DA urges Benguet: complete BUB projs

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- More agri-projects in Benguet will benefit farmers as the Department of Agriculture through its Bottom-up Budgeting (BUB) program awaits proposals from local government units and liquidation of their previous projects.

The DA made the assurance during a meeting with municipal mayors, municipal agriculturist and Sangguniang Bayan last March 18 at  Benguet Agri Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) here at Strawberry Farm, Barangay Betag.

According to Balag-ey Claver, BUB focal person, there were 2015 projects worth P29.3 million that are still to be implemented and P60 million worth of projects remaining for 2016 and 2017.

Among the projects to be implemented includes construction of tramlines, multi-purpose buildings, organic trading posts, irrigation projects; procurement of farm equipment like shredding machine, power tillers, hand tractors and inputs.

Livelihood assistance and trainings such as hog raisings, organic vegetable production, beekeeping and agro food processing are also included.

Claver said that the identified BUB projects should be accomplished as soon as possible especially projects for 2015.

“We have received a memo from the Office of the Secretary last January 18 saying that the uncompleted 2015 BUB projects should be fully completed by April 30, 2016.”

The BUB program is being evaluated as one of the basis in determining how far the present administration contributed to improving the livelihood and income of farmers.

At present, the 2014 projects worth PP29, 825,800 million were completed.

Under the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 7, the BUB projects were collectively drawn by the local government units of municipalities or city with  civil society organizations like people’s organization to  address development needs of marginalized sector in the province. -- ckidporosario