SAN MANUEL, Pangasinan, Jan 31 (PIA) -The provincial government here turned over curing barns to two tobacco-producing towns in eastern Pangasinan.
Governor Amado Espino III led the memorandum of agreement signing and turn-over of the curing barns in Sitio Silsilay, Sto. Domingo in San Manuel and Barangay Poblacion in Balungao on January 28.
In his message during the ceremony, Gov. Espino expressed his firm resolve to assist tobacco farmers.
“Ito ang mga bagay na inisip natin na hindi lang po para makatulong sa tobacco farmers kung hindi, pati na rin sa ating mga palay farmers. Ang mga bagay po na ito ay ibinabalik lang po natin sa inyo dahil pera niyo naman po ito,” Espino said in a report from the provincial information office.
Provincial Agriculturist Dalisay Moya explained that technically, it is necessary to cure tobacco after harvesting and before it can be consumed.
Tobacco curing is also known as color curing since tobacco leaves are cured with the purpose of changing their color and reducing their chlorophyll content.
Moya said the two curing barns, worth P10,000,000 are funded from the P27,655,395 Tobacco Excise Tax in CY 2016.
Other projects of the provincial government which utilized the Tobacco Excise Tax included the hand tractors and water pumps which were distributed earlier.
“Ito ay part ng CY 2016 Excise Tax na P27-milyon. Mayroon tayong 87 units ng hand tractors at 57 units ng water pumps na naibigay na sa ating mga tobacco farmers,” said Moya.
Moya also bared that the curing barns will not only benefit tobacco farmers in the two municipalities, but can also be utilized by other farmers for various agricultural activities like planting palay and mais.
The provincial government assured that more projects for the agricultural sector are underway despite the pandemic as everybody needs to earn and ensure a source of livelihood. (JCR/VHS/PIA Pangasinan)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
0 Comments