Thirteen cargo trucks were distributed Wednesday by the
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in the Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao (DAF-ARMM) to farmers’ cooperatives under a government peace process
programs, officials said today.
With the assistance, farmers are expected to at least
improve income, especially in marketing aspects of their produce.
Beneficiaries of the post harvest equipment were former
combatants of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Sulu and Lanao del
Sur who formed farmers’ cooperative and engaged in productive farming following
the signing of the GPH-MNLF peace agreement in 1996.
The cooperatives are listed and accredited by the
Cooperative Development Authority (CDA-ARMM).
Each hauler truck costs between PHP500,000 to PHP850,000,
according to ARMM Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia.
All the 13 hauler trucks amounted to about PHP6 million,
according to Alamia. She said the project was part of the Payapa at Masaganang
Pamayaman (PaMaNa) program of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the
Peace Process (OPAPP) and is implemented by DAF-ARMM.
Aside from hauler trucks, sons and daughters of MNLF former
combatants also received cash assistance for their scholarship, also coming
from PaMaNa program.
Last week, DAF-ARMM also distributed over PHP7.5 million
worth of projects, comprising of farm equipment and livestock for livelihood,
to cooperatives in Maguindanao province.
Alamia led the distribution of 16 farm equipment and 400
heads of livestock to farmer beneficiaries in ceremonies held at the ARMM
compound here.
The farm equipment – composed of mobile rice mill, rice
thresher, and corn sheller – are estimated to be worth over PHP3.7 million
while the livestock – comprising of cows, carabaos, and goats – are estimated
at PHP3.8 million.Beneficiaries of the program took turns in extending
appreciation to the efforts of ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman and other government
officials.
The PAMANA program is an initiative of the national
government to achieve peace and development in conflict-affected areas.
On the other hand, the Agri-Pinoy Rice program is one of the
banner initiatives of the DA targeting rice farmers aimed at uplifting the
lives of Filipino farmers.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=841100
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