The Department of Agriculture (DA) – Regional Field Office XII and attached bureaus and agencies handed over Php16 million worth of consolidated agricultural interventions to the farmers of Tantangan, South Cotabato, January 24, 2024.
Led by OIC-Regional Executive Director, Dr. John B. Pascual, the DA XII has conducted the Joint Operation, Harmonization, and Networking Program cum Barangay Promotion in support to the “6th Pabunar ti Mannalon” Farmers’ Day in line with the 63rd Foundation Anniversary and 14th Kulitangtang Festival in the abovementioned municipality.
“Ngayon ay isang araw upang parangalan ang mga kalalakihan at kababaihan na walang kapaguran na nagtatrabaho sa mga bukid, sa ilalim ng init ng araw, nagtatanim ng binhi ng kasaganaan at nag-aaruga ng ani na nagbibigay ng buhay sa ating lahat,” RED Pascual stated as he gave honor and praise to the farmers.
The program started with a tree planting activity that aims to alleviate the effects of climate change and in support to RA 10176 states that “All able-bodied citizens of the Philippines, who are at least twelve (12) years of age, shall be required to plant one (1) tree every year.”
The highlight of the activity was the distribution of consolidated interventions coming from the various programs of the DA and attached bureaus and agencies: Rice Program had committed various hybrid seeds and fertilizers with the total amount of Php 505,000.00; Corn Program had distributed hybrid corn seeds and zinc phosphide amounting to Php 372,000.00; chicken, swine, and bottled milk had been distributed by the Livestock Program with a total amount of Php 24,000.00; vegetable seeds from the Organic Agriculture Program; assorted vegetable seeds had given by the High Value Crop Development Program; lowland vegetable seeds from Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture Program; and Php 5Million worth of Kadiwa Financial Grant Assistance Program funded by the Marketing Development Services.
The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) had also distributed indemnity checks to 108 farmers affected by calamity in December 2023 with a total amount of Php193,402.00; various types of agricultural machinery such as Hand Tractor, Riding-type transplanter, Floating Tiller, Rice Combine Harvester, Mobile Rice Mill, and Four-wheel Tractor were given by Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) with a total amount of Php 10,096,000.00; and 300 coconut seedlings from Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).
Tantangan Mayor Timee Joy T. Gonzales in behalf of her farmer constituents also expressed her gratitude for the unwavering support of the DA Region 12 and the combined efforts of her people all through the duration of activities.
As one of the significant acts of the outreach program, farmers have also received food packs from DA 12 and Knights of Columbus officials.
The activity has also been attended and supported by South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo, Jr. and Farmer-Director Ret. Gen. Celestino Desamito who led the ceremonial milk toast.
Meanwhile, the DA 12 is continuously helping the farmers through the provision of agricultural interventions in the respective PLGUs and MLGUs in SOCCSKSARGEN.
Through the leadership and initiative of OIC-RED Pascual, the community outreach program will be one of the DA’s advocacies that will truly help the poor farmers which will reflect the value of a genuine public service. (Sheena D. Ocier)