A poultry farm caretaker in Bantayan town, north Cebu, attends to chickens whose coops were battered down by typhoon Yolanda in this November 10, 2013 file photo.
The Cebu provincial government yesterday pledged to support a non-government organization’s (NGO) project to help small farmers in towns hit by Supertyphoon Yolanda in northern Cebu.
“Part of that, in our agreement with Pagtambayayong, is to encourage barangays in the local government units to participate,” Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III told reporters yesterday.
The project was launched at the Capitol Social Hall in the morning with over 140 fisherfolk and farmers from northern Cebu present.
Barangays Malingin, Anonang Sur and Dakit in Bogo City; Canhabagat, Antipolo, Kawit and Curva in Medellin; and Agujo, Bitoon, Paypay and Maya in Daanbatayan were chosen as target areas for the project.
Additional areas will be identified depending on the demand of potential beneficiaries.
“This will really help farmers and fisherfolk in their livelihood,” Davide said. In 2013, Supertyphoon Yolanda devastated portions of northern Cebu.
The project, which aims to encourage farmers to engage in organic and natural agriculture, will run from August 3, 2015 to March 30, 2018.
Pagtambayayong, a foundation for mutual aid, allocated P97.6 million for the whole project duration with P35.08 million set aside for the first year alone. Phil-Am Fund also gave P16.83 million as assistance to the NGO.
Paula Fernandez, Pagtambayayong executive director, said 1,280 farmers shall have increased their income by at least P3,000 per month.