VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) — In consistency with the commitment of the provincial government and the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office I (DARFO I), farmers in this province received agricultural inputs and farm equipment amounting to ₱15.8 million to boost their income and increase agricultural production.
This was conducted at the Provincial Farmers Livelihood Development Center in this city as part of the “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat,” a nationwide celebration held on Sept. 13 to mark President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s birthday.
The provincial government provided biofertilizers worth ₱5,134,001 distributed to the first district municipalities of Bantay, Cabugao, Caoayan, Magsingal, San Ildefonso, San Juan, San Vicente, Santa Catalina, Santo Domingo, and Vigan City, while the two units of four-wheel tractors worth ₱2,899,000 were given to the towns of Sinait and Santo Domingo.
Meanwhile, the DARFO-I distributed 280 bags of hybrid corn seeds worth ₱1,678,000 million to nine corn cluster farmers associations, ₱5,529,900 million worth of Leed-goat multiplier modules for the farmers in Santo Domingo and San Vicente, and two units of power sprayer for Caoayan town.
Two multi-purpose cultivators worth ₱499,994 from their High Value Crops Development Program were also provided to Bantay and Cabugao farmers, various farm equipment for Bantay amounting to ₱22,090 from their National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program, and other tools worth ₱61,960 for Santa Catalina from the Special Area for Agricultural Development Program.
In his message, Governor Jerry Singson said the provincial government has always recognized the important role of agriculture in the development of the province, and this is the reason for their continued support to the programs and initiatives that aim to uplift the farming communities.
“Dear farmers, you are the pillar of our economy, we have a lot of gratitude to you farmers because without you, we will not have food on our table— [we have food] because of your hardwork,” Governor Singson said.
The governor urged the agencies and attendees in the activity to continue helping the local farmers through good programs that lessen the burden of the farmers.
He said, “Let us achieve our dreams for our farmers to not have to spend a single cent in farming so that they can have a higher profit.”
Meanwhile, officer-in-charge Regional Executive Director John B. Pascual of the DARFO-I said, “With these interventions, we aim to help improve the lives of our farmers, and boost their production and income, and to increase the value of their agricultural products.”
Edgardo Angaangan, a farmer from Santiago town, expressed his gratitude to the provincial government and the DARFO-I.
“We are hopeful that the assistance and support we received today will continue, because for us, farmers, this is very important so we can continue to dream that we can live poverty behind and keep going despite the challenges,” said Angaangan.
Moreover, Governor Singson reminded the recipients to use the farm inputs well, and maintain the good condition of the equipment so that other farmers may benefit from them as well.(AMB/MJTAB/ATV, PIA Ilocos Sur)
