Sunday, June 22, 2008 DA turns over agri-infra projects to LGUs
AGRICULTURE Secretary Arthur Yap has turned over agri-infrastructure projects worth P180,946,007.45 to the six provincial governors of the Cordillera.
The amount covers the cost of projects from year 2005-2008 for irrigation, post harvest facilities, spring development, farm-to-market roads, tractors, screen and net houses, greenhouses, footpaths, farm machineries and other agricultural infrastructures.
The turnover of the projects were done during the program held at the Banaue Hotel after a field tour at the Banaue Rice Terraces, Bontoc-Banaue portion of the Halsema Project Phase 02, and Banue public market.
Of the amount, P1,200,320 were spent in 2005; P19,077,687.45 in 2006; and P70,983,000 in 2007 for 400 individual agri-infrastructure projects implemented in the six provinces of the Cordillera.
For 2008, an amount of P99,685,000 was committed to fund 194 projects proposed by the local government units (LGUs) involving small farm reservoirs, spring development projects, greenhouses, net and screen houses, four-wheel drive tractors, multi-purpose drying pavements, installation of flatbed dryers, and farm-to-market roads. Of this amount, P62,8000,000 was already obligated according to a report by the Department of Agriculture (DA) regional office.
Aside from the provincial governors, the presidents of the provincial league of municipalities from every province of the region were also present and witnessed the turnover ceremonies.
During the program, host Ifugao Governor Teodoro Baguilat expressed gratitude to Yap for his commitment to support the agricultural programs of all the Cordillera provinces.
"Secretary Yap is the only Cabinet secretary who has so far showed sincerity to follow-up on his commitment, and is the only DA secretary who showed full interest to support the local initiatives to revive and sustain the rice terraces," he said. (RLD)
