CEBU, Philippines - The House of Representatives has added P20 million to the proposed P1.33 billion National Expenditures Program of the Department of Agriculture-7 that was approved Wednesday evening.
This was reported by Cebu second district Representative Wilfredo Caminero, vice chairperson of the House Committee on Agriculture, during the DA-7’s Regional Gawad Saka awarding ceremony yesterday.
Caminero said the additional P20 million is for the operational expenses of DA-7 after the committee found the agency’s shortfall.
Aside from the approved NEP for DA-7, another P1.3 billion fund was set aside under the Office of the Presidential Assistant on Food Security and Farm Mechanization headed by Secretary Francisco Pangilinan.
The amount has to be divided by the Philippine Coconut Authority, National Irrigation Administration, and National Food Authority.
Caminero urged the local government units to access the funds and help uplift the lives of the farmers.
The lower House has approved a total amount of P88.8 billion for DA under the P2.606 trillion proposed budget of the Aquino administration.
Caminero congratulated DA-7 and other line agencies for honoring his fellow farmers.
“Og dili ako mag-uuma, wala ako’y igong ascendancy pagsulti kaninyo nga pahingusgan nato ang atoang papel kay nia sa mga mag-uuma, nia kanato ang pundasyon sa kinabuhi sa atong nasud,” he said in his speech.
Caminero proudly reported that he currently has around 100 tons of corn in his farm.
DA-7 director Angel Enriquez also thanked the farmers as she congratulated them for the support which inspired them to implement the programs of the government.
“Kung wala mo, wala’y pagkaon sa ato mga kusina,” Enriquez said.
Of the 20 awardees, nine were from Negros Oriental, seven from Bohol, three from Siquijor and one from Cebu.
Individual winners received P30,000 each; P50,000 for group or association and P15,000 each for the assisting technicians. Enriquez is hoping to produce national winners. (FREEMAN)