DBM releases P82M for 5 DA projects

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P81.63 million as counterpart funding for the implementation of five projects by the Department of Agriculture (DA) under a ¥300-million grant from the Japanese government.

The Japanese yen grant, known as the Japan Grant Assistance for Underprivileged Farmers, is being implemented by the DA’s National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC). 

Among the recipients of the yen grant is the DA’s Barangay Food Terminal program which aims to make available quality, safe and affordable basic food commodities to consumers in poverty-stricken areas of the country, according to DA undersecretary and NAFC executive director Bernie Fondevilla.

Another beneficiary is a project that aims to provide both small fishers and commercial producers in Bicol with viable alternatives in addressing sizeable aquaculture production surplus by converting them into various value-added products for increased incomes, Fondevilla said.

Under this project, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource will upgrade the current regional freshwater fisheries center ’s operations in Bula, Camarines Sur, Fondevilla said.

Post harvest, laboratory and other relevant facilities will be established to elevate the level of function of the center from a mere production-based aquaculture facility to a one-stop-shop of freshwater fisheries technologies that will cater to the freshwater aquaculture needs of the region, Fondevilla said.

Other recipients of Japanese grant are the rehabilitation of the Aganan River Irrigation System in Jaro, Iloilo and the assessment of the agricultural and fishery council (AFCs) as social mobilization agents and the expanded special vehicle loan fund.

The Philippines, which has been a recipient of the Tokyo aid since 1977, was selected by Japan last December as one of six countries eligible for this grant.

The grant, equivalent to $2.59 million, was approved by Japan last December.

Japanese Ambassador Ryuichiro Yamazaki and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo signed the exchange of notes last March 19.