QUEZON CITY, Jan. 6 – The province of Marinduque received P6.3 million worth of agricultural assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the rehabilitation program for both agriculture and fishery industries badly damaged by typhoon Nina.
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol led the distribution of equipment to almost 500 affected farmers and fisherfolk during the stakeholders’ consultation in Boac, Marinduque on January 5, 2017.
“I am amazed by the resilience of the Marinduque people,” Piñol said.
The rehabilitation assistance includes 1,000 bags of certified palay seeds, 50 bags of OPV white corn seeds, 50 bags of ordinary hybrid corn seeds, 40 kilos of assorted vegetable seeds, 30,000 pieces of coffee planting materials, 65,000 pieces of cacao planting materials, 65 heads of upgraded dairy goats, 35, 376 pieces of drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry industry and 50 marine engines.
The agri chief also announced the establishment of the Provincial Lakatan Nursery amounting to P10 million to propagate the production of banana industry in the province.
“Bibilhin namin ang semilya ng Lakatan dito sa probinsya at palalakihin sa nursery tapos ibabalik at ipapamigay muli namin sa inyo ang mga ito,” Piñol said adding that if the bananas in the province do not suffer any disease then it is better to protect its seedlings for production.
During the consultation, Sec. Piñol addressed concerns of farmers and fishers including rampant cases of dynamite fishing in the province and insurance for crops and boats damaged during the onslaught of the typhoon.
He also recommended the creation of the National Cooperative for Farmers and Fisherfolk, which will help in the monitoring of cooperatives in the country.
“This will provide the cooperatives control on the movement of their own goods,” he said.
“We want you to know that whatever you are, we will always be there to address for all your needs,” he added.
Typhoon Nina has damaged 1,431 hectares (ha) of rice areas and 33 ha of corn areas. (DA-PIA)