Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. led the awarding of various agri-fishery interventions amounting to P909.68 million for the farmers and fisherfolk in Iloilo on February 14, 2024.
Through the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Western Visayas Regional Field Office (RFO), 515 farmer-beneficiaries received cash assistance totaling P2.347 million from the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) Program and the Fuel Assistance to Farmers Project.
Kadiwa financial grants amounting to P8.5-million were also awarded to the Iloilo Science and Technology University, Pavia Livestock Growers Association, Pavia Entrepreneurs Multipurpose Cooperative (MPC), Kooperatiba Natun MPC, and Panay Darag Chicken Breeders Association to support their market linkage and value-adding activities.
Moreover, concerned local government units received the No Objection Letter (NOL) 1 for the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) infrastructure development projects worth P885.52 million.
“Hangad po ng ating Pangulo Ferdinand Marcos na ma-modernize ang ating mga magsasaka kaya katuwang natin dito ang ating Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) para patuloy tayong magbibigay ng mga mekanisasyon para sa clustered associations and cooperatives,” the agri chief said during the event attended by at least 700 agri-fishery stakeholders.
Through PhilMech, Secretary Tiu Laurel turned over P11.246-million worth of walk-behind transplanters, riding-type transplanters, rice precision seeders, rice combine harvesters, and single-pass rice mill.
The DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) also distributed gill nets, 10hp marine engines, and tilapia fingerlings amounting to P2.067 million.
During the event, Secretary Tiu Laurel also shared about his visit to the Jalaur River Multi-purpose Project Phase II (JRMP II) that is the first large-scale water reservoir to be constructed in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.
“Ito po ang kailangan natin para ma-maximize ang potential ng Western Visayas in rice production. Hindi ko po isinasantabi ang potensyal ng rehiyon na ito to contribute more for rice sufficiency of our country at talagang tututukan po namin kasama kayong mga magsasaka,” the Secretary said.
The JRMP, which is now 74 percent complete, will have a coverage area of 31,840 hectares and will benefit 25,000 farmers and 4,500 indigenous peoples families with the provision of employment and eco-tourism opportunities, flood mitigation, and contribution to inland fishery, among others. ### (Gumamela Celes Bejarin, DA-AFID)
