The province of Nueva Vizcaya will be a top priority for agricultural infrastructure projects of the Department of Agriculture (DA), according to Director Baldwin A. Jallorina, head of the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Engineering at the DA Central Office. Jallorina made this commitment as keynote speaker during the Farmer and Fisherfolk Month celebration held on May 26 at the Carlos M. Padilla Convention Center.
Director Jallorina highlighted Nueva Vizcaya’s significant role in ensuring food security for Metro Manila, particularly through its supply of vegetables and other high-value crops, owing to the presence of the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal(NVAT).
He announced that by 2025, a farm-to-market road project worth P160 million will be implemented in the municipality of Kayapa. For 2026, an additional P100 million has been earmarked to address various requests and resolutions from different municipalities across the province.
Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito expressed his gratitude for the commitment made by Director Jallorina and assured continued collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and other national agencies to further support Nueva Vizcaya’s agriculture sector. “The agriculture sector will always be a priority of my administration. We will continue to work closely with the DA and other agencies to ensure the growth and sustainability of our farmers and fisherfolk,” Governor Gambito said. He also thanked Novo Vizcayanos for their trust and support during the last election.
During the celebration, the DA, in partnership with the provincial government, distributed farm machineries and agricultural inputs to various farmers’ organizations in Nueva Vizcaya. These items were also given away as prizes to lucky participants through a raffle draw, further boosting the province’s agricultural productivity.
Outstanding individuals in the agricultural sector were recognized for their dedication and achievements. The awardees are as follows:
• Most Outstanding Rice Farmer: Ferdinand E. Marinas of Bagabag
• Most Outstanding Corn Farmer: Johnny D. Wangdale of Nagbitin, Villaverde
• Outstanding Lowland Vegetable Grower: Celson Gabaon of Bagabag
• Outstanding Upland Vegetable Grower: Morgan P. Dencio of Sanguit, Dupax del Sur
• Outstanding Fruit Tree Grower: Ernesti Benhel of Binogawan, Kasibu
• Outstanding Fishpond Operator: Mariejoyce Jimenez of Bagabag
• Outstanding Small Animal Raiser: Isabel T. Sabino of Calaocan, Quezon
Each winner received a cash prize of P15,000, inclusive of tax.
The event was held in accordance with Provincial Ordinance No. 2017-143, authored by Board Members Johnny Liban and Pepito Balgos, which declares May as Farmer and Fisherfolk Month in Nueva Vizcaya. The celebration was spearheaded by the Provincial Agriculture Office, headed by Absalom Baysa. /RMI
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