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Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Zambo Sur, DSWD ink MOA for cassava production project for 4Ps beneficiaries


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)