Checking on the status of the committed projects during his previous provincial sorties in Ilocos Norte, Senior Undersecretary for Operations Domingo F. Panganiban led the awarding and distribution of various DA projects to farmers and association beneficiaries on December 16, 2022 at Sola Hotel, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

With an almost P40 million worth of projects, the DA, through Senior Usec. Panganiban awarded P13 million irrigation project to the Local Government Unit of Bacarra for the rehabilitation of canal lining at Barangay Cabaruan in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte and is expected to benefit members of the Zanjera de Sales Irrigators Association.

Another P26.5 was also awarded for the rehabilitation of six diversion dams in Batac City, Ilocos Norte particularly in Barangays Payao, Quiom, Nagbacalan, Magnuang and Pimentel.

The remaining P435,000 was given to 43 rice farmers as recipients of the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance Program worth P5,000 each that intends to provide capital expenses in their farming operations leading towards an increase in their yield and consequently their incomes.

Of the 43 rice farmers, 20 farmers were from San Nicolas town, and the rest were from Pasuquin, Sarrat, and Vintar and 5 recipients each for Batac City and Paoay.

The RFFA distribution shall still continue for other qualified recipients at a given schedule in coordination with the conduit institution that shall process the cash for the recipients.

In his message during the event, Senior USec Panganiban underscored the importance of engagement and linkages of the farmers with their local municipal agriculturists for better services in so far as the agri sector is concerned.
He enjoined the farmers to embrace every opportunity that the DA is giving to improve their production and increase their productivity and income given the various interventions recently awarded to them.
He gave assurance that more projects will be delivered at every visit he makes in the different provinces to make agriculture truly responsive and progressive in the countryside.
Meanwhile, another set of awarding and distribution was held on the next day spearheaded by DA OIC-Regional Executive Director Dr. Annie Q. Bares, with Ilocos Norte Board Member and Committee Chair in Agriculture Jonathan Torralba, and Mr. Benjo Campañano representing 2nd District Representative Cong. Angelo Marcos Barba amounting to Php1,869,481 in the form of farm inputs such as vegetable seeds, farm machineries and equipment like rice combine harvester, hand tractor and pump and engine sets.
Similar activity was also held at the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian on December 16,2022 where a total of 123 heads of goats were distributed by DA to BP2 recipients.###