The Department of Agriculture (DA) in the CALABARZON region, led by Regional Director Arnel V. de Mesa, continues to visit farmers affected by recent typhoons to deliver much-needed agricultural support and interventions, to bring updates on different programs of the department, and to listen to their concerns, suggestions, and requests.

On November 5, 2020, a total of P27,151,060 worth of agricultural interventions was turned over to the farmers of the 4th district of Quezon affected by typhoons “Nika” and “Ofel.”
Among the interventions given/to be given to farmer-beneficiaries are certified rice seeds, fertilizer, various high value crop seedlings, GM yellow corn seeds, assorted vegetable seeds, plant growth enhancer, and cattle, to name a few.

Director de Mesa thanked and recognized all the farmers in the CALABARZON region for their hard work and unwavering effort to help the agricultural sector thrive despite the many challenges brought about by African swine fever, Taal Volcano Eruption, COVID-19, and numerous weather disturbances.

“Sa ngalan po ng ating kalihim, Secretary William D. Dar, walang patid po ang aming pasasalamat sa inyong lahat (na mga magsasaka). Sa kabila ng mga naranasan at nararanasan na suliranin o pagsubok ay nanatiling matatag ang ating sektor at sa katunayan ay ang bukod tanging sektor na nakapagtamo ng positibong pag-angat sa ating ekonomiya base sa datos,” director de Mesa said.

Representative of 4th District of Quezon, Congresswoman Angelina “Helen” Tan, M.D., showed her utmost appreciation and gratitude to the regional office’s continued support to all farmers in their district.

“Magkatuwang po ang tanggapan ng inyo pong linkod sa kongreso at ng DA CALABARZON sa pamumuno ni Direktor de Mesa upang maging mas matalino, kapaki-pakinabang, napapanahon, at tuluy-tuloy ang pagbaba ng mga tulong pang-agrikultura upang umunlad pa ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda dito sa ika-apat na distrito ng Quezon,” Congresswoman Tan said.

Mr. Rodrigo Dinafuente, a 65-year-old farmer from Gumaca, Quezon, and one of the farmer-beneficiaries, gave his thanks to the DA CALABARZON and office of Cong. Tan for delivering agricultural support and interventions, which they can use to bounce back from their losses due to recent typhoons.

“Maraming, maraming salamat po sa DA at kay Congresswoman Helen Tan sa mga ayudang matatanggap po namin. Magagamit po namin ito upang makabawi sa lugi namin gawa ng mga nagdaang bagyo,” Mr. Dinafuente said.

According to director de Mesa, the regional office has already requested additional quick response funds for farmers affected by typhoons “Pepito,” “Quinta,” and “Rolly” in order to deliver more agricultural support and interventions.

“We will continue to do rounds in the region to validate and assess the damage brought by these typhoons, and to quickly identify and deliver suitable interventions for our farmers,” director de Mesa said. (RFL, DA-RAFIS)