Thousands of farmers and agricultural sector workers in Negros Oriental are benefiting from various interventions and assistance from the government under the current administration.
Alejandro Rafal, head of the Department of Agriculture – Provincial Agriculture Technology Office in Negros Oriental, said in an interview on Thursday that the agency has allocated more than PHP1.19 billion for the province for 2023 and 2024.
“This is in response to the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. under the Bagong Pilipinas concept of inclusivity to address the needs of the agriculture sector and prioritize programs and projects to benefit everyone,” Rafal said.
The programs and projects include the provision of hybrid and inbred rice seeds, corn seeds, and inorganic fertilizer, amounting to PHP194 million.
The department has also aided 53,649 with financial assistance amounting to more than PHP268 million during the past year, although it continues its rollout for this year.
The rest of the funding is for machinery and equipment, including rice threshers, tractors, tillers, seeders, reapers, post-harvest facilities, and rice and corn mills, he added.
Rafal said an additional PHP586 million has also been allocated for farm-to-market road projects for implementation in 2023 and 2024.
Meanwhile, three other government agencies in Negros Oriental also reported individual gains and accomplishments under the Marcos administration since his 2023 SONA.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it has assisted 11,318 MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) and 18,524 clients from Aug. 2023 to June 2024.
“Interventions include but are not limited to business counseling, business registration, advocacy, and product development,” said Krystle Jade Bato, DTI-Negros Oriental spokesperson.
Up for distribution this year are machines and equipment for coconut farmers engaged in the production of Virgin Coconut Oil and other recipients under the Shared Service Facility program.
The financial and other forms of assistance and services were coursed through DTI’s programs and projects, such as the Negosyo Center; Shared Service Facility; One Town, One Product (OTOP); and Livelihood Seeding Program.
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in the province also reported that since last year, under its Land Acquisition and Distribution, 2,935 land titles covering 2,319 hectares of land were given to 1,964 beneficiaries.
The DAR’s Support Services included 100 Support Projects (such as livelihood support, and farm machinery and equipment) worth PHP20 million to 4,546 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries, DAR provincial chief Manuel Galon said.
On the other hand, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) – Negros Oriental reported that under its integrated livelihood program, 326 beneficiaries, 5 associations, and 19 individuals, received various projects for fishing, egg production, general merchandise, egg layer, and cattle fattening worth more than PHP5.1 million.
Vivencio Lagahid, DOLE-Negros Oriental director, said that the Jan. to June 2024 accomplishments also include the distribution of financial assistance to 14,200 beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers or TUPAD program amounting to more than PHP 69.8 million. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)
