By
Pamela Mariz Geminiano
BAGUIO CITY – Sen.
Cynthia Villar urged displaced small-scale miners to look at agriculture and
construction as alternative livelihood due to the closure of mines in Cordillera
after the typhoon-induced landslide that claimed numerous lives in Itogon town,
Benguet province last month.
On the
sidelines of the Convention of the recent Philippine Society of Animal
Nutritionists here, Villar said agriculture and construction are now the
"in-thing" in the country, considering the “Build, Build, Build”
program of the Duterte administration.
Two
days after the landslide incident in mid-September, the Dept. of Environment
and Natural Resources ordered a halt to all small-scale mining activities in
the entire Cordillera region, and canceled all mining contracts earlier
approved by the department.
The move
economically displaced more than 12,000 small-scale miners in Benguet.
Villar said
the displaced miners can avail themselves of scholarships offered by farm
schools that teach organic farming.
She also
urged farmers in the highland region to take advantage of the country's farm
tourism law.
The law, she
said, would greatly benefit the farmers as it would give them higher income,
free education for themselves and their families, and ultimately food security
for the whole country.
"As
of today, we have 1,855 farm schools that are accredited by the TESDA
(Technical Education and Skills Development Authority). Actually, in all
provinces, we also have construction schools that can teach them skills, so
they can be employed," Villar said.
Farm tourism
is defined under the law as "the practice of attracting visitors and
tourists to farm areas for production, educational, and recreational purposes.”
It involves
any agricultural or fishery-based operation or activity that brings to a farm
visitors, tourists, farmers, and fisherfolk, who want to be educated and
trained in farming and its related activities.
It also
provides a venue for outdoor recreation and accessible family outings, a sort
of an experiential tourism activity.
"Farm
tourism also gives the farmers a competitive edge in their agricultural
production because of added knowledge and more potential buyers and traders for
their produce," Villar said.
She added
that through the farm schools, the children of farmers could also study and
acquire education on farm management and production, which could boost the
country's agriculture industry in the long run.
TESDA will
shoulder the tuition of those who will enroll under the program.
"I
appeal to those farmers. Venture in farm tourism. Aside from the production,
you can also convert your houses into homestays for the tourists, and also you
can convert your farms into school farms. You will be paid by TESDA and you
will earn as well," she said.
Villar also
cited a pending bill at the Senate which seeks government allocation of P10
billion as competitive enhancement fund that will help rice farmers mechanize.
"Apart
from the P10-billion fund, we have passed the Coconut Farmer and Industry
Development Law that will provide PHP15 billion a year to help the coconut
farmers," she added.
She said
lawmakers are inclined to pass the Livestock, Poultry, and Dairy bill that will
mandate the government to give PHP10 billion a year for the development of each
of the sectors.
As for
construction schools, Villar said these also hold mobile teaching and can help
displaced workers.
She said the
demand for workers in the construction industry is in a boom.
The government
has poured in billions of pesos for its “Build, Build, Build” program to put up
massive infrastructure facilities nationwide, raising the demand for
construction workers. -- PNA
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