Iligan City receives PhP8.35-M worth of big-ticket corn projects

 

ILIGAN CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) has turned over approximately PhP8.35-million (M) worth of agricultural production, harvesting and postharvest logistics support to the City Government of Iligan on Monday, October 6, to boost the city’s corn and cassava production.

The interventions, funded under the Corn Program through the Agricultural Machinery, Equipment, Facilities, and Infrastructure Program, include a 5-metric ton capacity drop-side hauling truck amounting to PhP2.57-M, a 12-metric ton input capacity recirculating dryer with 93% heating efficiency costing PhP3.7-M, and a combine harvester with a 400-kilogram grain tank capacity valued at PhP2.08-M.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan led the turnover during the city’s flag-raising event, witnessed by local government officials, farmers, fishers, and guests. He lauded the city’s support for DA’s rural development efforts, underscoring that the projects form part of Iligan City’s total allocation of PhP50-million for this year under the department’s programs.

“Kami sa DA nagpasalamat sa kusog na suporta sa mayor ug uban niya sa konseho ug kini dili ni namo mahimo kung wala ang inyoang makanunayong suporta sa pangagamhanan,” the agri exec remarked.

(We at the DA thank the mayor and the entire city council for their strong support. This would not have been possible without your continued commitment to the government’s agricultural agenda.)

Some 1,300 corn and cassava farmers are expected to benefit from the package of agri assistance, which aims to enhance farming operations, reduce losses, and increase productivity in Iligan’s farming communities, covering 750 hectares of corn land and 10 hectares planted to cassava.

These big-ticket corn projects are also aligned with the city’s Project Silk, an initiative led by a local company that sources corn, which seeks at enhancing the livelihoods of corn farmers in coordination with the City Agriculturist’s Office.

“Akong gipaabot ang dakong pasalamat sa DA sa interventions nga ilang nahatag sa LGU sa Iligan City pinaagi sa City Agriculturist’s Office tungod kay dili lang kini nakatabang sa atong mga mag-uuma sa pagpalambo sa ilang tagsa-tagsang panginabuhian kon dili maka contribute pod ni usab sa economic situation dinhi sa dakbayan sa Iligan,” Marie Ann J. Beley, department head of the Iligan City Agriculturist’s office expressed.

(I extend my deepest gratitude to the DA for the interventions provided to the LGU of Iligan City through the City Agriculturist’s Office. These efforts have not only helped our farmers improve their individual livelihoods but also contributed significantly to the city’s economic development.)

She added the mentioned projects will also support the city’s bio-secured swine facility project under the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) program, which targets to strengthen and expand Iligan City’s swine production industry.

At the helm of Iligan City, Mayor Frederick W. Siao emphasized the key role of agriculture in the city’s development and pinned his hopes for continued support from the national government, citing additional support from the DA, including the provision of farm machinery, slaughterhouse development, and the establishment of cold storage and farm-to-market roads, among others to further propel the sector.

This initiative highlights the current administration’s commitment to advancing agricultural mechanization through strong collaboration between national and local governments, farmers, and the private sector, which are overall directed at boosting productivity and operational efficiency in farming communities.# (JLO)