By: Tara Yap
ROXAS CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has at least P164.5-million worth of new agricultural and fisheries projects in Western Visayas region.
DA-6 Regional Director Remelyn Recoter said this was the result of the visit of Secretary Manny Piñol last week both in Panay and Negros Islands.
The biggest chunk is the P75.1-million worth of farm machineries and equipment distributed to various farmers’ groups of the region.
There’s also the P50-million loan for farmers in Antique and Iloilo province. The farmers also get assistance from Philippine Crop Insurance Corp.
A P20-million credit was also given to farmers and fisherfolks in rebel-infested areas of Negros Occidental province.
The money was turned over to conduit partner Negros Cooperative Bank.
Piñol also gave P18.7 million worth certified seeds, hybrid seeds and fertilizer.
BFAR, an attached agency of DA, also distributed patrol boats worth P700,000 to coastal areas of Iloilo province.
