The provinces of La Union, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Lanao Del Norte and Compostela Valley have been named as the top rice-producing provinces in the country.
Governors and local officials of the seven provinces received P4-million cash and trophies while each province was also awarded with approved proposals for development projects during the celebration of the 2016 Rice Achievers Award on May 23, 2017 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City.
Senator Cynthia A. Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, led the awarding ceremonies.
In her message, Villar stressed the need to improve the country’s farm mechanization program since it would help reduce farm production costs and eventually lead to globally competitive pricing for Philippine agricultural products.
“Seeds, fertilizer, mechanization, and post-harvest facilities play an important role in increasing productivity and more so, be globally competitive,” Villar said.
“It is our responsibility to help our small family farmers in maintaining their skills and encourage young ones to get involve in farming,” she added.
To strengthen the implementation of Agriculture and Fisheries Mechanization (AFMECH) law, Villar announced that she will file a bill requiring the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to allot 30 percent of its annual budget to the establishment of farm schools across the country.
“My target is to provide farm schools in every municipality and town,” Villar said.
If the bill is approved, TESDA will train farmers and fisher folk to acquire financial literacy, business literacy, and operate different farm machineries.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Undersecretary for Operations Ariel T. Cayanan, representing Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol who was in Russia for President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit, expressed his gratitude to the farmers’ associations for their continuous support of the DA’s rice program. He also challenged them to share their techniques with other farmers.
“Let yourself be the leaders on how your experiences will be able to emulate on other farmers,” Cayanan said.
He said the annual search able to help the department in strengthening the market linkages in the rice industry.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) also awarded cash prizes to top 15 municipalities and cities, four Irrigator’s Association (IAs), three Small Water Impounding System Associations (SWISAs), and special prizes to some provinces, IAs and SWISAs.
Here are the list of winners:
Top Rice Producing Provinces (P4M)
La Union
Pangasinan
Nueva Vizcaya
Bulacan
Nueva Ecija
Lanao Del Norte
Compostela Valley
Special Recognition: Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Pampanga, Tarlac, Davao Oriental
Top Rice Producing Municipalities and Cities (P1M)
Luna, Apayao (CAR)
Solsona, Ilocos Norte (Region 1)
Santiago, Isabela (Region 2)
Victoria, Tarlac (Region 3)
Pila, Laguna (Region 4A)
Paluan, Occidental Mindoro (MiMaRoPa)
Ligao City, Albay (Region 5)
Talibon, Bohol (Region 7)
Hindayon, Southern Leyte (Region 8)
Bayog, Zamboanga Del Sur (Region 9)
Lala, Lanao Del Norte (Region 10)
Hagonoy, Davao Del Sur (Region 11)
Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat (Region 12)
Prosperidad, Agusan Del Sur (Region 13)
Valladolid, Negros Occidental (Negros Island Region)
Irrigators Association National Category (P1M)
Villafuerte, Inc., MRIIS (Region 2 – San Mateo, Isabela)
Pagsabangan Tagum Farmers Irrigators Association (PATAFIA) Inc. (Region 11 – Pagsabanga Tagum City, Davao Del Norte)
Communal Irrigators Category (P1M)
Batinao Cabacungan Sto. Niño Irrigators Association, Inc. (Region 11 – New Bataan, Compostela Valley)
Hingatungan Irrigators Association, Inc. (Region 8 – Hingatungan, Silago, Southern Leyte)
Special Awards (IAs): Peñaranda Irrigators Association, Amaling – Manoot Irrigators Association, San Agustin – San Ramon Farmers Cooperative Inc., Barbaza Irrigators Association, Kasaganahan Irrigators Association, BNBL Irrigators Association
Small Water Impounding Systems Associations (P500, 000)
Tanggal SWIP Small Impounding Dam Association, Inc. (CAR – Tabuk City, Kalinga)
San Jose Lamak Irrigators Association (Region 7 – San Jose, Mabini, Bohol)
Hinapoyan Farmers Cooperative (Region 13 – Hinapoyan, Carmen, Surigao Del Sur)
Special Awards (SWISA): Bingao Small Water Impounding Systems Association Inc., Bulaney SWISA, Bacoli SWISA, Linoan SWISA, Cadilang Irrigators Association
Meanwhile, Daniel P. Seville, President of PATAFIA, expressed his gratitude to the DA as the awards boosted farmers’ morale. He also encouraged his fellow farmers to participate in the training programs provided by the DA to improve their farming skills and knowledge. ### (Kristel Merle, DA-AFID)
