DA AWARDS 303M ASSISTANCE, MACHINERIES TO CENTRAL LUZON FARMERS, FISHERS
City of San Fernando, Pampanga – A total of Php 303 657 232 million (M) worth of farm machineries and assistance were awarded by the Department of Agriculture to farmers and fisherfolks of Central Luzon at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center here on September 29, 2020.
The awarding ceremony was graced by DA Secretary William Dar together with Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda, Regional Director Crispulo Bautista, and other officials.
The objective of the activity was to meliorate the productivity in the agriculture sector and boost the profit of the farmers in the country.
In the message of Governor Pineda, he commended the relentless support of the Department of Agriculture in the province of Pampanga and mentioned the proposed project of Rice Complex.
“Sa oras na nangangailangan po tayo ng ayuda para sa mga kababayan natin, ang una ko pong tinawagan ay si Secretary Dar para makabili po tayo ng palay. Iyon pong project na gusto ko pong gawin ay iyong sa Rice Complex. Tuloy pa rin iyon, nagkataon lamang na tinamaan tayo ng pandemic. Kung magandang programa po ito ay dahil sa guidance ni Secretary,” he uttered.
Under the DA’s Rice and Corn Mechanization Program, a total amount of Php 281 939 378 was given to every provinces in region 3, broken down as: 42M for Aurora, 34M for Bataan, 43M for Pampanga, 37M for Tarlac, 85M for Nueva Ecija, and 38M for Zambales.
Additionally, some 42 cooperatives received various of farm machineries which include: four-wheel tractors, combine harvesters, shallow tube wells, warehouse with recirculating dryers, and warehouse with mobile flash dryers.
One of the beneficiaries, Romeo Pingul of Pampanga Federation of Irrigators Association, Incorporated from Lubao, Pampanga expressed his gratitude and appreciation in receiving a unit of Shallow Tube Well.
“Kami po ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa binigay na Shallow Tube Well ng Department of Agriculture. Malaking tulong iyon sa mga farmers ko lalong lalo na iyong mga nasa bandang dulo. Madalas ay nagkukulang ang patubig sa bandang dulo kaya kailangang kailangan namin iyon,” Pingul added.
Secretary Dar acknowledged the efforts and contributions of the local farmers and fisherfolks
as the unsung heroes of the country during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
“I would like to salute the farmers, fisherfolks during all this time of the last six months. During this pandemic ay hindi kayo nabinbin o hindi kayo umalis sa ating katungkulan na mag-produce ng pagkain sa bansa. Dahil dito, may sapat na sapat na pagkain during the last six months,” Secretary Dar said.
He also stated that the Central Luzon has the biggest allocated agricultural budget region in the country having approximately 4.4 billion.
Simultaneously, fisheries livelihood assistance worth 21.7M was also received by fisherfolks in Pampanga.###
Writer: Rica Geda Salas
Photographer: Renzo Pineda Tobias