Espino pushes food programs

By Mar T. Supnad

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan- -Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. urged the Region 1 Confederation of Irrigators Associations to help the government fulfill its goal to make the country food sufficient the coming years.

The governor delivered a message during the opening of the two-day confederation congress on December 13 to 14 at the Sison Auditorium here.

Citing Pangasinan as an example, Espino said the province in his younger days, used to be the food basket of Luzon. “When I was young, the province is sufficient with rice and other agricultural products,” he said as he added that it is possible for the region to regain its stature with the full support of the agricultural sector.

This, according to the governor, has brought the present administration to set its sight on improving the province’s agriculture by launching various programs and projects geared to boost and improve the sector.

Manuel Collado, NIA Region 1 manager, commended efforts of the provincial government through the leadership of Espino as he said that a development-oriented leader like him can make the difference.

Collado noted that continuous agricultural assistance from the local government just like what the governor is doing can serve as a winning formula towards agricultural development.

Former Sen. Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, who graced the occasion together with Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, said the need to increase funds for the irrigation program is a must considering Region 1’s main source of livelihood lies on agriculture. “What we need is to focus on irrigation if we want to strengthen agriculture.”

The regional congress opened with the presentation of the NIA’s vision, mission and objectives as well as its thrusts and programs.

Oftociano Manalo, regional federation president, said that the objective of the congress is to strengthen the partnership of their group with the government and other counterpart organizations.

Other topics to be discussed during the congress included, programs and projects of the Department of Agriculture, updates on Philippine Rice, updates on Department of Environment and Natural Resources programs and projects, status reports of National Food Authority, among others.

Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim, Jr. also graced the occasion.