Consolacion to set aside bigger budget for farmers

CEBU, Philippines - The municipal government of Consolacion will allocate a bigger budget next year for farmers and fishermen.

Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado recently made the announcement before presidents of the different farmers and fishermen organizations who attended the one-day Farmers Family Congress.

Alegado said if the previous administration provided a limited budget to the agriculture department, her administration will give more.

"Nakita nako nga wala gayud makalihok ang atong mga mag-uuma sa miaging katuigan gumikan sa kagamay ra sa gahin nga alang kanila, apan karon hatagan gayud nato sa pagtagad ang kahimtang sa atong gagmay’ng mga mag-uuma," Alegado said.

The mayor said the farmers and fishermen should form organizations so that it would be easy for the municipality to provide financial assistance.

She said she has instructed municipal agriculture officer Evangeline Puao to prepare the plans and programs to be implemented that would benefit marginal farmers and fishermen.

Vice Mayor Aurelio Damole shared the same observation with Mayor Alegado and promised to provide full support for the success of the program of the municipal government.

Damole said there is a need to address the problems encountered by the farmers saying that only few people now go into farming.

The vice mayor said the municipal government will allocate funds to implement programs meant for farmers and fishermen.

Cebu Provincial Agriculturist Necias Vecoy assured town officials of support from the provincial government.