAED

To show support for the On-the-Job Training (OJT) program for undergraduate students, ten (10) third-year Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering students made a courtesy call to the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) of the Department of Agriculture - RFO XII under the leadership of Dr. Jocelyn F. Torres, RAED Chief, on June 24, 2024.

Dr. Torres warmly welcomed the trainees and encouraged them to strive for excellence in their field and to remain dedicated student engineers even after completing their training.

Additionally, she imparted an important advice, underscoring the significance of their role as future engineers in improving the livelihoods of farmers and fisher folks.

Among the On-the-Job Trainees were six (6) third-year Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering students from Mindanao State University - Main Campus, three (3) from Mindanao State University - General Santos City Campus, and one (1) from Central Philippine University.

These trainees will be exposed to both office and field work conducted by RAED to elevate their engineering skills and future career paths.

24/06/2024

[𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞] 𝗥𝗔𝗘𝗗 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳'𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) RFO XII held a Thanksgiving celebration for its staff in its office at the DA XII Building, Prime Regional Government Center, Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City, on June 24, 2024.

Aptly named "RAED's Celebration for a Pool of Excellence," the event was to express gratitude and recognize the staff's outstanding contributions during the recently concluded Kalingawan sa DA 2024. The Valiant Red Carabao team, which included the RAED members, won the championship.

The celebration also honored Dr. Jocelyn Torres, RAED Chief, for her 35 years of dedicated service to the agency. She received a loyalty award during the closing ceremonies of Kalingawan sa DA 2024 on June 21.

Additionally, Engr. Carlo M. Varona, an administrative staff/engineering assistant, secured the championship title in the 4-H Quiz Bee at the 71st Farm Youth National Convention held in Siargao from June 18-21.

Ultimately, the RAED staff truly exemplifies the "Pool of Excellence," showcasing their exceptional skills, talents, and commitment to service, which are invaluable assets to the continued success of the office for years to come.