Refinement in funding farmers sought

BAGUIO - The Province of Apayao is set to seek a refinement in the P200 million allocation by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in the Cordillera to identified farmer beneficiaries to ensure the funding will be put to good use.

In a recent Regional Development, Peace and Order Council meeting in Luna, Apayao, Governor Elias Bulut Jr. stressed a possible waste of funding allocation due to the non-availability of lands subject for farming.

“The funding allocation by the Department of Agriculture for the province for four years amounts to P50 million per year starting 2016, however there is a problem in the identification of recipients,” the governor said.

Based on the process of identification by the DA, they identified Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program’s beneficiaries being poorest of the poor who are receiving a monthly amount from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The provincial chief executive pointed out the need to define the absorptive capacity of the beneficiaries which to date is negative.

“Those given farm implements like seeds, fertilizers and even tractors might be put to waste as there are no available lands to farm and cultivate,” Bulut stressed.

He explained close to 13,000 hectares have been irrigated in the province based on the records of the National Irrigation Administration. SS-Baguio

Merlinda A. Pedrosa/SS-Bacolod TOURISM WEEK. The colorful Tourism Week exhibit, which runs until September 15, with the theme ‘Tourism for Sustainable Development, Fusion of Cultures' is displayed at the Bacolod City Government Center Lobby.