by Gerry Lee Gorit
MISAMIS ORIENTAL – Paglaum Governor Peter “Sr. Pedro” M Unabia has revealed his plans of connecting to the Local Government Units (LGU) of Isabela Province and collaborating with them to allow the province to study their successful implementation of agriculture.
Governor Unabia said based on his research, Isabela is ten times better than Misamis Oriental when it comes to all facets of farming.
“I am also a farmer tilling hundreds of hectares of land and I am farming corn because I need them. And I even sent my farming chief to Isabela and he also said to me that Isabela is really far better in farming than our province,” Unabia said.
The governor added that he is sending a letter to the Department of Agriculture Chief Tiu telling him that all farming tractors, heavy equipment and farm implements received by the province will be checked by his team whether they are still usable or not.
“I told him in my letter that he will order repairs of all defective units so that the province will no longer buy new ones and instead be able to save more funds by doing so,” Unabia explained.
“I had a chance to talk to Assec Albarece through the phone and he said to me that we are ten years behind in agriculture as compared to Isabela. So with that, if it’s necessary to benchmark with them we will do it. I will send a team to go to Isabela to study about farming but make sure that when you go back you will learn a lot that will really improve our province,” the governor added.
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
Meanwhile, the governor also said in his message that a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing between DENR-10 and PGMO on the proposed Allocation of Funds from PGMO to DENR-10, amounting to Php5,520,000.00 as Subsidy for the Contractual Personnel that will be Hired by DENR-10 Misamis Oriental Governor Peter “Sr. Pedro” M. Unabia, Henry A. Adornado, PHD. (Regional Executive Director), DENR-X, Forester Virgilino Alima Provincial Environment & Natural Resources Officer DENR-Mis.Or., Vice Gov, Jeremy Jonahmar “jigjag” G. Pelaez and Board members Wayne T. Militante, Gerardo “Boboy” Sabal, Liga ng mga Barangay ABC President Robert “Bobet” de Lara, Dexter Yasay, Syremae “Say-say” Emano, Rey Buhisan, President, SK Federation Mary Kate Temple at the Provincial Capitol Grounds Misamis Oriental on July 1. 2024.
The DENR-PENRO Misamis Oriental, encompassing 359,737.96 hectares, is mandated to protect the remaining natural resources and its adjoining areas for present and future generations.
The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental (PGMO) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office of Region -10 aims to enhance environmental protection in Misamis Oriental. This agreement focuses on augmenting the current Workforce by providing financial assistance for hiring additional personnel, thereby strengthening the efforts towards environmental and management in the province.
The personnel will conduct foot patrols, monitoring, and enforcement to safeguard forestland and protected areas within the Province, including:
Initao-Libertad Protected Landscape and Seascape, Mimbilisan Protected Landscape, Mt. Balatukan Range Natural Park, And the land examiners will assist in processing land application.
The PGMO will allocate financial assistance amounting to PHP 5,520,000.00 to DENR -10 for the hiring of the following personnel for the period of July to December 2024. The number of personnel to be hired were : 25 Forest Protection Officers, 4 Bantay Lasang, 2 Bantay Dagat, and 15 Land Examiners
JULY IS PHIL AGRICULTURISTS MONTH
It was also learned that Executive Order No. 544 – Declaring the month of July of Every Year as “Philippine Agriculturists Month” was signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos. Jr., to recognize the dedication and contribution of agriculturists in enhancing nationwide agricultural productivity and competitiveness. and raise awareness of the significance of the agricultural sector.
For this purpose, The Department of Agriculture and Professional Regulation Commission and its Board of Directors shall lead, coordinate and supervise the observance of Philippine Agriculturist’s Month, and identify the programs, activities and project for the yearly celebration thereof. ##
