OCCIDENTAL MINDORO, JULY 15, 2020 – The DA-SAAD Region 4B has implemented livelihood projects and distributed interventions totaling to Php 2,451,640.00 to five municipalities namely; Magsaysay, Abra de Ilog, Sta. Cruz, Rizal, and Paluan, Occidental Mindoro beneficiaries despite global pandemic.

SAAD Projects in Abra de Ilog

Beneficiaries from Abra de Ilog received a total of Php 788,640.00 worth of project  (Lowland Rainfed Rice Production and Vegetable Production Projects) in support to two barangays – Brgy. Balao and Brgy. Udalo.

From the aforementioned budget, assorted vegetable seeds weighing 59.5 kg, worth Php 360,000.00 was distributed to subsidize the Vegetable Production Project in the said barangays on June 3, 2020.

SAAD Area Coordinators led the distribution of seeds to the beneficiaries in Sitio Nangka, and Brgy. Balao in addition to multiple state-provided interventions such as 4Ps (Pantawid ng Pamilyang Pilipino Program) and MCCT (Modified Conditional Cash Transfer) programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Ms. Leonisa Panganiban Lastra, team leader in Sitio Nangka, said “nagpapasalamat kami sa DA-SAAD MIMAROPA at nabigyan kami ng mga pananim hindi lamang para sa pansarili namin pangangailan, pandagdag din ito sa aming kabuhayan.”

She emphasized that the vegetables they will produce will sustain their daily consumption during the CoViD-19 pandemic. “Mai-aapply rin naming mga taga Brgy. Balao ang natutuhan naming tungkol sa pagtatanim ng mga gulay sa paraan ng organic farming.” Ms. Lastra added.

On June 4, seeds of talong, okra, sitao, patola, upo, kalabasa, siling panigang, kangkong, and ampalaya were given to the residents of Brgy. Udalo. A total of 360 packets of seeds were turned-over to members of Udalo Vegetable Farmers’ Association led by Chairman Gavin Malatipan.

“Ako po ay nagpapasalamat sa DA-SAAD Region 4B sa mga buto ng gulay na ipinagkaloob sa aming barangay. Malaking tulong po ito sa problema namin sa malnutrisyon. Ito po ay para sa kalusugan ng mga mamamayan ng Brgy. Udalo,” said Mr. Malatipan. He hopes that SAAD’s Vegetable Production project in their community will solve the problem of malnutrition which is common among community members.

Under the Lowland Rain-fed Rice Production, 282 bags of certified seeds worth Php 428, 640 were received by the beneficiaries from Abra de Ilog.

On June 17, certified rice seeds (NSIC Rc160 (TUBIGAN 14) and PSB Rc18 (ALA) varieties were awarded to members of 6 farmer organizations in Brgy. Balao namely: Golden Rice Farmers’ Association, Magsasakang Matiyaga Farmers’ Association, Arangkada Palayan Farmers’ Association, Patubig sa Bukid Farmers’ Association, Isulong ang Maunlad na Palayan Farmers’ Association, and Patubigan Farmers’ Association.

Mr. Erick Sinigmayon, Isulong ang Maunlad na Palayan Farmers’ Association chairperson, thanked SAAD for the rice seeds turned-over to their organization. “Kami po ay nagpapasalamat sa DA-SAAD Region 4B sa mga subsidiyang binhi. Nawa’y patuloy pa ang suporta ng programa para sa aming mga magsasaka,” said Mr. Sinigmayon.

SAAD Projects in Magsaysay

Beneficiaries in three barangays in Magsaysay received a total of Php 572,000.00 in support of Lowland Rainfed – Rice Production, Corn Production, and Vegetable Production projects. The barangays covered by SAAD projects are Brgy. Calawag, Brgy. Laste, and Brgy. Nicolas with a total of 394 farmer-beneficiaries.

Under the Lowland Rainfed – Rice Production project, 200 bags of certified seeds worth Php 304,000.00 were distributed to the beneficiaries. On June 12, Laste Rice Farmers’ Association received 100 bags of NSIC Rc160 (Tubigan 14) seeds.  On June 9, Palayan Farmers Association received 100 bags of inbred PSB Rc18 (ALA) seeds which the members will plant this wet season.

“Lubos po akong nagpapasalamat sa natanggap naming binhing palay. Makakatulong po ito para mabawasan ang gastusin namin sa pagsasaka,” said Mr. Raymond Masangkay, chairperson of Palayan Farmers Association. He is thankful to SAAD because their association saved Php 152,000 worth of seeds.

For the Corn Production project, 100 bags of OPV white corn seeds worth Php 160,000.00 were turned over to 104 farmer beneficiaries in Sitio Bamban, Brgy. Nicolas (60 bags) and Sitio Calachuchi, Brgy. Alibog (40 bags).

DA-SAAD Region 4B Area Coordinators and the staff of MAO -Magsaysay distributed the OPV/WC IPB Var 6 corn seeds to members of the Samahang Ratagnon ng Sitio Bamban led by chairperson, Mr. Johnny Magbanua.

Under the Vegetable Production Project, 17.85 kg of assorted vegetable seeds amounting to Php 108,000.00 were distributed to 88 farmer-beneficiaries in Brgy. Calawag and Brgy. Laste. Two farmer groups; Cagulayan Farmers’ Association (34 members) and Laste Vegetable Group (54 members), were the beneficiaries of kalabasa, ampalaya, okra, talong, upland kangkong, patola, pole sitaw,  siling-panigang, and upo seeds.

Ms. Hilda Masangkay, Cagulayan Farmers Association chairperson in Brgy. Calawag, expressed her appreciation for the vegetable seeds that they will use in their backyard gardens. “Ito po ay malaking tulong sa aming pamilya na kung saan kapag gumanda po ang aming pananim, hindi na kami bibili ng mga gulay kundi kami pa ang puwedeng mamigay sa ibang bahay o kaya ay maipagbili rin kung gumanda na ang mga bunga nito,” she said.

“Inaasahan po namin na makakatulong ito sa aming hanap-buhay at pang-araw-araw na kinikita, at sa pangangailangan ng aming pamilya. Maraming maraming salamat po,” said Ms. Norma Zurita, chairperson of Laste Vegetable Group in Brgy. Laste. The Vegetable Production Project is a big help for their families and will provide them with additional source of income.

As of the 27th of June 2020, members of the Cagulayan Farmers Association have begun planting assorted seeds for their backyard gardens. They will hold a meeting to discuss the location of their Communal Vegetable Garden during the dry season. They need to identify a place with sufficient water supply for the vegetable seeds that will be planted.

SAAD Projects in Rizal

A total of Php 567,000.00 worth of interventions to support the Vegetable Production and Ginger Production projects were turned-over to the beneficiaries from two barangays (Brgy. Manoot and Brgy. Rumbang) in the municipality of Rizal.

Under the Vegetable Production, DA-SAAD Region 4B distributed 47.6 kg assorted vegetable seeds worth Php 288,000.00; 100 kg of mungbean worth Php 20,000.00; and 2 units worth Php 199,000.00 pump and engine with complete accessories.

Gawad Kalinga Rumbang Kapitbahayan Livelihood Association in Brgy. Rumbang received 540 packs of assorted vegetable seeds (talong, okra, siling panigang, sitaw, upo, kalabasa, patola, kangkong, and ampalaya) on June 2. Ms. Criselda Francisco, chairperson of the said association with 52 members was grateful for the assistance they received from the government.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa DA sa ibinigay nila na mga seeds para masimulan na ang livelihood namin na gulayan. Ang pagtatanim namin ng gulay ay malaking tulong sa para maiangat ang antas ng kabuhayan sa pamayanan,” said Ms. Francisco.

Later in June 26, DA SAAD coordinators in Rizal facilitated the awarding of pump and engine with complete accessories for the Vegetable Production Project of Gawad Kalinga Rumbang Kapitbahayan Livelihood Association. Ms. Criselda Francisco thanked SAAD and underscored the importance of the equipment received by the organization since water supply is their primary concern.

“Lubos na makakatulong ang makina sa aming pagsasaka dahil isa sa mga suliranin namin ay ang patubig. Ang pinagkukunan ng patubig para sa isang ektaryang gulayan ay nangggagaling lamang sa mga poso,” shared Ms. Francisco.

For the Ginger Production project, a total of 300 kg of ginger rhizomes worth Php 60,000.00 were turned-over to the beneficiaries. Two groups of farmers belonging to the Buhid-Iraya indigenous community in Brgy. Manoot, Mamamayang Kabalikat sa Pangangalaga ng Kagubatan or MAKAPAKA of Sitio Natob and Samahan ng mga Katutubong Buhid Sitio Albunan of Sitio Albunan received interventions on June 23.

SAAD Projects in Sta. Cruz

The Corn Production and Vegetable Production projects in Sta. Cruz have a combined cost of Php 488,000.00, comprising 80 bags of hybrid corn seeds (GM Hybrid) worth Php 380,000.00 and 17.85 kg assorted vegetable seeds worth Php 108,000.00.

On June 9, 2020, 80 sacks of J505 Hybrid GM corn variety were turned-over to 31 farmer-beneficiaries of the Kurtinganan Corn Farmers Association in Brgy. Kurtinganan. “Ako po ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa DA-SAAD Region 4B sa ibinigay na mga buto ng mais. Alam kong malaking tulong ito para sa aming mga magsasaka at sana ay masuportahan pa kami sa mga susunod na panahon,” said Mr. Alfredo Pajayon, chairperson of Kurtinganan Corn Farmers Association.

On June 20, SAAD and the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMA) of Sta. Cruz led the distribution of 540 packets of seeds to 48 farmer-beneficiaries of PinakBest Farmers Association in Brgy. Kurtinganan. Out of the 540 packets, 440 packets will be planted in larger area while 100 packets will be for backyard gardening. Aside from the identified members of the association, there were 10 individuals who received packets of seeds after expressing interest in planting vegetables in their backyard.

The vegetable seeds were planted on June 22 in a 6,000 sqm vacant lot (large area) in an idle space in Kurtinganan Proper. At the same time, seeds of eggplant and siling panigang were planted. Seedlings are scheduled to be transplanted in the second week of July.

 “Kami po ay nagpapasalamat dahil kami ay naabot ng programa ng SAAD. Salamat sa binhing ayuda ng gobyerno, kami po ay nabiyayaan ng ganito. Umaasa po kami na hindi lamang sa mga binhi kundi sa iba pang kagamitang pang-agrikultura ang aming makakamtan,” said Mr. Abraham Nening, PinakBest Farmers Association chairperson.

Members of PinakBest Farmers Association installed fences around the production site and trellis made of bamboo on June 30. The fence would protect their crops while the trellis will provide support where the sitaw could crawl over.

The group, exhibiting bayanihan brought necessary materials and tools like bamboo poles, hammer, nails, and bolo which will be used in cutting grass and bamboo for constructing the fence and trellis.

SAAD Projects in Paluan

For the municipality of Paluan, DA-SAAD Region 4B allotted Php 36,000.00 for the 5.95 kg of assorted vegetable seeds that will be used for the Vegetable Production Project.

SAAD Region 4B led the distribution of talong, okra, siling panigang, sitao, upo, patola, upland kangkong, and ampalaya seeds to Veggie-Harrison Farmer’s Association in Sitio Hinugasan, Brgy. Harrison. The organization led by chairperson, Ms. Apple Gatmaitan has 30 woman-farmer members at the moment.

“Kami po ay tulong-tulong na magtatanim ng mga gulay sa aming pamayanan para kami ay magkaroon ng karagdagang pagkakakitaan. Marami pong salamat sa programang SAAD ng gobyerno,” said Ms. Gatmaitan.

The yield from the Vegetable Production Project will provide their families additional income. Some portions will be shared to other members in the community. “Ibabahagi po namin ang aming maaaning gulay sa aming mga kapitbahay at ang iba ay maibebenta pa namin,” she added.

On June 29 to 30, 2020, the Veggie-Harrison Farmers’ Association led by Ms. Apple Gatmaitan started planting the seeds awarded to the members, monitored by the SAAD-Area Coordinator and Local Farmers Technician. ###

 

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

References: Josephine de Sales, SAAD Planning Officer ; Wily Adrian Vergara, Ian Von Yadao, Jhonzell Panganiban, Vilmar Robes, and Mario Paz (DA SAAD Area Coordinators), and Jouriel Tolosa (DA SAAD IT Staff)

Photos by: Wily Adrian Vergara, Ian Von Yadao, Mario Paz Jr., Vilmar Robes, Jhonzell Panganiban (DA SAAD Area Coordinators), and Jouriel Tolosa (DA SAAD IT Staff)