European Commission supports Oroquieta Farmers

By PJTremedal, BNDMisOC/CIB-OCM

ClarinSettlement,O.C.- With the European Commission-Focused Food Production Assistance to Vulnerable Sector or EC-FPAVAS thru its implementing agency, SEAMED/SEARCA Project Development Management Unit of Misamis Occidental and its local government unit (LGU) counterpart, The City of Good Life is a recipient.

In the country, EC started its help and support last February this year to plan and signed memorandum of agreement between the six major recipients that includes the province of Misamis Occidental, the other five comprises of the provinces of Negros, Camarines Sur and Norte, and the Mindoro provinces.

In Misamis Occidental, EC will support and finance thru SEARCA six target municipalities to include the three cities, Oroquieta, Tangub and Ozamis, while the six municipalities are: Pana-on, Sinacaban, Bonifacio, Tudela, Clarin and Don Victoriano.

Last July 8-9, A seminar-workshop of more or less 60 farmers-participants was conducted to start implementing the project in consonant with the mission and vision of the EC-FPAVAS comprising of six components; Food production Assistance (Upland & Lowland), Food Production Assistance (Inland and Coastal Waters), Food production Assistance (Aqua-Culture Development), Mainstreaming of Climate Change Adaptation, Capability Building and Institutional Strengthening and knowledge management and Public awareness Campaign.

Said seminar-workshop was done in Barangay Clarin Settlement and Bunga.

Oroquieta City as a pilot area, the two barangays will be taught of High Value Vegetable Production, Organic Fertilizer Development, Corn production and Upland Aqua-culture Development.

“The province as a recipient of the EC-FPAVAS program will be benefited and farmers quality of life will improved and its food security is not a problem anymore, but this will be a challenge to every farmer involved in the program” Said, Mr. Orlin Aquillon, SEARCA Project Manager.

Moreover, Mr. Larry Enerio, Information officer, who represents City Mayor Jason Almonte added, that with the project, farmers of Clarin Settlement and Bunga will now be a model of the 47 barangays of the city.

EC-FPAVAS is to help reduce poverty, improve well being, and ensure access to safer food and vulnerable sector.

Meanwhile, as the new executive of the city, City Mayor Jason Almonte said that with the implementation of the EC-FPAVAS in the two barangays will be expanded as it goes along with our goals to make life of every Oroquietanons fully sustainable.

In the said two day seminar-workshop the participants will be involved in the planning of its project objectives, Local Economic Development plan, Value Formation and Capability building enhancement to accomplish its vision, mission and goals of their established groupings like a farmers’ cooperative.