BUHI, CAM. SUR – The Department of Agriculture turned over a newly constructed Rice Processing Center (RPC 1) building to the San Antonio Farmers Irrigators Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SAFIMCO). DA-Bicol OIC-Regional Executive Director, Engr. Abelardo R. Bragas turned over the P56M worth facility to the SAFIMCO officers led by its chairman Loreto B. Cenita.
The building with a floor area of 300 sq. meters is equipped with a multi-pass rice mill (double pass; 1 ton/ hr. milling capacity). It will also serve as a warehouse where farmers can store their palay especially during rainy season. The facility located about 13 km. from Buhi town proper will benefit over 400 rice farmers cultivating about 200 hectares rice areas not only in Barangay San Ramon but also the adjacent barangays. The DA has earlier provided SAFIMCO a flatbed dryer, a palay shed and a multipurpose drying pavement.
The RCP1 is one of the facilities developed by the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) which can be availed of by farmers association under the DA Rice Mechanization Program. This program aims to optimize the use of modern technologies in farming and offers machinery and equipment that lessens the drudgery of field work and lowers operational cost and increases farmer’s yield and income.
Dir. Bragas said that the facility is a concrete proof that the government through the DA is responding and doing something for its people especially the farmers. He appealed to the farmers to continue supporting the programs of the DA and to put their trust and confidence in the DA leadership especially to secretary Alcala because he is really sincere in helping the farmers and alleviating the agriculture sector.
The turn over ceremonies was also attended by Dr. Elena B. delos Santos, DA, RTD for Operations & Extension; Engr. Don David Julian of PHilMech which is providing technical assistance to the project; barangay captain Edito Lleno and the barangay council members, Engr. Nilda Albaño of the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division of DA; Edgar Collao, Municipal Agriculturist and his staff; Ceron Dakila of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management and other DA personnel.
SAFIMCO which has some 428 members was among the top 10 outstanding Irrigators Associated recognized and awarded in the 2013 Rice Achievers Awarding ceremonies held last year in Metro Manila. -Emily B. Bordado
DA turns over P56M rice processing center in Buhi
CNorte fishermen get P1.8M boats from DOLE-Bicol
MERCEDES, Camarines Norte- Fishing is the source of livelihood in this town and the most important tool for their source of income is of course – a boat.
Realizing this, the Department of Labor and Employment Provincial Field Office of Camarines Norte (DOLE Cam. Norte) headed by Provincial Field Officer (PFO) Jane Rolda, under the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Program (GPBP), awarded a total of P1,884,115.00 worth of high quality boats, locally known as “banka”, to 100 fisherman-beneficiaries.
The P1.8M boat project was personally turned-over by DOLE-Bicol regional director Nathaniel V. Lacambra to LGU Mercedes, Camarines Norte Mayor Alexander Pajarillo.
The 100 beneficiaries came mostly from the coastal Barangays of Catandunganon, Mandisok and Kulasi of said town. Although there are few who have their own old boats, most of them are fisherfolks either renting boats or working on another man’s boat.
The 100 fishing “banka” is a fusion of both traditional and modern design made by a local craftsman from the same town. The “banka” is said to be better, faster and smoother since it is made of the latest fibber glass technology and an aero dynamic design.
With the specifications of the new “banka”, DOLE-Bicol regional director Nathaniel V. Lacambra, during the turn-over ceremony held last June 5 at the Mercedes Town Hall, said that the fishermen can expect a better “catch”.
“They are actually eyeing to catch twice as much fish compared before. Meaning they will be having twice the income also,” RD Lacambra added.
In DOLE Cam. Norte’s computation, a single beneficiary of the project yields an average of P2,500 income a month. Now, with the project, the projected monthly income will range from P7,000 to P8,000 a month which is three times higher compared to their current income.