A month after typhoons Pedring and Quiel wrought havoc to the agriculture sector in Pampanga, Pampanga received good news from the Department of Agriculture (DA) when Secretary Proceso Alcala recently visited the province.
Alongside the P10M worth of farm machineries, implements and P29M “palit-tanim” funds from the DA, Alcala proposed the formulation of an agricultural development masterplan for the province from 2012-2016.
“It will serve as the road map for agriculture in Pampanga and it will be attended by the provincial agriculturist, municipal agriculturists, provincial and municipal planning and development officers, mayors and representatives of other concerned agencies,” Alcala announced, adding that the planning session will be held soonest.
Governor Lilia G. Pineda thanked the Secretary and expressed optimism that the said plan will address the issues faced by the agriculture and fisheries sector, especially in the light of the problems brought by the recent typhoons.
“Taun-taon, nag-iisip tayo kung paano matutulungan ang mga magsasaka dito sa lalawigan, palagay ko itong planong gagawin ay siyang magsisilbing gabay natin sa darating na mga taon.”
Alcala emphasized that while the Agriculture department has funds, the recent damage wrought on the agriculture sector was so big that “we need to ensure that the use of these funds is maximized; yung walang maaaksaya dahil bawat pisong gagamitin ay mahalaga upang maitayong muli ang pagsasakahan sa probinsya”.
He also stressed that the DA cannot do the work alone, but “with the help and cooperation of the local government and other agencies and organizations, we can do what needs to be done for the province”.
He said the plan will take into consideration how programs may be put in the right direction in the next four years based on the actual needs of the farmers and the people in the province, and in view of the recent calamities and those that potentially happen every year.
Pineda commended Alcala’s initiative regarding the drawing up of a masterplan for agricultural development as this could be the “answer to our farmers’ need for the right direction to take, year after year, to increase their production and strengthen the sector, despite calamities that befall the province every year”. (Pampanga PIO)
