SIQUIJOR, August 9, 2021 – The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) program Region 7 turned over 50 units of 20-kilogram (kg) capacity weighing scales worth Php 192,500 to 11 farmer groups in Siquijor on July 28.

Forty units of the weighing scales were given to the Dragon Fruit Pioneer Producers Association of Siquijor (40 members) under the Support to Dragon Fruit Production Project.

Under the Corn-Peanut Production Project, 10 units (one per association) were distributed to Hugpong sa mga Makugihong Magbabaol sa Cang-asa (50 members), Pasihagon Tongo FA (55 members), Kahayag FA (55 members), Logucan Livelihood FA (44 members), Cangmangki FA (30 members), Cambalaguio Balogo Corn and Peanut Growers Association (56 members), The Old Enchanted Corn and Peanut Producers Association (56 members), Gabayan Corn and Peanut Producers Association (83 members), Timbaon Corn and Peanut Producers Association (39 members), and Tambisan FA (40 members).

The said equipment will be useful to the groups’ active participation at the monthly KADIWA Market Day.

The distribution was held at the DA Provincial Agriculture Technology Coordinating Office (PATCO), North Poblacion, Larena, Siquijor.

Mr.  Glen Tambajoyot, president of Hugpong sa mga Makugihong Magbabaol sa Cang-asa of Cang-asa, expressed his gratitude to the government and the SAAD Program for providing interventions which are useful from planting to marketing.

Office of the Provincial Agriculturist Mr. Emigdio P. Coretico, High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) Provincial Coordinator Lowel B. Salve, Corn and Cassava Provincial Coordinator Jimbo Israel C. Casalta, Agriculturist II Rodolfo S. Anulacion, Senior Science Research Specialist – Inspector Pepito N. Balolong, SAAD Provincial Coordinator Agnes Guanella M. Café, and SAAD Siquijor were present for the distribution of intervention.

DA SAAD Region 7 has allocated a budget of Php 533,500 for Support to the Corn-Peanut Production Project and Php 180,400 for Support to the Dragon Fruit Production Project in 2021. All other interventions under the said projects will be distributed in the coming months. ###

Writer: Jolina Daño, Information Officer- DA-SAAD Region 7

Copy-editor: Natalianne Marie O. Delos Reyes