DA: North Cotabato project not displacing villagers

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture on Friday refuted the claims of the New People’s Army (NPA) that its water impounding project in Arakan town is causing dislocation of residents.

The rebels attacked last August 18 the equipment depot of a private firm handling the construction of the water facility in Barangay Ladayon and burned equipment.

The NPA’s Guerrilla Front 53 had told local officials and journalists that the attack was in response to complaints of farming communities reportedly displaced by the project.

Amalia Jayag-Datukan, DA region 12 director, said the project was meant to improve the productivity of the farmers and not to displace them.  

The water impounding facility can collect water from surrounding creeks and ditches, which can be used for agricultural purposes, according to Datukan.

She said local farmers and their families have expressed support to the project and the agency is initiating measures to hasten their productivity.

“We have provided the local farmers with seeds of open-pollinated varieties of white corn and vegetables.  We have also been teaching them to use sustainable indigenous agricultural practices, appropriate and effective technologies in crop production, livestock, poultry and other agro-forestry development projects,” she said.

Datukan slammed the NPA’s claim that the project has been causing damage to the environment.

The project in Barangay Ladayon was meant to irrigate 50 to 150 hectares of farmlands around it, she said.