PARACELIS, Mountain Province – Envisioning a long-term food security and improved livelihood for farmers despite the challenges of a changing climate, Mountain Province jump started the construction of its Climate Field School with a groundbreaking ceremony held at the Mountain Province State University (MPSU) Bacarri Satellite Campus in Paracelis on September 23, 2024.
An initiative of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chaired by Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr., the Mountain Province Climate Field School (MPCFS), aims to establish a sustainable and adaptive agricultural framework that will strengthen the province’s resilience to climate change and disasters. It features four areas on agricultural fisheries, infrastructure development, natural ecosystem, and institutional capacity development.
The project is a shared vision and a collaborative response among different government instrumentalities, specifically the provincial government, MPSU, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and its executive arms, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMC), Office of the Congressman, 10 municipal government units of the province, and the Cordillera offices of the National Economic Development Authority, Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office (RFO), Department of Science and Technology, Department of Environment and Natural Resources RFO, Agricultural Training Institute, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Environmental Management Bureau, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, People’s Survival Fund Board, Development Bank of the Philippines and the Climate Change Commission.
The groundbreaking of the 271.15-million-peso project was led by Governor Lacwasan and MPSU President Edgar G. Cue. They were joined by officials and representatives from the various implementing partner agencies and offices and other provincial and Paracelis officials.
During a simple program, Lacwasan said that the implementation of the project is due to the collective efforts of the provincial officials and the PDRRMC, the MPSU, and the various partners in the regional and national agencies. He emphasized that the implementation of the project shows the government and its officials’ commitment to empower communities. He further thanked the MPSU for hosting the climate field school that will serve as a training ground on climate-resilient agriculture.
In addition, the governor mentioned that with the blessing of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the provincial government was able to earmark the amount of PhP48-million as its counterpart to complement the People’s Survival Fund (PSF) grant.
In his opening remarks, MPSU President Cue acknowledged all the different offices and agencies behind the implementation of the project, which were fueled by a shared commitment to attain a common goal. He shared that the project was funded by the PSFB under the leadership of Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno.
“By working together, we capacitate our farmers and fisherfolks to become resilient, as well as boost their knowledge about the finest agricultural practices and sustainable resources management while increasing yields in the agriculture and fisheries. Thus, let us kick off this groundbreaking ceremony and reaffirm our dedication to continually support each other,” Cue said.
Moreover, MPCSF Project Manager and Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Neil D. Culallad shared that the project was initiated in the last quarter of 2022 with the forming of a technical working group through an executive order that was signed by Governor Lacwasan.
After a series of hard works involving all the project’s implementing partners, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. turned over the PSF of more than PhP271M to Governor Lacwasan on November 29, 2023.
With the turnover of the project’s fund, Cullalad said that the Governor signed an executive order forming the project implementation and management unit and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed a resolution authorizing the Governor to enter a contract with the PSFB relative to the implementation of the MPCFSF. From here, Cullad shared that with the signing of agreement with implementing entities and the completion of other necessary requirements, the PSF first tranche was downloaded in August 2024.
Meanwhile, NEDA-CAR Regional Director Susan A. Sumbeling assured NEDA’s continuous support to the province’s development and shared that the agency has instantly endorsed the project for funding. Other representatives from the project’s implementing partners also conveyed their message of continuing support for the successful implementation of the project.
Congress representative Maximo Y. Dalog, Jr. represented by Political Affairs Officer Erlindo E. Agwilang, Jr., also expressed his full support to the project and assured the continuous collaboration of his office with the local government units, the academe and the national line agencies to ensure the delivery of quality education and services to the province’s constituents.
Furthermore, Paracelis Mayor Marcos G. Ayangwa, represented by Municipal Civil Registrar Shasta Ann O. Baguingan-Vargas, and Vice Gov. Francis O. Tauli also extended their support for the project.
For his part, Bacarri Barangay Captain Thomas Simangon committed to assist in overseeing and assuring the protection of government projects and properties in the area.
Furthermore, other provincial officials who were present to show their support were District 1 Board Members, Ezra Samson A. Gomez, Federico E. Onsat, Joshua B. Fronda and Angel Moises T. Tamang. By Hail, MP