๐๐-๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐จ๐ญ๐๐๐๐ญ๐จ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ง๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐ ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐ฌ | Officials from the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) visited the Province of Cotabato to discuss key agricultural programs aimed at strengthening support for farmers on February 10, 2025.
Leading the team was National Project Coordination Office (NPCO) Project Director Asec. U-Nichols A. Manalo, accompanied by DA XI Regional Director and PSO Mindanao Project Director Macario D. Gonzaga, Deputy Project Director Carlene C. Collado, CPA, and Regional Project Coordination 12 Deputy Project Director, Engr. Abraham A. Onotan. They met with Cotabato Governor Lala Taliรฑo-Mendoza to discuss ongoing and future initiatives under DA-PRDP and other agricultural programs benefiting the province.
The meeting highlighted various projects funded under DA-PRDP, focusing on strategies to enhance their implementation and ensure maximum benefits for eligible farmer-beneficiaries. Officials also tackled key departmental programs requiring further attention to optimize their impact on the local agricultural sector.
Assistant Secretary Manalo commended the provinceโs efforts, particularly the Rice Revolution Program under the โconvergence approach,โ which has significantly improved support for rice farmers. In response, Governor Mendoza expressed her gratitude to the national government for its continued assistance and interventions that have uplifted the provinceโs farming communities.
The meeting was also attended by members of the Provincial Advisory Council, including former DA XII Director Amalia J. Datukan, retired Judge Lily Lydia Laquindanum, Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Jonah Balanag, Acting Provincial Agriculturist Elena Ragonton, and personnel from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg). (Joy Montecalvo,PSO Min | with reports and photos from Provincial Government of Cotabato)