Bontoc, Mtn. Prov. – Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Emmanuel F. Pinol assured that Mountain Province will continue to get support from the agriculture department.
Pinol was in the province last week to attend the inauguration of the Provincial Fishery Office and awarding of projects last Thursday, May 24. With him were Fisheries Undersecretary Eduardo B. Gongona and other high-ranking DA officials in CAR.
During his meeting with the top provincial officials, municipal executives and local farmers in Sagada last Thursday, the DA secretary underscored that the DA programs are easy to access because the department is open and transparent.
He said that the DA will work with the officials of the province to bring more much-needed agriculture development and livelihood funds to further improve farmers’ productivity and market access.
Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. was grateful to the DA secretary for all the support the DA has extended to the farmers. He is also thankful that he was given another chance to work with them in the years to come.
“Our quest to fully provide the needed support to our farmers is not yet fully realized, thus, we are happy that the DA has poured many programs and projects in our place that would augment our efforts in improving our agriculture,” Lacwasan said.
Also, Congressman-elect Atty. Maximo Y. Dalog, Jr. solicited the support of Secretary Pinol to further help the typhoon victims last year.
In response, Pinol guaranteed that if there are available and appropriate projects for Mountain Province, the DA will deliver it.
“Hindi naman sa amin yun e (referring to the finished and on-going DA projects), it was not mine to give, it was my responsibility to deliver,” Secretary PiHol said.
Meanwhile last Friday, Secretary Pinol graced the inauguration of the Provincial Fishery Office and led the awarding of projects to fisherfolk beneficiaries in Mountain Province under DA’s Special Areas for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program.
According to Bureau of Aquatic Fisheries and Natural Resources (BFAR-CAR) Regional Director Milagrose C. Morales, the identified fisherfolks from Mountain Province received post-harvest and marketing equipment and fishing gears.
Morales said that SAAD programs aim to provide livelihood opportunities to farmers and fisherfolks in the poor provinces of the country.
In his message, Secretary PiHol proposed for a two-day planning workshop after the newly-elected officials shall have taken their oath in June to map out the province’s long-term agricultural endeavor – a master plan – to uplift the living conditions of the people through viable DA projects that the people truly need.
“Dito namin malalaman kung saan kami papasok, kung saang kalsada ang kailangan ninyo, kung saang irigasyon ang kailangan ninyo at kung anong tulong ang kailangan ninyo. We will plan things out and conduct our development planning based on the actual needs of the people,” Pinol underscored. **Erwin S. Batnag
