BENGUET Legislative Caretaker Eric Go Yap vowed to continue support for farmers.
Yap, during the turnover of more than P35 million worth of agriculture inputs to Benguet farmers and other lines agencies on August 27, said he will push for the construction of 31-kilometer farm-to-market roads (FMR) for the province in 2021.
The lawmaker added he has also allocated P25 million to be lent to small farmers without interest while looking for other programs and projects to support big farmers affected by the crisis.
The Department of Agriculture (DA)-Cordillera, through its High Value Crops and Development Program (HVCDP), turned over more than P35 million agricultural inputs that include vegetable seeds, hand tractors, HDPE pipes, plastic sheets, drum, and seed storage.
The farm inputs were distributed to the municipalities of Atok, Bakun, Buguias, Kapangan, Kibungan, Mankayan, and Kabayan, as well as the government line agencies like the Department of Education (DepEd)-Benguet for the "Gulayan sa Paaralan" and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Cordillera for the "Gulayan sa Barangay."
The share of the other municipalities was given earlier this year during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas commended the quick response of the DA in assisting the farmers during the times of pandemic. He also hopes to materialize the proposed P20 million worth of processing facility to accommodate the oversupply of vegetables.
Cameron Odsey, DA-Cordillera OIC director, underscored the continuous support of the agency in implementing its programs and project in the province such as the input assistance, expanded Survival and Recovery (e-Sure) loan, and Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Program.
Prior to the turnover, HVCDP Focal Person Joan D. Bacbac discussed the basic HVCDP guidelines on how to avail the DA assistance.
Among the guidelines are the organization should be registered any registering and accrediting body (DOLE, SEC, CDA); DA accredited, and the members should be RSBSA (Registry System of Basic Sectors in Agriculture) registered.
She noted that the priority is given to those having a Good Agricultural Practices certification. (VoxPop Baguio)