Bontoc – Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol assured that Mountain Province will continue to get support from the agriculture department.
Piñol was in the province last week to attend the inauguration of the Provincial Fishery Office and awarding of projects yesterday, May 24, 2019. With him were the Director for Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Undersecretary for Fisheries Eduardo B. Gongona and other high-ranking DA officials and staff.
During his meeting with the top provincial officials, municipal executives and local farmers at the Rock Inn and Cafe, Batalao, Sagada upon his arrival last Thursday, the DA Secretary underscored that the DA have regular and special programs that are easy to access. Also, he said that the department responds to sound proposals and is transparent in its transactions.
Furthermore, Piñol said that the DA will work with the officials of the province to bring more much-needed agriculture development projects/ programs and livelihood funds to further improve farmer’s productivity and market access.
In his message, Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. expressed the province’s gratitude to the DA secretary for all the support the DA has extended to the farmers. The Gov further exoressed his thankfulness that he was given another chance to work with the DA in the years to come
“Our quest to fully provide the needed support to our farmers is not yet fully realized; thus, we are happy that the DA has poured many programs and projects in our place that would augment our efforts in improving our agriculture,” Lacwasan said.
Also, Congressman-elect Atty. Maximo Y. Dalog, Jr. solicited the support of Secretary Piñol to further help the typhoon/ calamity victims last year.
In response, Piñol guaranteed that if there are available and appropriate projects for Mountain Province, the DA will timely deliver.a
“Hindi naman sa amin yun e (referring to the finished and on-going DA projects), it was not mine to give; it was my responsibility to deliver,” Secretary Piñol said.
Meanwhile, Secretary Piňol graced the inauguration of the Provincial Fishery Office and led the awarding of projects to fisherfolk beneficiaries in Mountain Province under DA’s Special Areas for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program.
According to Bureau of Aquatic Fisheries and Natural Resources (BFAR-CAR) Regional Director Milagrose C. Morales, the identified fisherfolks from Mountain Province received post-harvest and marketing equipment and fishing gears.
Morales said that the SAAD program aims to provide livelihood opportunities to farmers and fisherfolks in the poor provinces of the country.
In his message, Secretary Piňol proposed for a two-day planning workshop after the newly-elected officials shall have taken their oath in June to map out the province’s long-term agricultural endeavor – a master plan – meant to uplift the living conditions of the people through viable DA projects that the people truly need.
“Dito namin malalaman kung saan kami papasok, kung saang kalsada ang kailangan ninyo, kung saang irigasyon ang kailangan ninyo at kung anong tulong ang kailangan ninyo. We will plan things out and conduct our development planning based on the actual needs of the people,” Piñol stressed. //ESB, MP-PIO
Note: The accompanying photos were taken during the Welcome Program for Sec. Piñol and Party at Rock Inn and Cafe in Batalao, Sagada and during the inauguration cum blessing of the Provincial Fishery Office at Sac-angan, Caluttit, Bontoc.
