In support to the efforts of the local government units (LGUs) in providing relief goods and services amid the Luzonwide quarantine, hauling trucks acquired from the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) for various enterprise sub-projects are being maximized.
According to Lorna E. Panyo, Business Development Officer, the proponent groups (PGs) have voluntarily allowed the use of the vehicles for the relief operations of the LGUs.
“Transport utilities are limited considering the lockdown and quarantine situations in the municipalities and the PGs have initiated the use of their vehicles to help the LGUs in delivering and distributing goods to their constituents,” she said.
The Besao Multipurpose Cooperative (BMPC), the lead PG for the Mountain Province Arabica Coffee Enterprise (MPACE) is currently using their vehicle to transport food and other necessities and to deliver goods to households, especially those residing in the far-flung areas.
Likewise, the vehicle for the enterprise on Potato Tuber Production in Bauko, Mountain Province is also being used by the LGU in hauling rice from the National Food Authority (NFA) in Bontoc to their municipality.
“The turnover ceremony of the enterprise sub-project including the vehicle was cancelled due to the ECQ and for the mean time, we are using it to haul rice from the NFA to be distributed to the different barangays of Bauko,” said Clarence Golocan of Bauko municipal government.
Likewise, the vehicle was also used recently to transport medicinal supplies and other goods from Baguio to Bauko.
With the extended ECQ until April 30, 2020, Panyo said that the LGUs will be maximizing the use of these vehicles for their relief operations.
“Enterprise operations are on hold and this is a way for them to support the LGU and help their communities,” she added.
By ELVY S. TAQUIO