THE incoming Department of Agriculture secretary, former North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol laid out his additional agricultural plans and programs for inclusive growth and full rehabilitation of the agriculture sector.
Piñol, told reporters Thursday at the Grand Regal Hotel, Davao City that he already proposed to the incoming President, Rodrigo Duterte his initial plans upon their assumption of office this coming June 30 which include seed procurement program, cash for work program, review on the National Coastal Waters cleaning program, “Pagkain para sa Masa” program, Bantay Dagat project and the search for the most outstanding coastal communities.
“After my Biyaheng Bukid, where I visited farmers from different provinces in the country, I reported to the President-elect that the onslaught of the El Niño phenomenon to the farmers really affected their production, they badly need our immediate intervention and assistance,” he said in an interview posted in a Facebook live video of ABS-CBN news.
“All these we are doing, proposing, is anchored to the promise that the people will feel that this is an inclusive government,” Piñol added. He proposed his plans and programs Wednesday during the incoming cabinet members meeting at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.
Seed procurement program
In preparation for the La Nina phenomenon, which is expected to peak in November of this year, Piñol said that he already consulted with seed growers to check whether there is enough available seeds to start planting as soon as the new administration takes over.
“If we will not plant enough we will really be suffering from food shortage, we should be planting by July so that we can harvest by October, that is why we are quantifying if there will be enough available supply of seeds especially for rice,” he said adding that they will be allocating funds that will be coming from the P2 billion budget left from the 2015 budget.
Cash for work program
Piñol said that they will be allocating some P200 to P300 million for the initial operations of the program wherein the farmers and the fisherfolks will be tapped and paid for cleaning irrigation, silted dams, repair roads, coastal clean-up, mangrove planting, among others.
“This is to give them for the next two to three months a livelihood while they are still recovering from their agricultural damages. The program will be inclusive that even the Badjaos will be drafted in the National Coastal waters cleaning program,” he said.
Outstanding coastal communities
Piñol said that Duterte approved the search for the most outstanding coastal communities, which will be conducted annually. The first awarding will be in December this year.
“Dapat ang coastal community walang illegal fishing, may marine sanctuary, observe off season fishing, clean coastal waters, effective mangrove rehabilitation program,” he said.
The most outstanding coastal community will receive a total of P10 million in funds to be used for livelihood.
Bantay dagat project
The plan in engaging the Sama Dilaut, an ethnic group that also identified as Badjaos in a special project dubbed as “Bantay Dagat” was also proposed.
He added that a Bangka or a boat will be provided to the Badjaos and their engagement with government will be conditional. Their pay will come with their commitment that their children stay in school.
The 22-year-old Badjao, Roben Abdella who graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Tawi-Tawi is eyed to head the special project.
Pagkain para sa masa
In the pursuit of the incoming administration’s “Walang taong matutulog na gutom” commitment, the agriculture department will launch the Pagkain para sa Masa program.
Initially, feeding stations serving Arroz Caldo will be installed in
Metro Manila.
“With this, the less fortunate especially those street children, beggars, etc. can go there and eat whenever they are hungry. Hindi ito para mag-reliant sila sa atin but this is just a first step to alleviate poverty,” he said.
He stressed that the DA will be the lead agency for this program with the cooperation of the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Social Welfare and Development.
In the feeding satellites, DOH will offer a free check up to all individuals as well.
“In the process we will put them in a data base,” Piñol said, adding that the real objective of the program is to get in touch with these people, account for all of them, and then engage them in capacity building and livelihood programs.