BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 2 (DA RFO2) joined the nationwide celebration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s 69th birthday through the “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Tapat Para sa Lahat” held at the Carlos M. Padilla Convention Center in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.
The activity, hosted by the Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya under Gov. Jose V. Gambito, brought together more than 20 national government agencies to bring services directly to farmers, fisherfolk, and families. The program started at 8:00 AM with welcome remarks from Gov. Gambito, followed by a keynote message from DICT Undersecretary for Support Services, Atty. Heherson M. Asiddao.
For DA RFO2, the participation was more than a ceremonial presence , it was a convergence of its core programs: food availability, market linkage, and farmer support.
What DA RFO2 Brought to Bayombong
1. KADIWA ng Pangulo Pop-Up Store: Fresh produce from local cooperatives and associations, lowland vegetables from Bagabag and Solano, upland vegetables from Kayapa was made available at farmgate prices. The KADIWA truck also served as a market linkage for farmers affected by the recent habagat, preventing post-harvest losses.
2. Farm Inputs and Vegetable Seedlings: The office distributed seedlings on its Quick Turn Around (QTA) strategy and the package recently rolled out for Nueva Vizcaya, certified hybrid rice seeds, fertilizers, and biofertilizers for the towns of Bayombong, Bagabag, Solano, and Villaverde. DA technicians provided on-site consultation on seed selection and fertilizer management amid the ongoing dry spell.
3. RSBSA (Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture): This is the official electronic database that profiles individual farmers, farm workers, fisherfolk, and agri-youth. Registration here is mandatory to receive direct DA interventions like free seeds, fertilizer vouchers, financial aid, and crop insurance.
4. FFEDIS (Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Information System): This database tracks agricultural enterprises, cooperatives, associations, and groups. It is designed to help small businesses scale up and access formal credit assistance programs.
5. PAFFP (The Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program: is a national government initiative providing unconditional cash aid to help agricultural workers cope with rising fuel and production costs.
6. Food Lane by DA RFO2: an accreditation and pass system managed by the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office No. 02 (Cagayan Valley) that gives agricultural transport vehicles priority pass, toll exemptions, and exemptions from truck bans and number coding.
“Aside from these, disinfectants from Livestock Program, White corn certified seeds from Corn Program, Rain Shelter from HVCDP through AMEFFS and PAFFP from Rice Program, DA RFO2 has shelled out P31, 958,589 milion to the beneficiaries.” Mr. Arsenio Jhun Apostol, DA NVES Manager said.
“Kung dati ang magsasaka ang pumupunta sa opisina, ngayon kami ang bumababa,” said Ms. Debbie Dominguez, APCO and DA NVES employee during the service caravan.
“Handog ng Pangulo is the very essence of Bagong Pilipinas, services should be felt in the barangay, not just in the region. Ang patuloy na pagbuhos ng iba’t ibang interbensyon at tulong mula sa Department of Agriculture (DA), ay isang malinaw na patunay na hindi kailanman pinapabayaan ng pamahalaan ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda.” Ms. Saih Paccarangan, AMAD Chief said.
Farmers who lined up early appreciated the one-stop approach. Instead of traveling to Tuguegarao City for follow-ups, they were able to ask about NFA warehouse availability, Bayombong and Bagabag warehouses, which now store over 160,000 bags combined after recent rehabilitation under the MAFIM program, as well as market access at the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal (NVAT).
The Handog ng Pangulo in Bayombong was part of the simultaneous nationwide service caravans held on September 13, 2025, in celebration of the President’s birthday.
In Region 2, DA RFO2 said it will continue to align its services with the provincial government to sustain rice production, stabilize prices, and ensure that government assistance reaches the most vulnerable farming communities. For many who attended, the event was not just about free services or cheap rice, it was a reminder that agriculture remains at the center of the administration’s agenda: from the field in Cagayan Valley to the table of every Filipino family.- #
Story from Dr. Ferdinand Cortez