By Elvy T. Estacio, RPCO-CAR Writer

The PhP18 million highland vegetable consolidation and marketing enterprise of the Bosigan Multipurpose Cooperative in Balili, Mankayan, Benguet, was formally turned over on June 4, 2024.

Implemented under the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP), the enterprise subproject includes a two-storey consolidation building, a hauling truck, several goods such as crates and trolleys, and working capital amounting to PhP411,750.00.

As part of the program, Mankayan Mayor Dario S. Banario, DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan, and Bosigan MPC BOD Chair Liby Ngaseo led the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the facility. 

Several department heads and staff from the MLGU, barangay officials, representatives from the DA-PRDP Project Support Office and regional office, and other farmers’ groups in Barangay Balili joined Bosigan MPC in celebrating the subproject turn over.

In his message, Mayor Banario encouraged the farmer-attendees to sustain Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in producing highland vegetables.

“Ket yantangay naikan tayo ti kastoy nga project, suruten tayo, itultuloy tayo ti GAP and hopefully towards full organic production, (With the project we’ve been given, let’s follow and continue GAP, and hopefully move towards full organic production),” the mayor said.

Atty. Dawayan acknowledged that Mankayan has the highest number of GAP-certified farmers. She further emphasized the importance of transparency in the operation and management of their enterprise as it officially begins.

“I hope you take good care of this project because my dream for you is to reach assets worth a hundred million pesos, enabling you to help more farmers here in Benguet,” added Atty. Dawayan.

On behalf of Bosigan MPC, Ngaseo expressed his gratitude to everyone who supported them from the proposal stage to completion.

“Adi mi mailadawan din ragsak mi sin naamagan di nanrigrigatan taku. Pirmi din ragragsak mi idi narugian inggana nalpas ya welcome din sino man ay farmers ay mang usar sina ay facility baken lang din Bosigan. Aywanan taku, usaren taku ay nasayaat inggana tawiden di a-an-ak taku (We cannot express how happy we are for the fruit of our hard work. We have been overjoyed from the project’s inception to its completion. Everyone is welcome to use this facility, not just those from Bosigan. We should all take care of it, use it properly, so it benefits our children),” said Ngaseo.

He also praised the PRDP for strictly adhering to its guidelines during the construction phase.

Other guests expressed their congratulations to Bosigan MPC for the completion of their subproject and shared some insights for the sustainability of their project.

The event concluded with traditional community dancing and a tour of the facility. ###

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