This document summarizes key information from the webpage of Philippine Dairy, Aquafisheries, and Farms (PDAF). It discusses that PDAF was founded in 1996 by Dennis Cunanan to disseminate agricultural information. It has grown to over 1,800 members and holds seminars nationwide. Cunanan has received several awards for his work growing the organization and supporting farmers. PDAF's vision is to revive Philippine agriculture and provide sustainable food for rural communities.
PDAF Director Dennis Cunanan's Agricultural Organization
1. Home
Philippine Dairy, Aquafisheries, and Farms (PDAF)
With the purpose of disseminating agricultural information to farm owners,
feed suppliers, buyers and consumers, this is the official webpage of our
esteemed Director, Mr. Dennis Cunanan of PDAF (Philippine Dairy,
Aquafisheries, and Farms).
Dennis Cunanan of PDAF has served as director of this Non-Government
Organization which was initially a casual fellowship of farm owners sharing
the in and out of the trade, with the goal of not only outdoing one another,
but benefitting one another for the bigger goal of feeding the Philippines.
What Dennis Cunanan started in 1996 has become not only an inspiration
for the common farmer, but a venue for information on improving the
livestock production in the whole nation. For the selfless endeavors and
effective communication between farmers and technological suppliers and
associates, PDAF has won numerous citations. Dennis Cunanan of PDAF
has won one of the Top Ten Outstanding Agriculturists of the Philippines in
2009, Exemplary Son of Isabela in 2010, Inspiring Leader Awardee of the
Philippine Agriculturists Society 2010, and won twice in a row as Best
Social Entrepreneur in years 2012 and 2013.
PDAF holds annual seminars in the key cities of Luzon, Visayas, and
Mindanao with key speakers and experts from the country, as well as from
neighboring countries such as Vietnam, India, and Laos.
Feed suppliers, farm equipment suppliers, consultants and scientists are
also huge supporters of this endeavor by providing product information,
technical support, and special discounts for members of this organization.
Visit our website: www.denniscunananpdaf.com
2. Free workshops and product presentations are done hand-in-hand with the
seminars.
Themes for each seminar are consistent throughout the year and cover
topics from using live yeast in feeds to the benefits of certain algae in
freshwater fisheries. This year, the focus was on using chelated minerals,
which are minerals combined with amino acids making it even more easily
absorbed by the animal’s digestive system. This form of minerals are
doubly more effective, thus worth its slightly elevated price than the usual
form.
Dennis Cunanan of PDAF announced last November 4, 2013 that the
theme for next year’s endeavors would be using natural coconut oil and
homemade molasses for small farms and small-scale entrepreneurs
particularly in isolated rural areas. Dr. Horacio Estanislao (PhD in Animal
Nutrition) will conduct majority of the seminars and workshops for the thrust
of year 2014, with unwavering support from Dennis Cunanan of PDAF
himself. To widen the scope of this endeavor, they have coordinated with
the Department of Agriculture and Local Government Units to have their
projects and activities promoted at no cost or disadvantage to the
government bodies.
PDAF’s vision of reviving and even flourishing the weakening agricultural
industry of the Philippines and providing a sustainable and affordable
source of food for the rural Filipinos keep Dennis Cunanan of PDAF and his
team of visionaries to pursue. This is notwithstanding the challenges and
discouragements they face, sometimes even from the same people they
are trying to help. For this solid group of leaders, their dream for the
Philippines is bigger than themselves. With hard work, focus, and prayer,
they are convinced that the vision of a Philippines with no hungry
fellowmen may someday become a reality. It is very ideal, yes; but for
PDAF, it is not impossible as long as they do not give up.
PDAF now consists of 1,800 members, and continues to grow.
About Us
Dennis Cunanan founded The Philippine Dairy, Aqua fisheries, and Farms
or PDAF in 1996. Dennis Cunanan of PDAF formed it with his University
friends, initially with the intention of sharing some trade tools and
information which would not only help one another’s business, but improve
Visit our website: www.denniscunananpdaf.com
3. the situation on which the livestock industry was in. The pioneer team was
composed of Eduardo Laurente of Pigorganix, Inc., David Penaranda of
Pigs and Chicks Enterprises, Jerome Alcala of Dagupan Bonoan Milkfish
Farm, Ramon Baltazar of NinoJesus Industries, Peter Ojada of Bulacan
Fisheries, and Belinda Dela Merced of Makiling Farming Basics.
The organization grew bigger every year by the recruitment of the pioneer
members via word of mouth. It grew even bigger when the organization
progressed to hold trainings, workshops and seminars to key places in the
country. With the organization doing more than they originally planned to
do, they registered with the Philippines Social Organization Agency and
made it their mission to disseminate agricultural information to farm
owners, feed suppliers, and wholesale livestock traders all over the nation.
Dennis Cunanan of PDAF continues to expand the scope of influence of
the organization that now extends nationwide, and has recently established
connections with some neighboring ASEAN countries. During his interview
on Agrikultura at Balita, Mr. Cunanan expressed: “Farming of any form is
not only a business, but a means to bless the people of your nation, yet
even other nations of the world. Pork, chicken, fish, rice, fruits and
whatnots – are not only products that you produce and sell and profit from,
but it is food that nourishes and keeps people alive. If farming is all about
money, then there would no longer be food to eat because farming is a
very difficult business. It is prone to natural disasters you cannot do
anything about. The selling price hardly compensates for the cost. Yet we
persist. Yet we thrive. For if you aim to feed mouths of children who are
but angels on earth, or mothers who just came from back-breaking work
taking care of her children, or fathers who were out in the sun for hours to
provide for his family, then one cannot simply stop”.
It is with this same passion and optimism that Dennis Cunanan of PDAF
approaches everything in life. The very initiative to gather business people
to share trade secret were simply against the grain, so to speak. Yet with
his humble (yet grand) vision of uniting the agricultural industry in a focused
purpose of alleviating the poverty from food for this nation, the vision is no
longer an impossibility.
PDAF has helped hundreds and thousands of farmers nationwide with the
free trainings and workshops which aid not only the businessmen, but the
actual farmers themselves. With its close tie-up with the Department of
Rice Research and Distribution, he organization is able to help and
Visit our website: www.denniscunananpdaf.com
4. influence not only its members, but anyone who has the interest and the
need to learn from what PDAF has to offer.
At present, Dennis Cunanan of PDAF continues to uphold the integrity of
the organization and maintains the laser focus on his goal as Director of
this esteemed organization.
Achievements
Dennis Cunanan of PDAF (Philippine Dairy, Aqua fisheries, and Farms)
and PDAF itself has had numerous citations and accolades from different
sectors and Recognizing Bodies in the Philippines and in Asia.
Dennis Cunanan of PDAF graduated Cum Laude in 1993 from the
University of the Republic of the Philippines with a degree in Bachelor of
Arts Agriculture, Major in Animal Nutrition. He took his Masters Degree on
Animal Husbandry in the Asian Institute of Agriculture in Borubudr, India.
Even before his university years were completed, he was already been
employed by his father to manage their 80 hectares farm in Cauayan,
Isabela. With his education and practical know-how, Dennis is easily fell
in love with the industry and pursued excellence in his field of expertise.
With his innate talents, charisma, and knowledge of the business, has won
one of the Top Ten Outstanding Agriculturists of the Philippines in 2009. He
was also honored as an Exemplary Son of Isabela in 2010, an Inspiring
Leader Awardee of the Philippine Agriculturists Society 2010, and won
twice in a row as Best Social Entrepreneur in years 2012 and 2013.
Yet amidst these accolades that makes him the pride of not only his
parents but likewise the PDAF family, for Dennis Cunanan, his real awards
are what PDAF receives from award-giving bodies.
PDAF registered with the Philippines Social Organization Agency after its
members more than doubled in only a year. It has been awarded Top 5
Best Social Organization in the National Recognition for Non-Government
Organizations in 2001, after only four years since inception. This ranking
went up to Top 2 in the coming year, and was consistently in the Top 10
since. PDAF was also given the “Green Leaf of Peace” Award given by the
President Eugenio Umali himself for “The Bayanihan Project”, which was
an initiative of the organization to help rehabilitate the devastated farms of
Northern Luzon after Typhoon Lelang hit the country in 2004. The efforts
were recognized by the government and the President himself because it
Visit our website: www.denniscunananpdaf.com
5. not only gave a temporary solution, but gave a lasting contribution not only
to that region but for the rest of us who are eventual consumers of the
product of that rehabilitation.
PDAF has always been a frontrunner in the field of agriculture. Its team
introduced the use of the fermented algae which not only benefits the
milkfish production in Pangasinan and in General Santos City, but also
other freshwater aqua fisheries in any and all parts of the country. It serves
as a cheap but nutritious alternative feed for a more organic produce. This
product is currently in the process of registration with Philippine
Aquamarine Life and Fisheries. Should the documents get finalized, the
said product and technology shall be exclusively patented to PDAF and can
then be exclusively exported to other countries. Royalties shall definitely
benefit PDAF and all its associates – from businessmen to the lowly
laborer.
Dennis Cunanan and his team in PDAF continue to work together with
their vision of feeding the Philippines. Thankfully, on their long and tireless
journey, they bring pride to the Filipino people and bring hope to the Filipino
spirit.
Blog
Director Dennis Cunanan, PDAF Inc.
Review of National Documents (Fishers sector, Philippines)
The following documents are a compilation of Philippine laws and
regulations for reference, in the adherence of PDAF’s goals of national
development among farmers and fisherfolk through efficient public private
partnership, as compiled by Director Dennis Cunanan of PDAF Inc.
Republic of the Philippines
Congress of the Philippines
Metro Manila
Tenth Congress
Republic Act No. 8550
February 25, 1998
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT, MANAGEMENT AND
CONSERVATION OF THE FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES,
INTEGRATING ALL LAWS PERTINENT THERETO, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
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6. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled::
Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as “The Philippine Fisheries
Code of 1998.”
CHAPTER I
Declaration of Policy and Definitions
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the
State:
(a) To achieve food security as the overriding consideration in the
utilization, management, development, conservation and protection of
fishery resources in order to provide the food needs of the population. A
flexible policy towards the attainment of food security shall be adopted in
response to changes in demographic trends for fish, emerging trends in the
trade of fish and other aquatic products in domestic and international
markets, and the law of supply and demand;lawphi1™
(b) to limit access to the fishery and aquatic resources of the Philippines for
the exclusive use and enjoyment of Filipino citizens;
(c) To ensure the rational and sustainable development, management and
conservation of the fishery and aquatic resources in Philippine waters
including the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and in the adjacent high
seas, consistent with the primordial objective of maintaining a sound
ecological balance, protecting and enhancing the quality of the
environment;
(d) To protect the rights of fisher folk, especially of the local communities
with priority to municipal fisher folk, in the preferential use of the municipal
waters. Such preferential use, shall be based on, but not limited to,
Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) or Total Allowable Catch (TAC) on the
basis of resources and ecological conditions, and shall be consistent with
our commitments under international treaties and agreements;
(e) To provide support to the fishery sector, primarily to the municipal fisher
folk, including women and youth sectors, through appropriate technology
and research, adequate financial, production, construction of post-harvest
facilities, marketing assistance, and other services. The protection of
municipal fisher folk against foreign intrusion shall extend to offshore
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7. fishing grounds. Fish workers shall receive a just share for their labor in the
utilization of marine and fishery resources;
(f) to manage fishery and aquatic resources, in a manner consistent with
the concept of an integrated coastal area management in specific natural
fishery management areas, appropriately supported by research, technical
services and guidance provided by the State; and
(g) to grant the private sector the privilege to utilize fishery resources under
the basic concept that the grantee, licensee or permit tee thereof shall not
only be a privileged beneficiary of the State but also active participant and
partner of the Government in the sustainable development, management,
conservation and protection of the fishery and aquatic resources of the
country.
The state shall ensure the attainment of the following objectives of the
fishery sector:
1. Conservation, protection and sustained management of the country’s
fishery and aquatic resources;
2. Poverty alleviation and the provision of supplementary livelihood among
municipal fisher folk;
3. Improvement of productivity of aquaculture within ecological limits;
4. Optimal utilization of offshore and deep-sea resources; and
5. Upgrading of post-harvest technology.
For the complete version:
Republic Act No. 8550. The LawPhil Project (Arellano Law
Foundation). Retrieved
fromhttp://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1998/ra_8550_1998.html.
Documented and compiled by Director Dennis Cunanan, PDAF Inc.
Visit our website: www.denniscunananpdaf.com