LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte – Ilocos Norte farmers and local government units (LGUs) received P41.53 million in agricultural interventions from the Department of Agriculture (DA) during the recent visit of Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban here.
DA Region 1 OIC Regional Executive Director Annie Bares said that a total of P26.5 million was awarded to the Batac City LGU for the rehabilitation of six irrigation facilities damaged by a tropical cyclone.
Another P13 million was allotted for the rehabilitation of the Cabaruan canal lining to improve irrigation in the municipality of Bacarra.
The North Main Canal Federated Irrigators Association Inc., on the other hand, received a combine harvester worth P1.418 million.
In addition, 47 rice farmers from the towns of Pasuquin, Sarrat, Vintar, Batac, Paoay, and San Nicolas each received P5,000 cash or a total of P235,000 through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RCEF-RFFA).
Bares said the DA Ilocos RFO also distributed 130 small ruminants under the livestock program.