PBBM leads turnover of DA agri support in MisOr province

 

BALINGASAG, MISAMIS ORIENTAL – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., together with Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary for Operations, Agri-Fisheries Mechanization, and Rural Credit Engr. Roger V. Navarro, and DA-Northern Mindanao (DA-10) Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, led the turnover of various agricultural interventions on April 22, this town.

The government’s package of agricultural assistance, amounting to ₱123 million (M), is aimed at boosting farmers’ productivity and income, thereby uplifting their income and livelihood.

Of the total amount, ₱90.8-M is for the construction of the Mapulog-Tuboran Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) in Naawan town, funded under the DA-Philippine Rural Development Project; while the remaining ₱32.2-M, sourced from the agency’s banner programs and special projects for farm machinery, equipment, inputs, draft animals, veterinary drugs and biologics, to benefit 28 Farmers’ Cooperatives, Associations (FCAs) and eight Local Government Units (LGUs) across the region.

In his remarks, President Marcos emphasized the government’s commitment to empowering Filipino farmers by addressing bottlenecks in the agricultural value chain.

“Tinitingnan natin kung ano ‘yung magiging problema sa value chain, how do we find savings for the farmer…‘Yun po ang tinitingnan namin para kung saan ‘yung mga kulang ay doon papasok ang DA, doon kami papasok at ibubuo namin ‘yung mga supply chain ninyo,” the chief executive said.

He also cited the big-ticket FMR project saying that is expected to improve transportation logistics and raise farmers’ income.

In an interview, Juanito S. Yugom, Samay Multipurpose Cooperative chairperson, expressed his gratitude for the hog delivery truck granted by the government through DA-10.

“We are very grateful to the DA for providing us with a hog delivery truck. This will help increase the income of every member of the cooperative and contribute to improving our livelihood. We will take care of this [assistance] so that we can also help our local community.”

Meanwhile, Mervin M. Obsioma, First Community Cooperative (FICCO) Grains Processing Center manager, highlighted how the farm machinery granted to them will aid farmers.

“This support allows rice farmers to rent a rice combined harvester at a minimal cost. Our cooperative is also committed to buying their palay at a fair price. We thank the agency for this valuable farm machinery that will benefit both our cooperative and the farmers we serve,” he conveyed.

Close to capping off his message, the president underscored the importance of continuous development and embodying patriotic values among farmers.

“Hinihikayat ko po kayong pagyamanin at alagaan ang mga handog na ito. Patuloy kayong matuto, gumamit ng makabagong teknolohiya, maging huwarang Bagong Pilipino—magsasakang marunong, may dangal, at may pagmamahal sa ating bansa.” PBBM stressed.

The event also marked the awarding of ₱78.1-M worth of rice farming technologies from the DA-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) and launching of the ₱350-M Integrated Coconut Processing Facility.# (MAC/DA-10 Info Team)