PIA Press Release
Sunday, January 22, 2012

Flood-affected farmers in N. Cotabato get palay seeds

KORONADAL CITY, Jan 22 (PIA) -- As an initiative to help the flood-stricken municipalities in North Cotabato, the Department of Agriculture- 12 distributed needed certified palay seeds to help farmers replant their flashflood-devastated rice fields.

Some 894 bags of palay were given to farmers during a dialogue with farmers at the grounds of Central Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center (CEMIARC), in Amas, Kidapawan City.

Three hundred bags were allocated to farmers from the town of Carmen, 257 to Kabacan, 25 to Pikit and 12 to M’lang.

DA-12 Regional Executive Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan, told farmer-recipients that she has talked to Cotabato Gov. Emmylou “Lala” Mendoza as regards this dilemma.

She added that she has assured the governor that DA-12 will continue to extend help for the recovery affected farmers, including provision of planting materials.

“We are happy that the national government has not forgotten us,” Executive Assistant Dr. Teodora Casipe told DA officials in behalf of the governor.

Engr. Eliseo Mangliwan, North Cotabato’s provincial agriculturist, on his part urged farmers to do their part in making sure that the seed assistance goes a long way.

“The help that DA has given us is temporary, for us to be able to get through the damage brought about by the recent floods,” he said.

Recipients of the calamity assistance also expressed thankfulness to DA 12.

Roger Alimanan, chairman of Barangay Langunan, Carmen said in the vernacular that farmers who have suffered from the flashfloods can now begin restoring their livelihood.”

Bong Bacan, chairman of Barangay Kayaga, Kabacan, in addition to expressing thanks, hopes the DA will continue helping them. (PIA 12/DA 12)