Wednesday, April 23, 2008 Nogie allocates P1M for 591 coco farmers
HOUSE Speaker Prospero Nograles has allocated P1 million assistance to 591 coconut farmers in the first district of Davao City. The fund is part of his alleviation program for the poor farmers hit by the food crisis.
In a simple ceremony on April 19, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) turned over some of the cheques to 42 farmers in Magtuod, Maa Davao City. PCA regional director Lorlito Orillaneda expressed gratitude to the funds given by Nograles, saying it is a significant help for the farmers.
Lawyer Karlo Nograles, the son of the House Speaker, said his father decided to allocate some of his countrywide development fund to the coconut farmers in order to improve their lives and ensure food security for the country.
"Although the first district is a highly urbanized area, some of the residents here work as farmers," the younger Nograles said.
He said coconut farmers hold a special place in the country that they deserve all the help they could get. Based on the records from the PCA, some 225 hectares of coconut farms in the city's first district will benefit from the financial grant.
Aside from the first district, the younger Nograles said his father is now doing his best to solicit some P7.5 million more for the coconut farmers in the second district of Davao City, where the large bulk of coconut farms is located.
