BAGUIO CITY – Recognizing the vital role of agriculture in the continuing progress and development of Tinoc, Ifugao, Department of Agriculture-Cordillera (DA-CAR) Regional Executive Director Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan graced the opening of the municipality’s town fiesta dubbed ‘Keleng di Tinek’ as guest speaker.
Themed, “Under God’s guidance, we preserve, promote, prosper: Our culture, our growth, our future”, this year’s fiesta is not only a celebration of merriment but also of identity, unity and hope, according to Tinoc Mayor Samson Benito.
Dawayan, in her message, lauded the Tinoc leaders, both past and present, for their commendable efforts enabling the local agriculture industry to flourish which is evident through the improved roads and other logistical support. These supports like farm-to-market roads (FMR) are seen to mainly contribute in the rise of local agricultural production for many years now along with other production support, she added.
Notably, three FMR projects in Tinoc with financial proposal of almost 837 Million were prioritized this year under the DA’s Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP). These projects are the Improvement of Coco-Ahin FMR, Improvement of Impugong-Eheb-Tukucan FMR, and Improvement of Gumhang-Binablayan-Wangwang FMR with Bridge. If implemented, these will intensify the production and marketing of agricultural produce primarily the high value crops.
“It all depends on the unity and cooperation of the local government unit officials,” Dawayan emphasized. She noted that while the projects have been prioritized for this year, its implementation will be dependent to the municipality’s capacity to comply with the project requirements.
Meanwhile, Dawayan also thanked the provincial government of Ifugao for their benevolence in allowing the municipalities to directly propose projects under the PRDP which resulted to Ifugao becoming the province with most prioritized projects for FY2025.
More projects are further being eyed for possible implementation in the locality such as irrigation support. However, Dawayan stressed the importance of ensuring ecological balance in the farming communities noting that more forest covers are now being turned to gardens, specifically in Tinoc which is a major producer of highland vegetables in the province.
“Let us retain the very source of our waters that gives life to agriculture,” Dawayan stated.
She also encouraged the Tinoc folks to adhere to good agricultural practices to sustain local farming not just for the present but for generations to come. By JBAgrifino
