The Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project Regional Project Coordination Office Calabarzon and the provincial governments of Batangas and Quezon turned over more than Php 49.6-M worth of enterprise subprojects to four farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs).

The subprojects turned over in Batangas were the Seaweeds Production and Marketing received by the Layon Carbonan Chapter Seaweeds Farmers in Calatagan, the Batangas Kapeng Barako Production and Processing given to the Aga Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative in Nasugbu, and the Batangas Dairy Cattle Production turned over to the Batangas Dairy and Multipurpose Cooperative in Lipa City. Meanwhile, the subproject turned over in General Luna, Quezon, was the Pineapple Processing in General Luna, Quezon received by the Samahan ng Magsasaka ng Brgy. Nieva.

All subprojects aim to bring further growth to the local agriculture sector, particularly in the seaweeds, coffee, dairy, and pineapple industries, and to uplift the lives of the farmers behind the production of the said commodities.

“Taos-puso kaming nagpapasalamat sa DA-PRDP sa pagtulong sa aming magkaroon ng mas maayos at mas mahusay na processing facility ng aming aning kape. Sisikapin po naming mapalakas ang aming negosyo tungo sa mas mataas na kita at pagpapatuloy ng produksyon at bentahan ng barakong kape ng Batangas,” shared Gemma Barlaan, general manager ng Aga Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative.

The turnover ceremonies were attended by Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas, Quezon Governor Angelina D. L. Tan, Quezon 3rd District Representative Reynante Arrogancia, General Luna Mayor Matt Erwin Florido, DILG Assistant Secretary for Community Participation Elizabeth Lopez De Leon, CDA-4A Regional Director Salvador Valeroso, and DA-4A Batangas Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer Elizabeth Gregorio. #

Batangas Dairy and Multipurpose Cooperative representative Juan Lozano delightfully received the certificate of turnover of their DA-PRDP enterprise from Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas. (Photo by Von Samuel Panghulan)

Members of the Aga Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative proudly brandish their certificate of turnover which further fueled their passion and resolve to keep Batangas Kapeng Barako a mainstay in the Philippine coffee industry. (Photo by Von Samuel Panghulan)

After officially receiving the enterprise subproject from the DA-PRDP, members of the Samahan ng mga Magsasaka ng Nieva were overwhelmed by gratefulness as they were given the capacity to have an additional source of income apart from producing and selling pineapples. (Photo by Von Samuel Panghulan)

Members of the Layon Carbonan Chapter Seaweeds Farmers were even more determined to play their part in sustaining and enriching the local seaweed industry in their town after officially receiving their seaweeds production and marketing enterprise. (Photo by Von Samuel Panghulan)