1January - February 2014

Volume V, No. 1 January – February 2014

NTA eyes more scholars this year

Pls turn to page 4

THE National Tobacco Admin-istration is expected to have more scholars for its Tobacco Free Education Program this coming school year.

This was announced by NTA Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza during the awarding of financial assistance to some 94 scholars in Candon City last January 31. The scholars came from different towns in

THE National Tobacco Administration (NTA) had conducted dia-logues with local leaders, tobacco farmers, manufacturers, traders, and other industry stakeholders to disseminate salient features of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) on the use of the increased excise taxes imposed on cigarettes.

NTA consults local execs, farmers, traders on regulations on use of sin tax proceeds

February 20 in Rosales, Pangasinan. Local leaders from 43 Virginia tobacco-growing towns, mostly in Ilocos Provinces and Abra, also attended a dialogue on February 22 in

Candon City. According to NTA Administrator

Edgardo D. Zaragoza, his office is work-

Farmer-leaders, Bauang, La Union

Manufacturers and traders, NTA main office, Quezon City

ing with the Department of Agricul-ture and the Department of Budget and Management to formulate guidelines for the identification, monitoring, and reporting of programs and projects by the local government units to ensure effective utilization of the fund for the purposes provided by law.

LGUs, Rosales, Pangasinan

LGUs, Candon City

With the dialogues, the agency also gathered input for the formulation of the roadmap for the Philippine tobacco industry and identification of priority programs and projects.

NTA officials met with local leaders of 46 towns that produce Burley and native tobacco on

the second district of Ilocos Sur, the country’s top tobacco-producing province.

The agency at present is giv-ing scholarship grants to 369 deserving and qualified depen-dents of tobacco farmers from the Ilocos provinces, Abra, La Union, Pangasinan, Isabela, Cagayan, and Occidental Min-doro.

Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza

Visit our Showroom at NTA AgriPinoy Food Processing Plant at Brgy. Nanguneg East, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur.

For inquiries:call 09163451350

Zaragoza said that with the consulta-tions, he hopes to come up with a range of projects from which executive offi-cials of beneficiary local government units can choose. He said that under the law, a province and a congressional dis-trict each get a 30-percent share, while a town/city gets 40 percent.

He had emphasized that the benefits

Administrator Zaragoza with Rep. Eric Singson (Ilocos Sur, 2nd District) and Rep. Josephine R. Sato (Occidental Mindoro)

Representatives, Quezon City

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2 January - February 2014

EDITORIAL

is published bimonthly 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: Nestor T. Tejada, 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 ReynaContributor: Leonora N. ClarinEditorial Adviser: Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza

AS the tobacco trading season begins, the Regulation Depart-ment (RD) of the National To-bacco Administration (NTA) had conducted its orientation seminar on the Trading Rules and Regulations (TRR) on the trading, wholesaling, and re-drying of locally grown leaf tobacco.

The annual event, held in Candon City, Ilocos Sur last January 31, is a prerequisite for applications for licenses or per-mits to buy or redry leaf tobac-co, and Certificate of Authority to the tobacco traders, trading center operators and field rep-resentatives.

RD disseminated to the participants information on newly set floor prices for 2014-2015 for all tobacco types and the conditions for their availment, including the 4Ps (proper grading, proper weighing, prompt and proper payment of tobacco proceeds, and proper documentation) as

NTA-RD conducts orientation seminar on trading rules

provided in the TRR. Atty. Everin F. Molina, Dep-

uty Administrator for Support Services (DASS) and concur-rent Branch Manager of NTA Vigan, Ilocos Sur, in his mes-sage, requested all buyers to follow the TRR to have an or-derly leaf trading operations for trading year 2014.

NTA Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza took advantage of the seminar to consult with the buying sector for their recom-mendations or suggestions on how the excise tax collections for the new Sin Tax Law (Re-public Act 10351), per allot-ment expressed in RA 7171 and RA 8240, can be utilized for their contracted tobacco farmers.

The seminar was attended by 101 field representatives, 34 trading center operators, 135 tobacco traders, and some of-ficials and staff of the agency’s eight provincial branches. (Leonora N. Clarin)

TRADERS, EXPORTERS, IMPORTERS, AND TRANSSHIPPERS

The Regulation Department in compliance with the Rules and Regulations on the trading of locally grown leaf tobacco, has issued Licenses to Buy to 54 trading centers in eight NTA branch offices, Permit to Purchase to 10 wholesale tobacco dealers, Permits to Redry to four redyring plants, and Certifi-cates of Authority (COA) to 288 field representatives to buy leaf tobacco .

The tobacco trading operations for Virginia and Burley this year started last February 20, with the grant of request for of-ficial opening of the 11 registered/licensed trading centers in Ilocos provinces.

Also in compliance with the existing Rules and Regulations on the Exportation and Importation of Unmanufactured/Man-ufactured Tobacco, RD has issued 19 Licenses/Authority to Export, 29 Licenses/Authority to Import, and four Authority to Transship leaf tobacco and tobacco products.

AS they say, challenges make life exciting; without them, life would be boring.

NTA Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza has always been an advocate of continuing development in every endeavor. He initiated challenges to the employees of the NTA by spearheading the composition of the NTA Hymn and taglines for the NTA AgriPinoy products to make these more marketable. He encourages everyone in the agency to find new ways of doing things to make what used to be routine activities more exciting. He continues to send staff to various seminars to keep them abreast on the latest developments in office systems and procedures.

Thus was the metamorphosis of the criteria in identifying the Tobacco Growers of the Year (TGY) among the farmers of the tobacco growing provinces for the various types and sub-types of tobacco. Formerly focused simply on the crop stand, production, quality, and income derived from tobacco farming, new criteria were added such as the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for tobacco, the reduction of non-tobacco related materials from seedling production to marketing, commitment to sell the produce to the contracting/buying firm, innovations that protect the environment and help reduce expenses and the drudgery of farm works, and proper recording of expenses throughout the cropping season.

The criteria revealed the potential of the farmers not only with regard to tobacco production, the farm tools they themselves developed to facilitate their farm work and solve the lack of farm labor, and economical use of resources, but also as responsible members of the ecological system as they are doing their share in the National Greening Program of the government.

It is hoped that the 20 outstanding tobacco farmers for CY 2012-2013, provincial winners of the TGY Contest, will become role-models to their fellow farmers to strive similarly and will continue to inspire others to ensure the production of world-class Philippine tobacco.

Making tobacco production more challenging

3January - February 2014

MOST farmers would want their children finish college and have decent jobs. So they worked hard in the farm every crop year, hoping for a good harvest.

Fortunately, some tobacco farmers need not wait for every harvest to send their children to school. In fact, some depen-dents of tobacco farmers can finish degree courses assured of financial assistance to sus-tain their education.

That’s what R-jay Errol Hidalgo, 18, of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, is exactly aiming, to fulfill his dream to finish college, without pressing his father to depend on the harvest for his tuition and allowances.

Hidalgo is among the first batch of tobacco farmer depen-dents who availed the Tobacco Free Education Program of the National Tobacco Administra-tion (NTA). He is currently a Bachelor of Science Agricul-ture third year student at Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC) in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur.

Now on its third year of implementation, the scholar-ship program is in line with Re-

Free scholarship grants giving hope to tobacco farm kidsFree scholarship grants giving hope to tobacco farm kids

FEATURE

public Act No. 9211 or Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003. The program covers both four-year degree courses and technical or vocational courses

The NTA at present is giv-ing scholarship grants to 369 deserving and qualified depen-dents of tobacco farmers from the Ilocos provinces, Abra, La Union, Pangasinan, Isabela, Cagayan, and Mindoro.

By June this year, Hidalgo will be in his senior year. One more cropping season, he would remind himself every day of his work in the farm. After an early class dismissal in the afternoon, Hidalgo would go straight to help his father tend their tobacco farm in Barangay Nanguneg.

Hidalgo knows that after the harvest and trading of their crop next month, his family would be earning around P90,000 for a hectare of their land planted to tobacco. And the farm has given him more hope for a bet-ter future.

Early this year, Hidalgo went with 93 other scholars to the NTA Branch in Candon City to collect financial assistance

R-jay Errol Hidalgo helps his father tend their tobacco farm after his class at Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College. Hidalgo is one of the first batch of tobacco farmers’ dependents who availed of the Tobacco Free Education Program of the NTA.

The NTA Scholarship Program

(Inset) Scholar Ericson Peralta (right) receives financial assistance from NTA Administrator Edgardo Zaragoza in a ceremony at Candon City last January 31. (Lower photo) Administrator Zara-goza (center in blue shirt) and NTA Candon Branch Manager Estrella De Peralta (4th from right) with NTA schol-ars in Candon City .

AS of January, NTA has given scholarship grants to 369 chil-dren of tobacco farmers who are enrolled in 31 academic in-stitutions in the tobacco-growing provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union, Pangasinan, Isabela, Cagayan, and Occidental Mindoro. Of the total, 344 (93.22%) are enrolled in state colleges and universities, while 25 (6.78%) in private institutions.

Distribution of scholars according to types of institution.

Screening of applicants is ongoing. This is to fill up the re-maining 45 available slots for School Year 2013-2014.

Of the on-going grantees, 139 are enrolled in agriculture-related courses while 230 are pursuing non-agriculture-related courses. Moreover, 353 are taking up degree courses, 10 of which are expected to graduate this school year, as they availed of the scholarship on their second year in college. Nine of the 16 students taking non-degree courses are also expected to graduate this school year.

Distribution of scholars according to course being pursued.

The various institutions where the current scholars are en-rolled are summarized on page 10.

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4 January - February 2014

NTA consults ... from page 1of projects which the local ex-ecutives would choose will go directly to the farmers. “We are assured that these funds will be used for the development or progress of a community,” he added.

On February 8, NTA had a di-alogue with officials and mem-bers of the National Federation of Tobacco Farmers’ Associa-tions and Cooperatives (NAF-TAC) in Bauang, La Union.

He said that the farmers’ in-puts will be used in the prepa-ration of a master plan for the development of the industry. He assured the farmers that ex-cise taxes from cigarettes will directly benefit tobacco farmers and their communities.

The farmer leaders proposed among others construction of more farm-to-market roads, ir-rigation systems, production subsidy, and more livelihood programs for local tillers and their families.

Zaragoza also met with 14 cigarette makers and heads of buyer firms, representing the private sector, in a consultative meeting at the NTA office in Quezon City on February 11.

Discussed during the meeting were strategies and interven-tions that need to be adopted with the implementation of the sin tax law. Manufacturers and traders are expecting an increase of share of local leaf production in domestic manufacturing and the increase in exports of leaf

For Virginia tobacco-growing areas (RA 7171) (Under Rule V, Sec 1.1, R.A 10351)

Projects identified under Section 1.1 of R.A. 10351 (same projects were identified under Section 8 of R.A. 7171) a) Cooperative projects that will enhance better quality of

products, increase productivity, guarantee the market, and as a whole increase farmers’ income;

b) Livelihood projects particularly the development of alternative farming system to enhance farmers’ income;

c) Agro-industrial projects that will enable tobacco farmers in the Virginia tobacco-producing provinces to be involved in the management and subsequent ownership of these projects such as post-harvest and secondary processing like cigarette manufacturing and by-product utilization; and

d) Infrastructure projects such as farm-to-market roads.

For Burley and native tobacco-growing areas (RA 8240) (Under Rule V, Sec 1.2, R.A 10351)

Projects identified under Section 1.2 of R.A. 10351 (Consistent with R.A 8240, as amended by Section 8[B] of R.A 10351) a) Programs that will provide inputs, training, and other

support for tobacco farmers who shift to the production of agricultural products other than tobacco, including, but not limited to, high-value crops, spices, rice, corn, sugarcane, coconut, livestock, and fisheries;

b) Programs that will provide financial support for tobacco farmers who are displaced or who cease to produce tobacco;

c) Cooperative programs to assist tobacco farmers in planting alternative crops or implementing other livelihood projects;

d) Livelihood programs and projects that will promote, enhance, and develop tourism potential of tobacco-growing provinces;

e) Infrastructure projects such as farm-to-market roads, schools, hospitals, and rural health facilities; and

f) Agro-industrial projects that will enable tobacco farmers to be involved in the management and subsequent ownership of projects, such as post-harvest and secondary processing like cigarette manufacturing and by-product utilization.

UTILIZATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT SHARE

Free scholarships... from page 3

and tobacco products.“As long as we have farm-

ers planting tobacco, we have to protect their interest,” Zara-goza said. The manufacturers expressed support to the ad-ministrator as they emphasized the need to provide assistance to farmers to produce quality leaves.

On February 18, Zaragoza also met with some district rep-resentatives of tobacco-grow-ing provinces in Rembrandt Hotel in Quezon City.

The increase in excise taxes

was triggered by the enactment in December 2012 of Repub-lic Act No. 10351, or the sin tax law, which levies higher taxes on cigarettes and liquor. The law took effect in January 2013.

Under the law, a portion of revenue collected will be allo-cated to projects that will ben-efit tobacco farmers and work-ers nationwide in addition to the tobacco farmers’ livelihood support under RA 7171 and RA 8240. (with reports from Eliza-beth Q. Biala)

from the agency. The schol-ars came from different towns in the second district of Ilocos Sur, the country’s top tobacco-producing province.

Another NTA scholar Eric-son Peralta, 18, of Barangay Codoog in Narvacan, is also de-termined to finish his Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSE) degree. Like R-jay, he is ex-pected to graduate in 2015. He is now a third year student at ISPSC, where most scholars in the second district are enrolled.

Peralta is studying hard to continue availing the privilege. Scholars like him must main-tain a general weighted average of at least 80% with no grade less than 75% in any of the sub-jects to stay in the program.

Cielo Sabado of Busel-busel, Santiago, Ilocos Sur, and Fhell Dollente of Cabaroan, Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur, also take the challenge to complete the requirement of their respec-tive degree courses within four years. Sabado, a BSE freshman of ISPSC, said that having a scholarship is a big help to her family who only rely on their tobacco farm for income.

“We don’t want to lose this opportunity,” Dollente, a BS Agriculture freshman also at ISPSC, said in Ilocano. Like many of the scholars, she be-lieves that the way out of pov-erty is through education.

NTA Administrator Edgardo Zaragoza, in his recent meeting with the scholars, expected to have more scholars this coming school year.

According to NTA records,

there are 45 slots ready for graduating high school seniors this year. The agency gives preferences to those who will enroll to further their education in an agriculture-related field of study.

Zaragoza said more scholar-ship opportunities for poor but deserving children of tobacco farmers is consistent with the agency’s major mandate of improving the quality of life of all those who depend on the tobacco industry as a source of livelihood.

Hidalgo and the rest of the scholars are expected to con-tribute not only for the continu-ing development and modern-ization of the agricultural sector but also for the ultimate benefit of the tobacco farmers and their families. (Neyo E. Valdez)

There are 45 slots ready for graduating high school seniors this year. The agency gives preferences to those who will enroll in agriculture-related courses.

A total of 139, or 37.67%, of the scholars are presently enrolled in agriculture-related courses in different state uni-versities and colleges in tobac-co-growing provinces.

NTA scholarship program, now on its third year of imple-mentation, 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 program covers both four-year degree courses and technical or vocational courses.

NTA eyes... from page 1

5January - February 2014

No more market for “usable” reject tobaccos?

THERE’S market even for “rejects”or those tobacco leaves that failed the standards of quality set by buyer firms.

Based on the latest floor price (for 2014 and 2015 trad-ing), usable reject tobaccos have a floor price of P46 per kilo for Virginia types, and P28 for Burley.

But for the next trading sea-sons or beginning 2017, even usable rejects might be good as waste.

This is so when the uniform tax rates of all types of ciga-rettes per pack will take effect on 2017.

According to the new Sin Tax Law which took effect in January 2013, the tax on to-bacco products, both upper and lower price ranges continue to rise at their respective rates (For 2014, a pack of cigarette priced at P11.50 is taxed P17/pack; for

those priced morethan P11.50, these are taxed P27/pack) until 2017 when all types of tobacco products are taxed P30 per pack.

With this development, cigarette makers are expected to improve the quality of their products to be competitive in the market. They would only buy the best quality leaves, and those leaves rejected during the trading season might no longer be bought as before.

As early as the first year of implementation of the law, NTA has been advising the farmers to avoid as much as possible pro-ducing low-quality leaves that turn out to be bad rejects dur-ing the trading. Tobacco buying

Reminders:• Harvest only ripe and mature

leaves.• Observe proper distancing

between sticks of tobacco to promote proper ventilation.

• Follow the recommended number and sizes of the vents for the barn.

• Always refer to the curing chart and make adjustments if necessary.

• Use wet bulb and dry bulb thermometer.

• Observe the condition of the leaves being cured inside the barn.

• Check for leaks in the heat-ing system.

Source: Industrial Research Department, NTA Central Office, Quezon City

HOW TO AVOID PRODUCING

“UNUSABLE” REJECT TOBACCOS

firms would only want the best quality leaves for their products.

Though usable rejects com-prise only a minimal volume (about 5%) of the total produc-tion, just the same, the agency would want to address the prob-lem, according to NTA Admin-istrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza.

During the orientation semi-nar on trading rules held last January in Candon City, he asked the farmers to follow the standard practice in tobacco farming. He also requested the private sector to help the agen-cy in conducting a study so that

HOW TO SPOT REJECT TOBACCOS

Leaf browning is caused by hav-ing humidity levels too high when the temperature is increased at the end of yellowing. This causes the leaf to continue to respire until all the sugars are used up, caus-ing a reduction in weight and leaf browning. If the leaf is not dried soon enough, it tends to darken in color and become harsh, trashy and difficult to condition.

Sponge is a term used to describe a leaf which has been too wet when

the temperature more slowly. A solid green on the tip end of

the leaf is sometimes found on the lower tiers of the barn. This is usu-ally due to the temperature being raised too high for a short period in the first 24 hours of curing. A similar green color can be caused by sun scald if the leaf is left in the sun after harvesting.

Small green lines, mostly near the butt end of the leaf, are caused by bruising, mainly during the har-vesting and tying. These bruises can lower the value of the leaf.

Runback is caused by moisture from the stem seeping back in the leaf blade once it has been dried. Runback occurs when the barn is allowed to cool down during the lamina or stem drying stage. If the temperature drops or humidity in the barn is too high for the mid-rib to dry rapidly, moisture may move out from the midrib into the already dried leaf. This may pro-duce a dark brown discolouration along the midrib or, in some cases, a distinct brown line on the lamina parallel to the midrib.

Scorching is caused by an in-crease in temperature during the final drying stage above 70OC. Scorching causes the leaf to be-come “cherry red” in color or a slate grey or even

Scalded tobacco has brown or dark brown colors on the whole surface of cured leaves as a result of excessive humidity in the barn during the curing process. The condition is normally caused by overloading the barn resulting in inadequate ventilation. Advancing

bad rejects will be minimized if not avoided during the trading.

The agency, through its In-dustrial Research Department, is coming out with reading materials which contain an ad-visory (see side bar) on how to avoid producing unusable re-jects. This will be translated to Ilocano language.

Dr. Roberto R. Bonoan, Industrial Research Department Manager, talks to agency’s research specialists and extension workers during the Training on Leaf Grading System for Virginia Tobacco, held in Candon City last February 18.

the temperature has been increased at the end of yellowing or drying the leaf too slowly. Spongy leaf is typically yellow brown, thick and poor quality. Adequate ventilation and even raising the temperature will help to prevent sponging.

Green along the midribs and veins on a large proportion of the cure suggests that the leaf has not been yellowed long enough and was harvested green. This can be prevented in the future cures by harvesting riper leaf or opening the vents slightly later or raising

Pls turn to page 10

2014, a pack of cigarette priced at P11.50 is taxed P17/pack; for

HOW TO SPOT REJECT TOBACCOS

Leaf browning is caused by hav-ing humidity levels too high when the temperature is increased at the end of yellowing. This causes the

6 January - February 2014

TGY 2012-2013 Awardees. Standing (from L): Ricardo W. Alvaro, Antonio V. Salmasan, Pepito O. De Sesto, Buenaventura C. Isla Jr., Teofilo S. Baclig, Jonathan V. Torricer, Celso G. Bayle, Alfredo G. Ganado, Charlito B. Cabalbag, Nolito O. Jaravata, Howard A. Ciervo, Nestor V. Dominguez, Anastacio M. Dumaya, Eddie L Habab; seated: (from L) Cirilo I. Guiyab (represented by his wife Rosa), Maribel C. Matammu, Erlinda E. Daquigan, Purisima F. Dumpit, Zosima G. Madriaga, and Myrna A. Panit.

TGY awardees as role models

Emerson U. Palad, Undersecretary,Department of Agriculture

MAGANDANG gabi sa inyong lahat.

Ating bigyan ng pagkilala ang lahat ng Tobacco Growers of the Year for 2012-2013.

Sa paggawa ng programa at proyekto na i-implement ng Deparment of Agriculture, kami ay ginagabayan ng dalawang pangunahing objectives: ito ay ang pataasin ang produksion

Tobacco Growers of the Year

THE National Tobacco Ad-ministration (NTA) honored 20 tobacco growers for showing exemplary efforts in tobacco farming in a ceremony held on February 28 at the NTA central office in Quezon City.

The Tobacco Growers of the Year contest showcases tobacco farmers’ innovativeness, effi-

minda R. Truong, chairman of TGY National Technical Com-mittee.

She said that farmer-award-ees are also owners of tree plantations in their farms. Their innovations include a fertil-izer applicator made up of PVC pipe and oil container, recycled container vegetable garden, agri-waste composting, mobile water container, and multipur-

ciency, compliance with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and protecting the environment while practicing their profes-sion and getting the maximum income from their labor.

The awardees were able to demonstrate application of science and technology-based knowledge and made the pro-duction of tobacco a profitable enterprise, according to Luzve-

20 farmers honored for exemplary efforts in tobacco farmingpose sled.

The awardees were selected in each category (type/sub-type of tobacco) within the province or area coverage of an NTA branch. A total of 140 were nominated as contestants from the eight branches and the outreach station in Occidental Mindoro.

Farmers of Ilocos Norte, Ilo-

ng isang commodity, sa inyong kalagayan, ito ang tabako; at ang pataasin ang income ng magsasaka. Hindi kasi masasa-bing sabay ang dalawa; hindi dahil tumaas ang production, ibig sabihin, tataas na rin ang kita ng mga magsasaka. Yung dalawang objectives na ’yan ay sabay nating minimithing ma-achieve.

Kapag titinitingnan natin ang mga awardees ngayong taon, ang DA ay talagang natutuwa sa inyong tagumpay. Ultimate-ly the success of tobacco farm-ers reflect on how we carried out our mandate, especially that of the National Tobacco Ad-ministration. Thus, let me also acknowledge our colleagues in the NTA, especially the tobacco production officers and agricul-turists for a job well done.

Malaki na ang naging im-provement ng sektor ng agri-

kultura sa mga nakaraang taon. We’ve seen increased mechani-zation in farming. Farmers are now more open to adopting new technologies. This, in turn, is enabling them to produce more and earn more. And this is seen in the tobacco industry.

Kami ay natutuwa na ang mga tobacco farmers ay hindi na lamang nagtatanim ng ta-bako ngayon, kundi nand’yan na rin ang pagtatanim ng pa-lay. At ang iba ay nag-aalaga na rin ng poultry at may nag-aalaga rin ng baboy. Kaya nga ating itinayo ang NTA AgriPi-noy Food Processing Plant and Trading Center sa Narvacan, Ilocos Sur. With this processing plant, we expect you to incur less production cost and earn greater profit.

But more than increased in-come, we are pleased to note that tobacco farmers practice

the proper farm management by conscientiously following the Good Agricultural Practice.

Ang pagkilalang ito ay isang simpleng token lamang, simbo-lo ng aming pasasalamat sa in-yong pagsisikap at contribution sa pag-unlad ng ating bansa. Sa halip na kayo ang nagpa-pasalamat, tanggapin ninyo ang pasasalamat namin. Hindi ang mataas na ani o kita ang iyong pinakamalaking achieve-ment. Ito ay ang pagiging isang huwaran sa inyong mga kapwa tobacco farmers. Pagpapakita ito na posible na kumita sa pagtatanim ng tabako, at pag-papakita na sa sipag at tiyaga, aasenso tayo.

Muli, ito ang pagbati sa inyo ng DA. Kaisa ninyo kami sa hangaring pagsisikap para sa mas maunlad na tobacco indus-try. Maraming salamat po at magandang gabi.

Continued next page

7January - February 2014

BEHIND the success of each farmer winner is a Tobacco Production and Regulation Of-ficer or Agriculturist of NTA who tirelessly guided each farmer contestant from the start to the end of the contest. They endured the heat, dusty and bumpy rides, even walk long distances just to make sure that the contestants were prop-erly aided in the application of the technology. Their constant presence and efforts inspired and strengthened the contes-tants’ determination to achieve their goal.

It is therefore fitting that they, too, should be honored in this occasion as successful techno-transfer agents to the farmer winners.

Congratulations to the TPRO’s. Your NTA family sa-lutes you. (L.R. Truong)

TGY Model Extension Workers 2012-2013

Precilla R. Lagadon TPRO I, NTA Ilocos Norte

Leonardo C. Escobar Agriculturist I, NTA Candon

Sinfrosa N. Valmonte TPRO I, NTA La Union

Aurie Nellie A. Tumbaga TPRO III, NTA La Union

Alicia A. Malab Cashier II, NTA Cagayan

Romel C. Hilario Agriculturist I, NTA Vigan

Melben B. Bejarin TPRO I, NTA Abra

Potenciano H. Apilado TPRO I, NTA La Union

Cynthia B. Magaliao TPRO I, NTA Candon

Rhonelle P. Sulicipan TPRO I, NTA Ilocos Norte

Romeo Y. Paculdo Agriculturist II, NTA Abra

Jose A. Taclas Jr TPRO III, NTA Vigan

Alberto C. Casison TPRO I, NTA La Union

Prescilla A. Nisperos TPRO III, Occ. Mindoro

Moises D. Duran TPRO I, NTA Cagayan

Perpetuo C. Dalloran TPRO III, NTA Isabela

Primitivo A. Magudang Agriculturist I, NTA Isabela

Yolanda S. Ignacio TPRO I, NTA Pangasinan

Merly S. Sison TPRO III, NTA Candon

Edna C. Perlaoan TPRO I, NTA Pangasinan

Pls turn to page 12

cos Sur, Abra and La Union par-ticipated in the award for Vir-ginia production. Recognized in the production of Virginia-Neutral were Buenaventura C. Isla Jr. of Pinili, Ilocos Norte; Teofilo S. Baclig of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur; Alfredo G. Ganado of Candon City; Celso G. Bayle of Bucay, Abra; and Myrna A. Panit of Bacnotan, La Union.

Farmers who bagged the honors in the Virginia-Improved production category were Anto-nio V. Salmasan of Badoc, Ilo-cos Norte; Jonathan V. Torricer of San Juan, Ilocos Sur; Eddie L. Habab of Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur; Howard A. Ciervo of Pilar, Abra; and Pepito O. De Sesto of Balaoan, La Union.

On the other hand, the cat-egories for Burley and native tobacco were participated in by farmers from La Union, Pan-gasinan, Cagayan, Isabela, and Occidental Mindoro.

In the Burley-Neutral cat-egory, Zosima G. Madriaga of Agoo, La Union, and Nestor V. Dominguez of Balungao, Pan-gasinan emerged as winners. In the Burley- Improved category, the TGY awardees are Anasta-cio M. Dumaya of Tuao, Ca-gayan; Maribel C. Matammu of Roxas, Isabela; and Nolito O. Jaravata of San Jose, Occiden-tal Mindoro.

Purisima F. Dumpit of Bau-

ang, La Union, and Erlinda E. Daquigan of Villasis, Panga-sinan, were the awardees in the Native-Batek category. In Native-Cigar Filler category, Cirilo I. Guiyab of Tuguegarao City and Ricardo W. Alvaro of Roxas, Isabela emerged as winners. The award for Native Snuff tobacco, a new category, was given to Charlito B. Cabal-bag of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur.

The winners received cash rewards of P15,000 each and

plaques of recognition.“One of the stated objec-

tives of the TGY award is to reward practices that allow the interplay of technology, quality. yield, and increased farmers’ income, and this year’s batch of national awardees have certain-ly achieved that,” NTA Admin-istrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza said.

Undersecretary Emerson U. Palad of the Department of Ag-riculture, keynote speaker who

represented DA Secretary Pros-pero J. Alcala, commended the awardees for applying proper farm management and consci-entiously following the GAP for tobacco farming.

He urged the awardees to be role models to other farmers and share their talents and skills with them to improve produc-tion of Philippine tobacco.

The TGY was first given in

8 January - February 2014

THE search for the Tobacco Grower of the Year project is a contest among to-bacco farmers of the same tobacco type and subtype within the province or area coverage of a Branch Office of NTA. The contest has two levels, the Provincial and the National Level. In the provincial lev-el, the farmers planting similar type/sub-type from each branch vie for the TGY award of the branch/province. These provincial winners of the same tobacco type/subtype are the contenders for the national level of the contest.

The project is a joint activity of the NTA Branch offices which serve as the implementing arm of the project through its Branch Technical Committee (BTC), which is responsible for the recruitment, recommendation, and monitoring of the contestants’ activities. The Farm Tech-nology and Services Department (FTSD), as the National Technical Committee, reviews and evaluates the contestants’ credentials and records forwarded by the BTC and recommends the winners of the contest based on contest rules and guidelines. The TGY National Advisory Council declares the winners.

The project was started by the then Philippine Virginia Tobacco Administra-

The Search for the Tobacco Grower of the Yeartion in 1976 for Virginia tobacco grow-ers. In 1980, Burley was included, Na-tive - Cigar Filler in 1987, Native - Batek in 1989, and Native - Snuff in 2012. From its beginning until 2002, when its imple-mentation was temporarily stopped, the contestants were rated according to crop stand (50%), yield (15%), quality (15%) and income (20%).

The TGY provincial level was revived in CY 1011-2012 with more zest and with a different focus. Honesty, integrity, and diligence based from previous produc-tion record is embodied in the qualifica-tion of participants. Lately, the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for tobacco and good agricultural labor practices, famers’ initiative in develop-ing farm tools/devices and protecting his environment while practicing their profession and getting the maximum in-come from their endeavor, are the main elements of the competition.

GAP is the call of the time in all crops and environments and is required to make our products competitive in the world market. Through this contest, the farmers are encouraged not only to use the recommended farm inputs and

technology in growing, harvesting, and drying the leaves but to practice simple acts of sanitation from the fields until de-livery of their produce to the buyers. In so doing, they will help in giving integrity to the Philippine tobacco and make our products attractive to foreign and local buyers.

While most of the components of pro-duction technology are prescribed, the farmers, in their own social setting, are still encouraged to practice their initia-tive to make their task lighter and reduce production cost by developing simple tools or adopting efficient farming prac-tices. Likewise, the project tries to in-culcate business entrepreneurship in the tobacco farmers by giving points to the proper recording of farm expenditures and income, for them to know if they are earning from their enterprise. In doing this, the project hopes that they would strive to use the resources at hand wisely and get more income from them. On the other hand, by giving points to doable practices that protect the environment, like planting of trees and proper waste disposal and recycling, the contest will help create awareness among the farm-ers on the importance of environment preservation, and how each of them, in-cluding their family, can participate in im-proving its current state.

The Winner of the TGY award, there-fore, is the image of an enterprising, environmentally responsible individual, who honors the values of commitment, honesty, diligence and dedication to his profession in his quest to improve the quality of life of his family. He serves as a role model for other farmers in the com-munity and he is our true partner in mak-ing the local tobacco industry survive in a sustainable environment.

TGY Winners Achievements

Luzveminda R. Truong, Chairman of the TGY National Technical Committee

(1) Farmer leader Mario C. Cabasal, president of NAFTAC, speaks on behalf of the farmers’ associations ; (2) Vigan Branch awardees Rommel C. Hilario, Teofilo S. Baclig, Jose A. Taclas Jr., and Jonathan V. Torricer, with Deputy Administrator and concurrent Vigan Branch Manager, Atty. Everin Molina (right). (3) Administrator Zaragoza (right) hands over awards to Ilocos Norte branch awardees Rhonelle P. Sulicipan and Antonio V. Salamasan. (4) Deputy Administrator for Operations, Atty. Vicente D. Lasam, delivers his Welcome Address.

1 2 3

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9January - February 2014

NTA Central Office has new Accountant IV

La Union farmer is “queen” of batek tobacco

PURISIMA F. DUMPITOutstanding Native Batek Grower

WHO still believe that tobacco farming is only for men? Is bookkeeping only for big enterprises? Are wives or mothers good only for the home?

A 180-degree turn is taking place in to-bacco farming with the invasion of women as farming chiefs. The list of women farmers is getting longer in the once male-dominated arena, according to data from the National Tobacco Administration.

Purisima F. Dumpit, a mother at 60, of Parian Weste, Bauang, La Union, has refined the economic landscape of Native Batek tobacco farming with her industry and business sense. The 140% return on investment (ROI) she obtained from her 0.66-ha farm refutes the claim that the tobacco industry is at its sunset. Her technology-based farming technique for CY 2012-2013 registered a 3.33 ton/ha yield of 96% high to me-dium quality cured tobacco, ra-toons inclusive, which is higher than the national average yield of Batek tobacco at 2.22 ton/ha with about 90% high to medium quality cured tobacco.

On a hectare basis, she earned a net income of P92,118.00, higher than the P54,567.00/ha average net income from the same tobacco type. She strictly abides with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to ensure the delivery of produce without

La Union farmer is “queen” of batek tobacco

SUCCESS STORYmaterials, she assembled a single-drop fertilizer applicator cum corn seeder from PVC pipe just apt for her fragile body. This devise not only cuts on labor usage but also applies proper fertilizer application, which is to put the fertilizer at root level without exposure to sunlight. The modified fertilizer applicator also promotes a healthier practice by protecting the vertebral column of the user from being bent too low.

To her, however, the most important success she gained as a tobacco grower is the educational attainment of her four children. She helped her husband, Rolando, 63, send all their children to school

mainly from the proceeds of tobacco farming: Lou Silvano, an agriculturist; Louella, BS Commerce; Bonfelio, BS Hotel & Restaurant Management and now a seaman; and Christine, BS Nursing.

She has no plans to stop planting tobacco in their small farm. With her savings, she can easily finance her farms, yet she would gladly accept finan-cial assistance from the NTA to give her more resources to ensure the quality and quantity of her produce. (Felisa R. Aurellano, Aurie Nellie Tum-baga)

NTRMs (non-tobacco related materials).

Ate Lou, as she is known in the community, is not only friendly and generous but also an advocate of simple bookkeeping or well managed farm recording as she encourages wives and mothers of farmers like her. She believes that tobacco farming is an enterprise; hence, bookkeeping is an essential tool in farming. Her past farm records, according to her, would serve as her “lesson plan” for the current year. She knows where to cut expenditures without sacrificing quality, and where to find opportunities to earn more.

She designs not only the interior of her house but also farming gadgets. From scrap

Dumpit at her native batek farm, with TPRO III Aurie Nellie Tumbaga (right), who gives techni-cal assistance to her dur-ing cropping period.

Dumpit showing her impro-vised fertil-izer applica-tor made of re-cyclable materials

ARTHUR B. Barbero is ap-pointed Accountant IV of the Finance Department of the NTA Central Office.

Before his appointment, Bar-bero served as Accountant II of the NTA Abra Branch Office for 14 years.

He started his government service as stock clerk, book-keeper, staff assistant, then of-fice manager of Abra Electric Cooperative (ABRECO). He also served as finance manager of Norphil Construction and Development Corporation. In 1982, he joined Philippine Vir-

PROMOTION

ginia Tobacco Administration, and appointed Accountant II of Abra after the creation of Na-tional Tobacco Administration.

He is a member of the Knights of Columbus (4th De-gree), Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), and Parish Pastoral Council of St. Therese Parish in his hometown Peñarubia, Abra.

Barbero is married to the former Eunice Sagasag, now fi-nance manager of ABRECO.

Barbero assured NTA that all central office and branch

Pls turn to page 10

Arthur B. Barbero takes his oath as Accountant IV for the central office from Dr. Cristina C. Lopez, Manager of Administrative Department.

(5) Awardees from NTA La Union with Branch Manager Giovanni Palabay (from L-R): Pepito De Sesto, Potenciano H. Apilado, Alberto C. Casison, Dr. Palabay, Sinfrosa N. Valmonte, Myrna Panit, and Zosima Madriaga; (6) Engr. Felisa R. Aurellano and Marcelo T. Pascual are the awards night’s hosts.

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10 January - February 2014

NTA scholars... from page 3

DIRECTOR Noel V. Salum-bides of the Civil Service Com-mission gave the NTA an orien-tation on strategic performance management system (SPMS) and the program to institu-tionalize the meritocracy and excellency in human resource management (Prime-HRM) on January 20 at its central office in Quezon City.

The orientation was attended by the central office managers, branch office managers, admin-istrative officers, and human resource management officers of the NTA.

Salumbides made a compre-hensive view of what each HR officer should know and should do in order to handle the de-mands of his task effectively and efficiently.

SPMS is the latest of several performance evaluation and ap-praisal systems implemented by the CSC through the years. One of its aims is to ensure or-ganizational effectiveness and improvement of individual em-ployee efficiency by cascading institutional accountabilities to the various levels of the orga-nization anchored on the estab-lishment of rational and factual basis for performance targets

CSC Director meets NTA managers and HR officers on SPMS and Prime-HRM

and measures.The guidelines in the im-

plementation of PRIME-HR among the various government agencies are outlined in CSC Memorandum Circular No. 3, series of 2012. Among its ob-jectives are the assessment of the HRM practices and capabil-ities of agencies, empowering agencies in the performance of HRM functions, and promo-tion of and rewarding excellent human resource management practices.

Administrative Department Manager Cristina C. Lopez, in her closing remarks, explained that it is not only the human resource department which should be in charge of our HR plans, their implementation and the enforcement of discipline and other rules and regulations involving HR. It also involves the whole of staff and middle management.

“So I hope all of us will be able to realize that and refrain from thinking that it is the sole responsibility and job of HR or the HR department and in our case the administrative depart-ment to really think about the welfare of our employees,” she added. (Perla C. Manzon)

Seated (L-R): Maybelen Dictaan, Deputy Administrator Everin Molina, CSC Director Nestor V. Salumbides, Dr. Cristina C. Lopez, and Rex Antonio P. Teoxon, with (Standing) other department managers, branch office managers, adminisrative officers and human resource management officers.

NTA gives P81.6-M assistance to tobacco farmers

NTA has extended a total of P81,627,666 to 3,695 tobacco farmers representing an ag-gregate area of 2,581 hectares for the cropping season 2013-2014.

The NTA’s production assis-tance is intended to provide the tobacco farmers a ready capital to finance the different phases of tobacco production. It is im-plemented under the Tobacco Contract Growing System of the agency’s banner program, the Integrated Farming and Other Income Generating Proj-ects (IFOIGAP).

The assistance includes the cost of the tractor/animal rent-als for land preparation, the cost of fertilizers and pesticides, the cost of gas and oil for watering/irrigation, the cost of fuelwood for flue-curing and cost of barn repairs or for curing shed con-structions.

A total of 36,880 hectares of tobacco farmlands were cul-tivated last cropping season

in 13 provinces, or a total of 53,892 tobacco farmers.

The agency had achieved 82.7 collection rate of last year’s production assistance given to tobacco farmers, one of the highest among govern-

trial balance and financial state-ments will be consolidated and reconciled to have effective and efficient operations of the agency.

“He deserves the promo-tion,” NTA Abra branch officer-in-charge Esmeralda G. Valera said of Barbero. According to her, Barbero is one of the more

dependable and hardworking employees in the branch. “It’s Abra’s loss and central office’s gain.”

Nora Corre, Tobacco Pro-duction and Regulation Officer III of NTA Abra, describes his former officemate as a very ap-proachable, soft-spoken, patient and a good brother to his peers. (Perla C. Manzon)

Barbero... from page 9

the temperature too fast, or insuf-ficient ventilation, can contribute to scalding.

Fat midribs are produced if the leaf is taken from the barn with some of the midribs not completely cured. They will be soft and pliable and larger than the dry midribs. Under no circumstances should leaf be bulked in this condition as it will go mouldy. If there are many fat midribs in the barn, drying should continue.

Black tobacco is a problem most prevalent in lower leaf positions from well grown plants or the types of leaf which do not readily lose moisture and wet or rained-out tobacco. To avoid this, follow the procedure for curing wet or rained-out tobacco.

How to spot... from page 5

Pls turn to page 11

11January - February 2014

NTA AgriPinoy hosts plant visit, farmers’ training

SOME 135 Mechanical En-gineering students and their instructors of Bulacan State University visited NTA AgriPi-noy food processing facility at Nanguneg, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur last January 13.

The educational tour is part of the students’ Seminar and Inspection Trips subject where they are required to visit plants and manufacturing industries to give them insights on the oper-ation of the equipment and de-vices actually used in a facility.

The students were given house lecture about the facility during the plant tour, where they also tasted some food products of the processing plant.

Since its opening in Octo-ber last year, the facility has been hosting plant visits and educational tours from farmers, local government officials and employees, and private compa-nies.

Meanwhile, 25 farmer lead-ers in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur at-tended a training on dragon

fruit production at the confer-ence hall of the food facility on January 17.

The training was sponsored by the NTA, in collabora-tion with the Ilocos Agricul-ture and Aquatic Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILAARRDEC) specifically with the Maria-no Marcos State University (MMSU), and the local govern-ment of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur. NTA and MMSU are two of the various member-agencies of ILAARRDEC.

The farmers, including some staff of the municipal agricul-ture office and employees of the NTA Candon branch, were given practicum on planting the dragon fruit at the facility’s ground. (Noralyn I. Idica)

Free scholarship grants... from page 3

BSU Engineering students line up for taste test of NTA AgriPinoy products dur-ing their plant tour of the food facility in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur.

‘ham-onganiza’ business.Minerva P. Mizal, AgriPinoy

operations manager, and Estrella G. De Peralta, Candon branch manager, pledged assistance to the participants.

Meanwhile, NTA-FTSD conducted training for 33 tobacco cluster leaders of Narvacan on dragon fruit production also held at the food facility in Barangay Nanguneg on January 17.

The training was in partner-ship with the Ilocos Agriculture and Aquatic Resources Re-search and Development Con-

FTSD conducts... from page 12

Phivolcs official briefs NTA employees on earthquake-preparedness

SUPERVISING science research specialist Joan C. Salcedo of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) gave a three-hour lecture on earthquake preparedness to NTA employees at its cen-tral office in Quezon City last January 7.

The orientation was aimed at giving central office employees, occupants of its eight-storey building, in-formation to prepare for possible earthquake in the city and readiness to respond to emergency situations dur-ing and after a calamity.

More than two months before, a 7.2-magnitude earth-quake struck Bohol killing 222 people, and a month earlier, tsunami-like storm surge devastated Tacloban

City and the rest of Eastern Visayas killing at least 6,000 people. Accord-ing to Salcedo, such occurrences are a possibility in almost every place in the country, so she emphasized on serious preparation and quick response and alertness during and after calamities.

PHIVOLCS EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE

NTA central office employees listen to Joan C. Salcedo, science research specialist of Phivolcs, during an orientation on earthquake preparedness.

sortium (ILAARRDEC). Leonardo T. Pascua,

ILAARRDEC director, and Ma. Luisa S. Gabriel, professor of Mariano Marcos State University in Batac City, delivered lectures and held demonstrations on dragon fruit production.

ILAARRDEC distributed cuttings of dragon cactus to the recipient-trainees. A total of 650 cuttings worth P21,667 were given to them for free. (Felisa R. Aurellano)

chemical and physical analysis of tobacco gathered in previous years.

During the open forum, NTA Pangasinan Branch Manager Cesario Sambrana requested IRD to expedite the harmo-nization of the NTA standard grades and that of the different tobacco companies in time for the trading season. He expected TPROs to act as arbiters in case of conflict during the trading on the grading standards. (Ronaldo P. Molina)

Pangasinan ... from page 12

ment agencies.For previous year’s crop-

ping season, the agency gave P113,567,215.00 to 5,356 farm-ers representing 3.070 hectares of tobacco farm lands. For CY 2011-12, a total of 3,924 tobacco farmers representing 2,682 hectares participated in the project.

NTA gives... from page 10

Using a video of an actual footage of an earthquake in Japan in 1995, Salcedo also reminded the NTA employees on what to do during a high-magnitude earthquake. The do’s and don’ts in finding for cover were further discussed during the open forum.

12 January - February 2014

THE National Tobacco Administration with its Farm Technology & Services Department (FTSD) conducted training on meat processing at the NTA AgriPinoy Tobacco Farmers Food Processing Plant and Trading Center, in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur on February 12-14.

A total of 35 participants, mostly out-of-school or unemployed children of tobacco farmers and wives of farmers, and some Balikatan-Rural Improvement Club leaders of Narvacan, completed the three-day training. Representatives from the local government unit also participated in the training.

Imelda N. Riñen, Chief Tobacco Production and Regulation Officer, served as training facilitator. She explained that the aim of the training was to empower the tobacco farmers to find additional income for their families and improve their lives.

The participants prepared

FTSD conducts trainings in meat processing, dragon fruit production

seven dishes out of pork, namely, whole ham, sliced ham, nuggets, luncheon meat, tapa, tocino and skinless longaniza. Mentors during the activity were Dr. Gloria D. Tuzon, Associate Professor IV, and Joanna Marie T. Guarin, Instructor I, both of the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur.

Tuzon discussed the prin-ciples of food processing and shared her experiences in the acquisition of equipment for food processing, and the basic rules on integrity and dedica-tion in food processing. “Prof-its should not overrule health benefits derived from the food trade and industry,” she said.

“I had no second thought when I was informed to participate in this training because it is my passion to engage in the food business,” Mr. Lorenzo Zapatero, cashier of a food chain in the locality, said after the training.

He has plans to resign from his present job and start his own

Administrator Edgardo Zaragoza (center) receives dragon fruit cuttings donated by ILAARRDEC for distribution to cluster leaders of tobacco farmers in Narvacan. Also in photo are (from right) NTA AgriPinoy operations manager Minerva Mizal, Candon Branch Manager Estrella De Peralta, FTSD’s Chief TPRO Imelda Riñen, and a participant.

Participants wrap luncheon meat, as one of the activities during the training on meat processing held at the AgriPinoy facility in Narvacan.

CAR State Auditor validation visit to NTA AbraSTATE Auditor Hedeliza Cabanlong (left in red shirt) of Commission on Audit, Cordillera Autonomous Region, gets actual view of the activities of tobacco farmers as part of the COA’s validation of NTA projects in Abra.

According to her, she understands NTA better with her interviews with the farmers during the validation.

Cabanlong is assisted by NTA Abra Branch OIC Esmeralda Valera. Also in photo is TCGS farmer-cooperator Romulo Pasal. Some of the projects and areas visited are hog fattening project in Pidigan, a multi-purpose curing barn (top right photo) and REFDPREI Nursery (bottom right photo) in Bangued.

Pls turn to page 11

TOBACCO buyer firm Univer-sal Leaf Philippines Inc. (ULPI) briefed Tobacco Production and Regulation Officers (TPROs) of NTA Pangasinan on the system of grading tobacco last Febru-

Pangasinan TPROs attend ULPI briefing on leaf grading standards

ary 17 at the NTA branch of-fice, in Carmay East, Rosales, Pangasinan.

This is to update the exten-sion workers on the standards set by ULPI for tobacco de-livered by the farmers in all its trading centers in the province.

During the briefing, ULPI trainors headed by Christopher Maandig of the firm’s Leaf De-partment, showed different leaf samples and their correspond-ing grades. He also provided the TPROs the descriptions of all grades of tobacco that ULPI intend to use for trading year 2014.

Alfonso E. Sabado, supervis-ing science research specialist of the NTA’s Industrial Re-search Department discussed the status of the harmoniza-tion of grades conducted by the agency including the results of

Pls turn to page 11

take a look at how the farmers perform in achieving the target set by the agency, and to help the tobacco growers increase their profitability to achieve higher production and bigger income for their families.

This year’s award was

1977 by the then Philippine Virginia Tobacco Administra-tion but was shelved by the agency in 2002.

Zaragoza said that the agency revived the project in 2012 be-cause it afforded the agency to

20 farmers ... from page 7 spearheaded by the NTA eight branch offices that served as the project’s implementing arm (re-cruitment, recommendation and monitoring of the contestants) and the National Technical Committee of the Farm Tech-nology and Services Depart- NATIONAL TOBACCO

ADMINISTRATION

us on

ment (FTSD) which reviewed, evaluated and recommended winners to the National Advi-sory Committee.