SARANGANI, May 29, 2020 –   Forty percent of Sarangani’s population is composed of indigenous tribes – the Blaan, Tboli, and Tagakaulo. A total of 210 Indigenous People (IP) beneficiaries received open-pollinated variety (OPV) white corn seeds from the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) during a month-long distribution in the 7 municipalities of the province.

A total of 420 sacks of OPV white corn seeds were provided to IPs from Barangay Small Margus, Glan (30 beneficiaries); Barangays Upper Suyan (15 beneficiaries) and Kihan (15 beneficiaries) in Malapatan; Barangay Pag Asa, Alabel (30 beneficiaries); Barangay Kawayan (15 beneficiaries) and San Roque (15 beneficiaries) in Malungon; Barangay Kablacan, Maasim (30 beneficiaries); Barangay Tambilil, Kiamba (30 beneficiaries); and Barangay Upo, Maitum (30 beneficiaries). Each farmer received two sacks worth Php 2,800 of corn seeds.

The seeds are part of the OPV White Corn Production Project for FY 2020 budget, which costs Php 588,000 to cover a total of 150 hectares. The project aims to provide assistance to IPs by uplifting their living condition out of poverty.

With the support of the Sarangani Provincial Government Unit and Municipal Local Government Units (MLGUs), SAAD Region 12 team easily distributed the seeds despite the COVID-19 pandemic. ###

 Writer: Jemiema Arro, Public Relations and Communications officer