Provincial government distributes P1.4M farm equipment

CEBU, Philippines — To boost the agricultural sector, the Capitol gave away P1.4 million worth of farm equipment to 46 farmers associations in Cebu Province.

The types of machinery distributed included 35 units of mechanical weighing scale worth P454, 685, two biodegradable shredders worth P200,000, four hand tractors worth P196,000, seven cassava grater worth P136,000, 121 manual corn sellers worth P133, 100, 85 manual weeders worth P127,500, two rice threshers worth P103,000, and two floating tillers worth P84,000.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide said that it is essential to support the local farmers, whom he described as “heroes of the land,” to assure food security in the province.

Meanwhile, Provincial Agriculturist Roldan Saragena raised the concern over the declining interest of the younger generation on farming.

With the support of the Capitol, he expressed hope that more will appreciate the efforts farmers do.

Each of the 13 towns with a Farmer’s Scientist Training Program (FSTP) was given P600,000 financial assistance to give the program a boost.

Among the beneficiaries were the towns of Alcoy, Aloguinsan, Asturias, Badian, Dumanjug, Daanbantayan, Dumanjug, Ronda, Samboan, Santander, Santa Fe, Sibonga, and Tuburan.

This meant that the Capitol shelled out P7.8 million worth of financial aid as a gift to the towns last August 14, in time for the month-long celebration of the 449th founding anniversary of Cebu Province.

Davide also announced that he would consider putting up a trading center for Cebuano farmers at a provincial-owned lot at the North Reclamation Area.

The said lot is part of Capitol’s newly-acquired real property under the 93-1 land swap deal with the Cebu City government.

At present, the provincial government is yet to unveil the plans for the other areas acquired after the deal that was sealed last month. (FREEMAN)