Central Luzon benefits from P572 million agriculture projects

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture has released P572 million worth of agricultural projects to Central Luzon as part of efforts to beef up partnership with local government units.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar turned over P572.3 million worth of agricultural projects and interventions to the provinces of Pampanga, Tarlac, Aurora and Bataan over the weekend.

Dar said the DA would make it a priority to partner with LGUs in implementing programs that push value chain strategies and transform the sector into an industry.

“We have to treat agriculture as a business now, and we will do so by seeing to it that the national government’s partnership with the local government is strong and enduring,” he said.

Among the projects turned over were three farm-to-market road projects, under the Philippine Rural Development Project’s I-BUILD component.

This include the 15.03-kilometer FMR which transverse through San Antonio, Parang and Saysain in Bagac in Bataan.

Other PRDP projects included the establishment of trading stations for mango and mungbean, a consolidation area for sweet potato planting materials, and the supply and delivery of farm machineries and equipment for small livelihoods.

Total cost of awards under the I-REAP component amounts to P14.3 million.

Dar also acknowledged Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda for supporting the initiatives of the DA and for following the guidelines set to manage, contain and control the African Swine Fever (ASF). Pampanga is one of the areas with ASF.

Under a credit program, the DA has made available P30,000 zero-interest loan to hog raisers affected by ASF to allow them to start livelihood projects.  The credit is payable in three years.