BUB projects boost farmers

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/business/2015/10/11/bub-projects-boost-farmers-435262
• Sunday, October 11, 2015

By Ace June Rell S. Perez

OVER a thousand farmers and fishermen in Davao Region gathered last Friday during the turnover of 2015 Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) checks cum orientation on Republic Act 10654, amending the "Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998," at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao City.

The event was organized by the regional offices of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in a bid to capacitate further the potential of farmers and fishermen in the region.

Bulk of the participants was fisherfolks from Davao City, Panabo City, and from the towns of Davao Oriental, numbering about 700. Most of the farmers who attended the event are into cacao farming.

Secretary Proceso J. Alcala graced the event to personally turn over the BUB projects by BFAR and DA in the region for the farmers and fishermen.

Some P68.6 million worth of agricultural projects were turned over to various local government units (LGUs), P21.2 million of which are under DA while P39.4 from BFAR.

For Davao City alone, a total of P1.7 million was turned over for the Fisheries Resource Management Project (FRMP)-Fishery project and Strengthening of Fishery Law Enforcement project in the city.

"Ito po ay programa ng pamahalaan na dinadala sa harapan, itinatanong at isinasama sa harapan ng mamayan para makapagbigay ng panukala, obserbasyon para ang ating pamayanan ay tama ang tatahakin na polisiya, ang mga tulong na ito ay pagpapatunay na bunga sa tulong magsasaka at mangingisda sa kanilang sarili sapagkat sila ay aktibong lumalahok sa programa ng pamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng BUB project," Alcala said.

During the event, some farmers, private and government officials were given the chance to raise issues and concerns confronting the agricultural and fishery sector.

Some issues tackled and entertained by the agriculture secretary with the regional directors of BFAR and DA were about the extensive training for farmers, establishing market for the farmers' products, irrigation, issues on marine protected area, technical assistance, farm to market roads, illegal, unreported, unregulated fishing (IUUF), among others.

Also, various farming and fishing equipment and facilities were raffled to the participating farmers and fishermen. A total of 10 engine, 40 fiber glass motorized boat, 10 breeder native pig, 10 goats, 15 power sprayer, five units of open source water pump, four Carabaos and two units of hand tractor with trailer were given to lucky farmers and fishermen.

"With the technical and financial assistance we received from this project, in behalf of the farmers and fisher folks in Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental, we extend our gratitude to the government for helping us through this," said Allan M. Peligrino, chairman of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council of Gov. Generoso.