Ilocano Farmers Meet OPAFSAM Chief
CANDON CITY, ILOCOS SUR – More than a thousand Ilocano farmers got a chance to raise their concerns on agriculture and irrigation when Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization (PAFSAM), Secretary Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan, and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Florencio F. Padernal jointly visit this city on March 26 to attend a Farmers’ Forum organized and hosted by the Candon City local government headed by Mayor Ericson Singson. Also present during the forum were Ilocos Sur 2nd District Representative Eric Singson, NIA Deputy Administrator Estrella E. Icasiano, and NIA Region 1 Manager John N. Celeste.
Candon City Mayor Ericson Singson and Ilocos Sur 2nd District Representative Eric Singson hand over the plaque of appreciation to OPAFSAM Secretary Kiko Pangilinan after delivering the keynote speech for 1,500 Ilocano farmers during the Farmers’ Forum in Candon City on March 26.
Before the forum, the sortie also went to the inauguration of the service road at Sta. Lucia-Candon River Irrigation System wherein Pangilinan in his message highlighted the importance of farmers in the country. He even quoted what his daughter told him when she was still nine years old that we must value the farmers like our parents because they feed us. Accompanying them in the brief program was Ilocos Sur Vice Gov. DV Savellano and Sta. Lucia Mayor Estrella Hernaez.
Afterwards, they proceeded to Candon City Civic Center for the farmers’ forum. Farmer leaders appealed to Sec. Pangilinan for the improvement of irrigation in the province. Three resolutions about seeking financial assistance for the rehabilitation, expansion, repair, and modernization of both NIS and CIS within the service area of Ilocos Sur Irrigation Management Office (ISIMO) were also submitted to him for appropriate action.
On the other hand, Administrator Padernal proudly shared good news to all the irrigators associations present that the NIA budget for 2016 will be doubled. This meant, according to him, that there will be more irrigation projects that will lead to additional farming opportunities and increased agricultural productivity.
The forum became a venue to provide answers to farmers’ concerns and collectively arrive to actions ensuring improved irrigation service delivery and increased agricultural support. All these are in line with the OPAFSAM and NIA’s vision to contribute in increasing the income of farmers. It also strengthened the partnership of OPAFSAM and NIA with the LGUs.
Sec. Kiko Pangilinan addresses the concerns of farmers who attended the Farmers’ Forum in Candon City on March 26. Also present to provide resolutions for issues concerning farming and irrigation in Ilocos Sur were (from left): NIA Region 1 Manager John N. Celeste; Ilocos Sur Irrigation Management Office Head Adriano F. Amano; NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal; Candon City Mayor Ericson Singson; Cong. Eric Singson; and NIA Deputy Administrator Estrella E. Icasiano (not in photo).