Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William D. Dar, along with DA CALABARZON Regional Director Arnel V. de Mesa, visited the municipality of San Mateo in Rizal to turn over agricultural interventions worth P807,000 to typhoon-affected farmers, on November 17, 2020.

The interventions given include hybrid and certified rice seeds, inorganic fertilizers, hybrid white glutinous corn seeds, insecticides, assorted vegetable seeds, knapsack sprayers, plastic mulch, plant growth enhancer, seedling trays, and packs of relief goods.

In his message, Secretary William D. Dar said that he had made sure that he would pay a visit to San Mateo after the devastation that had taken place as a result of recent typhoons to show his support for the farmers affected.

“I strongly support the municipality’s goal of becoming a food basket for Metro Manila, that is why I am giving a directive to Director de Mesa to ensure that funds are allocated to San Mateo to achieve its objectives. This directive applies not only to San Mateo, but to all cities and municipalities in Rizal and Batangas, in an effort to secure food supplies in the Metro,” Sec. Dar said.

The Secretary added that Metro Manila will always be a good market where San Mateo farmers can earn a good income.

On top of P807,000 farm implements for San Mateo farmers, Sec. Dar through DA CALABARZON commits an additional initial funding of P2.5 million to support the municipality’s intention to become a food basket for Metro Manila.

Vice Mayor Jose Rafael E. Diaz, Acting Mayor of San Mateo, expressed his deepest gratitude for the continued support of DA to San Mateo farmers after being severely devastated by the recent typhoons.

“It is very disheartening to see what happened to our farmers after being badly hit by the typhoons, but we are very thankful for the quick and strong government response especially from the Department of Agriculture. With these farm implements brought by Sec. Dar and Director de Mesa, we can certainly rise again and improve the agriculture sector in San Mateo so that we can soon realize our goal of becoming a food basket for Metro Manila,” Vice Mayor Diaz said.

Farmers’ Federation of San Mateo president Mr. Avelino C. Manahan expressed his utmost appreciation to DA’s support for typhoon-affected farmers in the municipality. With tears in his eyes, Mr. Manahan hopes that DA will continue to provide assistance to farmers like him whose livelihoods have been completely devastated by recent typhoons.

“Lubos po kaming nagpapasalamat sa bumubuo ng Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka lalo’t higit kay Secretary Dar and Director de Mesa dahil kami po ay nabiyayaan ng ganito karaming tulong para sa aming pagsasaka. Na-wash out po ng bagyo ang aming mga palayan at gulayan kung kaya’t ang tulong pong ito mula sa DA ay napakalaking bagay po upang kami ay makabangong muli mula sa mga pinsalang idinulot sa amin ng mga nagdaang bagyo,” Mr. Manahan shared.

The turnover ceremony was also attended by Undersecretary for Fisheries and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Director Commodore Eduardo B. Gongona, Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Mr. Noel O. Reyes, Mr. Mat Maderazo of Planters Products, DA CALABARZON Assistant Regional Director (ARD) for Operations Mr. Dennis R. Arpia, ARD for Research and Regulations Ms. Vilma M. Dimaculangan, Field Operations Division Chief Engr. Redelliza A. Gruezo, and Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer of Rizal Ms. Mary Ann A. Gajardo. (MAP, DA-RAFIS)