CEBU CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA) released some P91,043,000 worth of agricultural interventions and launched its cash and food subsidy program to various farmers and fisherfolks in Cebu during the visit of Secretary William Dar at the Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative (LMPC) in Pinamungajan town in Cebu on December 7 this year.
"Farmers are the true frontliners during
this pandemic because they ensure and provide our food. They are our real
heroes," Dar said.
The secretary scheduled a site visit to some of the agricultural interventions provided to LMPC, one of DA’s identified Farmers and Fishers Consolidated Clusters (F2C2) of the region and to launch the agency’s Cash and Food Subsidy program for the marginal farmers and fishers in Cebu.
Dar thanked the LMPC and emphasized that because of their cooperativism, a lot have been done that enhance the lives of the farmers and fishers and the partnership of the LGUs and the region contributed to the success of the agriculture undertakings in Central Visayas.
DA-7 Regional Executive Director Atty. Salvador Diputado said that the visit is part of the Secretary’s regional engagements nationwide to provide full support to the farmers/fishers and to encourage them to produce more especially in this time of health crisis.
"Of all the economic sectors, only the agriculture sector has posted a positive growth during the second quarter despite all the challenges such as natural calamities and the pandemic," Diputado said.
According to Diputado that the Agri Chief
turned over agri-fishery projects and certificates of commitment to identified
beneficiaries that included farm animals, biogas digester from DA and coco hub
of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) for LMPC; 90 units fiber boats of the
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for Cebu Province; sisal
processing center of the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA)
for the FARMS-Mantalongon, Barili town.
The DA Chief also set the Signing of memorandum of agreement on agricultural interventions between DA and Virginia Farms, LMPC, PCA and PhilFIDA; released indemnity checks to farmers covered by the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp (PCIC) and checks for the coconut farmers; and the launching of the Milk Feeding Program of DepEd, National Dairy Authority (NDA) and LMPC.
Secretary Dar also handed over the certificates of commitment for the SugBUSOG Program of Cebu Province; the establishment of urban agriculture-community garden for Cebu City and the monolithic dome for Dalaguete town.
For LMPC alone, the Secretary distributed a total of P39.5 million worth of agricultural interventions that included the MOA for the smoke house and postharvest equipment of the BFAR for the LMPC; establishment of Visayas Coconut Seed Production Center with Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA); fiber crop nursery of the Philippine Fiber Industry Authority (PFIA); and the Buy-back of agricultural produce of the Virginia Farms, Inc. for the LMPC farmers' corn, vegetable and livestock.
According to Diputado that for the Cash and Food Subsidy program only those farmers and fishers who are registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) under the Farmer and Fishers Registry System (FFRS) and upon verification of the system will be given vouchers for their cash and food subsidy which they can claim in an accredited money transfer outlets and the cooperatives for the food supplies.
Diputado concluded that those projects showed the commitment of the DA and the other agricultural agencies to help the farmers/fishers improve their income and productivity.
Present with Secretary Dar during his visit were Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Cebu 3rd District Representative Pablo John Garcia, Pinamungajan Mayor Glenn Baricuatro and Cebu Provincial Board Member Jimbo Borgonio.
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