Prov’l gov’t eyes passage of organic agri ordinance

The Cebu provincial government through the Provincial Agriculture Office is pushing for the approval of organic agriculture ordinance.

Provincial Agriculturist Roldan Saragena said it is the farmers’ right to choose the method of farming, thus the need of an ordinance that will protect those interested in organic agriculture.

“It is a farming option, not necessarily mandatory, naa man didto sa ordinance sa farmers’ rights, naa man ta mga farmers sa Cebu na inclined into organic farming, so dapat naa ta’y ordinance nga mo-cover og protect nila,” said Saragena.

Saragena said farmers who will engage in organic agriculture will be given support services from training to marketing, including the labeling of products, pricing and securing market outlets.

“Mohatag gud og medyo taas-taas na presyo sa ilang produkto kay zero chemical, purely organic, safe and nutritious,” said Saragena.

Under the ordinance, Saragena said a certification is required for farmers who are into organic farming.

The Provincial Organic Agriculture Ordinance, which is authored by Provincial Board Member Alex S. Binghay, aims to adopt organic agriculture as a main farming practice in Cebu.

A public hearing on the ordinance was held three days ago, attended by farmer representatives from different towns, municipal agriculturist, agriculture officers, academe and other concerned sectors.

During the hearing, some representatives raised concerns about the component of the ordinance, including the composition of Cebu Provincial Organic Agriculture Board and the yearly budget.

According to the ordinance, the CPOAB shall be composed of provincial governor as chairperson, Provincial Interior and Local Government Officer (DILG) as vice chair, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer, Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (DAR), school superintendent (DepEd), director of Trade and Industry (DTI), director of Science and Technology (DOST), director of Health (DOH), representatives from academe, NGOs, Agribusiness firm and three representatives from small farmers.

However, the representatives wanted to include municipal agriculturist representatives in the CPOAB.

Saragena said the yearly budget for the organic agriculture program has also been discussed.

“P5 million ang initial budget na na-propose then aprobahan na sa Provincial Board,” he said.

Saragena said Binghay has been pursuing for the fast approval of the ordinance so farmers can finally engage in organic agriculture. — Jean Edith Anne P. Costelo, USJ-R Intern/LPM