FAO commits P14.7 million to typhoon-ravaged Benguet

Owing to the devastation caused by Typhoon "Feria" recently which left Benguet one of the worst hit affecting 6,401 hectares and 18,200 farmers, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), after an assessment mission, granted a financial assistance worth P14.7 million. Of this amount, P12.3 million is allocated for agricultural inputs and tools to the nine municipalities of Atok, Bakun, Bugias, Kabayan, Kapangan, Kibungan, La Trinidad, Mankayan and Sablan, all in Benguet Province.

Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Q. Montemayor recently launched the FAO/DA/LGU Benguet Project and signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the DA’s commitment of P5.5 million counterpart fund for the enterprise.

In the same occasion, the ceremonial turnover of projects under the Department of Agriculture (DA) program, as well as, the ceremonial turnover of sample farm inputs/tools from the DA and FAO were accomplished.

The 5.5 million DA commitment to be rehabilitated project will ensure that all of the 13 municipalities of Benguet will benefit equitably from the project. La Trinidad will get P1.5 million to cover inputs for affected priority commodities not identified by the project.

A total of P2.613 million were allocated for Bokod, Itogon, Tuba and Tublay (non-FAO covered areas) and Kapangan and Sablan (recipients of lowest FAO assistance at P700,000 each).

Also, P1.387 million were allocated as seed fund for roll-over scheme for calamity assistance for 10 municipalities (Atok, Bakun, Bokod, Kabayan, Kapangan, Itogon, Mankayan, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay).

The municipal LGUs of Benguet will share with a counterpart fund each, either as 10 percent of the total cost of inputs/tools from FAO and/or DA; 33 percent of the total amount of fund transferred from DA. – AFIS