DA chief lauds DavOr for levelled up rice sufficiency

DAVAO ORIENTAL, January 19 (PIA)--- Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala this morning lauded Davao Oriental for surpassing the national level of growth in rice sufficiency.

He told media practitioners in a press conference that DA only hit 16 percent rice sufficiency level increment from 81 percent during the start of President Aquino’s administration to 97 percent last year.

But Davao Oriental posted 26 percent growth in rice sufficiency performance from 42 percent during the first term of Gov. Corazon Malanyaon to 68 percent last year.

“Kayo ay humigit pa sa performance ng Department of Agriculture sa buong Pilipinas,” he said.

He lauded Malanyaon for pushing the rice production level of the province and for her resolve to complete the Cateel Irrigation Project which was stalled due to wrath of Typhoon Pablo.

Completed with funding support from the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP), the Cateel Irrigation is expected to water more than 2,000 hectares of rice fields develop in the plains of east-coast town, Cateel.

“We would like to congratulate your province; isa kayo sa mga tinitingnan sa PRDP. Kayo ang may hawak ng pinakamalaking “trophy” ng irrigasyon sa Mindanao,” he said.

In his breakfast meeting with Malanyaon and the municipal mayors, Alcala encouraged them to expand the rice production areas in the province.

In in interview, he revealed DA’s willingness to grant LGUs lower equity on rice production projects, and to provide farm equipment and hybrid rice seeds.

Alcala visited Davao Oriental to turn over P47.5 million worth of implemented agriculture projects and services under the Agri-Pinoy Program dubbed as the “overall strategic framework of DA in rolling out its programs and services from 2011 to 2016 and beyond.”

He also distributed and raffled off about P1 million worth of farm implements, livestock supplies and hybrid rice seeds.

Meanwhile, Governor Malanyaon praised Alcala for all the agriculture assistance that his department had poured to Davao Oriental especially during the period of reconstructing and building back the Typhoon Pablo and LPA (low pressure area) Agaton-devastated areas.

“Siya ay naging gabay; hawak kamay umaalalay; tulong para sa atin ay naging abot kamay,” she said while expressing profound gratitude for the Department of Agriculture through Alcala.

Malanyaon also recognized the attention given by President Aquino whose administration brought forth assistance that substantially helped the provincial government manoeuvered through layers of difficulties after Typhoon Pablo and LPA Agaton. (PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)