NORTHERN Mindanao agricultural department and the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, Armor Division have partnered to boost agricultural and peace development in Tangcal, Lanao del Norte.
The intervention extended by the two government agencies to Tangcal town was the result of the recently signed Memorandum of Undertaking between the Department of Agriculture-10 and the Philippine Army to strengthen the community-based socio-economic programs to reinforce social cohesion and preserve the unity of communities.
“This activity is a big accomplishment of the Philippine Army in partnership with the DA,” said DA- 10 regional executive director Carlene C. Collado to the Tangcal farmers.
Collado added that with the help of the soldiers, they are assured that all communities, “especially the conflict areas will be provided with assistance, letting them know that there is a government that will help them.”
During turn-over ceremony, according to Collado 1 unit four-wheel drive, 95 horsepower farm tractor with implements (disc plow, trailing, harrow and trailer) worth P2.7 million to the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, Armor Division Through Deputy Brigade Commander Colonel Charlemagne F Batayola Jr., for the civil-military operations of the 5th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, Armor Division, through the Commanding officer, LTC Alfonso DS Matias Jr.
Aside from the provision of the tractor, DA-10 provided the 5th and 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalions, each with 50 bags inbred rice seeds at 40 kilograms per bag, 25 bags open-pollinated variety (OPV) corn seeds at 20 kg per bag, 150 packets 5-in-1 vegetable seeds and 60 packs forage seeds amounting P238,000 intended for farmers in said town.
The 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade as a partner in the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), requested the said interventions for the implementation of agri-based livelihood projects in communities they cover as part of their efforts to reduce poverty and empower communities to end local armed communist conflicts.
“Natutuwa po kami na maging partner ang DA lalo na sa pagsulong ng adhikain ng gobyerno following the Whole-of-Nation Approach (EO No. 70). Hindi po namin kaya kung kami lang, kailangan namin ang lahat ng partners: stakeholders, NGOs, NGAs, private individuals, para maisulong natin ang AmBisyon Natin 2040, bawat tahanang Pilipino ay matiwasay, payapa at maalwa ang pamumuhay nila,” said Batayola.
Batayola said that it addresses poverty and peace vulnerability in conflict-affected areas by providing livelihood and infrastructure projects.
Noting said efforts are in line with the operationalization of EO 70 or the Whole-of-Nation Approach signed by President Duterte that addresses the root causes of insurgencies, internal disturbances and tensions, and other armed conflicts and threats by prioritizing and harmonizing the delivery of basic services and social development.
DA-RFO 10 provided farm equipment and machinery they requested as part of the DA and AFP collaborative efforts to bring government services closer to the communities.
“Peace at development ay hindi lang nakasalalay sa military lang, kailangan ang bawat sangay ng gobyerno ay magtulong tulong para makaabot ang tulong sa mga nangangailangan,” said Matias adding that what is important is that they are aided and farming is sustained with DA’s help.
Collado also dared the LGU to make use of said interventions to improve their lives, plant their food, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic and to make food available in every household.
Meanwhile, Tangcal Mayor Fatima M. Tomawis extended her appreciation to DA for they prioritized Tangcal in helping the farmers and improve their means of living.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa DA na binigyan nga priority nila ang Tangcal para matulungan ang mga magsasaka at mapabuti ang pamumuhay,” said Tomawis.
Said town is one of the six priority Muslim municipalities in Lanao del Norte identified by DA-10 for Agri development with 9,204 hectares agricultural land area and a potential area of 3,482 hectares.
At present, it has 2,632 registered farmers in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) with coconut as the major Agri commodity, followed by vegetables, corn, rice, and ginger. (Angie T. Cabig/DA-10)
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
