Department of Agriculture (DA) Region IV-CALABARZON, together with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) IV-A and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) IV, distributed a total of P54.4 million agricultural interventions to farmers and fishers affected by the Taal eruption in the municipalities of San Nicolas, Laurel, Mataas na Kahoy, and Agoncillo, Batangas, on October 13, 2020.

Among the interventions given were carabaos, cattle feeds, vitamins and antibiotics, certified seeds, complete fertilizers, urea fertilizers, muriate of potash, agricultural lime, power sprayer, knapsack sprayer, cutflowers, seedling bags, soft pots, black nets, UV plastic, pruning shears, bolos, cages for tilapia and bangus, to name a few.

“In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, agriculture is the only sector to record a positive increase this second quarter. You (farmers and fishers) are our frontliners; you are heroes in your own areas. May you continue to farm and fish because together, we will increase our food sufficiency level and soon we may no longer have to rely on importation,” Secretary Dar said.

In her message, Congresswoman Maria Theresa V. Collantes, 3rd district of Batangas representative, expressed her utmost appreciation for the never-ending support of DA to farmers and fishers in her district who had been adversely affected by the Taal eruption earlier this year.

“Today shows that as we try to recover from the disaster caused by the Taal volcanic eruption, we are not alone. We hope that all of these interventions will not go to waste and serve their purpose. Soon, with help of DA, we will fully recover from the damage caused by the eruption,” Cong. Collantes said.

Regional Director Arnel V. de Mesa said that this will not be the last time that the DA regional office will be giving support to farmers and fishers who are significantly affected by calamities like the Taal volcanic eruption.

“We in the Department will never grow tired of helping you because you never grow tired of providing us with top-quality produce. Together, we will achieve food resiliency, with substantial increase in production and income for our farmers and fishers,” the Regional Director said.

During the turnover ceremony, the mayors of the said municipalities of the 3rd district of Batangas thanked the regional office’s untiring support to their farmers and fishers who were severely affected by the Taal eruption. The same unprecedented calamity was shared by all of these municipalities and the regional office has always been with them, unshaken by the pandemic and with untiring hearts to help those in need. (MAP, DA-RAFIS)