DA allots P67M for infra projects in Siargao

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is allotting an initial P67 million to finance several agricultural and fishery infrastructure projects in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, to enable the province to attain sufficiency in the production of rice, white corn, other staple crops, vegetables and fisheries products.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said the department would initially help Siargao produce 100 percent of its rice requirements within two to three years. The island currently has the capacity to produce 37 percent of its rice requirements.

The DA, through the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), would fund this year the construction and rehabilitation of irrigation systems amounting to P30 million.

To complement the irrigation facilities, the national rice program would also construct a P2-million community seed bank in Del Carmen town, provide P1.5million worth of farm machinery and farm inputs particularly registered rice seeds for propagation into certified seeds, and put up an organic fertili er or vermincomposting facility worth P540,000.

Alcala also committed to survey areas where small water impounding systems (SWIPs) or mini-dams could be constructed by the NIA or the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM).

He said the DA would also undertake five farm-to-market roads (FMR) projects in three towns (San Isidro, Del Carmen and Dapa) worth P20 million and establish a 50-hectare coconut seed nursery in Del Carmen worth P9 million through the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).

The DA through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has also provided fisherfolk groups with one motori ed banca, 10 units of 16-HP boat engines and 20 gill nets totaling P1 million.

The DA- BFAR would also identify potential marine sanctuaries, and explore expansion areas for seaweed production.

Siargao has a 5,000-hectare mangrove area considered as the largest in the country. It is also a rich fishing ground and a major source of tuna, shrimps, lobsters, crabs and seaweeds.

The DA through the Mindanao Rural Development Program also committed to provide P2 million worth of infrastructure and livelihood projects for the town of Socorro.