DA-AMAD, LGU San Franz, Launch 3rd Bagsakan Center in Caraga
Mayor Carl Lademora (right) led the cutting of ribbon to formally open the Bagsakan Center
Gracing the occasion were local officials of San Francisco led by Mayor Carl Elias Lademora, vendors association officers and members, farmers and staff from DA-RFU 13 led by AMAD OIC Servilla Balaan.
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In order for the public to fully understand the project, Balaan shared the overview of the project while municipal vice mayor Bernardino Ursos warmly welcomed all the guests and visitors.
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On his speech Mayor Carl Lademora expressed optimism that the project would greatly contribute to the economic plight of farmers as well as the residents of the area.
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He urged farmers to deliver their produce directly to the Bagsakan Center to eliminate the unscrupulous middle men resulting to the soaring of farm prices sold to the end buyers.
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Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Jennny de Asis representing Governor Valentina Plaza on the other hand reiterated their commitment to fully support the agricultural sector of the province through the necessary legislation and funding.
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To signal the formal start of the operation, Balaan awarded the Certificate to Operate to the LGU San Francisco as operator received by Mayor Lademora.
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Two guests from Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) of DA Central Office visited the site after the launching to see for themselves on an actual operation of the project. The two AMAS staff was Jenny Torred, Barangay Bagsakan and Bagsakan Center (BB/BC) coordinator for Caraga and Jose Manta, AMAS Marketing Division Chief.
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The Bagsakan Center (BC) in San Francisco is the 3rd in the entire region of Caraga. First was in Aras-asan, Cagwait, Surigao del Sur and followed by Cancohoy, del Carmen, Siargao Islands, Surigao del Norte.
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BC is a component of the Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program (AHMP) aimed to suppress hunger and malnutrition in the countryside through access of affordable and nutritious food supply. (Aurell P. Arais, RAFID-DA-13/ PIA-Caraga)
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DA- RFU 13 joins Kalayaan 2009
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BUTUAN CITY (June 30) – The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 13 (DA RFU 13) had actively participated in the celebration of 111th Independence Day last June 12, 2009 dubbed as Kalayaan 2009.
Caraga CORD Ace Durano (DOT secretary) with DA RFU 13 RTD Edgardo Dahino handed the Certificate of Turn-over to Mr. Plenio Atega of Sto. Nino MPC.
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Guest of honor during the celebration was Tourism Secretary Ace Durano who at the same time designated for Caraga as Cabinet Officer for Regional Development (CORD).
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The Kalayaan 2009 offered various services to the public such as jobs far, livelihood fair, processing of various clearances and documents, awarding of employment contracts, health and wellness, medical services and livelihood grants to workers-beneficiaries under the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) participated by various government offices and private entities.
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On the part of DA, the Human Resources Management Office headed by Josefa Gidacan conducted screening of qualified applicants for 10 available positions, priority were those relatives of displaced workers.
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During the affair two farmers groups in Agusan del Norte who benefited mechanical drying facilities from Department of Agriculture namely Sto. NiΓ±o Multipurpose Cooperative (Butuan City) represented by Plenio Atega and Abad Irrigators Association (RTR) represented by Jun Paiste received the certificate of turn-over handed through Secretary Durano.
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In Caraga Region, the implementing agencies for CLEEP are the following: Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and Local Government Units (LGUs) and Department of Agriculture (DA).
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Data presented during the program showed that CLEEP in Caraga generated 11,554 jobs with 11,554 individually employed and a total of 6,512,576.58 pesos funding assistance. (Aurell P. Arais, RAFID-DA-13/ PIA-Caraga)
SUCCESS STORY
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Infrastructure for Rural Productivity Enhancement Sector Project (InfRES)
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DA’s InfRES Makes Life Easier
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“Tungod sa InFRES misayon gyud ang among kinabuhi”. (InfRES makes our life easier).
Marilyn Sugian proudly points the InfRES FMR Project
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A word of relief uttered by Marilyn Sugian, a resident of Purok 6, Brgy. Panikian, Carrascal, Surigao del Norte after being freed from daily hardships on their place going to and from Poblacion to their barangay due to almost inaccessible road.
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According to her before the construction of the farm to market road through the Infrastructure for Rural Productivity Enhancement Sector Project (InfRES) in their place farmers experienced the pain of agony on how to bring their produce to the market and even buyers refrain to fetch their product due to the difficulty of the road.
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In effect, farmers will carry their farm produce manually or with the help of carabao resulting to delay of time and eventually affecting the quality of their product.
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“Luoy gyud kaayo mi kaniadto kay ang among abot sa uma mabaligya na lang ug barato kaysa sa malata lang”, (We’re so pity before because we are compelled to sell our farm produce at lower price than completely spoiled”, she said in vernacular.
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She also said that in times of bad weather they will not be able to travel especially when the river they need to cross will overflow.
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Marilyn also said that education in their place was greatly hampered. “Kaniadto daghan gyud ang miundang ug eskwela kay dili na kaantos sa kalisod sa agianan labi na ug mu-ulan” (Before several students were forced to stop from going to school due to hardships on the way to school more so if its raining), she narrated.
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And even on emergency cases, they’re having difficulty in rushing ill person to the hospital for an immediate health care.
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However, she said since the completion of the farm to market road on their barangay their agony before were gone and completely change the community life and hasten development in their area.
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The town of Carrascal, Surigao del Sur is a recipient of Construction and Rehabilitation of Farm to Market Road (FMR) with appurtenant structures last 2008 through the Infrastructure for Rural Productivity Enhancement Sector Project (INFRES) with local government unit counterpart worth 19,436,193.85 traversing the barangays of Tag-anito, Panikian, Bacolod, Babuyan and Gamuton.
Marilyn happily said that due to the InfRES Project traders would now come to their barangay to purchase farm produce at reasonable price while reviving the eagerness of their children to study hard and even boasted that several of the students from their place got honored in the class.
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A regular public vehicle now served their place and people who need medical attention can now easily go the hospital even at night time.
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More government services have now reached their area such as agricultural technicians, health personnel, police officers and investors that resulted to the development of the area.
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Same situation was also experienced by the residents of Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur also a recipient of Farm to Market Road through the InfRES serving the barangays of OsmeΓ±a, Panaytay, Marcelina and Charito.
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Former Panaytay Barangay Captain Dominga Lumanglas said that before the project of InfRES their barangay was considered a sleeping area since only few houses were seen and some residents even decided to leave the area due to the isolation from livelihood opportunity.
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However due to the InFRES project their barangay were awaken, more houses were constructed; more opportunities came in and helped alleviate the plight of the farmers. Barangay Kagawad Angelito Diamos of Charito also shared the same testimony.
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Truly, the InfRES Project provided support to Government initiatives for removing infrastructure constraints in rural areas in Caraga Region and thereby helped rural production and productivity.
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InfRES indeed makes life easier. (Aurell P. Arais, RAFID-DA-13/ PIA-Caraga)
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100% best for Aclan Potable Water Project
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AGUSAN DEL NORTE (June 30) – Aclan is a lowland barangay of Nasipit, in this province with a total agricultural land area of 209.25 hectares where coconut, rice and corn are its main products. Composing of five (5) districts and is 9 kms. away from poblacion. It has a population of about 1,433 with 306 households averaging a size of five (5).
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Mr. Rope Cabilan, chairman of the Aclan Water Spring Association (AWASA) humbly said, “The association gave its 100% best in trying to maintain and sustain the projects’ service years for it’s the only good source of drinking water in Aclan. We value this project so much for it’s truly a dream come true”. The Aclan Water Spring Association was organized on February 6, 2005 with 334 members. They regularly have their BOD meetings every 3rd Sunday of the month.
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Years ago, life is much different because the residents have problems with regards to water accessibility. The place doesn’t have a local water provider and the only source that is available for them is an old jetmatic pump which unfortunately produces unsafe water. Residents recalled that they have to exhaust all their patience before they could fill their pails and buckets because of the long queue that awaits them. Even during night time they have to fetch water just to have enough for the next day’s needs. Some residents yet have to argue with others out of impatience and haste to move on with the long line.
“Since its turnover rites, everyday is a blessing for us and all those sad experiences are just but in the past” declared by a grateful resident. The much-needed project is in time with the growing barangay population.
The P3,327,610 M DAR-SPOTS Phase I Potable Water Project was turnover to the association on December 2006 which comprise an eight (8) PV module, one (1) Pump and Control set, One (1) 50 cubic meter tank, a 1000 m pipeline provision for distribution and totaling to 15 available tap stands in the area. The project is expected to benefit 306 households.
Optimist PARO Atega, the Provincial Head of DAR-Agusan del Norte, did all his best for the realization of this project in order to alleviate the lives of the people in CUCAMA ARC being one of the poorest barangay in the municipality of Nasipit. With high hopes, he also believed that it would strengthen the association thru the continued support of the local institution in accepting the challenge of projects’ proper operation and maintenance.
The very dynamic barangay captain confessed that “sharing and teamwork were very much evident throughout the project implementation”. The LGU committed for the projects realization, gave much of its time for the community to have a safe potable water system. The cooperative spirit of LGU together with the PO shared a total of P3, 019,610 as project equity and directly involving the community in the planning and maintenance thru a series of barangay work-shop-consultation and assemblies. Many of the residents conducted a “pahina” (voluntary work without pay) during the projects installation. In a way, every one is involved and there’s that peoples sense of ownership of the project.
Lolita Empanado, the presently Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer of Nasipit reminded the association that as owners they should not stop learning ways in sustaining the water system much longer and should be bold enough to face challenges ahead of them. She further added that it’s the government’s way of showing the people of CUCAMA ARC its sincerity for the promise support services. The Nasipit LGU and the office of DAR are always there to give a hand to those who are showing genuine need for improvement. (Ronald M. Cuaresma and Gil E. Miranda, DAR-Agusan del Norte/ PIA-Caraga)
