On behalf of DA Undersecretary for High Value Crops and Rural Credit (HVCRC) Evelyn G. Laviña, Mr. Jose Jeffrey Rodriguez, Project Development Officer IV of High Value Crops and Rural Credit led the turnover ceremony and blessing of the Calamansi Processing Facility granted to Eden Organic and Livestock Farm at Brgy. Cabalantian, Bacolor, Pampanga together with DA RFO III Regional Technical Director Eduardo L. Lapuz, Jr., Regional High Value Crops Development Program Coordinator Engr. AB P. David and Agricultural Program Coordinator Lorna Tablante.
The establishment of this facility is a project funded under DA RFO III – High Value Crops Development Program for FY 2022 Regular Program amounting to P 949,749.98 which will help enhance the capacity of the farmers of the recipient farm in the production of their calamansi juice.
Fr. Eddie Panlilio, a former governor of Pampanga, is the owner of this 2.5-hectare farm. He thanked DA and other partner agencies for the assistance they receive from them and stated, “Sa aming paniniwala, hindi po nakahiwalay ang pagsasaka sa pananampalataya natin.”Mr. Jose Jeffrey Rodriguez of HVCRC believes that with the leadership of Among Ed Panlilio, the sustainability of the facility is assured. He said that, “Kami po dito sa DA ay talagang nandito para suportahan kayo. Marami pa po ang puwede naming maitulong sa inyo lalo na po in terms of financing.”Regional Technical Director Eduardo L. Lapuz, Jr. said that DA always has its doors open to attend to the needs of the farmers and to give assistance within its resources.
Also gracing the said activity were representatives from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of Pampanga headed by Dr. Rowena Cassem, members of Calzadang Bayu Farmers Agriculture Cooperative, members of Talete Ning Panyulung Kapampangan Foundation Inc. (TPKI) and Light Microfinance, and Fr. Aries Maniago.
