DA allocates Northern Mindanao Php 78M agri-fishery projects

The Department of Agriculture recently provided more than P78-million worth of agri-fishery projects; farm equipment and inputs to farmers, fisherfolk, and local government units in Northern Mindanao, particularly the provinces of Camiguin, Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental, and the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro.

Secretary of Agriculture Proceso J. Alcala personally distributed the respective projects and grants to hundreds of beneficiaries, including farm and fishing families adversely affected by tropical storm Sendong, in Iligan and CDO, during a three-day regional visit, February 1 to 3, 2012.
The projects include farm-to-market roads, trading centers, other agricultural infrastructure projects, farm implements and inputs.

The Province of Camiguin received a total of Php 41.7-million worth of FMR and agricultural projects; Iligan City got Php 23.6M; Cagayan de Oro, Php 4.6 M; and Bukidnon, Php 7.9M.
Alcala handed over the certificates of award and agri-fishery livelihood project funds to the beneficiaries during a series of Agri-Pinoy techno-forums in respective provinces and cities, where he also dialogued with farmers, fisherfolk, and local officials.

Secretary Alcala promptly responded to the varied issues and queries raised during the forum, committing to provide appropriate interventions to help improve the lives of farmers and fishers, particularly those in far-flung areas where help is most needed.

"Kaya po ako narito ay dahil po napag-utusan po ako ng ating mahal na Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III na ilapit at iparamdam sa inyo ang mga programa ng pamahalaan," he said.

The DA chief also visited tropical storm Sendong-affected areas in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro, where he gave away packages of assistance to farmers and their families to enable them to rehabilitate their farms and revive their livelihood.

In Iligan City, where damage due to typhoon Sendong reached close to Php 80 million, he distributed farm animals and equipment to residents of Bayug, Hinaplanon and nearby communities. He also approved a Php 1.1-million worth of livelihood project submitted by Barangay Captain Veronico Echavez, consisting of 70 head of hogs, two head of carabao with farm implements, a fishing boat, two rubber boats, and a revolving capital for a barangay food terminal, among other projects.

Secretary Alcala also visited the municipality of Baungon in Bukidnon, where he inspected the Cabula tramline system established by DA through the Philippine Center for Post Harvest Development and Mechanization. The facility will transport farm products from Baungon to markets in Cagayan de Oro, as the Cabula bridge was damaged by tropical Sendong.

He said the DA opted to deliver interventions this time and not immediately after the onslaught of typhoon Sendong because he believes it was not the right time then.

"The people needed food and shelter then, but what we are offering now are sustainable livelihood projects that will benefit everybody in the long run," he said. - PIA — ARA