VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) — Over 100 farmers in the Sugpon town in this province joined the barangay forum dubbed “Managing El Niño in Ilocos Sur Agriculture: A Forum on Agricultural Assistance for Filipino Farmers” held on Monday, March 18.
 
The event was organized by the Philippine Information Agency-Ilocos Sur Information Center in partnership with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), the Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).
 
The event provided information about the insurance products the farmers can avail of from the PCIC and services and assistance provided by the DA to help them overcome certain problems caused by El Niño.

Farmers were able to inquire and clarify concerns with the said agencies during the open forum.
 
“We are happy to learn that our problems, particularly drought, have solutions from our government agencies. We thank the agencies and the LGU Sugpon for hearing our concerns and for giving their insights on our questions,” said Ariel Pang-es, a farmer from Barangay Danac.
 
In her presentation, DA regional information officer Vida Cacal stated that in Ilocos Sur, P5.5 million in corn crop damages or 85.07 metric tons due to El Niño were declared as of March 7.
 
Emmanuel Luczon, supervising irrigators’ development officer of NIA Ilocos Sur, mentioned that there are ongoing constructions of 18 solar-powered pump irrigation projects in the first district of the province, particularly in the towns of San Juan and Cabugao.
 
He said he is also looking forward to the construction of the said project in Sugpon town.
 

Meanwhile, Jimmy Monis, a farmer in Barangay Pangotan in the same town said the solar-powered irrigation system, which is a project of NIA, is something they would like to have in their town.
 
He said, “I hope that it will be constructed in our town as soon as possible so that it can help us counter the effects of El Niño this year.”
 
Further, the farmers also asked about the process of claiming financial assistance after typhoons, to which the DA information officer responded that there should be no issues as long as they can submit the requirements within the period given by the DA central office.
 
This barangay forum was conducted with the support of the local government unit of Sugpon, the Office of Vice Governor Ryan Luis Singson, and the Office of Deputy Speaker and Ilocos Sur Second District Representative Kristine Singson. (JCR/MJTAB/ATV, PIA Ilocos Sur)