Office of the Provincial Agriculture - Leyte

In response to the request of 2nd District Board Member Mildred Joy Que, the Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPA) conducted an orientation on the Community Assistance Program (CAP) for barangay chairmen of Dulag, Leyte to provide information on the eligibility requirements and guidelines for prospective borrowers.

CAP focal person Renavic Melgazo disclosed that the program has already benefited a growing number of farmers across the province through livelihood projects such as vegetable production, hog fattening, sweet potato and corn production, cacao farming, tilapia and bangus culture, and egg-laying production, among others.

The group of punong barangay welcomed the CAP, recognizing it as a significant help to their constituents, considering that lack of capital remains one of the biggest challenges faced by farmers. They also vowed to discuss the program with farmers in their respective barangays and assist those who are willing to avail of the program.

CAP is a priority program of the Provincial Government of Leyte under the leadership of Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla. It aims to provide financial assistance for crop, livestock, and fisheries production through loans of up to P100,000.00 for individual farmers, with zero interest on the first loan.

Seventy-seven farmers from various municipalities in Leyte recently received financial assistance under the Province of Leyte’s Community Assistance Program (CAP) to support and expand their agricultural livelihood ventures.

Held at the Provincial Government Complex Multipurpose Hall in Palo, Leyte, the distribution of checks provided individual borrowers with loan assistance ranging from P50,000.00 to P100,000.00. The funds will be utilized for hog fattening, high value vegetable production, and corn farming projects aimed at improving productivity and increasing household income.

As part of the activity, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) representative also discussed the importance of crop and livestock insurance in safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods against the impacts of calamities and other unforeseen disasters. The orientation highlighted the role of agricultural insurance in strengthening resilience and ensuring continuity of farm operations during adverse events.

The activity was spearheaded by Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Maria Lourdes Nadera together with David Elegio from the Provincial Governor’s Office, CAP focal person Renavic Melgazo, and representatives from the Provincial Budget and Accounting Offices.

Since 2025, the Community Assistance Program has already benefited around 537 individual borrowers across the province, helping farmers and rural entrepreneurs establish or expand their agribusiness initiatives and contribute to local food production and economic development.

𝐋𝐆𝐔 𝐎𝐅 𝐏𝐀𝐋𝐎, 𝐋𝐄𝐘𝐓𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐒 𝐐𝐆𝐀𝐒 𝐌𝐎𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐀𝐏𝐏 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐅𝐔𝐄𝐋 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐘 ⛽
The Provincial Government of Leyte officially launched the QGAS Mobile Application, a digital platform that allows the public to monitor and compare fuel prices from participating gasoline stations across the province in real time.
With the QGAS App, residents can easily check updated fuel prices anytime and anywhere, helping motorists make informed decisions while promoting transparency and fair competition among fuel retailers.
📲 𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒:
Scan the QR Code below using your mobile phone camera or any QR scanner to access the QGAS Mobile Application and stay updated on the latest fuel prices.
The LGU of Palo encourages everyone to utilize this innovative platform for a more informed and convenient fueling experience.
Stay informed. Drive smart. ⛽

゚viralシalシ

DA introduces Sagip Saka to Leyte

Key provincial officials recently participated in an orientation on Republic Act No. 11321 (Sagip Saka Act) conducted by the Department of Agriculture at the Provincial Government Complex conference room in Palo.

The activity aimed to familiarize participants with the salient provisions of the law and emphasize the important role of the provincial government as a direct buyer of agricultural and fishery products from accredited cooperatives and enterprises, eliminating the need for middlemen. Through this initiative, the government hopes to ensure stable market opportunities, increase farmers’ and fisherfolk’s income, and promote sustainable agri-fishery production.

Provincial Administrator Corazon Alvero expressed optimism that the law would significantly improve the income of farmers while introducing a new system of government procurement for agricultural and fishery products.

The orientation was facilitated by Ms. Rufelie Gula and Mr. Dioscoro Gasatan Jr. from the Department of Agriculture. Also in attendance were BAC Chairman Arvin Monge, Provincial Accountant Doris Beloy, Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Maria Lourdes Nadera, and representatives
from the provincial budget, social welfare and development, and agriculture offices.

The Office of the Provincial Agriculture continues to strengthen its commitment to the implementation of the Karendirya Para sa Healthy Pilipinas Program of the Provincial Government of Leyte through a series of trainings on vegetable production through organic farming recently conducted in the municipalities of Julita, Tanauan, Jaro, Burauen, Dulag, and San Isidro.

The participants, composed of nutritionally at-risk households with pregnant women, lactating mothers, and mothers with children aged 6 to 59 months, were equipped with knowledge and practical skills in establishing backyard and container gardens. The training focused on chemical-free vegetable production, enabling families to sustainably grow nutritious food for household consumption while creating opportunities to earn additional income from surplus harvests.

Following the training sessions, participants received starter kits containing assorted vegetable seeds, seedling trays, and plant pots to help them begin their home gardening initiatives immediately.

The activity was conducted in coordination with the Provincial and Municipal Health Offices, with Wincesa Cane and Patrick Gio Lebajo of the Office of the Provincial Agriculture serving as resource persons.

Each year, fourth-year BS Agriculture students from Visayas State University – Alangalang Campus are immersed in the various projects and services of the Office of the Provincial Agriculture as part of their internship program. On April 20, 2026, 30 students majoring in Agricultural Extension successfully completed their on-the-job training as agricultural extension workers, a hands-on learning experience that began on March 2, 2026.

PALO, LEYTE — In the face of rising and unpredictable fuel prices, innovation steps in. Municipal agriculturists and agricultural extension workers (AEWs) participated in the orientation and whitelisting/allowlisting of their mobile devices for the newest system designed to monitor fuel prices. The QGas application is an innovative platform developed by the Provincial Government of Leyte through Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla.

The application is designed to monitor and compare fuel prices across various gasoline stations, providing motorists and the general public with reliable, real-time information to help them make informed decisions by identifying locations with the lowest and highest fuel prices.

Provincial Administrator Corazon Alvero welcomed and expressed her appreciation to the participants, emphasizing the significant role they will play in the effective implementation of the system. She noted that their involvement is especially crucial in light of the ongoing fuel price challenges affecting communities.

Meanwhile, Ms. Claire Maderazo, head of the Province’s special projects, underscored that fuel price volatility remains one of the most pressing concerns at the moment. She highlighted that the QGas application will enable the public to access updated fuel prices per municipality, thereby promoting transparency and consumer awareness.

Data collected by AEWs from gasoline stations will be synchronized with the system’s central database and will be made accessible through the official website of the Province of Leyte.

The activity was facilitated by Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Maria Lourdes Nadera together with the staff and personnel of the Office of the Provincial Agriculture.

Leyte launches Benteng Bigas expanded roll-out
Around 5,000 consumers composed of senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, 4Ps beneficiaries, farmers, fisherfolk, tricycle and jeepney drivers, and other non-vulnerable beneficiaries lined up to purchase the P20-per-kilo rice during the Expanded Roll-out of the Benteng Bigas program held recently at the Leyte Academic Center in Pawing, Palo, Leyte.

The activity was made possible through the partnership and coordinated efforts of the Provincial Government of Leyte, the Department of Agriculture (DA), the National Food Authority (NFA), and the Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI).

In his inspirational message, Board Member Carlo Loreto, representing Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla, highlighted the Provincial Government of Leyte’s initiatives to empower farmers and fisherfolk and improve their quality of life. He emphasized that the provincial government promotes sustainable support rather than simple dole-outs, encouraging beneficiaries to pursue their own agribusiness enterprises.

Among these initiatives are the Increased Crop Output through Rural Infrastructure and Community Empowerment (ICOT-RICE) and the Community Assistance Program (CAP), both financial loan programs aimed at supporting agricultural ventures. The province has also introduced digital applications for price monitoring and electronic buying and selling of agricultural commodities.

Meanwhile, DA Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs Genevieve Guevarra emphasized that Benteng Bigas serves as a timely intervention amid the oil crisis, providing affordable yet good-quality rice to consumers.

“Naging positibo ang presyohan ng palay para sa ating mga magsasaka habang inilalabas natin ang rice stocks mula sa mga bodega ng NFA upang maipamahagi sa mga Kadiwa at Benteng Bigas outlets. In coordination with the PLGU, tuluy-tuloy rin ang pagbili ng NFA ng palay sa patas na presyo, at dahil dito lalo nating nahihikayat ang ating mga magsasaka na magtanim ng palay for our food security program,” Guevarra said.

The event was also attended by Provincial Administrator Corazon Alvero, Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Maria Lourdes Nadera, OIC Regional Executive Director Rodel Macapañas, OIC Regional Technical Director Jenny Lyn Almeria, OIC Regional Technical Director Leonarda Londina of the Department of Agriculture, NFA Assistant Regional Director Loreena Loraina, ATI-RTC Center Director Hazel Grace Taganas, and representatives from BFAR and PCA.