TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – Hilongos town in Leyte has been named one of 24 agricultural communities nationwide for the Sagip Saka Program of Senator Francis Pangilinan.
Pangilinan, during the program launching, said, “Sagip Saka is an advocacy to achieve sustainable modern agriculture and food security by transforming agricultural communities to reach their full potential, improving farmers’ and fishers’ quality of life, and bridging gaps through public-private partnerships.”
Sagip Saka, with an initial funding of P130 million, provides farmers with better access to investments and credit, opens access to market, rolls out infrastructure, strengthens research and development, organizes farmer communities and cooperatives, ensures quality and consistency of supply, and mitigates risks brought about by climate change.
Pangilinan’s program, tied up with the DA and other local government units, would guide farming communities to their full potential and improve their quality of life.
The senator initially released P100 million for the program from his priority development assistance fund (PDAF) to be used by farmers with cooperatives.
Leyte Provincial Board Member Carlo Loreto told The FREEMAN that Hilongos received an initial amount of P1 million, which the LGU would use to purchase fishnets and other gadgets, and for the conduct of training for the town’s fishery sector.
“Pangilinan is not giving big amount in one time to the recipients of this project to make sure that the fund is properly used,” said Loreto. (FREEMAN)