1May - June 2014

27th Anniversary CelebrationNTA Central Office

July 24, 2014

Part I Parlor Games Bingo Socials

Part II Thanksgiving Mass

Part III Anniversary Program (Awards rites)

Part IV Dinner and Fellowship

Narvacan, Ilocos SurJuly 30, 2014

Synchronized tree planting

Volume V, No. 3 May – June 2014

Pls turn to page 9

TO mark its 27th founding an-niversary, the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) will lead synchronized tree-planting ac-tivities in various areas in Re-gions I, II, and in the provinces of Abra and Occidental Mind-oro on July 30.

At least 1 million tree seed-lings are expected to be planted during the simultaneous inter-agency and inter-sectoral tree planting activity spanning an equivalent area of 500 hectares of public land in selected tobac-co-growing areas.

Heads of different national agencies and local government units, including volunteers from different schools, and govern-ment and private groups, are invited to join NTA officials and employees from its eight provincial branches in the one-day activity.

NTA branch/field offices have just completed the survey and registration of participants, including the greening

area or sites to be planted by each participating group.

The command center and ceremonial planting site will be at Narvacan North Central School in Sitio Limmansangan, Margaay, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur.

The regreening project is part of the agency’s effort to contribute its resources towards ecological restoration, in line with the government’s National Greening Program (NGP).

According to NTA Adminis-trator Edgardo D. Zaragoza, the tobacco industry is one of the biggest users of fuelwood. “To restore and manage the envi-ronment, the NTA initiatedthis effort last year to unify all partner agencies and industry stake-holders,” he said.

NTA targets to plant 1 M tree seedlings in synchronized tree planting

NTA Ilocos Norte Branch Manager Mario E. Corpuz inspects the growth of Gmelina at Nangguyodan, Paoay, Ilocos Norte, one of last year’s tree-planting.

NTA La Union Branch Manager Giovanni B. Palabay shows a site at Brgy. Masicong, San Fernando City, selected for this year’s synchronized tree planting activity.

The NTA started its regreen-ing project in tobacco areas in 2013, where a total of 551,600 seedlings of acacia, neem, narra, mahogany, Gmelina and giant ipil-ipil were planted to tobacco-growing communities. Over 85,000 farmers, students, and employees of different gov-ernment agencies and the pri-vate sector participated in the activity.

Zaragoza expected a bigger turnout of volunteers and wider greening sites this year.

The tree-planting activity is supplementary to the NTA’s livelihood assistance

under its Kahuyang Pangkabu-hayan at Pangkalikasan (KPP) module, a component of its Renewable Fuelwood Energy Farm Development Project and Restoration of Ecological In-tegrity program.

The seedlings are sourced from the seedling nursery and fuelwood and bamboo farms managed by KPP farmer-availees, clusters, and farmer cooperatives/organizations, un-der the supervision of the NTA branch office in the area.

Program of ActivitiesProgram of Activities

“NTA @ 27: Achieving Intersectoral Unity Towards Purposive Industry Transformation and Growth”“NTA @ 27: Achieving Intersectoral Unity Towards Purposive Industry Transformation and Growth”

1 million trees1 million trees

2 May - June 2014

is published bi-monthly by the Department of Agriculture, National Tobacco Administration, Scout Reyes cor. Panay Ave., Quezon City. Tel. Nos. 3743987. Fax: 3732095. Website: www.nta.da.gov.ph.

Editor-in-Chief: Perlita L. Baula, Ph.D.Technical Editors: Rex Antonio P. Teoxon, Roberto R. Bonoan, Ph.D.Managing Editor: Neyo E. ValdezWriters:

Ilocos Norte: Divina D. Pagdilao, Elaine Arcangel Tinio; Ilocos Sur Vigan: Noralyn I. Idica, Faustino O. Taal; Ilocos Sur Candon: Orlando O. Galdones; Abra: Ped Ruben B. Barbero; La Union: Emma Beth F. Balagot, Candido I. Liangao; Pangasinan: Elizabeth Q. Biala; Ronaldo P. Molina; Cagayan: Bernadeth C. Tamayao, Gilbert A. Taguiam; Isabela: Joefrey T. Bautista, Manuel M. Beltran; FTSD-Batac: Felisa R. Aurellano, Amparo L. Tumbaga; Central Office: Raquel F. Señga, Perla C. Manzon

Consultants: Branch ManagersPhotographer: Dina B. dela ReynaEditorial Adviser: Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza

27 years

EDITORIAL

Pls turn to page 11

ALL our development efforts are intended to make the differ-ence for the local tobacco in-dustry, for the betterment of the lives of our tobacco farmers.

Corporate Priorities1. Market-driven Quality To-bacco Production, addressing the growing demand for do-mestic manufacturing and ex-port markets, primarily through the Tobacco Contract Grow-ing Systems (TCGS) that will include the production of im-proved and full flavour/blend-ing type tobacco. This also in-cludes:• The technology development

activities and services• The search for outstanding

tobacco farmers or Tobacco Grower of the Year contest

2. Integrated Farming and Other Income Generating Ac-tivities (IFOIGAP), where we provide assistance to tobacco farmers in the production of rice, corn, and high-value crops (vegetables), and hog and poul-try raising. The project includes value-adding/processing:• AgriPinoy Tobacco Farmers

Food Processing Plant and Trading Center in Ilocos es-tablished in 2012;

• Milling Complex in 2013; and

• New project: Integrated Crop and Small Ruminants Production and Processing for Tobacco Farmers which involves the training and grant of production assis-tance to tobacco farmers and associations on livestock, organic fertilizer production and the provision of village-

ADMINISTRATOR’S PRIORITIES FOR CY 2015

type food processing equip-ment and supplies.

3. Renewable Fuelwood Energy Farm Project and Restoration of Ecological Integrity, to ad-dress the fuelwood requirement of the farmers in the flue-cur-ing of Virginia tobacco, as well as assist in the reforestation efforts of the tobacco growing regions.4. Continuing Exercise of Reg-ulatory Authority under exist-ing laws. At present, we have covered production and trading of leaf and the importation and exportation of tobacco leaf and tobacco products. We expect to cover next the processing of leaf and the manufacture, distribution and sale (wholesal-ing and retailing) of cigarettes, with emphasis on the compli-ance to standards, detection of fake products and shelf life.5. Farmers’ Organizational Development, to include con-tinuing registration of farmers, strengthening farm clusters, or-ganizational development and livelihood assistance, to enable the farmers to become self-reli-ant, food-secured and become active partners of development.6. Continuing Research and Development of pioneering ventures (the other industrial uses of tobacco), to include among others, the enhancement of technologies and profitabil-ity of the production of tobacco dust, tobacco handmade paper and tobacco extracts as pesti-cide for vegetables, fruits and ornamentals.7. Quality Assurance for To-

ANOTHER year of service is about to end as NTA will cel-ebrate its anniversary on July 24, 2014. Indeed time flies and one realizes with pride the accomplishments of the agency un-der the stewardship of Sir Ed.

The passage of the new Sin Tax Law last year was met with anxiety and apprehension on how this may affect the tobacco industry, especially the tobacco farmers and all who depend on the industry for their livelihood. Cognizant of the uncer-tain possibilities, the NTA has been trying to prepare the to-bacco farmers to face whatever eventualities. To lighten their financial burdens in their farming endeavor, the administra-tive charges of production assistance extended to them have been reduced to the lowest possible rates, as allowed by COA rules and regulations with the approval of the NTA Governing Board.

To provide the farmers an additional and/or alternative means of livelihood, they have been trained and provided pro-duction assistance in the production of raw materials for the AgriPinoy Tobacco Farmers Food Processing Plant and Trad-ing Center as farmer cooperators for hog fattening and poultry raising. In addition, their wives and children have also been undergoing trainings on various livelihood activities like meat processing, organic fertilizer production, bread/cake/pastry making, herbal tea making, noodle making, therapeutic mas-sage, hair/nail care, ice cream making, dragon fruit produc-tion, dressmaking, and novelty items making.

To ensure the viability and success of tobacco farmers’ asso-ciations and cooperatives, the officers have been undergoing trainings in collaboration with the Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to operate their respective groups. Thus they have been given trainings on entrepreneurship and basic account-ing, among others.

To further promote the viability and success of the tobacco farmers’ association, the NTA will provide Cooperative Mar-keting Quality Assistance and Livelihood assistance for grad-uates of NTA Livelihood courses.

The floor prices have been increased for all tobacco types after a thorough review of the cost of production to assure profitability in their farming endeavor, in collaboration with the tobacco buyers/traders.

The deserving children of tobacco farmers have also been given opportunities to gain higher education through the NTA Free Education Program under very considerate guidelines. The scholarship programs enable them to acquire a certificate of completion of short courses or a college diploma which will help them seek for employment and provide for the needs of their families.

For the NTA personnel, HRD programs have been aggres-sively pursued by sending the staff to relevant trainings that would enhance their knowledge and skills in their respective tasks.

For as long as there are people dependent on the tobacco industry, the NTA will continue to face the challenges head on to keep the ship afloat despite the raging storms.

At 27, what’s next for NTA?

3May - June 2014

Mindanao expansionNorthern Mindanao area eyed for Virginia tobacco production

INCREASES in tobacco production over the past two years have been driven by expansion in area and in-creased yields, with an increase of 4.46 % from 2012 to 2013.

And though Ilocos region has a vibrant tobacco industry, private to-bacco firms continue to search for ar-eas to plant tobacco, particularly the Virginia type.

Apparently, one good choice is Misamis Oriental in Northern Mind-anao, chosen for its vast fertile land and good climatic condition.

Tobacco farmers in Misa-mis Oriental, particularly in the municipalities of Opol, El Sal-vador, Alubijid, Laguindingan, Gitagum, Libertad, and Initao, have been growing the Batek/Native variety only.

Based on National Tobacco Administration (NTA) data, a total of 560 hectares were plant-ed to tobacco of this type with a total production of 431,771 kilograms during the crop year 2011-2012.

With the area expansion, NTA Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza expects also the con-tinuing process of improving the quality of tobacco leaves. He said enhanced quality would make Philippine tobacco very competitive in the world market.

According to Jorge Strueck-er, leaf buying manager of Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation (PMFTC) during a dialogue in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, the project in Misamis Ori-ental is producing high-qual-ity tobacco and it’s doing very well. “It’s very small at the mo-ment but it is giving the poten-tial,” he said.

PMFTC established in Janu-ary 2012 its first Virginia tobac-co experimental farm, covering 10 hectares in barangay Ane-i, Claveria, an interior municipal-ity in the eastern part of Misa-mis Oriental.

After seeing promising re-sults from its pre-commercial launch, Philip Morris Fortune

Tobacco Corporation (PMFTC), a private local manufacturer, is now seeking to expand its Vir-ginia production in Mindanao.

According to PMFTC, the initial result of the trial was very promising, so they pro-ceeded to the pre-commercial-ization phase. Some 113 farm-ers representing a total area of 58.27 hectares were involved in the second phase which ended October last year.

PMFTC extended produc-tion assistance (cash, inputs, and technical), including to-bacco seedlings to the farmers. During harvest, the company bought the fresh tobacco leaves from the farmers, and did the flue curing using the six barns it constructed with the slabs from sawmills as fuel.

The first batch of transplant-ing for the commercialization phase was conducted in No-vember 2013. The company practiced staggered transplant-ing of K326 and PVH 2254 varieties, from November 2013 to April 2014, covering a total area of 200 hectares.

Based on a survey conducted by the NTA thru its outreach station in Mindanao, most farmers in Claveria are willing to shift to tobacco farming as they can avail production assis-tance from PMFTC. They said that they no longer worry about their post-harvest activities since the company will buy the freshly harvested leaves from the growers.

In the production of tobacco in the Philippines per leaf type, Virginia tobacco is the most dominant at 59.35% of the production in 2013. For crop year 2013-2014, Virginia is harvested from various farming areas equivalent to 22,487 in 2014; it is grown by 54.37% of the total tobacco farmers or about 30,300, and is commercially grown in the provinces of Abra, 3,225 ha. (14.34%); Ilocos Norte, 3,165 ha. (14.07 %); Ilocos Sur, 13,447 ha (59.8 %); and La Union, 2,600 ha. (11.56%); and in Misamis Oriental 50 ha. (less 1%).

VIRGINIA TOBACCO PRODUCTION

Aside from the promise of a bigger income in tobacco farming, the farmers were also optimistic for the employment

Ma. Mercedes M. Ayco, production and regulation officer of NTA-FTSD’s Produc-tion Support Services Division, conducts survey with a tobacco farmer on PMFTC Virginia tobacco experimental farm in Claveria, Misamis Oriental.

opportunities provided by the tobacco firm with its expansion program. (with reports from Mercy Ayco)

4 May - June 2014

NTA Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza had wanted a dia-logue to address on the spot is-sues that have been besetting the agency since the start of the tobacco trading season, particu-lary on allegations of low prices of tobacco.

“A dialogue should involve all stakeholders and matters must be raised on the table and addressed accordingly,” he said.

On May 16, the Administra-tor hied off to Narvacan, Ilocos Sur to preside a dialogue facili-tated by NTA Candon Branch Manager Estrella De Peralta. And he got what he wanted.

The venue, Sunrise Inland Resort in Barangay Margaay, was jampacked with 437 farm-ers coming from 25 towns of the first and second districts of the province. With them were their farmer leaders who are all members of the National Fed-eration of Tobacco Farmers and Cooperatives Inc. (NAFTAC).

Representatives from the buyer firms, 12 in all, came to the venue ready to answer farmer queries. Local execu-tives and their representatives were also in attendance. Vice Governor Deogracias “DV” Savellano, in behalf of Gov. Ryan Singson, faced the farm-ers and joined other local lead-ers in the open forum.

A week before the dialogue, the provincial government of Ilocos Sur headed by Singson met with some farmers in a dia-logue in the provincial capitol. Unfortunately, the various sec-tors of the industry were not present to facilitate resolution of issues.

This prompted the Adminis-trator to schedule a better venue to clarify issues and allegations

A dialogue answers all issues about trading and other farmers’ concernsof low prices in trading centers. “Here, matters regarding pres-ent tobacco trading operations must be discussed in the open and resolved accordingly,” he said.

Though trading issues have been well addressed in sepa-rate dialogues with farmers and local executives in Bangued, Abra and Candon City, continu-ing dialogue with the farmers, and by the intervention of NTA extension workers in different trading centers in Ilocos Sur, Zaragoza would always want to have another one if only to satisfy tobacco farmers, who have been uneasy about the low grades of their tobacco in trad-ing centers.

In his welcome address, NTA Deputy Administrator Everin F. Molina cited the importance of this kind of dialogue to bring all tobacco stakeholders together and discuss issues and con-cerns affecting the industry. He asked the farmers, buyers, and local leader to set aside their differences, stop blaming one another for difficulties, all for the sake of the industry and the interest of the people involved, especially the tobacco growers.

During the dialogue, tobacco buyers were given the best op-

portunity to enlighten the farm-ers and the local executives on issues besetting the industry, particularly those concerning the prices of leaves.

Quality of tobacco leavesOther than prices of tobac-

co, another major issue raised by the farmers was the quality of leaves, which according to Zaragoza, have greatly affect-ed the grading of the leaves in trading centers.

He said that there are several factors for the lower quality, such as the hot climate, or the drought during the growing pe-riod, and delay in transplanting, which may be due to time and financial constraints of the to-bacco growers.

During the open forum, Jorge Struecker, leaf buying manager of PMFTC, confirmed that the quality of tobacco leaves is lower than that of last year.

“Our price is the same, how-ever, the quality coming in this year is lower than last year’s,” he said.

He added that PMFTC, af-ter chemical analysis of the leaves, found lower percent-age of nicotine in this year’s production. “So this is the main reason why the average price

has been affected, the composi-tion is lower now or it’s more on lower quality in the lower grades,” he added.

Farmer Ponciano Bagbaguen of Lidlidda, Ilocos Sur had no problems about floor prices as they were clearly posted in the trading centers, but it was the way the graders rate the tobacco leaves that he and other farmers are complaining about. Another farmer, Freddie Dasalla of Nar-vacan, Ilocos Sur, claimed that the graders would intentionally look for low quality leaves and this would serve as basis for the grade of all tobacco leaves in a batch of bales.

Jaime Gudito, leaf manager of PMFTC, denied such claim. The primary consideration for price has always been the qual-ity of leaves as traded by the farmers. “There had been no in-tention on their part to look for low quality leaves as basis of grading for all types per batch,” he said.

Zaragoza added that the agency, through its extension workers assigned for each trading post, arbitrates on leaf classifications and prices of tobacco. Farmers have nothing to worry about, he said, giving them the assurance that should

LET’S TALK.

AdministratorZaragoza

Jorge Struecker, leaf buying manager of PMFTC

Mario Cabasal, NAFTAC President Ilocos Sur Vice Gov. DV Savellano

FEATURE

5May - June 2014

Act (RA) No. 10351 or the new Sin Tax Law. The law provides that part of tax collections, as provided in RA 7171 and RA 8240, is allocated to mitigate any impact on tobacco farm-ers and workers who may be displaced due to expected re-duction in demand for tobacco products affecting local pro-duction.

“The farmers and other in-dustry stakeholders are now given the chance to provide inputs in the preparation of the master plan for the develop-ment of the tobacco industry,” Zaragoza said.

In response to a farmer’s request for direct allocation of funds from the excise taxes, the administrator said that with the new rules and the increased share of excise tax for the local government units, he expects the LGUs to implement proj-ects that directly benefit the farmers.

“This may be in a form of subsidy, but that would depend on the local government units or the outcome of the imple-

Farmers do not have adequate number and size of curing barn.

Recommendation: Provide curing barn assistance to farmers that have inadequate number of curing barns. If a farmer is tilling a hectare, then he should have two units of barn at 0.5-ha capacity. The capacity of the barn should determine the area to be planted to avoid overloading and/or underloading. There should be a complete inventory and assessment of existing curing barns. Defective barns should be repaired and improved to approximate the specifications of a standard curing barn in terms of size, dimension, and other requirements.

Practice of farmers to harvest over ripe leaves.Recommendation: Farmer should only harvest ripe and mature leaves. Some farmers tend to delay the harvest of some leaves of standing crop due to lack of barns. Some leaves are left out in the field and harvested after two or three days, which will cause the leaves to become overripe.

Improper curing of tobacco leaves.Recommendation: Farmers tend to overload their barns (again due to insufficient curing barn). The resulting color of the cured leaves is whitish lemon to lemon. Buyer firms prefer orange color to lemon color. Orange-colored leaves command higher prices. Hence, the prescribed curing process should be strictly followed.

Lack of irrigation water / El Nino phenomenonRecommendation: Oftentimes tobacco during the season experience water stress due to limited irrigation water or lack of beneficial rains. Under extreme hot conditions (from March to April) the tobacco plants are physiologically affected, characterized by abnormal respiration. To avoid this problem, farmers should practice early planting and follow strictly the cutoff date of transplanting which is December 30.

Tobacco contamination due to NTRMsRecommendation: Farmers should have a clean working area during sorting, sticking, poling and baling of tobacco. Tobacco must be 100% free from any non-tobacco related materials (NTRMs) contaminants.

Prepared by Dr. Roberto R. BonoanIndustrial Research Department Manager

FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO PRODUCTION OF LOW-QUALITY VIRGINIA LEAF TOBACCO

disagreement arise during the grading, and upon request, he will personally look into the cause of the problem and find ways to resolve it.

Other farmers, like Elvano Ramirez of San Emilio, were concerned about their excess production (those who ex-ceeded their quota), fearing that they would not be able to sell all their produce to the traders.

The buyer firms reminded the farmers the cause of over production, such as under-declaration of area. They have been discouraging the farmers of such practice. They, how-ever, promised to discuss the farmers’concern with their managers for consideration.

Zaragoza said he got the commitment of the buyer firms

to purchase all tobacco leaves produced by the farmers this year, as he assured the farmers that floor prices agreed upon will be strictly followed in trad-ing centers, even after the trad-ing season.

He also announced that the P2 incentive for each kilogram of high grade tobacco leaf, as promised by Universal Leaf Philippines Inc. (ULPI), will be given to their farmers. He added that there will be adjust-ments for lower grades in con-sideration of the generally low quality of production.

Farmers’ WelfareOther matters discussed were

the new rules and regulations in the release and utilization of fund, as provided by Republic

menting rules and regulations for RA 7171 (or RA 8240 for Burley producing areas),” he said. He added that the subsidy may be in in the form of inputs, like fertilizer, gasoline, or farm implements.

Savellano clarified that pro-posing projects that directly benefit the farmers should go into a process. He said that the farmers could go to a baran-gay assembly and discuss their projects with their community leaders and the barangay lead-ers would then go and file the proposed projects with the town or city council or the provincial board.

Savellano commended the NTA for conducting the dia-logue. He cited the importance of involving all the stakehold-ers in the discussion of issues and other concerns, and their cooperation to resolve them.

After the dialogue, the farm-er leaders, headed by Mario Cabasal, signed a resolution expressing support of the lead-ership of Administrator Zara-goza.

NTA Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza was the first guest of the newly organized PIA-KBP Ilocandia Forum, a joint project of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) of Ilocos Norte and the provincial chapter of Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) at the PIA office in Laoag City, June 25.

The forum aims to strengthen partnership with the local gov-ernment units (LGUs) and gov-ernment agencies in providing timely and significant informa-tion to the public. It also seeks to optimize the use of informa-tion towards an empowered community in nation building and development.

Administrator Zaragoza, guest at PIA-KBP Media Forum

Zaragoza discussed the cur-rent situation of the tobacco industry in the country, particu-larly in Region 1 which is con-sidered to be a major source of tobacco.The administrator also gave updates regarding the dif-ferent programs of NTA.

Some 12 broadcast and print journalists, including KBP Ilo-cos Norte chapter president Celestina Paz, attended the monthly forum. Freddie Laz-aro, infocen manager of PIA Ilocos Norte, acted as facilitator during the Q & A with Admin-istrator Zaragoza.

The forum is scheduled every last Wednesday of the month.

From Left: Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza, KPB Ilocos Norte Chapter President Cely Paz and PIA Ilocos Norte infocen manager Freddie Lazaro

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5

6 May - June 2014

THE National Tobacco Admin-istration (NTA) will be training a total of 1,470 for the agency’s capability training courses in batches from June to November this year.

This is in line with the NTA’s thrust to provide continuous ed-ucation to the tobacco farmers and extension workers for co-operativism and for livelihood project development.

The training courses were divided into two: the CDA (Co-

operative Development Author-ity) Standard Training Modules and the Livelihood Training Courses.

Beneficiaries for each course were cooperative workers and leaders from tobacco growing provinces and women and chil-dren of tobacco-growing fami-lies in Regions 1 and Abra.

Livelihood ProjectNTA’s Farm Technology and

Services Department (FTSD) has started conducting training on Meat Processing to women and children of tobacco farm-ers.

A total of 117 trainees com-pleted the two-day training, which was conducted in four batches: June 17-18; 19-20; 24-25; 26-27. The selected train-ees are dependents of tobacco farmers from different munici-palities in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union, and Pan-gasinan.

The training was held at NTA AgriPinoy Tobacco Farm-ers Food Processing Plant and Trading Center in Nanguneg, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur.

The participants were trained on making popular processed meat products such as pork sio-mai, skinless longganisa, em-butido, and pork nuggets.

The training courses are in-terventions by the NTA to max-imize the agriculture-based op-erations. The agency will also support the selected participants in training other eligible family members so that they can form a subgroup from their existing cooperatives or associations to avail of micro-financing for employment.

The training on meat process-ing in June was first of FTSD’s livelihood training courses, which also includes organic fertilizer/off-season vegetable production (scheduled in July); bread, cake and pastry mak-ing (August); herbal tea mak-ing (August); noodle making (September); therapeutic mas-sage (September to October); hair/nail care (September to October); dragon fruit produc-tion (October); dressmaking (November), and novelty items making (November). The pro-vision of livelihood trainings to

From left: Some of the trainees (from third and fourth batches) of NTA AgriPinoy livelihood training on meat processing.

of life of their own families,” he said.

All the trainings will be con-ducted at the NTA AgriPinoy plant, except for the practicum for organic fertilizer production which will be in the farm site of the selected participants.

Cooperatives TrainingFTSD will also start to train

cooperative workers and lead-ers on basic accounting on July 2 and 3.

The training module, Ac-counting for Non-Accountants, is part of the CDA standard training modules aimed at en-hancing productivity among co-operative members by exposing them to continuous cooperative education.

Some 50 cooperative mem-bers from eight NTA branches are expected to attend the train-ing to be held at the Nueva Segovia Consortium of Coop-eratives (NSCC) in Caoayan, Ilocos Sur.

According to FTSD Man-ager Luzveminda Truong, the program will help sustain the institutional fortitude of the coop members by enhancing and developing their skills and attitudes in different areas.

Other than basic account-ing, coop leaders and workers will also be trained on Strate-gic Planning on August 5 and 6, and Cooperative standards prescribed by the CDA on No-vember 11 and 12.

For the whole CDA train-ing course, NTA is targeting 150 beneficiaries for the three modules. (with reports from Felisa Ramos Aurellano and Noralyn Idica)

the tobacco-growing families, who are also cooperative mem-bers, is an attempt to provide solutions to food sufficiency, health and employment.

For the whole livelihood training course, NTA is target-ing 1,320 beneficiaries for the 11 modules.

Dr. Gloria D. Tuazon and Jo-anna Marie Guarin of the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State Colleges, Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur, were the resource speakers on the meat processing course. Other tech-nical experts will be tapped for the other training modules.

Facilitators during the train-ing on meat processing were FTSD’s Felisa Aurellano, Francisca Sagsagat and Pres-cilla Nisperos.

According to NTA Admin-istrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza, with this series of livelihood training courses, the NTA showed the farmers that the agency is serious in empower-ing them and their dependents.

“We want them to participate dynamically in the improve-ment of economic and living conditions and raise the quality

NTA gives coop training, livelihood courses fo tobacco farmers, dependents

A batch of trainees are given pointers on the preparation of processing meat from their trainors during their training at AgriPinoy.

Capability training courses

7May - June 2014

ULPI’s Andy L. Filler confers with NTA Isabela Branch Manager Herman C. Torres and Chief Agriculturist Joefrey Bautista during the start of trading in Isabela.

OPERATIONS of trading op-erations in Isabela has gone ahead of schedule.

This was prompted by the request of the Universal Leaf Tobacco (ULPI) and Compaña de Filipinas (CdF-Tabacalera) for an early trading, which NTA Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza readily granted.

Though the trading season in Region 2 would officially start on May, ULPI started accept-ing tobacco deliveries as early as April 22 for both native and Burley tobacco. CdF opened its trading season for Burley tobacco on April 25. Not to be left behind, Isabela Leaf Tobac-co Company (ILTC) conducted a dry-run of its marketing op-erations also on April 25.

Buying PricesThe newly approved floor

prices for Burley and native cigar filler tobacco were imple-mented in the trading. The floor prices for grades of Burley are: A, P61; B, P59; C, P53; D, P45; E, P44; F, P37; R, P28. For na-tive tobacco, the new floor prices are: High Grade, P66; Medium 1, P56; Medium 2, 46; Low 1, P38; Low 2, P26.

The buyer firms were buy-ing at prices higher than the ap-proved floor prices, or as high as P12 per kilogram.

For Burley, the buying prices this year are almost the same as last year’s trading season.

ClassificationIn terms of grading system

for Burley tobacco, ULPI has 91 grades, following the in-ternational classification. This was higher than the 75 grades of Burley set last year. Farmer cooperators of ULPI are re-quired to deliver their Burley tobacco in straight-laid open bale (SLOB), with moisture content not beyond 19.5%.

On the other hand, Burley to-bacco delivered to CdF is clas-sified into 24 grades, following grading by leaf position. Farm-ers are also required to deliver in SLOB. CdF reminded their farmers on NTRM-free tobacco to get a high classification of their produce and advised them not to spray water on their to-bacco so that leaf quality will not deteriorate.

In determining the mois-ture content, ULPI is using the

moisture probe while CdF re-lies on “feel method.”

Farmers at the start of trad-ing complained about the strict grading of their native cigar fill-er at the CdF. To erase doubts on classification, CdF classi-fiers acceded to the request of farmer-leaders for a demonstra-tion on tobacco grading. In one instance, farmer-leaders and NTA technicians were asked to reclassify the tobacco that was graded by a CdF classifier. It was noted that the grading done by the farmer-leaders and the NTA technician yielded the same grade as that of the CdF classifier. The test exercise was conducted in the presence of NTA Isabela Branch Manager Herman C. Torres and his se-nior staff.

For the understanding of the farmers on grading, CdF of-ficials described to them the characteristics of the leaves be-ing graded. This simple activity gave the farmers the confidence on the trading operations, that their tobacco is properly clas-sified, and that the CdF classi-fiers are objective and fair in grading.

Isabela trading operations in full swing

Weighing ScalesBefore the buying opera-

tions, weighing scales of the buyer firms were calibrated to ensure fair weighing of tobac-co acceptances. NTA stickers were pasted on the calibrated weighing scales to show that the weighing scales have been tested or calibrated.

This year, all buyer firms are now using the digital weighing scales in their buying operation. Previously, only ULPI used digital weighing scales.

The “tare” or the trolley and weighing stones/test weights of ULPI were also tested.

NTRMULPI is very strict as regards

NTRMs. Burley tobacco that were already graded and classi-fied were still subjected to rigid NTRM test. It is their policy that when a bale of tobacco is found to contain NTRM, all to-bacco deliveries of that farmer will be inspected. The farmer sellers couldn’t complain be-cause according to an earlier

agreement with tobacco farm-ers, as a requirement for floor prices, tobacco leaves deliv-ered to the trading centers must be free of non-tobacco related materials (NTRMs) and deliv-ery in straight-laid open bale (SLOB).

Checking NTRMs on the spot is also one way of educat-ing the farmers on the proper handling of tobacco for selling and generate awareness on the elimination of NTRMs, accord-ing to Manager Torres.

ULPI constructed four sheds within their compound as an area for farmers to open bales and re-dry soft tobacco, and to clear the bales of NTRMs.

Roving TeamsExtension workers were de-

tailed at the different trading centers to oversee the market-ing operations and to properly implement the Trading Rules and Regulations. They were also tasked to get the daily Pur-chase Issue Voucher (PIV) from the buying firms. (Joefrey T. Bautista)

THE NTA attended the launching of Ugnay 2: Connecting with the People, second of the se-ries of books on Government Publications, held June 19 at the National Library in Manila.

The NTA’s bi-monthly publication The To-bacco News was included in the list under Land and Water Resources.

The book was formally launched by PCOO Assistant Secretary Jess Anthony Yu, in behalf of PCOO Secretary Sonny Coloma; Director John S. Manalili of Bureau of Communications Services; and Director Antonio M. Santos of the National Library.

Internal Audit Services Manager Dinah Pi-chay, along with Neyo Valdez and Perla Man-zon, represented the NTA in the launching.

NTA at Ugnay 2 book launch

From left: PCOO As-sistant Secretary Jess Anthony Yu, OMB Chair Ronnie Rickets, HMRO IV Perla Manzon, and Internal Audit Services Manager Dinah Pichay.

8 May - June 2014

NTA has 410 college scholarsTHE National Tobacco Admin-istration (NTA) has granted 41 more scholarships to college students to bring the total of its scholars to 410 for the opening of classes this June.

This is 11% more than the 369 granted to college stu-dents last school year. Of the new scholars, 30 are incoming freshmen.

The breakdown by province is as follows: Ilocos Norte, 39; Ilocos Sur 1 (Vigan), 49; Ilocos Sur 2 (Candon), 108; La Union, 44; Abra, 30; Pangasinan, 57; Isabela, 51; Cagayan, 30; and Occidental Mindoro, 2.

The NTA scholarship pro-gram is an incentive for local farmers who engage in tobacco production. It is in line with the Tobacco-Free Education Pro-gram (TFEP) embodied in Re-public Act No. 9211 or Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003.

The coverage of the program is limited to deserving and qualified dependents of tobacco farmers duly registered with the NTA.

“The scholarship program will certainly help in uplifting their lives by subsidizing a por-tion of the educational expenses of their children,” NTA Admin-istrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza said. The budget and coverage of the program increased under his watch.

Zaragoza said the qualified students are encouraged to pur-sue a career in the field of agri-culture and fishery to optimize the program’s contribution for the continuing development and modernization of the agri-culture sector.

About 35% of the scholars are enrolled in agriculture-re-lated courses in different state universities and colleges in to- Administrative Officer Elaine Arcangel Tinio meets with eight of the 17 new scholars

of NTA Ilocos Norte Branch to discuss on the details of the scholarship program of the agency.

THE National Tobacco Admin-istration (NTA) saw the con-cerns of farmers regarding leaf grading in trading centers in the last trading operations.

The problem in the recent trading season, however, was more on the quality of leaves produced by the farmers than on the grading system. Poor quality means lower classifica-tion.

NTA officials and represen-tative of buyer firms who were present in a multisectoral dia-logue in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur last May had to explain to the farmers the international tobac-co leaf grading standards. The trading operators and the NTA technicians assigned in trading centers should adhere to these standards. And farmers are al-ways given advice regarding the grading standards before the trading operations every year.

The trading season for Vir-ginia tobacco has ended, but the agency would continue en-hancing its competence on in-ternational tobacco leaf grading standards.

“We want our staff in the trading centers and our officials to be more effective in the dis-charge of their functions and responsibilities relative to stan-dards of research and develop-ment, quality assurance and

Enhancing competence on leaf grading NTA officials attend seminar on international leaf grading standards

regulation enforcement,” Dr. Roberto R. Bonoan, Industrial Research Department Manager, said.

Bonoan attended the United States Leaf Standards Seminar on Flue-cured and Burley To-baccos last June 19-25 in Ma-lolos City. The seminar was sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture through its Agricultural Mar-keting Service (AMS) Cotton and Tobacco Programs Train-ing and International Services, in coordination with Mighty Corporation.

Other NTA officials who at-tended the seminar were Regu-lation Department Manager Maybelen B. Dictaan, Chief Tobacco Production and Regu-lation Officer (TPRO) Alex L.

Enhancing competence on leaf grading

Borje, and Chief Science Re-search Specialist Lina A. Cera. Other participants included representatives from Mighty Corp., Universal Leaf Philip-pines, Trans Manila, Inc., Con-tinental Leaf, and Prudence.

The purpose of the course is to familiarize the participants with quality evaluation of US grown tobaccos (flue-cured and Burley) as described by USDA official standard leaf grades.

The Burley tobacco grades were focused on US Type 31 and Foreign Type 93 with 120 U.S. standard grades. Flue-cured tobacco grades were cen-tered on the US Types 11 to 14, and Foreign Type 92 with 153 U.S. standard grades.

The training was spearhead-ed by Bobby Wellons, USDA-

AMS training specialist, and assisted by Hank Mozingo of Tobacco Associates, Inc. In his lectures, Wellons presented minimum specifications (e.g. body, maturity, leaf structure, leaf surface, and leaf injury tolerance) on official standard grades for both Burley and flue-cured tobacco, including the cultural farm practices that could enhance or impair the quality of leaf.

Wellons also provided par-ticipants with the summary of minimum specifications for Burley and flue-cured in ma-trix form. This, he said, will help them remember easily the marked differences of leaf char-acteristics by leaf group.

After the lectures, Bonoan and the other participants were given the chance to apply what they learned by doing practical exercises and reviews on more

Front, from left: Dr. Roberto R. Bonoan, IRD Manager; Lina A. Cera, Quality Assurance Division chief; Bobby Wellons, marketing specialist of USDA-AMS; Maybelen B. Dictaan, RD manager; Geoffrey Gadian, plant and leaf manager, Mighty Corp.; and Alex L. Borje, Chief, TPRO; (back row) Hank Mozingo, training coordi-nator.

bacco-growing provinces.The program covers both

four-year degree courses and technical or vocational courses. To maintain the schol-arship grant, each scholar should pass all subjects he or she is enrolled per semester.

Dr. Cristina C. Lopez, TFEP scholarship committee chair-person, said 142 slots are still available for deserving and qualified children of tobacco farmers.

Interested applicants, she

added, may submit their docu-ments for evaluation at the NTA branch office in their respective provinces.

“Applicants should submit authenticated copy of birth certificate, medical certificate, barangay clearance, national career assessment certificate, high school report card, cer-tificate of good moral character and notice of admission issued by the tertiary institution where they intend to enrol,” Lopez said.

SCHOLARSHIP

Pls turn to page 9

9May - June 2014

SUCCESS STORIES

TRANSFORMING the ordi-nary to the extraordinary, this is basically the objective of the Tobacco Grower of the Year (TGY) contest. The winners must demonstrate application of science and technology-based knowledge coupled with cultural skills, and make the production of tobacco a profit-able enterprise.

Two outstanding farmers from Isabela are deserving of this recognition for they have contributed to the development of the tobacco industry.

For crop year 2012-2013, two Roxas, Isabela farmers Ri-cardo Alvaro, 64, of Brgy. Rizal and Maribel C. Matammu, 43, of Brgy. San Placido bested eight other contestants in the province for native cigar filler and full flavor Burley tobacco categories (five for each cat-egory), respectively.

Alvaro and Matammu got the highest evaluation rating in terms of farm record-keeping, crop stand, adoption of Good

Surpassing set standards even amidst life’s challenges

Agricultural Practices (GAP), implementation of Agricultural Labor Practices (ALP), inno-vativeness, environmental con-cerns, yield, leaf quality, net in-come and return on investment (ROI).

Alvaro, winner in the native cigar filler category, had a total yield of 3,438 kg on a per hect-are basis, which was 93% high grade. The crop was valued at P200,632.

On the other hand, Matam-mu, winner in the full flavor Burley category, had a total yield of 2,587 kg per hectare, which was 84% high grade.

Crop value was P242,256. Matammu, who only fin-

ished elementary, first planted native cigar filler tobacco in a farm in Amulung, Cagayan for three years. Then she shifted to Burley tobacco in the next two years. She continued planting Burley when her family moved to their present residence at Ba-rangay San Placido.

Matammu and her hus-band Galo rented a farmland. They even resorted to work as househelpers or laborers in oth-er farms to earn additional in-come to support the daily needs of their family. They have four children—three girls and a boy.

A large portion of their in-come was being spent on the medical needs of their 23-year-old child who is suffering from rheumatic heart disease. This has motivated the Matammu couple to work harder to in-crease their farm production and income.

With hardwork, grow-ing Burley tobacco has made Matammu earn more than she expected. Her cost of produc-tion for crop year 2012-2013 was computed at P166,787 per hectare that earned her with P75,469 per hectare or an ROI of 69.63%.

Matammu is contracted to Universal Leaf Phils. Inc. (ULPI). Perpetuo C. Dalloran,

TPRO III of NTA, is providing her technical assistance.

Alvaro, a self-made man hap-pily married to Evelyn Alvaro, is a father of five children. He started early in tobacco produc-tion as his parents were Burley tobacco farmers from Urdane-ta, Pangasinan. When his fam-ily transferred to Brgy. Rizal in Roxas town, he decided to plant tobacco during dry season and corn and vegetables in the wet season on a parcel of land that he inherited from his parents.

Reaching only sixth grade of his education, Alvaro focused his skills on native tobacco pro-duction. And his hardwork paid off, especially during crop year 2012-2013. He incurred a to-tal production cost of P93,648 and eventually earned a net in-come of P106,983 or an ROI of 110.97%.

His innovation was on organ-ic farming. Aside from tobacco, he is also into carpentry to aug-ment the family income.

Alvaro is a farmer cooperator of Isabela Leaf Tobacco Com-pany (ILTC) and is assisted on technical matters by Primitivo A. Magudang, Agriculturist I of NTA Isabela.

These two Isabela farmers, both loyal and innovative to-bacco growers, proved their ability to use whatever they have, however little it may be, to increase yield and improve quality tobacco and ultimately earn higher income. They went beyond the set standards even amidst life’s challenges. (Per-petuo C. Dalloran)

Isabela’s TGY awardees during the awarding ceremonies last February 28 in NTA Central Office: (From left) NTA Isabela Branch Manager Herman C. Torres, awardee Ricardo W. Alvaro (Native Cigar Filler), outstanding extension worker Primitivo A. Magudang (Agriculturist I), awardee Maribel C. Matammu (Burley- Topped), outstanding extension worker Perpetuo C. Dalloran (TPRO III), and NTA Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza.

Tobacco Grower of the Year

Isabela AwardeesCY 2012-2013

Tobacco Grower of the Year

Isabela AwardeesCY 2012-2013

“This is our way of returning the favor to our farmer coopera-tors by providing them sources of income through seedling production and planting of trees for fuelwood purposes,” Zara-goza said.

For its KPP module this year,

the agency targets 6 million tree seedlings or plants a total area of 2,000 hectares in tobacco-growing areas.

This is about double of last year’s 3.2 million seedlings planted to an area of 1,357 hectares.

1 million tees ..., from page 1

Enhancing competence on leaf grading NTA officials attend seminar on international leaf grading standards

Enhancing competence on leaf grading

Enhancing.., from page 8

leaf samples. This had helped the participants know their ca-pacity and capability and build up their confidence and com-petence in the application of the knowledge and skill in leaf grading.

“The building up of confi-dence and competence in the application of the international leaf grading standards requires time and constant application of the standards,” Bonoan said.

Bonoan and his group, had

recommended to NTA Admin-istrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza, the holding of an echo-train-ing on leaf grading standards to core-group of trainers. This will include the TPROs of the Regu-lation Department and from the different branch offices, and the research specialists of the In-dustrial Research Department.

With the training of compe-tent leaf graders, NTA expects better trading operations with farmers in the next tobacco trading season.

10 May - June 2014

CONSISTENT with the Sports, Cultural, Athletic and Recreation-al Development Program of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for government employees, the NTA Central Office held Duckpin Bowling and 3-on-3 Basketball Friendship Games from April to June.

The 10-day Bowling Tournament was held at RJ Bowling Lanes in Quezon City, and participated in by some 40 employees. The 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament was played at the NTA Grounds, with 24 players grouped into six teams.

NTA Cental Office holds Friendship Games 2014

BowlingThe Red Team of Even Mag-

aro, Raffy Hernandez, Lioba Pacapac, and Vivien Ferareza was this year’s overall champi-on in the bowling tournament.

The Blue Team of Sor Mejia, Lita Albano, Jess Palaspas, and Elarde Marzan came in a close second. The Purple Team an-chored by Ogie Santiago, with Mon Soriano, Randy Abella,

in the male category: High-est Triple and Highest Pinning Award. Mon Fernandez of Pink Team won the Highest Single award of the same category

Kiwi Green’s Pichay cap-tured all individual awards in the female category: Highest Single, Highest Triple, and Highest Pinning. Her Kiwi Green Team, though ranked 5th in the overall team standings, won Team Triple and Team Single awards.

BasketballThe Green Team of Sor Me-

jia, Joseph Elizalde, Anthony Pagba, and Randy Ramos cap-tured the 3-on-3 basketball crown. The Blue Team of Egay Guia, Joseph Benosa, Lean-dro Bagaoisan, and Jay Martin

Dinah PichayChampion Bowler Female and Male

Category

Sor MejiaRed Team, Bowling Champion

Sportsfest

TRAININGS, SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS, CONVENTIONS

ATTENDED BY NTA OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEESApril – June, 2014

Emma Beth F. BalagotMarcelo T. Pascual

Supervisory Dev’t Course Track 1, CSC Regional Office I, San Fernando City, Apr. 1-4

Arturo D. Castillanes Trainer’s Methodology Level 1, Pangasinan Technological Institute, Bimmaley, Pangasinan, Apr. 7-25

Myrna O. Lozano 29th Phil. Chemistry Congress, Villa Caceres Hotel, Naga City, Apr. 9-11

Roberto R. BonoanLuzveminda R. Truong

Meeting and Workshop on Standardized National Cooperative Testing Guidelines of the NSIC, BPI Visayas Ave., Quezon City, Apr. 23-24

Priscilla S. EsguerraFortuna C. BenosaLoida S. BorjeTeresita D. dela RosaClaire Monette P. EstebanCarmelita V. AlbanoRosalie P. CaturaExcelsior R. MejiaRamon L. FernandezEvangeline Y. IsipLeah Gina B. RamboyongLioba B. Pacapac

Lakbay Aral cum Pilgrimage to Taal,Batangas, Apr. 30

Ilocos Norte Branch Office staff

Lakbay Aral to Corregidor, Bataan,Villa Escudero, Quezon and HarbestOrganic Farm, Carmen, Rosales, Pangasinan, May 1-3

Leonarda A. Federico 15th Course on Food Safety, Press Rm., Annex II Bldg., College of Public Health, UP Manila, May 5-9

Rex Antonio P. TeoxonMa. Teresa B. LaudenciaPriscilla S. Esguerra

Orientation Workshop on theIntegrated Corporate ReportingSystem, Governance Commission for Government Owned or Controlled Corporations Training Room, 3F Citibank Center, Makati City, May 12-13

Rex Antonio P. TeoxonMa. Teresa B. LaudenciaPriscilla S. Esguerra

ICT Resources Acquisition Seminar, ICT Office, Diliman, Q.C., May 19-23

Luzveminda R. Truong DA-Wide Clearinghouse Technical Secretariat meeting, Punta de Ferbian, Baras, Rizal, May 26-30

Imelda N. Riñen 1st Luzon Island Magsasaka Syentista Congress, Clark, Pampanga, June 17-19

Myrna O. LozanoNellie U. Castro

Seminar on Phil. National Standards for Organic Agriculture at OCCP, Cubao, Q.C., May 30

Roberto R. Bonoan Maybelen B. DictaanLina A. CeraAlex L. Borje

Seminar on U.S. Tobacco Grading and Classification, Mighty Corporation Compound, Malolos City, June 19-20 & 23-25

Arturo D. Castillanes Trainer’s Methodology National Assessment, Pangasinan Technological Institute, Binmaley, Pangasinan, June 1-4

Edgardo D. ZaragozaJose S. DiñoRogelio A. ElveñaGeoffrey DG. Gacula Roberto R. BonoanMaybelen B. DictaanLuzveminda R. Truong Lina A. CeraMyrna O. LozanoRoman J. Raganit, Jr.

PH Tobacco Industry Meeting, PMFTC Marikina, June 26

Rex Antonio P. Teoxon Training Workshop for Project Dev’t. & Eval’n for the DA-Wide Clearinghouse System and Public-Private Partnership Program, Tagaytay Convention Center, Tagaytay City, June 23-27

and Di Clarin settled for third place.

Mejia of the Industrial Re-search Department (IRD) was declared 2014 Champion Male Bowler. Internal Audit Ser-vices Manager Dinah Pichay was 2014 Champion Female Bowler.

Red Team’s Mag-aro of the Commission on Audit (COA) also won two individual awards

landed second place.Teammates Pagba and Ra-

mos were named Most Valu-able Players (MVP).

Bambi Senga of IRD and Egay Guia of the Administra-tive Department outpointed 18 other participants to win the 3-Point Shoot-out, a sidelight of the basketball games, in theFemale and Male category, re-spectively.

The basketball and bowl-ing games gave much fun and excitement to the participants. More importantly, the games showcased the value of team-work among the employees.

Awarding of winners will be held during the celebration of the 27th founding anniversary of NTA on July 25. (Raquel F. Senga)

NTA Cental Office holds

11May - June 2014

THE NTA Governing Board was among the first batch of Appointive Directors to attend the Orientation-Seminar on Public Corporate Governance held from May 27 to 30, 2014 at the Astoria Plaza in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

The seminar was a first of its kind to be conducted by the Development Academy of the Philippines designed exclusive-ly for directors of government corporations and subsidiaries to equip them with the knowledge to effectively carry out their functions in ensuring transpar-ent, responsible and account-able governance of GOCCs.

This was in compliance with Governance Commission on Government-Owned and Con-trolled Corporations (GCG) Memorandum Circular No.

NTA Governing Board attends orientation-seminar on public corporate governance

2012-05, as part of the require-ments for their re-appointment under the Fit and Proper Rule mandated by Republic Act No. 10140 or the GOCC Gover-nance Act of 2011).

The seminar consisted of two modules, namely: Module 1: Understanding Fundamen-tals of Public Corporate Gov-ernance; and, Module 2: Ex-ercising Fiduciary Functions for Improved Public Corporate Governance.

The delegation from the NTA Governing Board was headed by its Vice-Chairman and NTA Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza, with Directors Jose S. Diño (representing the aca-demic sector); Dante G. Clara-vall, Geoffrey DG. Gacula, and Rogelio A. Elveña (the three representing the tobacco farm-

ers sector); and Pedro J. Men-diola, Jr. (representing the to-bacco traders/exporters sector).

With the culmination of the orientation-seminar for the Vice-Chairman and Members of the NTA Governing Board, the NTA is assured that the Ap-pointive Directors are compe-tent to carry out the corporate functions of the NTA; that its assets and resources are used efficiently and exposure to all forms of liabilities including subsidies is warranted and in-curred through prudent means; and that the management and operations of the NTA, as a cor-porate body, are implemented in transparent, responsible and accountable manner and with utmost degree of professional-ism and effectiveness. (Atty. Rohbert A. Ambros)

Red Team, Bowling Champion

Administrator’s Priority..., from page 2bacco Leaf and Manufactured Products, to concentrate on the provision of services that ensures the quality of land, wa-ter, fertilizer and leaf tobacco, including the continuing study and monitoring of physical and chemical quality of cigarettes, as an input to continuing tech-nology adjustments, standards formulation and effective regu-lation enforcement and com-pliance. This also includes up-grading/capability building, to include techno-physical, tech-nical manpower and manage-ment systems and procedures.8. Scholarship Program for To-bacco Farmers’ Dependents. Continuing increase in the cov-erage of the program, in col-laboration with the CHED and TESDA, in Regions 1, 2, CAR and other tobacco-producing areas. The scholarship includes baccalaureate and technical/vo-cational courses, preferably in the field of agriculture.

Farmer’s Welfare• Allocation of P80-M pro-

duction assistance that will benefit 3,635 farmers. Un-der the program, we expect to increase the farmer’s av-erage income by 5% from P58,456 in 2014 to P61,378 in 2015. The assistance will also enable them to adopt the recommended technology for quality tobacco produc-tion from seedbedding, land preparation, procurement of farming inputs, irrigation and curing of their tobacco.

• Formulate a unified produc-tion technology in consulta-tion with the research/pro-duction specialists of the tobacco producers/buyers to insure greater yield at least possible cost and also ac-ceptable by the end-users.

• Make sure that appropriate fertilizers and pesticides are made available to the farm-ers at lowest possible cost to ensure higher yield/quality of tobacco and net income.

• Arrange with the major buy-ers for the purchase of all tobacco produced at the best possible price. Have dia-logue with tobacco compa-nies to find ways to reduce their importation of tobacco leaves and to use more of our locally produced tobacco leaves.

• Continue the conduct of val-ues orientation of all farmers to inculcate Good Agricul-tural Practices and good val-ues with emphasis on effi-cient financial management.

• Hold continuous consulta-tion with the local leaders to ensure that tobacco excise tax funds are properly imple-mented, based on the modi-fied guidelines on the release of funds set by the national government, per implement-ing rules and regulations of RA 10531; and to ensure that local shares from excise tax-es will be used for the ben-efit of tobacco growers and workers and communities in the tobacco-growing areas.

• To coordinate with local gov-ernment units to address the

First batch of participants to the Ori-entation-Seminar on Public Corporate Governance, with DAP President Anto-nio D. Kalaw, Jr. (center).

capital which is payable in one year, with 6% interest per an-num and a service fee of 1%.

For emergency loan, mem-bers can avail of the maximum amount of P10,000 payable in one month. A member can avail

NTA Isabela ..., from page 12

problem on quality of tobac-co as we have been experi-encing this year, in anticipa-tion of another long draught, by providing more irrigation pumps; constructing more flue-curing barns to ensure proper curing of tobacco and minimize losses due to poor quality; providing more fer-tilizer input, gasoline, and farm implements.

of both the regular and emer-gency loans at the same time. Members are assured of prompt processing, low interest, and availability of cash loans.

Members of the NTA-IBC-CO Board of Directors are NTA Isabela Branch Manager Herman C. Torres, Joefrey T. Bautista, Perpetuo C. Dalloran, Nestor T. Tejada, and Orlando D. Llantada. Other officers are Lorelie B. Figarola, coop man-ager; Emma G. Paggao, trea-surer; Leah M. Ramones, book-keeper; and Gavina Domingo, secretary.

The officers also created var-ious committees to oversee the proper and smooth operation of the cooperative. (Joefrey T. Bautista)

Coop officers headed by Branch Manager Herman C. Torres (chairman) and Lore-lie B. Figarola (manager) with some members of the cooperative.

12 May - June 2014

THE National Tobacco Administration (NTA) and other attached agencies and bureaus of the Department of Agri-culture (DA) joined the City Government of Batac, Ilocos Norte in its 6th Farmers’ Festival held last May 1-7.

The opening of agricultural booths and exhibits was one of the highlights on the first day of the festival. NTA Ilo-cos Norte displayed on a tarpaulin its ongoing projects and programs, and its accomplishments, designed on a map-like format, with the title “NTA’s Mission & Accomplishments in Progress…Nurturing our Wonders of Excellence and Ser-vice.”

The NTA branch delegation, composed of thirty 32 of-ficials and employees, joined the parade on May 6. The pa-rade was also participated in by other DA-based agencies, nongovernment organizations and delegations from the 43 barangays of the city.

The city holds the annual festival to celebrate the boun-tiful harvest of its locally produced agricultural products. This year’s festival theme “High Value Crops: Adaptaren Para iti Narang-ay a Pamilya ni Mannalon” was aimed at encouraging farmers to adapt and plant more high-value crops for higher productivity and profitability. (Elaine Ar-cangel Tinio)

NTA Ilocos Norte joins 6th Farmers’ Festival

A tobacco farmer in Banayoyo, Ilocos Sur relies on every water source available in his place to irrigate his tobacco farm. (photo: Adonis Lazo)

Batac City

OFFICERS and members of the NTA Isabela Branch Credit Cooperative (NTA-IBCCO) held their general assembly last May 29 at Villa Joelita Resort in Cauayan City, Isabela.

The officers distributed cop-ies of the financial status of the credit cooperative as proof that the coop has gained enough funds to cater to the needs of its members. The officers also pre-sented to the members policies and future undertakings of the cooperatives.

The cooperative, now on its third year, has 26 active mem-bers, who are NTA-Isabela branch employees. It was regis-tered with the Cooperative De-

NTA-Isabela credit coop holds general assembly

velopment Authority (CDA) on December 10, 2010.

On its initial year, each member agreed to contribute P200 as membership fee. The initial capital of P100 per share was also supplementedwith a continuous capital build-up of P100 a month . Because most members increased their capi-tal share to more than P10,000 each, the total capital build-up has now reached P304,650.

Today, the cooperative is offering its members Regular Loan, Emergency Loan, and Appliance Loan. Under the reg-ular loan, members can avail of twice the amount of their share

NTA Candon conducted a briefing for farmer cooperators and awarding of production assistance under the agency’s Irrigation Support Program (ISP), last May 22 at the branch office in Candon City.

This is part of the series of briefings for the said project

As of June 30, a total of 154 farmers from different municipalities in Ilocos Sur’s second district have availed of the said program. More farmers are expected to avail in the succeeding briefings for the other batches of farmers. Some 695 farmers had availed of the same program last year.

The ISP was initiated by NTA Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza to ensure production of high-quality tobacco by providing irrigation facilities to the tobacco farmers through production assistance.

NTA Candon also conducted orientation seminar and techno-update of its IFOIGAP rice farmer-cooperators under the agency’s Rice Production Project 2014, last June 27 at the

Pls turn to page 11

branch office in Candon City. Branch Manager Estrella

G. de Peralta and Supervising TPRO Renato Aquino briefed the farmers on the objectives of the project.

The Rice Production Project is initiated by the agency, in line with the rice self-sufficiency program of the government, to augment the income of tobac-co farmers by increasing their yield through the provision of right technology and financial and technical assistance.

NTA Candon briefs farmers on irrigation assistance

LILIA Juliana F. Payabyab of the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) Region 1 con-ducted a training on Good Man-ufacturing Practices (GMP) and Sanitary Standards Operating Procedures (SSOP) to 57 em-ployees of the NTA AgriPinoy Tobacco Farmers Food Process-

NMIS-Region 1 trains NTA AgriPinoy staff on GMP and SSOP

ing Plant and Trading Center.The one-day training was

held at the AgriPinoy plant of-fice at Brgy. Nanguneg, Narva-can, Ilocos Sur last June 11.

Also present during the train-ing were NMIS Regional Tech-nical Director (Region 1) Dario Bonifacio B. Canillas, NTA Deputy Administrator Everin F. Molina, and NTA AgriPinoy Operations Manager Minerva P. Mizal.

The slaughterhouse and meat processing plant of NTA AgriPi-noy were given a full “AA” ac-creditation by the NMIS after an inspection and evaluation of the facility by its Audit Team last April.

Dr. Lilia Palabay (left photo) of NMIS Region 1 discusses Good Manufacturing Practices before NTA AgriPinoy staff headed by Operations Manager Minerva Mizal (foreground, right photo) during a training seminar on the subject conducted by NMIS.

NTA Candon briefs farmers on irrigation, rice production

assistance

NTA Candon briefs farmers on irrigation, rice production

assistance