TACLOBAN CITY  (CIO) – Farm machineries worth more than 8.5 Million pesos were handed over to farmer beneficiaries on Wednesday as part of Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez’s comprehensive program on food sufficiency and improved farm production.

Bankrolled under the Bottom Up Budgeting (BUB) Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA), the farm equipment was distributed to 18 Farmers’ Association in Tacloban, along with organic farm inputs in a ceremony attended by OIC City Agriculturist Victoria Collantes, City Livelihood Coordinator Eunice Alcantara and DA Regional Director for Research and Development Elvira Torres and BUB Action Officer Mayflor Realino.

The distributed Farm equipment included 16 units Multi-tilling Machine,34 Power sprayers, 7 water pumps, 18 units Shredding Machine, 5 Units Rice Planters, 3 units Rice Reaper and 4 units Tractor with Trailer.

According to Dr. Torres, the turn-over is part of the 7 projects amounting to 28.7 Million proposed  by the City Government under the BUB Program.   She said that these initiative of the local government will enable farmers in Tacloban City to have sufficient production and increase  their income for inclusive growth.

Cesar Mamites, President of the Barangay San Isidro Integrated Farmers Association, one of the beneficiaries of the farm equipment distribution said that,  “Dako ini nga bulig para ha amon nga mga mag-uruma, kay dri na madako it gastos pagpatanom, ilabi na iton pagtanom hin humay .  “(This is a big help, as this will lessen our overhead cost, especially in planting rice.)

Meanwhile, Christopher Dela Cruz, President of the 150-member Association of Tagpuro Farmers United for Progress (ATRUP) said that the equipment will help increase their production as they will no longer have to depend on crude farm tools.

Collantes, meantime reminded the beneficiaries to come up with guidelines on the use of the farm equipment so it will be fully utilized.  The OIC City Agriculturist also announced that they will start on February 6 a Training on the use of Organic Farm Inputs (fertilizers) in the barangays to be conducted by technicians from CAO. –  Henry James G. Roca