New agri facility in Kidapawan inaugurated

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines  --- Officials inaugurated over the weekend the newly-constructed Provincial Agricultural Center Complex in Kidapawan City, built to  help peasant communities in the province.

The P58.5-million facility was constructed by the office of North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza using savings generated through prudent spending of the provincial government’s quarterly budget and revenue collections.

The agricultural complex also has a P5-million worth product display and food laboratory building, and a covered court, costing P3 million, both bankrolled by the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines.

The construction of the facility started November 2013 and was completed early this year, according to provincial agriculturist Engr. Eliseo Mangliwan.

“This is a big boost to our operation and our goal of improving the productivity of our farming sectors,” Mangliwan said.

Mendoza, who is now in her second term as provincial governor, and representatives from the office of the Department of Agriculture in Region 12, led the launching of the agricultural complex.

The provincial agriculturist, and veterinary offices, and the Provincial Cooperatives Development Office will be relocated to the new complex, located at the vast provincial capitol estate in Kidapawan City.

Mendoza, in a message during the facility’s inauguration, said she is optimistic  the agricultural complex will improve the delivery of the provincial government’s services to farmers in all of North Cotabato’s 17 towns and those in the more than 40 barangays in Kidapawan City.

More than 70 percent of  North Cotabato's Muslim and Christian residents rely mainly on farming as main source of income.  - John Unson