DA Chief Pledges Expanded Support for Kalinga Farmers, Approves Key Agricultural Aid
TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has assured rice farmers in Kalinga of continued government assistance as the agency moves to address pressing agricultural concerns and strengthen local food production systems.
During his visit to the province, Laurel said he would coordinate with the National Food Authority (NFA) to allocate a dedicated warehouse and facility in Tabuk City, with separate funding and supply support, to address the limited procurement of rice produced by Kalinga farmers.
The NFA warehouse inspected by the agriculture chief is also set to be included in the agency’s modernization program, which will introduce silo-based storage systems designed to reduce post-harvest handling costs for farmers.
Laurel added that larger processing and milling facilities are also being planned for NFA sites in both Tabuk City and the municipality of Rizal to improve local rice processing capacity.
The DA secretary also held a dialogue with farmers’ associations and cooperative leaders at the National Irrigation Administration compound, where he encouraged stakeholders to actively provide recommendations to help shape more responsive agricultural policies.
“Help us by sharing your concerns and recommendations so we can develop effective solutions and improve our policies for the benefit of farmers,” Laurel told local agricultural leaders.
Responding to farmers’ requests, Laurel approved support for solar irrigation systems, “kuliglig” farm equipment, deep irrigation facilities, and other critical interventions needed to boost farm productivity.
Kalinga remains the rice granary of the Cordillera Administrative Region, producing an average of 120,000 metric tons of rice annually, in addition to corn, fruits, and lowland vegetables.
Laurel also addressed concerns surrounding rice importation, emphasizing the need for balanced import policies to ensure national food security.
“Importation is not inherently bad. What is harmful is excessive importation. The country still faces a production shortfall of about 22 percent, and without sufficient supply augmentation, some Filipinos may face food shortages,” he explained.
As part of the visit, Laurel led the distribution of PHP1.12 million worth of agricultural assistance to 18 farmers’ associations and cooperatives from the municipalities of Lubuagan, Pasil, Tinglayan, Tanudan, Rizal, and Tabuk City.
The assistance package included grass cutters, walking-type agricultural tractors, moisture meters, coffee pulpers, pumps, and engine sets.
He also launched the Serbisyo Caravan, highlighted by the rollout of the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program, which offers rice to the public at PHP20 per kilo.
NPO News Team / PNA-PR
