Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental, June 18 – The Department of Agriculture in Region 10 (DA-10) has turned over agricultural inputs to Hinastriko (Higaonon Nababalay Sectoral Tribal Council of Lagonglong), an Indigenous People’s community in said town.

DA-10’s initial provisions of agri inputs worth P44,000 comprising upland rice seeds, open pollinated variety (OPV) white corn seeds, assorted vegetable seeds and knapsack sprayer were turned over to Datu Sulong Eglesio Granada Lutawan.

According to Datu Sulong, around 14,000 hectares agricultural land of the ancestral domain will be fully developed for food production with the agency’s interventions, benefitting around 2,000 tribal members.

The ancestral domain’s farm which is 9.5 kilometers from Poblacion covers three barangays, Banglay, Gaston and Umagos.

Earlier, the group availed vegetable seeds through the strengthened partnership between DA-10 and the 58th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army.

DA-10’s effort is in support with the President’s directive for a sustainable livelihood program for the members of the IP community in a bid to improve their living condition and fight poverty among their communities.

The agency’s program, Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo, known as 4Ks is a special project in advocating an enhanced provision of agricultural and fisheries related livelihood aside from investments and services to the Indigenous Cultural Communities.

4Ks aims to help IPs maximize the use of the ancestral agricultural lands and turn it into productive, profitable, self-sustained and developed resilient agricultural enterprises, as explained by OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado of DA-RFO 10.

Further, said initiative is in line with DA’s centerpiece program, ALPAS COVID-19 or Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat laban sa COVID-19 or otherwise dubbed as the Agri 4Ps (Plant, Plant, Plant program) that eyes to drum up adequacy in food production amid the ongoing health crisis.

Nilda B. Salas, DA-10’s Provincial Operations Center Chief for Misamis Oriental together with DA-10’s banner program and IP coordinators (rice, corn and High Value Development Crop Program) handed the agri inputs together with the Municipal Agriculture Office of said town.

The realization of the IP’s request is through the support and efforts of Senator Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go through the Department of Agriculture.# (A