BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved a resolution declaring the month of May 2017 and every year thereafter as Farmers Month in the city in recognition of the role of farmers in the overall development of the city for over a century now.
The resolution authored by Councilor Leandro B. Yangot, Jr. stated with the technological advancement and agricultural modernization, the farmers and agricultural practitioners in the city can actively take part in the celebration so they could also benefit from the programs, projects, and activities of the government.
In the city, Yangot disclosed there remain many areas utilized for agricultural purposes that serve as the major source of livelihood particularly for the residents of outlying barangays like Sto. Tomas School Area, Sto. Tomas Proper, Bakakceng Central, Bakakeng Norte/Sur, Camp 7, Loakan Proper, Loakan Liwanag, Happy Hallow, Baguio Country Club, Gibraltar, Pinsao Proper, Pinsao Pilot Project, Ambiong, and other areas.
Under the newly approved city land use plan, several areas in the city had been identified as agricultural zones due to the presence of agricultural lands being tilled by farmers for domestic and commercial requirements.
For several years now, Yangot pointed out the City of Baguio has not celebrated Farmers Month because the city was presumed to have no agricultural lands and farming is not being reportedly practiced.
The Department of Agriculture (DA), as the lead implementing arm of the annual celebration, prepares and implements, in coordination with the local governments concerned, the various programs, projects, and activities lined up for the month-long celebration natiowide.
Presidential Proclamation No. 33 dated March 21, 1989, officially declared the month of May as the Farmers and Fisherfolks’ month to give due recognition to the invaluable contribution of the farmers and fisherfolks to the development, improvement, management and conservation of the agriculture and fishery sectors.
Yangot said the DA-CAR, the office of the city agriculturist, the barangays, various agencies and instrumentalities, whether private or public, that are dealing or engaged in farming or agricultural activities are encouraged to actively participate in all the activities in support of the celebration.
Yangot said it is unfortunate that the farmers in the city had been deprived of the necessary recognition by the local government over the past several years, thus, the need for the city to re-invent its policies and programs to align them with the development of the agriculture sector considering the presence of farmers in the different parts of the city.
Aside from relying on agricultural produce from the different parts of the Cordillera to supply the major food requirements of the people in the city, farmers in the different outlying barangays in the city significantly contribute in providing an adequate supply of organically-raised crops to the local populace ensuring the stability of food supply in the local scene.
By Dexter A. See
