KALINGA, October 16, 2020 – Fourteen (14) new barangays in Kalinga were added to the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program’s implementation in eight covered municipalities – Balbalan, Pinukpuk, Lubuagan, Rizal, Tanudan, Tinglayan, Pasil, and Tabuk City. The local government units (LGUs) actively participated in the social preparation activities conducted by the program from October 7 to 16, 2020.
The first set of seven (7) barangays are Ba-ay (83 farmers), Limos (157 farmers), and Wagud (73 farmers) of Pinukpuk; Mabaca (79 farmers), Balantoy (158 farmers) of Balbalan; and Western Uma of Lubuagan (91 farmers) already conducted the activity which was attended by 641 farmers.
Discussed during the community consultations are information about the program, its target communities, farmer-beneficiaries to be identified, and the establishment of farmer associations and agri-enterprise.
The participants also conferred about the roles of farmers in achieving sustainable and successful livelihood projects, such as constructing animal housing and buying or producing feeds on their own.
Mrs. Anita Caldengon, the Municipal Agriculturist (MA) of Balbalan, said that barangay Mabaca is very fortunate to be included as a recipient of the program because this barangay is remotely located where government assistance is minimal. So, she encouraged each community member to sustain the livelihood projects that will be provided by the program because it will help them earn additional income.
Barangay captain Mr. Augusto Dangiwan of Ba-ay, Pinukpuk also shared his gratitude for the program.
“Agyaman kami iti pagsayaatan nga indanun ti DA tapnu makaangat kami iti rigat ti panagbyag.” , he said.
The remaining seven barangays will conduct their social preparation in the last week of October. These are barangay Lay-asan, San Quintin, San Francisco, Ambato, Mallango, Guina-ang, Dupag, and Bagumbayan.
The province has an allotted budget of Php 48,493,685.00 for FY 2021 with projects consisting of high-value crops, livestock, and poultry production. Identified beneficiaries for Kalinga are 1,163 individual farmers who will be organized into 14 groups. ###
Writers: Sheena Phine Pisco, Information Officer I, Kalinga
Copy Editor: Jennifer Valcobero, SAAD NPMO Public Relation and Comms Officer
