CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Department of Agriculture (DA) turned over a total of P43,526,136.68 worth of farm equipment to 38
farmers’ associations in the province.
DA Secretary William Dar, assisted by Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda,
personally awarded the certificates of grant to the recipients from
the municipalities of Magalang, Arayat, Floridablanca, Mexico, Lubao,
Guagua, Candaba, and San Luis during the event held at the Bren Z.
Guiao Convention Center here.
The said provision of farm equipment was made possible through the
DA’s ‘Plant, Plant, Plant Program’ or ‘Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat
(ALPAS) Laban sa COVID-19’ program that aims to benefit farmers,
fishers, and consumers in the country.
“Napakaimportante ng papel ng mga magsasaka’t mangingisda sa
pagpoprodyus ng pagkain, lalo na ngayong panahon ng pandemya. Sinabi
ko naman na noon pa, the threat of hunger is as crucial as the threat
of COVID-19 pandemic, kaya nararapat lamang na pagtuunan natin ng
pansin ang pagpapalakas sa sektor ng agrikultura,” said Secretary Dar.
He also commended the region, particularly the province, for its huge
contribution in ensuring food security during these trying times.
In an interview, Dar announced their plan of putting up the country’s
first agri-industrial business corridor (ABC) at the New Clark City,
which is aimed at providing the smallholder farmers access to
resources, including production technology, capital, and value-adding
facilities.
He said that the project will also help address the employment
challenges in Pampanga, Tarlac, and other neighboring provinces in
Central Luzon, Northern Luzon, and Cordillera.
Secretary Dar also disclosed that the national government has
allocated P4.4-billion agricultural budget in Central Luzon. Of which,
P1.3-billion is allotted to Nueva Ecija; P960-million to Bulacan;
P889.2-million to Pampanga; P543-million to Tarlac; P265.5-million to
Bataan; P244-million to Zambales; and P167.8-million to Aurora.
Hence, Governor Delta expressed his gratitude for the continuous
support of the national government to the province’s efforts in
responding to the needs of the people.
“Malaking bagay po ito para sa mga Kapampangan, kaya asahan po ninyo
ang full support ng Pampanga sa lahat ng programa ng Kagawaran ng
Agrikutura,” he said.(30)