DAVAO ORIENTAL, June 1, 2015—For consistently exhibiting excellence in agricultural sustainability and productivity, the Department of Agriculture hailed Davao Oriental as fourth-time Regional Champion in the prestigious Gawad Saka Awards.
Gov. Corazon N. Malanyaon, who was guest speaker at the awarding ceremony held Friday, May 29 in Davao City, said that having been recognized once again as overall champion of the Gawad Saka is an affirmation and a clear indication that the province has charted the right direction.
She said agriculture has always been a top priority of her administration considering the province’s vast agricultural resources waiting to be tapped. “We have the potential for growth production, the market is continuously expanding and the opportunity for increase in income is also a given fact,” she said.
In her speech, Gov. Malanyaon highly attributed this success to the programs and complementary projects established by the provincial government that does not only address food security but also increases productivity and income of small farmers and fisherfolks.
Governor Malanyaon who is about to finish her term next year said she is deeply honored and privileged to have made a difference in her province’s agriculture sector—which after taking respite for 18 years as an awardee has now made it to champion.
Under Gov. Malanyaon’s leadership, Davao Oriental was first hailed Gawad Saka regional champion in 2011 and has been consistently adjudged with such recognition ever since, only taking respite in 2013, after super typhoon Pablo severely hurt its agriculture sector. This year, the province garnered the champion spot following the same top spot last year.
Basking on her province’s victory, the governor recognized the support of the Department of Agriculture, along with its attached bureaus, for its guidance through technical and financial assistance to her province. She further thanked the department for believing that Davao Oriental has what it takes to succeed in agricultural ventures.
She also cited the support programs extended by the Mindanao Rural Development Program and the World Bank which complemented the province’s efforts and resources in the completion of the P256 million worth irrigation project in Cateel. Set to irrigate more than 2,000 hectares of rice fields, the people of Cateel, said the governor, are now assured of a steady supply of water which would definitely contribute in achieving 100% rice sufficiency level for the entire province.
Even after the brunt of super typhoon Pablo in 2012 that created a huge blow in the province’s agriculture sector, the province had explored more opportunities that helped encourage the pouring of support for the total recovery and rehabilitation of the province, particularly the three hard-hit towns of Boston, Cateel, and Baganga.
Meanwhile, she also credited this success to the farmers, fisherfolks and community organizations, whose labors and hard work helped Davao Oriental emerge as a leading province in the region in terms of agricultural productivity.
For this year’s Gawad Saka, Davao Oriental has produced eight winners. Among the achievers under the individual category are Genevieve Madelo from Banaybanay town - Outsanding Rice Farmer, Artemio C. Cabanog from Cateel town – Outstanding Organic Agriculture Farmer, Dominador Sampiri, Jr. from Mati City – Outstanding Small Animal Raiser, Modesto Ingig from Mati City – Outstanding Large Animal Raiser, and Glyneth Laurea from Lupon town – Outstanding Fisherfolk. Meanwhile, included in the group category are Carmen Barangay Food Terminal from Boston town – Outstanding Barangay Food Terminal, PAFC Davao Oriental from Mati City – Outstanding Provincial Agricultural and Fisheries Council, and MAFC Banaybanay from Banaybanay town – Outstanding Agricultural and Fisheries Council in the municipal level.
Winners under the individual roster received trophies and P 30,000 cash prize each while those in the group category received trophies and cash prize of P50,000 each.
The Gawad Saka is an annual search of the Department of Agriculture which has become the highest form of recognition to deserving farmers and fisherfolks in the country who have excelled in the various sectors in agriculture. PIO
No comments:
Post a Comment