ESPERANZA, AGUSAN DEL SUR SUSTAINS LOCAL ECONOMY AMID PANDEMIC

The local chief executive of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur said on Friday, September 3, that the local economy of the town is alive amid the global health crisis, mainly engaging in farming and agriculture.

In an interview during the Network Briefing News, today hosted by Presidential Communications Sec. Martin M. Andanar, Mayor Leonida Manpatilan said that farming and agriculture keep them on track in sustaining the local economy as the entire nation is still grappling against COVID-19. “Esperanza is engaged in farming and cultivated agriculture and forest land considering that their major crops are rice and corn. We also have a plantation of rubber, fruits, coffee, and there is also livestock," she shared.

Among major agricultural crops being cultivated there are bananas, rice, and corn which are being delivered to Davao City, Cagayan De Oro City, and even in Metro Manila via vessels.

There are also direct buyers who visit the town

Established in 1521, Esperanza is one of the oldest towns in the province. It is a first-class municipality known as the "Tilapia Capital of the Province" and "The Home of Cultural Diversity".

‘Culture of Indigenous Tribe’

During the interview, Sec. Andanar also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to talk with fellow government workers about the indigenous cultural communities, wherein Esperanza town has three tribal groups: Higaunon, Manobo, and Banuaon.

“Sa ating diskusyon sa LGU officials kung saan naroon ang ating indigenous cultural communities ay nakikita ko na napakarami pang matututunan ng mga Pilipino sa inyong mga katutubo. [And in some of our discussions with LGU officials where the indigenous cultural communities are located, I see that Filipinos can learn a lot more from indigenous people,” the PCOO chief said.

Mayor Manpatilan shared that Esperanza is rich in culture as she is advocating to promote and conserve the culture of indigenous tribes in her jurisdiction.

“Before the pandemic, we have the Nalangdang Festival wherein all the three tribes will meet together to have festivities where they can show their talents and the culture of their individual tribes,” she said.

COVID-19 Response

As of now, 37% of the target priority group of the town have been vaccinated, and the municipal health team will begin vaccination for the A4 group or economic frontliners this week, according to Mayor Manpatilan.

The local chief executive expressed her thanks to the national government for its continuing assistance to Esperanza LGU, most especially in its COVID-19 response. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa malaking tulong ng ating Presidente Rodrigo Roa Duterte. In the midst of the pandemic, makikita natin ang kanyang support, sa kabila ng buong bansa ay naghihirap pero mararamdaman natin kung ano nga ba iyong tulong galing sa nasyonal, [I am grateful for the great help of our President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. In the midst of the pandemic, we can see his support, despite the fact that the whole country is suffering, we can feel the assistance of the national government],” she said.

She hopes that the Malaybalay Bukidnon Road will be finished before the end of President Duterte’s term.

“Sana matapos na yung access roads para magaan yung biyahe at paglalakbay, lalo na sa pag-transport ng farm products namin, [Hopefully, the access roads will be finished to make trips easier, especially for the transportation of our farm products],” she concluded.