Led by Agriculture chief William Dar, the Department of Agriculture along with PhilMech, BFAR, and PCIC has distributed a total of P195,033,736.00 worth of agricultural projects, machinery and equipment, farm inputs, and indemnity checks to farmers and fisherfolk of Ilocos Sur during the awarding and distribution ceremony held at the Provincial Farmers Livelihood Development Center in Vigan City on April 30, 2022.
Sec. Dar said that as of January 2022, the farmers and fisherfolk in the province have already received a total of P778M-worth agricultural and fishery support.
Mentioning the world crisis due to the Ukraine-Russia war, the Secretary enumerated some of the efforts of the DA to aid farmers and fisherfolk with the possible impact of the crisis on food security.
He as well urged every household nationwide to produce their own food and use the technologies crafted in the country. “I am encouraging every household in the country not only here in Ilocos Sur na magtanim, mag-alaga at mangisda kasi mayroong potential na kulang ang pagkain, kahit may pera ang Pilipinas na bibili sa ibang bansa kung walang sapat na supply, wala tayong mabibili” said Sec. Dar.
“It is now very important to produce our own food locally so that during this crisis we can survive, para magkaroon tayo ng pagkain sa bawat tahanan, food always in the home (FAITH)” he added.
The Agri chief likewise led the groundbreaking of the DA-BAR funded Innovation Center at ISPSC Narvacan and the inauguration of the Pinsal SWIP in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur.
Exempted by the COMELEC on the election spending ban, DA-RFO 1 is set to launch the Fuel Subsidy Program for farmers and fisherfolks, other than that, the cash assistance for rice farmers under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund will also be awarded prior to the 2022 National Election.##
