OCCIDENTAL MINDORO, OCTOBER 09, 2020 – In line with the government’s anti-poverty program, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Region 4B turned-over a total of Php 3,245,750.00 worth of farm equipment and tools to 6 farmer organizations belonging to the Buhid-Mangyan Indigenous People (IP) in the municipality of Rizal.

The provision of income-generating agricultural livelihood projects of SAAD under FY 2020 is aligned to the state’s initiative on insurgency prevention by promoting farming activities, advancing poverty reduction, and improving the quality of life of marginalized groups in the countryside.

On October 2, 2020, the program delivered the implement consisting of a reaper amounting to Php 224,000.000 (Php 244,000.00/unit); a thresher with engine (Php 154,500.00); 8 units of hand tractor with complete accessories (Php 1,199,200.00); 9 units of pump and engine with complete accessories (Php 895,500.00); 12 units of collapsible dryer (Php 418,200.00); 45 sets of farm tools (Php 253,350.00); and 18 sets of farm implements (Php 81,000.00).

SAAD Rice Production Project 2020

The Pangkalikasang Samahan ng Buhid sa Bato Singit with 59 rice farmer-beneficiaries from Brgy. Manoot, Rizal received a total Php 711,850.00 worth of interventions under the SAAD FY 2020 fund. The assistance includes two sets of farm implements – plow and harrow (Php 9,000.00); two units of hand tractors with complete accessories (Php 299,800.00); three units of collapsible dryer (Php 104,550.00); and three units of pump and engine with complete accessories (Php 298,500.00).

Meanwhile, Samahan ng Katutubong Buhid sa Sitio Panlabayan 2 with 36 rice farmer-beneficiaries obtained a project worth Php 612,350.00 which include two sets of farm implements – plow and harrow (Php 9,000.00); two units of hand tractors with complete accessories (Php 299,800.00); two units of pump and engine with complete accessories (Php 199,000.00); and three units of collapsible dryer (Php 104,550.00).

The Kalipunan ng Tribung Buhid Lanaban, Kasuyan at Langog is composed of 74 rice farmers from Sitio Kasuyan in Brgy. Manoot as well as Sitio Lanaban and Sitio Langog in Brgy. Rizal. The association received a total Php 1,295,100.00 worth of equipment consisting of a reaper (Php 244,000.00); a thresher with engine (Php 154,500.00); two sets of farm implements – plow and harrow (Php 9,000.00); three units of hand tractors with complete accessories (Php 449,700.00); three units of pump and engine with complete accessories (Php 298,500.00); and four units of collapsible dryer (Php 139,400.00).

SAAD Ginger Production Project 2020

Forty-three (43) ginger farmer-beneficiaries in Sitio Natob, Brgy. Manoot belonging to the Mamamayang Kabalikat sa Pangangalaga ng Kagubatan (MAKAPAKA) were granted with Php 219,600.00 worth of equipment namely: a unit of hand tractor with complete accessories and two units of collapsible dryer.

SAAD Cassava Production Project 2020

Forty-eight (48) members of the Samahan ng Katutubong Buhid sa Sitio Albunan 1, cassava farmer-beneficiaries from Sitio Albunan, Brgy. Manoot, received assistance for cassava production amounting to Php 222,900.00. The group received 12 sets of farm implements and 30 sets of farm tools (each set consists of 1 pala, asarol, kalaykay, spading fork, piko, sprinkler, and wheelbarrow).

SAAD Vegetable Production Project 2020

Samahang Magsasaka ng Gulay sa Tabing Ilog ng Amaling II from Brgy. Manoot with 21 vegetable grower-beneficiaries received assistance for their vegetable production project with a total amount of Php 183,950.00. The assistance includes a pump and engine, and 15 sets of farm tools (consisting of pala, asarol, kalaykay, spading fork, piko, sprinkler, and wheelbarrow).

Attending the ceremonies were Hon. Coco Mendiola, PGO SAMARICA representing Occidental Mindoro Governor Eduardo B. Gadiano, Vice Governor Peter J. Alfaro, Provincial Board Member Sonia Pablo, Mayor of Rizal – Hon. Ernesto C. Pablo, Jr., Gerardo L. Laredo (ACC II, APCO), Jessie S. Celestino (Rizal Municipal Agriculturist), Jehu Michael Q. Barrientos (Special Projects Coordinator-Office of Provincial Agriculture), Voltaire Valdez (ELCAC Coordinator), MAO staff, and barangay officials and representatives.

Mario S. Paz, Jr. (SAAD Area Coordinator ng Rizal), Jouriel Tolosa (SAAD Provincial IT), and Lawrence Aguilar (APCO Farm Worker) assisted in the turn-over.

A blessing ceremony for the farm equipment and tools was held after the turn-over, conducted by Rev. Roy T. Panes. Corporal Jonathan Sales of the Armed Forces of the Philippines gave a message on promoting peace and order in the area by encouraging beneficiaries to become fully active in reviving agriculture in the area. ###

Writer: Marshall Louie Asis, DA-SAAD MIMAROPA Information Officer

Reference and photos: Mario Paz, SAAD Area Coordinator