City buys tractor for SRP clearing

The city government will purchase an agricultural tractor to fast-tract the clearing of the South Reclamation Project, and for the use of upland rice farmers.

Councilor Hilario Davide III, chairman of the City Council committee on agriculture, said the city agricultural department, which has been tasked by Mayor Tomas Osmeña to spearhead the clearing and removing of grass at the SRP, is in need of a tractor to speed up its operation.

During its last Wednesday's session, the council approved a P2.7 million appropriation for the undertaking, which will be taken from Pagcor funds.

"The tractor that the city will acquire will not only be used for the SRP but will also be used to develop the city's property in Guba and made available to our farmers in the upland barangays," Davide said.

City agricultural head Joelito Baclayon said that the rental of tractors from Toledo City would be delayed because of some priorities. "Using our equipment, road blocks were already established so as the purchase of herbicides, sunflower seeds and necessary tools."

Recently, the council approved over P700,000 for the landscaping of a miniature hill at Kawit Park by the Parks and Playground Commission.

In a joint resolution, councilors Gabriel Leyson and Nestor Archival said such move is aimed to beautify the city to attract tourists and investors considering that it is one of the venues for the Asean Summit in December.

The total cost of the project is estimated at P695,093. - Garry B. Lao