Government allots P2.9 billion for farm, fisheries rehabilitation

MANILA, Philippines - Budget Secretary Florencio Abad disclosed yesterday that President Aquino has authorized the release of an additional P2.96 billion for the Department of Agriculture to accelerate agricultural infrastructure and support system.

The additional fund is intended to assist farmers and other people affected by typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel.”

“Aside from addressing the damage wrought by the recent typhoons, this fund release would also support agricultural development to ensure food self-sufficiency and help farming families achieve sustainable livelihood,” Abad said in a statement.

The allocation is part of the P72 billion disbursements acceleration plan or the economic stimulus package of the Aquino administration to accelerate spending and push economic growth for 2011.

Some P829.7 million would be allocated for the projects of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

The project targets to construct new irrigation systems in 3,387 hectares, restore non-functioning irrigation systems in 1,752 hectares and rehabilitate damaged ones in 7,024 hectares throughout the country, which will benefit 8,100 households.

Some P302 million would go to Region 3, P150 million to Region 1 and P120 million to Region 4-A.

Another P411.4 million would be allocated for the NIA’s Agno River Integrated Irrigation Project, which will involve the construction of re-regulating pond facilities to better control water discharges from the San Roque Dam and the repair of the Agno River and the Ambayaoan-Dipalo Irrigation Systems.

Some P560.7 million would be released to DA to construct and rehabilitate farm-to-market roads badly hit by previous typhoons. Of the amount, P92.3 million is allocated for Region 4-A, while P70.2 million will go to Region 6 and P65 million to Region 2.

To promote sustainable mangrove reforestation and mangrove farming, P237.5 million will be allocated for the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ Integrated Community-Based Multi-Species Hatchery and Aquasilvicture Farming Program.