The agricultural stakeholders in Cagayan Valley expressed their strong support to the Plant, Plant, Plant Program under the Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) Kontra COVID19 of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

It was disclosed by Regional Executive Director Narciso A. Edillo of the DA-Regional Field Office No. 02 (DA-RFO 02) after an emergency meeting held today at Cagayan Valley Research Center (CVRC), San Felipe, City of Ilagan, Isabela.

“Let us then work together and intensify food production in our areas of responsibility,” said Edillo.

“We cannot do it alone. The department needs you as partners in attaining food security in the country.”

Cagayan State University (CSU) President, Dr. Urdujah Tejada, announced that they are to utilize their nurseries in the production of planting materials.

“We already prepared a plan for a possible tie-up with DA regarding this program,” she said.

“Hopefully, we can avail seeds and seedlings from DA so we can start the project on our campus in Gonzaga, Cagayan.”

Regional Governor Cloyd Velasco of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) also expressed their support by continuously adopting households for the same endeavor.

“We are ready to enhance our activities in line with the objectives of the program,” he uttered.

Likewise, the Provincial Agriculturists Alexander Domingo of Nueva Vizcaya, Marites Frogoso of Isabela, and Danilo Benitez of Cagayan relayed that they are in favor of the food production program and now doing related activities.

The seed growers, through Isabela Seed Growers Chairman Alfredo Paguela, also informed that they are already growing vegetables.
“We are one with DA in this undertaking,” he said.

As a show of support, the participating agencies/entities agreed to submit their activities relative to the program for consolidation of DA-RFO 02 and submission to the Office of Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar.

Among the topics discussed are guidelines of the Rice Resiliency Project by Rice Program, vegetable production through urban and backyard gardening by High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), irrigation releases this coming cropping season by National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and seeds distribution by Philippine Rice Research Institute (PHIL RICE).

The meeting attended by State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Provincial Local Government Units (LGUs), Agriculture and Fishery Councils (AFCs), PCCI, seed growers, DA attached agencies to include NIA, PHIL RICE and DA officials and staff.

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(with reports from Hector Tabbun)