Almost 1M worth of SAAD project inputs distributed in Mountain Province

February 21, 2021 Provincial

“We came again to deliver additional project inputs as requested”. These are the words of Regional Director Lilibeth L. Signey during the turn-over ceremony of various project inputs held in Tadian, Mountain Province, recently.
“As promised, we came back to deliver what was committed”, said RD Signey. “As I have told last December, when I pronounced that this will be the last project the Bureau will be turned over under the regular funds of SAAD for the year 2020.
However, we are very thankful for the additional funding from BFAR Central Office that we are able to share some 3.5Million for the Cordillera region. In fact, the region had the highest share from the available 10 Million funding. It is really a well-heeled time that we are able to grant your requests through the additional funding that was downloaded”, Signey added.
Hence, thirteen units of post-harvest package to include one unit chest freezer, two cooler boxes, and a 60kg capacity weighing scale was distributed to various fisherfolk organizations in the municipalities of Bauko (3), Besao (4), Bontoc (2) and Sagada (4).
Aside from this, 200 rolls of fine mesh (hapa) nets and eight rolls of water hose were given to the Tadian Farmers and Fisherfolk Irrigators Association in response to their request during the harvest field day of loach last September while the 14 units of harvesting nets will be distributed to other towns in the province.
The hapa net and other accessories for loach grow-out in rice paddies has been their (TAFFIA) additional request during the conducted harvest field day in Brgay Duagan. The said nets will be used to fence the paddies for the loach not to escape from the area.
According to Ms Faith Pek-aw of PVET, their eagerness to learn various agri-fisheries interventions started when members had attended a training module on the Farmers Livestock School-Goat Enterprise Management (FLS-GEM) in 2019. This learning opportunity had stimulated its members to become dynamic in exploring more ventures that will expand their activities such as the established tilapia fish hatchery, and the propagation of loach.
“We guided and supported the organization for them to grow and prosper. So whatever their plans, we will support them”, said Ms Pek-aw. This time, Mr Rex Allen Cadio, TAFFIA Adviser, plans to explore on livestock production so that group members had their focus to dwell on.
Looking forward after the constructed tilapia fish hatchery, Mr Cadio proposes to make it as an Agritourism site to serve as a show window for other fisherfolk enthusiast who wish to venture in fish farming. TAFFIA covers about 16 barangays of Tadian.
“This is really a great encouragement for us to do our part not only for the TAFFIA members but also to other fisherfolk in Bauko, Besao, Sagada and Tadian for all of us to attain our goals. It is truly gratifying to hear from the RD Beth we came again to deliver our promise with the presence of Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr, Vice Mayor Alfonso D. Polan, Councilor Juniper Kidit, Sr and some officials to be part of the event”, said Rene Del Amor,TAFFIA member.
“Your presence will serve as a morale booster for the members to do their part to be able to contribute toward achieving food security,” he added.
“We believe that BFAR is an evident that government support continues, from the first conducted activity in Duagan, then the inauguration of the fish hatchery in Luk-eb, up to granting of additional inputs for the propagation of loach. We are very grateful for this”, said Elisa Benafin, TAFFIA Secretary.
Part of the activity was the awarding of Scholarship Certificate to Mr. Janrhey L. Palonga of Besao. Palonga passed the Nationwide Qualifying Examination-Fisheries Scholarship Program for the component of Fisherfolk Children Educational Grant.
Rodelyn Foronda