DA turns over P7.2-M farm infra projects, eqp’t to Tawi Tawi town

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) has turned over to a municipality in Tawi Tawi P7.2 million worth of farm infrastructure projects and equipment.

Turned over recently to Panglima Sugala mayor Regie Sahali-Generale are a one-kilometer farm- to- market road, a new trading station, as well as eight units of cassava graters.

The new farm-to-market road connects Barangay Thumbhill to Sitio Siola that covers 250 hectares of growing areas for bananas, cassava, coconut, and rice.

The trading post, meanwhile, is in Barangay Batu-Batu where it now serves as the main marketplace in the entire municipality.

The eight units of cassava grater and pressers were distributed to various farmer associations (FA). These are: Interior Magsaggao FA and Upper Magsaggao FA in Barangay Magsaggao; Kabbun Jati FA in Barangay Sumangday; Thumbhill FA in Barangay Thumbhill; Batu-Batu FA in Barangay Batu-Batu; Kulape Kasanyangan FA, Kulape Karayawan FA and Kasambuhan FA in Barangay Kulape.

The projects are funded under the DA’s Support to Emergency Livelihood Assistance Project (SELAP) program. The local government of Panglima Sugala provided a counterpart fund of around P700,000 for the projects.

SELAP is a special project of the DA funded by a US loan under United States Public Law 480. The program aims to accelerate rural development in Mindanao. Its components are: rural infrastructure development, livelihood assistance, capability building and program management.

 â€œThe FMR (farm-to-market road) will allow the farmers to bring their agri-products to the market much faster and with less crop damage. This road would also allow the entry of basic services to the area such as health support, education, including eco-tourism opportunities. I am thankful, the people of Panglima Sugala are all grateful for these projects. We will take care of these projects to last a long time,” said Sahali-Generale.