NEGROS ORIENTAL—Farmer-partners from six (6) Local Government Units (LGUs) of Negros Oriental were provided by the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program with rice cutters in Siaton, Basay, La Libertad, Canlaon, Mabinay, and Tayasan on 20 and 22-24 August 2018.

Events in Siaton and Basay on 20 August were attended by SAAD Area Coordinator (AC) Mr. Andro Shalom Ramirez and Siaton LGU staff, headed by its OIC-Municipal Agricultural Officer (MAO) Mr. Nestor K. Macahig. Siaton Municipal Federated Farmer’s Association was awarded with six (6) units of rice cutters, as received by their Association President Mr. Ricardo Bucog. Basay LGU staff, headed by its MAO Mr. Rady O. Morados awarded one (1) rice cutter unit to Cabigti-an Cayangcangon Tambo Colos Farmers Association, as received by its President Mr. Neil Jay C. Academia.

A total of five (5) units were awarded on 22 August, Canlaon LGU staff headed by OIC-City Agricultural Officer Ms. Andrea C. Canoy assisted with the awarding of one (1) unit of rice cutter to Budlasan Agri-Farm Family and Irrigator’s Association to its President Mr. Elmer G. Encarnacion; two (2) units to Bucalan Farmers Irrigators Association, received by its President Mr. Nilo Y. Canopin Sr.; and two (2) units to Masulog Agro-forestry Farmers Association, received by its Association President Mr. Eric C. Eleccion.

Meanwhile, one (1) unit each went to two (2) associations in Mabinay namely, Barangay Tara Farm Family Association, received by President Mr. Felix Martin Sr.; and Bato Hapsay Rural Improvement Club, given to its President Ms. Merlita B. Bineas on 23 August 2018.

This was facilitated by the hardworking people behind the SAAD Program, including AC Mr. Rico Sienes, assisted by the Mabinay LGU staff headed by MA Ms. Melanie A. Malacapay.

On the next day, 24 August, SAAD AC Mr. Ryan Maribojoc, together with Tayasan LGU staff headed by MA Ms. Sarah V. Ignacio, awarded a total of five (5) rice cutter units to three (3) associations in the municipality.

These are Pinalubngan Farmer Association with one (1) unit, as received by its President Mr. Dieger D. Pacunla; two (2) units to Pinocawan Farmer Association, received by President Mr. Jeson D. Carinal; and two (2) units that went to Tanlad Farmer Association, as awarded to the Association President Ms. Edith G. Paculanang.

The farmers were so grateful to the SAAD program upon receiving the postharvest equipment. The rice cutter aims to lessen the farmer-partners’ harvest time and effort, as well as to maintain the good quality of produce.

All distributions were assisted by SAAD Negros Oriental staff, led by its Provincial Coordinator (PC) Mr. Jaypee S. Soldivillo, Area Coordinators (ACs) Ms. Maria Angelina Cubalan, Ms. Marcelina Cabonelas, and SAAD ITs Mr. Francis Ray Ozoa and Mr. Karl Cabonelas.

An upcoming distribution of rice seeds is slated this coming October 2018. ###

Writer: Ela Arciaga, SAAD NPMO PR & Communications Officer