29 C
Philippines
Thursday, March 28, 2024

8:42 PM

29 C
Philippines
Thursday, March 28, 2024

8:42 PM

PCA-10 to extend assistance to coco farmers in MisOr ELCAC areas

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–A series of site validation was jointly conducted by the 58th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, Provincial Agriculture Office (PAGRO) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)–Misamis Oriental in validating the identified barangays which qualified for the coconut dispersal project through Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC)-PAGRO.


The eight barangays identified in Balingasag include Camuayan, Balagnan, Dansuli, Rosario, Calawag, Linabu, San Juan, and Samay. In Lagonglong town, the barangays include Umagos and Banglay while in Gingoog City, the barangays identified were Kipuntos, Alagatan, Binakalan, and Lunao.


The 14 barangays were identified by the 5th IB as recipient-communities of dwarf variety seedlings to be provided by PAGRO, which were sourced-out from PCA-Davao Research Center through the effort of Governor Yevgeny Emano.

As a criterion for qualifying as a recipient of the project, the farmers were required to prepare their area in advance. With the technical assistance of the PCA–MisOr headed by Division Chief I Manuel G. Octobre, technologies on field planting and layouting, coconut nutrition and existing valued-adding technologies of the agency were discussed to the farmers.

Juliefe Buzarong of PAGRO said the distribution of the dwarf seedlings will commence in June, during the onset of the rainy season.

To ensure that the seedlings are planted and well-managed by the farmer-recipients, Corporal Cyril Abante, project focal person of Alpha Company based in Gingoog City, said personnel from the Alpha Company of the Philippine Army will conduct timely inspections and monitoring.

Through the ELCAC initiative, more farmers are targeted to be included in the projects or programs of various agencies in the agricultural sector.

For his part, Bravo Company Executive Commanding Officer 1Lt Ryu Dela Cruz said the purpose of ELCAC is not only to provide livelihood to the communities but to also link them to other agencies as well.“Kung daghan kita magtinabanga alang sa kalambuan sa sektor sa agrikultura, mas muhayag pa ang kaugmaon, dili lamang sa atong mag-uuma sa lubi kun dili sa tinibok-an,” Octobre said.


(If many of us will help in the development of agricultural sector, there is a brighter future not only for the coconut farmers but for the whole nation)

Initiatives such as the ELCAC, which is the brain-child project of the PCA Administrator Benjamin Madrigal Jr, is a very welcomed development by the agency as more institutions in the public sector are looking after the welfare of the coconut farmers, Octobre added. (PCA10/PIA10)