THE Department of Agriculture (DA) recently turned over P101.5 million worth of farm and fisheries equipment and agriculture projects to Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala led the turnover of the farm inputs, machineries and infrastructures to the local government units of the two provinces and to various farmer cooperatives and irrigator associations.
Davao del Sur got P54 million worth of projects, while P47.5 million worth of projects was poured to Davao Oriental.
The ceremonies were participated in by local officials, farmer leaders, representatives from cooperatives, irrigator’ associations, fisherfolk organizations, rural women and youth leaders.
In Mati City, Davao Oriental, Alcala sat with farmer-beneficiaries who were repeatedly pummeled by storms: Pablo in 2012, Agaton in 2013, and, recently, Onyok.
Alcala hailed the resilience and unity of the local officials and agri-stakeholders in rebuilding agricultural facilities and livelihood enterprises for farmers to recover and improve productivity.
“Ito pong ginagawa natin ay gawain po ng pamahalaan, nguni’t never ninyong natikman sa mga nakaraang pagkaka-taon. Only now na nandito, hindi lang kayo binibigyan, idini-
deliver pa ng kasalukuyang pamahalaan,” Alcala said.
Aristotle Abella, president of Cateel River Irrigators’ Farmers Association in Davao Oriental, recounted their difficulties in farming due to lack of adequate water facilities.
The situation was resolved when their provincial government and DA-Mindanao Rural Development Program established an irrigation project.
“Kami ay umaasa sa patuloy na pagtulong at suporta sa aming mga magsasaka at ang lahat ng inyong binigay ay aming pinapahalagahan at hinding-hindi makakalimutan. Dahil sa tulong ninyo unti-unting umaangat ang kabuhayan namin sa kabila ng hagupit ng bagyong Pablo,” Abella said.
In Magsaysay a consultation with farmer-beneficiaries was held where farmers expressed their gratitude for the assistance the DA has given and how it has improved their quality of life.
Jimmy Pandan, farmer-beneficiary in Davao del Sur, said they have experienced big changes in their community because of the various assistance given to them and he added that they will strive to support the programs and projects of the DA.
Both activities enabled to assess how well the initiatives of the Aquino administration introduced reforms, and has served the farmers, fishers and other agri-stakeholders.
“Sana po naramdaman ng ating mga kababayan ang malaking pagbabago na nangyari sa ating mga sakahan. Kailangan po ng mamamayan ang serbisyong makatotohanan.” Alcala said.