Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol poses with members of the Catandaan Rice and Vegetable Farmers Association Inc. of Nasugbu, Batangas who were awarded a four-wheel drive tractor during the TAPATAN: Gobyerno at Mamamayan forum held on July 25, 2017 at Lipa City. The event, highlighted by the distribution of over P100-million worth of agri-fishery interventions, is part of the national government’s strategy to trickle down to the small rural communities its programs and initiatives, and enable a more productive agriculture sector. In his message, Piñol assured his support to the food production initiatives of the province which is of great advantage due to its proximity to Metro Manila. “Take advantage of this, produce quality products and we will help you sell it in the city,” he said. The DA chief announced that the DA will be launching the TienDA Farmers’ Outlet on July 28, Friday, to provide a stable market for agricultural produce and sell it consumers at a lower price. (photo by Gian Carlo Luague/DA-AFID)