NORTHERN Mindanao agricultural department has completed the P3.3-million agri-interventions to the army’s 6th Infantry Division based in Camp Paulino Santos Military Reservation in Almada, Cotabato.
The interventions will be used by Cotabato nearby communities in its 14 reservation camps to venture into farming instead of going against the government, the 6ID's real estate office said.
Camp Paulino Santos Military Reservation will serve as a model farm, which they plan to develop for replication.
The provision is part of the support to President Duterte's Executive Order No. 70 (EO No. 70) to institutionalize the whole-of-nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace.
The project was designed to spur countryside development in remote and insurgency vulnerable villages in Cotabato province, according to the Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10).
On Thursday last week DA-RFO 10 regional executive director Carlene C. Collado turned over the P3.3 million provisions to 6ID commander Major General Diosdado C. Carreon in support of Camp Paulino Santos Military Reservation.
A Memorandum of Understanding forged between DA-RFO 10 and the 6ID, PA to promote peace and order through agricultural development to address poverty reduction and empowerment of communities to end local armed conflict.
The interventions include one unit four-wheel drive, 100 horsepower farm tractor with implements (disc plow, trailing harrow and trailer) worth P2.495 million funded under the agency’s Normalization Program.
Another agri equipment and inputs worth P560,300 comprised of 1 unit corn sheller, 1 unit hammer mill, 1 set pump and engine, 1 module upgraded goat and native swine, 100 packets of 5-in-1 assorted vegetable seeds, 36 packs forage seeds, and 1 bag sorghum seeds at 20 kilograms.
A certificate of commitment worth P183,000 for 3 heads cattle-heifer, 1 module sheep and 1 module chicken to boost their livestock production.
“Agricultural development can significantly contribute to peace by raising income and employment that can possibly reduce social frustrations that trigger violence,” said Collado.
6ID commander MGen. Carreon in his reply lauded as he even expressed his gratitude to DA's response to the whole-of-nation approach.
Carreon said the intervention is vital and timely, especially in the pressing condition caused by the Covif-19 pandemic.
In today’s pandemic food and health is the most concern," Carreon said.
The department has also given 2 packs at 1 kilo per pack of sweet corn seeds for food production.
Present during the turnover were North Cotabato 1st District Representative Joel Sacdalan; Almada Mayor Jesus N. Sacdalan; 602nd Brig. General Roberto S. Capulong; Chief of Staff Colonel Michael A. Santos MNSA and staff of 6ID and DA-RFO 10.(EMBentulan/DA-10)
