DA signs pact with RBAP for agri collaboration
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) “On Collaboration Work in the Service of the Agriculture Industry” between the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines (RBAP) was signed recently during DA’s distribution of machineries to farmers at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in this city recently.
Present during the occasion were DA Secretary Dr. William D. Dar, and RBAP President and GRBank COO Elizabeth Carlos-TImbol. Also present were DA-3 Regional Director Crispulo G. Bautista, Jr. and RBAP VP for Luzon Gregory D. De Guzman.
The MOA which aims to provide support in the development of the country’s agriculture industry in favor of the farmers through a partnership with Rural Banks as home-grown institutions will easily allow the farmers to access solutions for their credit needs and support mechanism in the production and marketing of their produce.
This engagement which involves the wide network of over 450
Rural Banks and their more than 3000 banking units across the country will ensure effective implementation of the various programs of the DA and its organizations such as that of the Agricultural Credit and Policy Council (ACPC).
Rural Banks shall play a crucial role in this partnership by serving as channels or conduits for DA’s extension of credit funds; disbursement of relief and amelioration subsidies; provision of production-related and post-harvest support ; facilitation of marketing activities for agricultural produce and other assistance that may be vital in the entire agriculture sector.
This joint initiative of DA and RBAP will help attain the primary objective of collaboration and working together to empower the country’s food producers and uplift their lives to enable them to continue providing food on the table of every Filipino.
This partnership is also the realization of the long-time vision of Dr. Dar and Ms. TImbol way back when they were both serving for an organization for farmers called Aguila.
(Chris Navarro)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO— Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) Director Marlita Carlos said that the recently commercialized plant growth promoter of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is effective in helping rice crops resist tungro disease and leaf blight.
Carrageenan Plant Growth Promoter (PGP), which the DOST had been promoting for farming applications after it was proven to be compatible with different cropping systems, helps develop rice resistance against rice tungro virus and bacterial leaf bl i ght .
Rice tungro disease is caused by the combination of two viruses, which are transmitted by leafhoppers. It causes leaf discoloration, stunted growth, reduced tiller numbers and sterile or partly filled grains.
Tungro infects cultivated rice, some wild rice relatives and other grassy weeds commonly found in rice paddies. Meanwhile, bacterial blight is cau sed by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. It causes wilting of seedlings and yellowing and drying of leaves.
Carlos said that the plant growth promoter had been shown to improve rice resistance to tungro virus and bacterial leaf blight based on several field tests of cultivated rice in different r egi ons.
Carrageenan also helps in strengthening the rice crops' extensive root systems, which can better withstand the effects of lodging during typhoons.
The PGP also had the effect of driving away harmful pests without harming insects and arthropods which are naturally beneficial to crops. Not only does the PGP increase the number of cavans, but it also made each cavan heavier and fully-laden with rice. With the PGP, farmers could earn up to an additional P16,000, an increase in income by over 19 percent.
Red seaweed extract carrageenan, which is widely used in the food industry as an additive, has now been successfully processed for agricultural use as a foliar fertilizer that is expected to boost rice production and pest resistance.
The DOST had in fact made the technology available to the private sector in Central Luzon r ecent l y.
Aside from the recent launching in Central Luzon, the product is currently being launched nationwide by various technology adopters, distributing it through various dealers, cooperatives and other possible arrangements.
without a corresponding adjustment in the contribution rate, which caused a reduction in the SSS fund life of 10 years.
“Thus, a year later, the Social Security Act of 2018 was enacted. The new law provided, among others, a schedule of increases in contribution rate as well as the minimum and maximum MSCs up to 2025. Upon full implementation, the reforms under it will offset the adverse financial impact of the additional monthly benefit granted in 2017,” Ignacio said.
During the press conference, the topic of the second tranche of the P1,000 pension increase was also discussed.
Ignacio said that the SSS understands its pensioners' plight and recognizes the good intention of granting the second tranche of the P1,000 additional monthly benefit. However, to grant such additional benefit allowances, the actuarial soundness of the SSS must be guaranteed through thorough studies, especially now that there is a pandemic and the collection of SSS contributions experienced a significant decline.
“We must ensure that our current and future generation of members, pensioners, and their beneficiaries have access to social security protection through the programs that the SSS offers,” Ignacio said.
Ontheotherhand,theSSSalsopresentedthefeaturesoftheWISP,asafe,convenient, principal-protected, and tax-free individual retirement savings plan, which will serve to augment member savings from the regular program.
Since the regular program puts a cap of P20,000 MSC in calculating benefits, the WISP will cover the contributions more than the P20,000 MSC up to the prescribed maximum MSC.
Coverage under the WISP will be automatic to all private-sector employees, selfemployed individuals, OFW, and voluntary members who have no final claim in the regular SSS program, have contributions in the regular SSS program, and have an MSC that exceeds P20,000.
Contributions in WISP shall be paid together with contributions in the regular SSS program.
“It allows faster accumulation of a worker’s savings because of the employer share in the contribution. Moreover, WISP contributions will be invested following the principles of safety, high yield, and liquidity, and as provided under the SS Act of 2018, which will yield additional pension income for contributing members,” Ignacio said.
Earnings realized from them will be distributed proportionately based on the member’s contribution.
The total accumulated account value (AV) of the member under the WISP will be the basis of his/ her additional benefits, which will be given at the same time during his/her retirement, total disability, and/or death benefits.
Benefits will be given in annuity or lump sum, depending on the manner of payment of his/ her benefit under the regular SSS program.
The annuity will be given in the form of a fixed amount monthly pension, to be paid until the member’s AV is fully settled, covering at least 15 years.
Upon the death of a WISP pensioner, any remaining balance in the accumulated AV will be paid to his/her beneficiary in lump sum.
For more information follow the SSS on Facebook at “Philippine Social Security System,” Instagram at “mysssph,” Twitter at “PHLSSS,” or join the SSS Viber Community at “MYSSSPH Updates.” (PR)