The leadership of the Province of Surigao del Norte sees the potential of agriculture to uplift the lives of its constituents.

In an agricultural development meeting on September 8, 2022, with the Department of Agriculture-Caraga and the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte held at the Provincial Capitol in Surigao City, Governor Robert Lyndon S. Barbers disclosed that agriculture is one of his priority agenda.

“We’ve been experiencing the pandemic, in which agriculture is the only sector that remains standing. During calamities, our immediate need is food, hence, agriculture is very important for all,” the Governor said.

Representative Barbers, on the other hand, noted the importance of constant dialogue with agricultural stakeholders to ensure joint and unified agricultural directions between LGU and the national government.

“It is high time to focus more on agriculture to uplift the lives of our constituents,” Congressman Barbers said.

Governor Barbers, Congressman Barbers, local chief executives from municipalities, other provincial and municipal officials, and representatives from OneDA family in the region attended the said agricultural development meeting.

DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Engr. Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr. briefed the LGU officials on the projects and programs of DA emphasizing the importance of collaboration between DA and LGU in achieving the common goal of having a sufficient food supply.

“Agriculture projects is a big investment on the part of the government, we must ensure its sustainability and it should be located in a strategic location based on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan on every LGU concerned,” Director Oñate stressed.

He added that the local chief executives being at the forefront in agriculture development or food czar may directly, through their LGU, procure farmer’s produce based on Sagip Saka Act.

Section 11 of Sagip Saka Act which was signed into law in 2019 authorizes all government offices and local government units to directly buy goods and produce from accredited farmers and fisherfolk cooperatives.  

Jodel Tabada, Deputy Project Director of DA-Philippine Rural Development Program (DA-PRDP) also discussed the salient points of the said special project and its implementation milestones.

Gemma Asufre, OneDA Sustainable Feed Development Program dubbed as”Team Bahug” Project Leader shared the initiative of local feed formulation with the use of raw materials available in the region. On the other hand, Acting Project Development Officer IV Jell Carphe C. Tamparong and PCA-SDN, OIC- Lyndon L. Verano Philippine Coconut Authority Provincial Office also shared about Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP).

The participants voiced their concerns and clarifications to iron out and speed up the motion in implementing agricultural projects and programs with the concerned agencies.(Aurellius Arais/DA-RAFIS13)