To bolster the resilience and productivity of Bulacan’s agricultural and fisheries sectors, the Provincial Agriculture Office, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources- Region 3 (BFAR-3), distributed farm machineries and post-harvest facilities to farmers and livelihood assistance to fisherfolk at the covered court of Bulacan Polytechnic College on Tuesday.

In a statement, Governor Daniel Fernando highlighted the importance of this initiative in supporting Bulacan’s food security goals and ensuring a thriving agricultural sector.

“Isa po kayo sa mga bumubuhay sa mga ibinibigay ng Diyos na grasya. Kayo ang ginamit ng Diyos para kami ay pakainin – para pakainin ang taumbayan, kaya marapat lamang na bigyan kayo ng mga biyayang ganyan para magamit ninyo (You are among those who give life to the blessings that God gives. God uses you to give us food – to feed the people, so it is just proper to give you those interventions for your usage). Kasi (because) we need to level up our farmers and machineries,” he said.

In an interview, provincial agriculturist Ma. Gloria SF. Carrillo said 10 farmers cooperatives/associations (FCAs) received 50 units of rainwater harvesting facilities (Cistern) amounting to PHP500,000 to provide supplemental or alternative irrigation source for farmers, preventing drought and water-induced crop production losses.

“A total of 22 FCAs and two LGUs (local government units) in the province received farm machineries including five units of four-wheel tractor with driven disc plow, five units of hand tractor, 10 units of levee maker, 13 units of rice combine harvester, two units of recirculating dryer and one unit of single pass rice mill (stationary), all amounting to a total of PHP41.33 million from the 2024 PhilMech (Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization) Fund,” Carillo added.

To improve the standard of living of fisherfolk in the province, they were given gillnets, marine engines, fish smoking technology package, fish vending equipment, and boats with engine, among others, with a total cost of PHP2.18 million.

Also present during the distribution program were Vice Governor Alexis Castro, DA-BFAR-3 (Central Luzon) Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz, Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer Memito Luyun III, and Senator Cynthia Villar represented by Mabel Esguerra. (PNA)