Binding all efforts towards modernizing the agriculture industry in the province of La Union through the Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Extension System (PAFES), the Department of Agriculture in Ilocos Region led by Regional Executive Director Annie Bares inked the Memorandum of Agreement with La Union Governor Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David in a ceremonial MOA signing activity held at the Ariana Hotel, Paringao, Bauang, La Union.

Held on January 9, 2023 with the presence of the various stakeholders including the academe, civil society organizations and the DA’s attached and line agencies, the MOA signing signaled the strong partnership and collaboration of DA and the Provincial Government of La Union together with the various partners to carry-out agri-development programs and projects in the province through the PAFES.

In her message during the event, La Union Governor Ortega-David recognized the essence of sealing a partnership with the various stakeholders as it allowed her administration to ameliorate the already established programs and projects, thereby generating a community of satisfied and contented farmers and fisherfolks.

Finding the MOA signing as a huge step in achieving the province’s vision of making La Union the heart of Agri-Tourism in Northern Luzon, she likewise reassured her 100 percent commitment to ensuring effective and doable agri-development programs and projects to improve the living conditions of the people of La Union.

“Rest assured that I am 100 percent committed in ensuring that the provincial government of La union will effectively do its part to serve our ka-probinsiyaan,” Governor Ortega-David said.

Meanwhile, Ms. Sharon Viloria, the Assistant Provincial Agriculturist of La Union in her discussion of the Collaborative Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Extension Programs (CPAFEP) identified the coffee as one of the major commodities that shall be given priority interventions along with the seaweeds, rabbit, cacao and goat thru PAFES.

According to Ms. Viloria, the province will be improving the production of Arabica and Robusta coffee varieties with the provision of various interventions to the identified partner farmers by way of area expansion.
Among the interventions identified are the provision of quality planting materials, provision of organic fertilizers, organization and accreditation of coffee growers, provision of irrigation as well as postharvest facilities, pests, and disease management, capacity enhancement training, farm-to-market roads, market development, and entrepreneurial support as well as the establishment of mother clonal garden that shall serve as the source of quality planting materials.

For all these projects, the province of La Union shall need an initial Php757,000 to be taken out from the Region’s total budget on PAFES for the year amounting to P3.1 million.

Also present during the MOA signing are the League of Municipal and City Mayor of La Union President, Balaoan Mayor Aleli Concepcion, League of Municipal and City Agriculturist President, Ms. Rizalina Quiros, Jr., PAFC- La Union Mr. Rodolfo Abrio, OIC-Provincial Agriculturist Ms. Agnes Grace Cargamento and Mr. Renato O. Hernandez, Chairman of the La Union Coalition of Civil Society Organization, among others.##