Benguet gives P6-M rehab aid to farmers

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet-- The provincial government here approved the release of P6 million worth of agricultural rehabilitation assistance for thousands of calamity-stricken farmers in the 13 towns after the promised assistance from the Department of Agriculture still remains in the air.

Benguet Gov. Nestor Fongwan said agricultural assistance of the local government is aimed at preparing farmers on serious negative effects of the dry spell which is expected to affect the production of vegetables the coming months after their farms were heavily damaged by Typhoon Juan.

The P6-million assistance fund will be allotted for vegetable seeds, rolls of black hoses for irrigation purposes, farm tools, power sprayers, diesel-powered water pumps, black nets and mulching plastics.

Fongwan said the farm inclement was intended for thousands of vegetable and cutflower production to ensure steady supply of vegetables and cutflowers so unscrupulous smugglers will not take advantage of the supposed scarcity of the supply being produced in the locality. -- Dexter A. See