SURSUR IPS ORG AVAIL OVER P4.2 AGRI EQUIPMENT FROM DA

Over P4.2 million worth of farming machinery and equipment turned over on Monday, November 15, by the Department of Agriculture - Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (DA-4Ks) – Caraga to CADT 116 or the San Miguel Manobo Indigenous Cultural Communities (SAMMICC) headed by its chair, Datu Cyrus Bat-ao.

Members of the Farmer’s Cooperative and Association (FCA), composed of the indigenous people (IP) in the municipality of San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, gathered in Barangay Caromata to receive the farm machinery and equipment from the agency through Regional Executive Director (RED) Engr. Ricardo Oñate Jr., Regional Technical Director for Operations Rebecca Atega, and DA4Ks focal person Edelmira Luminarias.

The agricultural machinery and equipment are composed of one (1) unit of the four-wheel tractor; one (1) unit of mobile corn mill; one (1) unit of 3-in-1 corn sheller; and one (1) unit of generator set for corn miller.

According to Luminarias, the interventions given were based on the Ancestral Domains Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP) of CADT 116 that are beneficial to their livelihood and community.

In his acceptance message, SAMMICC chairperson Datu Cyrus Bat-ao said that he believes that the interventions will one way or another address common problems that the community has bumped into over the past years such as unemployment, inconsistent farm yield, and food accessibility especially given the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

RED Oñate also highlighted the importance of being consistent in order to achieve the sustainable plans of the tribal community.

“All of these machinery and equipment are already in place, what’s left is our commitment to make use of all of these to supplement to our deficiencies - in terms of production, the yield, employment opportunities among others. To our tribal brothers and sisters, the government most especially the Department of Agriculture, is just right here always ready and willing to help you with your necessities,” said Oñate. (DA-Caraga/ PIA-Surigao del Sur)

November 13-19, 2021 | 19Caraga INFOCUS