NORTH COTABATO, June 22, 2020 — A promise was fulfilled when the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program – Central Office downloaded Php 6.1 million to the province for the benefit of 600 farmers, who were affected by the earthquakes in 2019, during a ceremony held in Amas Provincial Capitol, Kidapawan City.

The fund will help farmers from the municipalities of Makilala, Tulunan, Magpet, and Kidapawan City restore and support their farming activities. 

Furthermore, North Cotabato already benefited from the SAAD’s FY 2017 fund, with a total of Php 25 million. It supported 4 projects for rice, corn, high value, and livestock production for 5,020 individual farmer-beneficiaries.

During the turn-over ceremony, Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Sustines Balanag expressed his deep appreciation to the Department of Agriculture (DA) and SAAD program for the continued support of the food production program in North Cotabato, Dr. Balanag was also thankful to SAAD program Director Myer Mula for immediate action to download this Php 6. 1 million to assist 600 SAAD disaster-stricken beneficiaries.

Dr. Balanag also shared that aside from the projects, DA Region 12 has also turned-over 1,000 packs of sinigang seeds and 4,300 packs of pinakbet seeds. The distribution is part of DA’s goal of intensifying the promotion of urban agriculture in the country.

DA Region 12 Regional Executive Director Arlan Mangelen was grateful to DA Secretary William Dar and President Rodrigo Duterte for the opportunities that the SAAD gave to several municipalities and less fortunate people in Region 12. 

He said, “Food production is always our major concern in the department. We will win against the threats of hunger by securing sustainable food production in this time of health crisis.” ###

Writers: 

Justin Garcia Aquino RFO 12 Rafis, 

Jemiema Arro PR and Communication Officer