Neg. Occ. holds farmers and fisherfolks summit
More than 2,000 farmers and fisherfolks from all over the province gathered at the Bacolod Pavilion Plenary Hall yesterday to attend the opening ceremonies of the Farmers and Fisherfolks Summit 2009 with the theme, “Paghugpong sang Mangunguma kag Mangingisda Sabat sa Hangkat sang Panahon.”
The first summit in Negros Occidental spearheaded by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), aims to support the Fertilizer, Irrigation, Extension and farmers’ training and education, Loans, Dryers and other post harvest facilities and infrastructure, and Seeds (FIELDS) projects under the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the HEARTS PLUS Program of the Provincial Government.
Gov. Isidro P. Zayco graced the occasion and thanked all the delegates for their heartwarming presence and enthusiastic participation in the celebration.
In his message, Zayco emphasized the importance of food security and sustainability which is one of the major thrusts of the provincial government under the HEARTS PLUS Program.
He encouraged the farmers and fisherfolks to continue their outstanding performance and thanked them for supporting him during his two-year stint as governor.
He also lauded the efforts of the OPA staff led by Engr. Igmedio Tabianan in making the event possible and memorable for the stake holders.
SP Committee Chairman on Agriculture and Sixth District Board Member Adolfo T. Mangao Sr. said that the presence of farmers and fisherfolks in this event is an affirmation of their acceptance of the provincial government’s food security program.
Meanwhile, Sagay City Mayor and Negros Island Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (NISARD) President Alfredo G. Marañon Jr. said that he was inspired by overwhelming support of farmers and fisherfolks who attended the event.
He added that he considered them as heroes of the province.
Regional Executive Director RFU VI Larry P. Nacionales, read the message of DA Secretary Arthur C. Yap, in his message, he gave emphasis on the importance of the agricultural sector in terms of solving food scarcity and hunger in the country.
He also urged the farmers to adopt organic ways of farming so that we can help the agricultural sector in maintaining food sufficiency and sustainability.
Also present during the event were Board Member George B. Gitano, Mayors Manuel M. Escalante III, Romel P. Yogore, Dr. Jilson D. Tubillara and Francisco M. Nazareno, Bacolod City Legal Officer Atty. Goldwyn Nifras, GTZ Adviser Dr. Uwe Schultz, Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Head Edgar Libetario, Agriculture Training Institute (ATI) Directors Alan Alimodian and Roberto Masbang, Erwin Pador of BFAR, and the various city and municipal agriculturists.
The City of Kabankalan with 300 registered participants was awarded as the LGU with the most number of delegates while Talisay, Toboso and Sipalay were named “early birds”.
Talisay City also bagged the trophy for the “Cheer Introduction” contest followed by Murcia in second place while Himamaylan and Silay were tied in third place.
The Ginoong Mangunguma/Mangingisda 2009 will commence tonight at the Panaad Park Stadium with 27 participants joining the contest. (Capitol News)
