The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) RPCO IX recently turned over P196.27 million worth of  infrastructure and enterprise subprojects in Zamboanga del Norte.

DA Secretary William Dar led the turn over ceremony at the province last January 31, 2020. Present during the ceremony were DA Region 9 Regional Executive Director Rad Donn Cedeño, DA-PRDP Deputy Project Director Engr. Danilo T. Alesna, RPCO-9 IBUILD Unit Head Engr. Juanito Taripe, PSO Mindanao IBUILD Head Engr. Ma. Fe Gabunales along with officials from the local government unit of Zamboanga del Norte headed by Governor Roberto Uy, Cong. Isagani Amatong, and Tampilisan Mayor Angeles Carloto II.

With the turn-over, the 13.83 kilometers Poblacion- Farmington- Galingon-Balacbaan -Cabong-Tilubog farm-to-market road (FMR) worth P188.17M can now cater to the needs of  the 9,659 beneficiaries living within the nearby communities.

In his message Sec. Dar said that improving the agricultural sector for the farmers is a battle cry shared by the national government, represented by the Department of Agriculture, and the Local Government Units.

Ribbon cutting ceremony (photo by Ramil Sotto/ RPCO 9)

“The Department of Agriculture will help the countryside in partnership with LGU’s and other stakeholders in order to reduce poverty. We know that those who belong to the poverty line are usually farmers and fishermen. That’s the very reason why we are giving focus and attention to those projects that will not only increase the productivity and competitiveness of the farmers, but can also increase their income so they can be able to buy basic needs including their food,” said Sec. Dar.

Turnover of Swine Production and Marketing projects under the IREAP component to the proponent groups

Aside from the FMR, Sec. Dar led the turn-over of four checks for two subprojects under the Enterprise Development (IREAP) component of DA-PRDP worth P1.79 million and P1.81 million to the Province of Zamboanga del Norte with another check for P2. 24 million to Salug Small Coconut Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative, and lastly a check for P2.26 million to the Kapunungan sa Mag-uuma sa Paraiso for the Swine Production and Marketing Enterprise project.

Governor Uy also expressed his appreciation to all the support that the province received especially for these projects that are expected to uplift the lives of many farmers in Zamboanga del Norte.

“Today we sing our hearts out to the Lord for this glorious blessing that He has given to our province,” Uy said. “This FMR traversing 6 barangays is a gift and a blessing for the people of the province of Zamboanga del Norte.”  (Joy Montecalvo)