BUTUAN CITY, August 14 (PIA) -- Food security remains a great concern that continues to be addressed by the municipal government of Loreto in Dinagat Islands.
Loreto town mayor Doandre Bill Lagada reiterated in today’s episode of the Laging Handa Network Briefing with Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar the measures they have done to maintain food production in the locality.
They have continuously advocated for their residents and constituents to embark on backyard gardening by distributing seedlings. Mayor Ladaga noted the improvement of their agriculture, stating that even those who are not familiar with gardening are now eager to expand their own gardens.
As to food self-sufficiency, the local government unit of Loreto has implemented strategies to transport goods to the mainland of the province.
The mayor admitted that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic served as a ‘wake-up call’ for their local government to boos their local agriculture.
“When we experienced the effects of the pandemic on March, we were able to see the insufficiency of our food supply, which our Municipal Agriculture Office quickly addressed,” he said.
With the presence of Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar in the same episode, the mayor took the opportunity to solicit additional assistance to help farmers in increasing food production.
The agriculture secretary was quick to answer to the call, stating that they may approach their regional office in Caraga to voice out their concerns. The department will make sure to tend to their appeals as they are also promoting the Plant, Plant, Plant program of the government, wherein all aspects of food production such as crop, livestock, and fisheries are being targeted.
Furthermore, the secretary has stated that he will personally coordinate with DA Caraga regional director Abel Monteagudo to help farmers not just in Loreto town as well as in the whole Dinagat Islands province and in Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte in marketing their products by establishing market linkages. Teams will be deployed to tackle on the matter. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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