6 days ago
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PILI, Camarines Sur — The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Bicol provided P122 million aid to farmers' cooperatives and organizations in an effort to alleviate and boost the agricultural production in Bicol Region in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s desire to improve food stability in the country.
Lovella Guarin, DA Bicol regional spokesman, said that the funds covered farm machineries, farm inputs, hauling trucks and motorized boats that were turned over by Director Rodel Tornilla to some 76 farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs) from Camarines Sur province.
The turnover of a program dubbed "Trabaho at Serbisyong Pangkalusugan ng Bagong Pilipinas" was held at Camarines Sur Capitol Complex, in Pili town on Friday, March 7.
The president visited Pili, Camarines Sur to lead the proclamation rally of Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidates. The president graced first the event, a collaborative engagement of four national government agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Health (DOH) and the DA.
The president was joined by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma and Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, while Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. was represented by DA Bicol regional executive director Rodel Tornilla.
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Guarin said that the DA, under its rice program, turned over P14,606,200 worth of interventions consisting of three units of rice transplanter, two grain collectors, two floating tillers, 10 walking type tractors, three rice transplanters, six threshers, two reapers, one mobile rice mill, two 4WD tractors, 1,000 bags of certified palay seeds and 225 packs bio fertilizer.
The corn program has given away P26,555,000 worth of interventions consisting of four units of 4-wheel drive (4WD) tractor, two combine harvesters, two hauling trucks, 60 bags of yellow corn seeds and 19,500 cassava stalks.
For the livestock and poultry program, DA also turned over P66,874,500 worth projects which include P50 million for establishment of a slaughterhouse, four units of animal hauling truck, and 11 modules of chicken layer project under Establishment of Livelihood Opportunities and Viable Enterprise (LOVE) for Agricultural Farming Communities.
Under the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) quick response fund, 84 sets under tools, assorted vegetable seeds and farm equipment worth P2,307,186 were turned over to seven FCAs.
The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) turned over three units of 4WD tractors worth a total of P6,899,949 and funded under the Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund to three FCAs.
The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) distributed 400 seedlings of hybrid coconut, while the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) turned over one hauling truck worth P3.9 million.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) distributed six motorized fiberglass boats with complete accessories, and seaweed farm implements and tilapia farm inputs, with a total worth of P730,500.
One of the highlights of the event was the Kadiwa ng Pangulo where DA - Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division invited 30 exhibitors who displayed various agricultural products at the venue.
Present during the Kadiwa ng Pangulo event were Engr. Joel Dator, deputy director of PhilMech in Nueva Ecija, and heads of DA attached agencies and corporations in the region such as Gaudencio De Vera, regional manager of NIA; Ariel Pioquinto, regional director of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources; and Marlon Terado, regional manager of the Philippine Coconut Authority.
