by Narabelle Z. Bue
ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 16, (PIA) - - The National Government in its effort to provide
livelihood opportunities to poor households, has engaged with the local
governments for projects which could be beneficial to the economy of the
community as well as to provide income to poor households.
Zamboanga
del Sur Province represented by Governor Antonio Cerilles, Jr. and Department
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) IX officials recently inked the
Memorandum Of Agreement (MOA) signifying its formal partnership for the Cassava
Production Project which aims to benefit the farmers of the province.
In
the said province, 600 households/farmers shall be tapped for the Cash-for-Work
program. Farmers shall be paid P2,000 monthly for the planting and growing of
cassava root crops.
The
project shall be pilot-tested in 6 municipalities for a 10-month period. These
municipalities are Pitogo, San Miguel, Kumalarang, Mahayag, Aurora and Pagadian
City. Each area will have 100 farmers/beneficiaries and they shall also earn
the produce.
Part
of the agreement and as part of DSWD’s role is the transfer of funds in the
amount of P3 million pesos to the provincial government which shall be
disbursed as cash-for-work funds for the farmers in accordance with project
guidelines. DSWD shall also identify, organize and mobilize households who are
covered by the Pantawid program as target beneficiaries as well as monitor
implementation and provide technical assistance.
The
provincial government through its agriculture office shall identify target
areas and take the lead in the conduct of orientation and training of target
beneficiaries on cassava production. The provincial social welfare and
development office will also take part in the convergent effort by assisting in
the social preparation of identified beneficiaries through the conduct of
Family Development and Better Quality of Life Sessions (FDS and BQLs).
Trainings
of farmers will commence this June while planting season shall begin in July. (JPA/NZB/DSWD/PIA9-ZBST)