Lingayen, Pangasinan—Gov. Ramon V. Guico III, along with other key officials, led the awarding and distribution of fertilizer and planting materials to 400 farmer-beneficiaries in tobacco-growing areas of Pangasinan held on September 12 at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center II (PTDC II).
Farmers in 22 municipalities were the recipients of 6,555 bags of fertilizer.
These towns include Bayambang, Malasiqui, Mapandan, and Sta. Barbara, Manaoag, Mangaldan, San Fabian, San Jacinto, Alcala, Binalonan, Laoac, Rosales, Sison, Sto. Tomas, Villasis, Asingan, Balungao, Natividad, San Manuel, San Nicolas, Sta. Maria and Umingan.
President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. earlier cited that farmers play a significant role in achieving sustainable food security for the country.
‘Kilalanin nating ang inyong kabayanihan at bigyang pugay ang inyong walang kapantay na kahusayan at kasipagan. Layunin naming na maihatid sa lahat ng Pilipino ang lahat ng serbisyo ng pamahalaan na makakatulong upang magsimula kayo ng kabuhayan,’ President Marcos added.
Various fishery paraphernalia, such as 34 units of thermoelectric HDPE, 31 units of cooler boxes, 44 sets of Gill Net, and four fish coolers (units) amounting to Php 305,000.00, were likewise distributed to registered marginalized fisherfolk from 10 coastal LGUs covering 35 Fisherfolk Associations in the province to provide an additional source of income.
Said distributions form part of the various assistance from the PGP through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) in coordination with the national agencies, primarily the Office of the President.
‘Ang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Pangasinan ay masayang nakikibahagi, nakikiisa at sumusuporta sa proyektong ‘Handog ng Pangulo, Serbisyong sapat Para Sa Lahat,’ OPAG Head Dalisay Moya said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture (RFO1) likewise awarded financial assistance amounting to Php 53,504,980.00.
Governor Guico assured that the province will support President Marcos’ programs, especially the goals of the Bagong Pilipinas.
‘One man cannot do it alone, so it takes all of us Filipinos to achieve the goals and aspirations of Bagong Pilipinas,’ the governor said.
Along this line, Gov. Guico strongly advocates Corporate Farming to bolster the agricultural sector through a proactive convergence approach.
Considered the present administration’s landmark project in agriculture, Gov. Guico is keen on beefing up the project to assist more farmers.
It can be recalled that on July 7, 2023, the provincial Corporate Farming and Memorandum of Agreement signing with program partners, LGUs, and Farmer Cooperative and Association (FCA) beneficiaries was held in Binalonan town. This yielded positive results for farmers, causing them bigger earnings in the long run.
“Ibig sabihin, pag mas malaki ang iyong sinasaka, mas nagiging efficient yung iyong inputs at lumalaki yung output mo, yung yield. We have now 1,000 hectares. Pag pinagkaisa mo ang mga maliliit na kalupaan at pare-parehong variety, and itinanim mo at kinukuha mo sa iisang supplier ang inyong binhi, ang inyong mga fertilizer, mas magkakaroon sila ng leverage upang bumaba ang cost naman ng pagbili ng mga inputs. At kung pare-pareho schedule, pare-pareho ang pagtanim, ang pag harvest mo, hindi iba-iba ang variety nila, naipakita namin na mas lumalaki yung yield, yung output,” the governor said.
Corporate farms, which often operate on a large scale, are considered economies of scale, which makes agricultural products affordable for consumers as well.
(Chona C. Bugayong, Orlan Llemos/PIMRO)
