DAR-MinSAAD holds 1st Executive Stakeholders Conference, signs Sub-Project Agreements with LGU’s By Jimmy Sta. Cruz PGO Media Center AMAS, Kidapawan City (Nov. 29) – Aiming keenly to update on the conditions of the different projects implemented in selected areas in the Province of Cotabato, the Department of Agriarian Reform-Mindanao Sustainable Agrarian and Agriculture Development (DAR-MinSAAD) held its 1st Executive Stakeholders Conference at the Rooftop of the Rosario P. Diaz Building, Amas, Kidapawan City on Nov. 28, 2014. DAR officials led by Cenon Original, CESO VI, MinSAAD Project Manager and Engr. Marion Y. Abella, Program Agrarian Reform Program Officer II and some Municipal Local Government Officials, representatives of People’s Organizations and other stakeholders were present during the conference. The activity paved the way for DAR-MinSAAD to expound on the project concept and approach and its main component scheme which include development of agriculture, agribusiness and agro-forestry. Original said that the infrastructure projects and sub-projects being implemented in some municipalities of Cotabato Province are aimed to uplift people’s lives because they are agricultural resource-based and target agribusiness potential, market driven and consolidate smallholder farm operations for economies of scale. In Cotabato, DAR-MinSAAD has a total of 32 targeted projects (Banisilan, Carmen, Alamada, Pigcawayan and Libungan) and a total of 8 sub-projects (Alamada, Banisilan, Pigcawayan and Tulunan) for the period 2014-2016. Aside from development components, the projects are geared towards enhanced infrastructure and institutional development in the said municipalities. Banisilan Municipal Mayor Betty A. Allado, one of the local chief executives present during the conference, signed a Sub-project Agreement with DAR-MinSAAD at the conference. The municipality of Banisilan is a recipient of at least four sub-projects this year. This will help in developing rubber production, processing and marketing as well as oil palm production and marketing in selected villages. Mayor Allado, along with other representatives of recipient towns said the projects will boost up the capacity of the people especially the lead agrarian reform beneficiary organizations. The beneficiaries include Banisilan Farmers Credit Cooperative (P31, 026,540), Tumbao Farmers Association (P5,052,495), Poblacion 1 Farmers Association (P3,303,100) and Malinao-Miguel Macasarte Farmers Association (P504,350) all located in Banisilan. Other beneficiaries are P4MP Municipal Federation of Farmers Association, Inc. (P3,665,655) and Alamada Multi-Purpose Cooperative (P7,689,260) in Alamada; Midpapan-Anick Green Growers Association (P2,950,076) in Pigcawayan and Sitio New Alimodian Peace Zone Multi-Purpose Cooperative (P2,484,380) in Tulunan. The total funds approved by DAR-MinSAAD for these sub-projects amounts to P56,675,856. Cotabato 3rd District of Cotabato Representative Jose “Ping” Tejada who gave an inspirational message at the stakeholders’ conference and Cot Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) Head Ulysses C. Quinto witnessed the signing of the SPA’s along with other stakeholders. For her part, Gov. Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza highly supportive of all the endeavors to develop the agriculture sector expressed gratification on the partnership of the Provincial Government of Cotabato and the Department of Agrarian Reform and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as the lead funding agency. (JIMMY STA. CRUZ with reports from ROVILLE ANN SOTTO/PGO Media Center)
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 04:47:32 +0000