In an effort to fast track all projects and services of the government under the Department of Agriculture, Secretary Emmanuel Piñol is pushing for the efficient assessment and validation of areas for various agri-fishery projects.

During the Tapatan: Gobyerno at Mamamayan Forum held in Ilog and Bago City, Negros Occidental, on September 28, Piñol directed all concerned regional officials of the Department to conduct site validation to ensure that the projects to be delivered will benefit the agency’s major clientele—the farmers and fishers.

“Gusto ni Digong paspas,” (Digong wants it done fast) the Secretary stressed, referring to the project implementation in the rural communities.

Piñol has been going around the smallest and farthest rural communities of the country to meet with the farmers and fishers and personally talk to them. He launched the Biyaheng Bukid in the middle of 2016 as part of his advocacy to give the agri-fishery stakeholders and laborers hope and direct access to the government.

“We are here to listen to your problems and provide immediate solutions,’ he assured.

Piñol underscored that all proposals will be given a green light once it pass validation and guarantee to benefit a large number of stakeholders.

During Piñol’s visit in Negros Occidental, the Agriculture Department thru its regional office awarded more than P6.91M in livelihood assistance.

The interventions included 50 units of 20-feet and 11 units of 30-feet fiberglass boats. The fishing vessels were awarded to fisherfolk and fisherfolk’s organizations to be shared by its members. Also included in the package are training programs for tuna fishing.

Another set of 24 units 30-feet fiberglass boats with accessories were also distributed among the coastal municipalities of the province.

Among those who received livelihood assistance were Jealo Disendario, Dorel Padilla and Rey Gumayan, who were awarded with a fish snack cart, on top of the fishing boats and accessories.

Disendario, Padilla and Gumayan, who belong to the group awarded with the P60,000-worth fish cart, are differently-abled fishers who continue to be productive in the local fishing scene of Bago City.

In his message, Piñol announced that DA will continue to provide the needs of the farmers and encouraged everyone to maximize the assistance provided by the government.

“When I go back in 2 years, I would like to see that your lives have improved,” he said. ### (odarodriguez/DA-AFID)