By: Dir. Rowena D. Yumol, Kasanyangan Rural Development Foundation, Inc.
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The PACAP assisted project “Increasing Competencies of Upland Farmers for Sustainable Livelihood” for Barangays of Paco, Bobonaon and Binga in Mainit, Surigao del Norte has conducted a project launching ceremony on March 27, 2008 at the Mainit Gymnasium at 9:30 am. This activity was followed by the conduct of NRM Symposium which featured the larger picture of sustainable community development to which the project aims to achieve.The Office of the Mayor and the SB was represented by Ms. Tessie Paz, SB Secretary and TESDA point person of the municipality. There to grace the occasion were PCA Provincial Coordinator, Mr. Zosimo Paniamogan, Ms. Susan Baguio from the MPDO, Ms. Virgentina Garrido, the Municipal Agriculturist, Engr. Kaiser Recabo, Jr., the Program Director of LMDA and Ms. Virgenita Garridao, MAO.
The ceremony climaxed in the unveiling of the symbolic signage of the project. Barangay Captains and Presidents of the coco farmers organizations from the assisted barangays, Ms. Baguio, Ms. Paz, Ms. Virgentina Garrido, Ms Ann Jaquilmac of NEDA 13 also a member of the FMC, Engr. Kaiser Recabo, Jr., Program Director of LMDA and Rowena Yumol, Executive Director of KRDFI led the unveiling ceremony.
The NRM Symposium featured presentations on Philippine Biodiversity, the LMDA FOCAS Strategy and the Municipal’s program thrusts on sustainable livelihood, agriculture and environment. Mr. Zosimo Paniamogan, PCA officer, presented opportunities for farmers on increasing their coconut stands and access to farm inputs.
An open forum followed the presentations. Questions were raised by participants on the coconut development program, the problem of impassable road network, technology of banana production and the need for soil analysis, counterpart of farmer organizations, the status of ordinance passed on the Lake Mainit development and protection, and how to avail of the development fund of the municipality to enhance their farms.
A call for stakeholders to be serious in the implementation of the project was sounded out by the project coordinator so that the resources used will be optimized and achieve the goals of the communities to improve their quality of life. He expressed gratitude to all participants, the LMDA and LGU for their support. Ms. Jeannie Pagas led the closing prayer.
