In line with the celebration of the Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month this year, Agriculture Secretary Manny F. Piñol led the recognition of farmers, fishers, poultry growers, livestock raisers and high value crop producers during the opening program of the month-long festivities at the Department of Agriculture compound in Quezon City, on May 6, 2019.
The awardees, who were also invited by DA to showcase their products, are among the countless champions that have continuously partnered with the government in attaining national food sufficiency, and meet the demands of more than 109 million Filipinos.
The Department has been working hand-in-hand with the farmers and fishers to ensure improved productivity and increased income in the countryside.
“It is my dream to uplift our farmers and fisherfolks from being mere producers of raw products to processors and marketers,” Piñol said during the event while stressing that the barrier that hinders the food producers in achieving their full potential is an effective and efficient credit scheme.
The Production Loan Easy Access program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council, designed by the Secretary, is a low-interest, zero-collateral financial assistance program under DA managed by the Agricultural Credit Policy Council. It provides access to up to P50,000 loan to farmers, fishers, and other rural workers, registered under the Juan Magsasaka at Mangingisda National Database System.
The Solar Powered Irrigation System, another pet project of the Secretary, is an efficient system of irrigating the rice fields. It is comparatively much cheaper and takes shorter time to build than dams. It can be operated for a maximum of nine hours a day, has a capacity output of 1,280-2000 cubic meter (m3) per day with pump flow rate of more or less 241 m3/hour.
During the opening ceremony, Undersecretary Evelyn Laviña who heads the 2019 celebration stressed that the Department has obliged with the directive of the president to provide affordable and accessible food for all.
“Under the leadership of our Secretary, we went back to the basic and it has been a success,” she stressed.
Laviña added that aside from production, the Department has been assisting the farmers in bringing their produce directly to the market, enabling them to earn more from their hard work and diligence.
National Fisherfolk Director Dante Noces, as the voice of the Filipino fishermen, expressed that while there are a lot of challenges, the fishery sector recognizes the efforts being pushed by the government in uplifting the lives and livelihood in the rural communities. He also urged the government to continue on formulating new programs and interventions that will help the fishermen rise from the poverty threshold.
Other farmers and fishers who were recognized for their contributions in the development of agri and fishery sectors are as follows:
Region I
Annabelle S. Echavez of Bolinao Pangasinan- National Fisherfolk Sectoral Council
Gavina P. Tumbaga- San Fernando La Union – National Fisherfolk Sectoral Council
Editha Dacycuy of REFMAD V Enterprise
Lilia T. Cacbay of Cacbay Organic Farm
Mary Celine Gordon of CJ Farm
Region III
Melissa Agustin of Mama Agnes Marine Products
Shirley Velarde of Samahan ng Magmamangga ng Zambales
Lilibeth Sanchez of Sanchez Farm
Norita Ridad of Ridad Fruits
Yolly Riguer of Bana Farm/Munting Paraiso ni Yolly
Mariel Apaga of Sapang MFC
Rita Suva of Rose-Bitoy Salted Egg
Samson Ocampo, Arman Bugagon, Hilario Ocampo, Minda Gruspe, and Elisa Tiangsing of Hardinero Agricultural Cooperative
Region IV-A
Roberto Cuasay of San Luis Farmers Association
Region V
Charles C. Capricho- Calbangga, Camarines Sur -National Fisherfolk Sectoral Council Region 5
Nirma J. Quijance and Dennis Villagomez of Bakiad Rice & Vegetable Growers Association
Region X
Fernando s. Ocaba of Sagay Camiguin – National Fisherfolk Sectoral Council
The Farmers and Fisherfolk Month is annually observed during the month of May pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 33 issued on May 21, 1989. ### (Carlos Cezar Baldosa / Oda Rodriguez, DA-AFID)
