YRRP DA 8

Stories from YRRP farmer beneficiaries..

Rising up from the ST Yolanda Disaster in Eastern Visayas Through the government's effort to help the farmers and rehabilitate agriculture, the Yolanda Rehabilitation and Recovery Program (YRRP) was realized.

YRRP Assistance to Calubian, Leyte
- Rolando B. Hipe, Michael F. Dabuet, Elizabeth Gunda Hugo, and Angelique Jane Saňano

Calubian Municipal Agriculturist Agustin L. Dignos related that there were two phases of the Yolanda Recovery and Rehabilitation Program (YRRP) assistance. In 2016, PhP18 Million was coursed through the provincial government, and in 2017, PhP11 Million was released directly to the Calubian LGU. Funds were used in the procurement of farm, machineries/equipment, trainings, and the establishment of fourteen (14) barangay–level vegetable techno–demo farms.

The Farmers’ Training Center–cum–Municipal Agriculture Office, plus the extension area, is among the structures built by the national government through the 2017 YRRP at a cost of PhP1.5 Million. A warehouse, constructed near the sub–provincial jail, is another YRRP donation. Additionally, funds for the renovation of the municipal hall were sourced from calamity funds in aid of Typhoon Yolanda–struck localities.

Romeo Lazareno, 46, resident of Brgy. Tagharigue, is a goat farmer who was able to benefit from the YRRP assistance. He attended a Farmers Livestock School on Goat Enterprise Management (FLS–GEM) conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) based at the Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay City. Romeo was among the training participants who were given two head female goat, or doe, and one buck of Anglo–Nubian breed to augment their own stocks. The farmer–beneficiary plans to crossbreed the buck with his existing native doe.

The MVCCrOP FFA, or Mahait–Veloso–Cantonghao–Cristina–Obispo and Pates Farmers and Fishermen Association, was one of 14 farmers’ association identified by the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMA) to undertake the establishment of a barangay–level vegetable techno–demo farm. It has 72 active members, all of whom take turns in helping out in the farm. YRRP interventions for the association came in the form of seeds and fertilizers, and small tools/implements.

Essentially, the YRRP assistance has enabled the local constituents, especially the farmers, to “build back better” their damaged properties, displaced livelihood, and lost opportunities.

Biliran, Biliran Benefits from YRRP Assistance
- Rolando B. Hipe, Michael F. Dabuet, Elizabeth Gunda Hugo, and Angelique Jane Saňano

According to Biliran Municipal Agriculturist Limuel D. Antonio, the total budget allocated to Biliran LGU was PhP 23,934,014.00. This was utilized to procure rice, corn, and vegetable seeds; fertilizers; machinery/equipment; small farm tools/implements; livestock, infrastructure, and fishery support; and trainings.

According to MA Antonio, although the release of funds came late, still they are thankful because these augmented the local government unit’s meager resources for agriculture.
MA Antonio gave emphasis to developing the capability of the youth as a way to motivate them to engage in agriculture–related activities. During visits to learning sites, eager students learn hands–on how to drive a hand tractor, assist in land preparation, attend lectures on improved technologies, and apply them in practicum sessions.

A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) participated in by twelve officers of various associations was held at OMA Biliran on August 22, 2019. The farmer–leaders were united in saying that YRRP has brought immeasurable benefit to their lives, their family, and the community to which they belong. One such farmer–leader is Michael Edward O. Rosales, Secretary of the Burabod Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Irrigators Association (BuFFIA) based at Brgy. Burabod, Biliran. Michael currently raises and fattens eight (8) gilts. He also buys wholesale the harvestable pigs of other swine producers/fatteners, slaughters, and sells them at his own stall at the local public market. He has eventually levelled up to become an agri–preneur.

A quick visit to the Sitio San Isidro Farmers Association (SSIFA) (above photos) in Sitio San Isidro, Brgy. Bato, Biliran showed the farmers’ resilience despite overwhelming odds. The officers and member remain positive in their outlook that through the gender–responsive, enabling YRRP interventions all their initiatives will bear fruit if only they persist.

August 5, 2019: Briefing on the procedural assessment and field monitoring that will be jointly conducted by personnel from DA CO - FPOPD, FPCMD, regional office 8 and VSU on August 6-8, 2019.

SERBISYONG TOTOO... Mga kaigsoonan ko sa Calubian, ang opisina sa Agrikultura sa atong lungsod naghatag ug serbisyong walay tihik tihik, ug usa lamang ang among...

Flag Ceremony with the DA CO Monitoring Team from FPOPD and FPCMD.

Completed Infrastructure Projects funded under YRRP 2017 in San Isidro, Leyte:
📍Farmer’s Multipurpose Shed cm Info Center
📍Warehouse
📍Seed Bodega
📍Village type Dryer and Processing Center
Rolando Hipe