A ceremonial turnover of cheques worth P11.9 million from the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) representing the second tranche of support to the United Peoples Organization Highland Vegetables Production and Trading Enterprise in the Municipality of Alegria, Cebu brought renewed hope to farmers in the upland barangays of Alegria affected by the damages of typhoon Odette in December 2022, resulting to a wipe out of their planted produce.

The ceremony signals the start of the local government’s procurement process leading to the construction of Alegria’s very own Trading Post and the purchasing of the delivery and hauling trucks that will further complement the enterprises’ vegetable production in the future.

Present during the activity were Alegria Mayor Verna Magallon, Vice Mayor Dr. Gilbert Magallon, David Amrinto, I-REAP Component Head of RPCO 7, and the proponent group (PG) led by Lepantohanong Hugpong sa Kalamboan (LEHUK), along with its five (5) cluster members composed of Sta. Filomena Farmers and Fisherfolk Association (SFFFA), Valencia Inghoy Farmers Associations (VIFA), Guadalupe Farmers Association (GUFA), Compostela Farmers Association (COMFA), and Mag-uumang Lumulopyo sa Montpeller (MALUMO). (Bexmae Jumao-as, RPCO 7, Writer)