BAGUIO CITY – In a dedicated effort to enhance food sufficiency and support to the urban farming communities in the region, the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera (DA-CAR) in collaboration with the city government through its City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO) conducted a farmer’s consultation and distribution of DA funded agricultural interventions worth of ₱735,000 on October 4, 2023 at the Baguio City Hall.
This initiative aimed to address issues and concerns pertaining to the agricultural development of the city. Mayor Benjamin Magalong recalled that the city has committed their support to the farmers during previous consultations and the activity was a timely engagement in fulfilling those commitments.
He stressed the importance of delivering on these commitments, acknowledging that timing might have sometimes lagged due to administrative processes. Mayor Magalong assured the farming community of the city’s steadfast dedication to their welfare, emphasizing that the city was actively collaborating with the DA to enhance marketing opportunities for local agricultural products.
While Baguio’s agricultural sector currently accounts for only 3-4% of the city’s economy, Mayor Magalong expressed the city’s goal to elevate this percentage significantly, aiming for self-sufficiency in food production. The city’s five-year agricultural development plan envisions increased farmer productivity and income, a surge in the number of young farmers, resilient agriculture practices, zero hunger, and the promotion of local government-led economic enterprises through public-private partnerships.
Meanwhile, Dr. Arlene M. Sagayo, OIC-Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, representing OIC-Regional Executive Director Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan, assured the agency’s wholehearted support for all of the city’s proposed projects. She encouraged farmers to not only make good use of the provided interventions but also to multiply their benefits to ensure long-term sustainability.
The distributed interventions included 31 UV plastic sheets, 3 walking-type tractors, 4 HDPE pipes, various farm tools, and seeds. These provisions benefited 31 individuals affected by Typhoon Egay, 4 farmers’ cooperatives and associations, and 1 non-governmental organization. These were acquired through the agency’s High Value Crops and Development Program (HVCDP) and National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP).
Likewise, additional interventions from the city government and Bureau of Plant Industry were given, these include 3 walking-type tractors and 7 UV plastic sheets.
Baguio Assistant Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer Dr. Meriam Micklay disclosed that the DA-CAR has allocated a significant budget of PhP42.3M for the city for Fiscal Year 2023, with further support planned for Fiscal Year 2024 with an amount of PhP15.5M.
In closing, RAFC Chairperson Ryan U. Palunan encouraged all participants to use the insights gained from the discussions to identify areas of improvement. These improvements will pave the way for embracing new technologies and best agricultural practices, which can subsequently be shared with fellow farmers.
Some of the attached agencies and bureaus also presented the programs and services they can offer to address some of the concerns of the urban farmers.
The Agricultural Training Institute, the Bureau of Plant Industry, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Bureau of Animal Industry, Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority, National Meat Inspection Service, National Dairy Authority, and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation were present during the day.
The activity was also attended by Baguio APCO Dr. Ofelia Ducayag, DA-CAR HVCDP and AMAD Chief Joan Bacbac, DA-CAR Planning Monitoring and Evaluation Division Chief Susan Balanza, DA-CAR Regional Agriculture and Engineering Division Chief Engr. Filemon Salvador, DA-CAR Organic Agriculture Program OIC-Focal Person Oliver Pe, DA-CAR Livestock Representative Jayvee Canor, Baguio City Committee on Agriculture Chairperson Hon. Isabelo Bastian Cosalan, City Veterinarian Dr. Silardo Bested, and other staff from DA-CAR and CVAO.