Farmers groups taught how to use PSF

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

LAOAG CITY—Ilocos farmers who are frequently hit by typhoon and prolonged drought in this northern part of Luzon may now start availing the so-called People’s Survival Fund (PSF), the national government provides to qualified applicants.

After participating in a whole-day water summit workshop where all the issues, concerns and possible solutions were identified by farmers themselves and their respective local government units, Erika Erro, a representative of the Climate Change Commission who served as a keynote speaker in behalf of Secretary Emmanuel de Guzman told farmers here the government has allocated one billion pesos sourced from the national budget to finance projects that prevent or mitigate the effects of climate change and natural disasters.

Frequently hit by flooding and drought, the farmers zanjera associations from the 21 municipalities and two cities of Ilocos Norte who actively participated in the workshop identified specific projects that could help them mitigate the impact of climate change in their livelihood.

Among the common projects identified to increase farmers’ resiliency and adaptation measures include the urgent repair and rehabilitation of irrigation systems, construction of small water impounding dams, flood-control projects, practice of organic farming including vermiculture, provision of modern farming machineries, distribution of livestock and climate-resilient crops, more establishments of fish sanctuaries, low-cost housing for those living in highly-vulnerable areas due to storm surge and flooding and the continuing tree planting activities to enhance existing watersheds and help address dwindling water supply.

According to Ms. Erro, farmers and LGUs with proposed projects related to climate change component can be funded through the PSF.

“Just submit the work plan and follow the mechanism,” she said as she sat down with farmers during the workshop to assist them how to prepare a project proposal.

Recipients of the special fund may include local government units (LGUs) with high poverty incidence and are exposed to climate risks.

In Ilocos Norte, residents here continue to experience prolong drought, thus, decreasing farmers’ productivity.

In 2012, President Benigno Aquino III signed the PSF but it took a while before it was implemented to finalize the mechanisms under it.

World Bank record shows the Philippines faces economic losses from climate change amounting to 2.5 percent of our gross domestic product (GDP) per year. In 2010, this equaled to about US$45 billion. Such losses are expected to increase to up to US$418 billion in 2030.

Comments

Empanada festival: A celebration of good taste and good life

By Dominic B. dela Cruz & Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporters BATAC CITY—If there is one thing Batac is truly proud of, it would be its famous empanada-making business that has nurtured its people over the years. Embracing a century-old culture and culinary tradition, Batac’s empanada claims to be the best and tastiest in the country with its distinctive Ilokano taste courtesy of its local ingredients: fresh grated papaya, mongo, chopped longganisa, and egg. The crispy orange wrapper and is made of rice flour that is deep-fried. The celebration of this city’s famous traditional fast food attracting locals and tourists elsewhere comes with the City Charter Day of Batac every 23 rd of June. Every year, the City Government of Batac led by Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta commemorate the city’s charter day celebration to further promote its famous One-Town, One Product, the Batac empanada. Empanada City The Batac empanada festival has already become...

Free dormitories eyed for Nueva Era students in LC, Batac

Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Nueva Era , Ilocos Norte—The municipal government here, headed by Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida is planning to establish dormitories in the cities of Laoag and Batac that will exclusively cater to college students from the said cities. “Sapay la kuma ta maituloyen iti mabiit tay ar-arapaapen tayo ken iti munisipyo a maipatakderan kuma dagiti annak tayo a college students nga agbasbasa idiay siyudad iti Batac ken Laoag iti libre a dormitoryo a bukod da ngem inggana nga awan pay ket an-anusan mi paylaeng nga ibaklay kenni apo bise mayor iti pagbayad da iti kasera aggapu iti bukod mi a suweldo malaksid dagitay it-ited iti munisipyo ken iti barangay nga stipend da kada semester, ” Garvida said. Garvida added that the proposed establishment of dormitories would be a big help to the students’ parents as this would shoulder the expenses of their children for rent and likewise they would feel...

P29 per kilo rice sold to vulnerable groups in Ilocos region

BBM RICE. Residents buy rice for only PHP29 per kilo at the NIA compound in San Nicolas town, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. The activity was under a nationwide pilot program of the government to sell quality and affordable rice initially to the vulnerable sectors. (Lei Adriano) San Nicolas , Ilocos Norte —Senior citizens, persons with disability, and solo parents availed of cheap rice sold at PHP29 per kilogram during the grand launching of the Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) Rice held at the National Irrigation Administration compound in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. “ Maraming salamat Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa inyong pagmamahal sa Region 1 lalong-lalo na sa bayan namin sa San Nicolas,” said Violeta Pasion, a resident Brgy. 18 Bingao in this town. The low-priced grains were sourced from the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) contract farming with irrigators' association members in the province. Along with Pasion, Epi...

The Ilocos Times

Search This Blog