MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL (PIA) — To enhance agricultural development, Gov. Henry S. Oaminal assured farmers in Misamis Occidental of the extensive program and the provincial government’s support to provide free fertilizers, free use of farm implements, and free equipment to farmers in the province.
This program aims to increase rice production, boost farmers’ incomes, and reduce production costs. Oaminal’s improved implementation of this assistance program ensures that tractors, threshers, and other farm implements, which were provided by the government under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., are now more accessible to farmers. This initiative is a result of the collaborative efforts led by Sen. Cynthia Villar, the Department of Agriculture, and the province of Misamis Occidental.
Previously, these resources were given to farmers’ associations, which required farmers to pay for usage, including maintenance, fuel, and operator costs, but under Oaminal’s administration, these resources are now provided directly to local government units (LGUs), ensuring that consumers no longer need to pay for their use. The LGUs will cover the expenses for drivers, fuel, and maintenance, fully supporting the farmers as intended by the program.
Oaminal spearheaded the distribution of various assistance measures, including the turnover of rescue vehicles, financial support for rice farmers, cutting-edge agricultural equipment, portable solar dryers, carrageenan plant growth promoters, and payouts for the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
“Our administration’s goal is to support farmers from land preparation to post-harvest,” Oaminal shared. “This includes free rice seeds, fertilizers, harvesting, and processing facilities. By integrating provincial efforts with national government programs, we aim to provide comprehensive assistance to our farmers,” he added.
With assistance from DA-PhilMech, the provincial government will also receive two rice processing facilities, one in Oroquieta City (District 1) and another in Tangub City (District 2). These facilities will help reduce rice farmers’ production costs by providing free milling services.
The province has allocated P76 million to establish these milling facilities. Despite not increasing the provincial budget, effective fund management ensures sufficient resources without the need for additional borrowing.
Additionally, with Marcos’ support, the MisOcc government has released financial assistance to rice farmers in Oroquieta City, demonstrating its commitment to agricultural development and support for the farming community.
This comprehensive agricultural development program highlights the provincial government’s dedication to enhancing the livelihoods of farmers and ensuring sustainable agricultural growth in Misamis Occidental. (PGMO/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)
