DA to launch P30.5-M worth of Bayanihan 2 projects in Aklan

The Department of Agriculture will lead the groundbreaking and turnover of over P30 million worth of agricultural projects under Bayanihan 2 on April 20, 2021 at Aklan State University (ASU) Banga campus.

ASU, in its two campuses will receive agricultural assistance such as the Swine Multiplier Farm, Modern Urban Agriculture with Hydroponics and Mass production of Fruit Trees Seedlings at Banga Campus and VCO processing facility, and a bamboo nursery at ASU Ibajay Campus.

All these projects are funded under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2) downloaded to the Department of Agriculture through the Agricultural Training Institute, Regional Field Office 6 and Philippine Coconut Authority which are expected to benefit the Aklanon farmers, ASU agriculture faculty and students and consumers.

“The DA’s Bayanihan 2 projects is the agency’s response in assisting communities to recover from the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and hastening the economy’s return in the midst of the crisis,” said DA-WV regional executive director Remelyn Recoter.

Seeking to provide the animal raisers with superior swine genetics stocks, the National Livestock Program (NLP) will conduct the groundbreaking of the P10 million Swine Multiplier Techno-Demo Farm at the ASU Banga campus to officially start the construction of the facility.

Also, during the ceremony, the DA-WV High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) will hand over P3.5-million worth of projects to ASU as the proponent for establishing a P1 million smart greenhouse with a hydroponics facility for sustainable food production in the province.

Two million (P2-M) is allocated to establish a fruit nursery to propagate 1,250 pieces of each fruit tree varieties such as rambutan, lanzones, durian, and citrus to be distributed to the identified recipients in the province.

Simultaneously, the P500,000.00 fund will be transferred to the University in establishing a nursery for bamboo propagation located at the ASU Ibajay Campus.

On the other hand, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) will launch the P17 million Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) processing project that will rise in Brgy. Antipolo, Ibajay, Aklan, to help the coconut farming communities in the province.

To create more jobs, the facility will be operated by Antipolo Small Coconut Farmer’s Organization to increase coconut farmers’ income through the community-based enterprise development in VCO production.

At the said event, Aklan 1st and 2nd Districts’ representatives, Rep. Carlito Marquez and Rep. Teodorico Haresco, Jr., Gov. Florencio Miraflores, Banga Mayor Erlinda Maming, DA-Undersecretary for Livestock and Poultry William Medrano, National Livestock Program Director Dr. Ruth Sonaco, together with the implementing agencies representatives, will grace the ceremonial groundbreaking and turn over.

Rep. Ted Haresco, as the principal sponsor of the DA’s 2021 budget is instrumental in these projects.

These projects will be received by the University President, Dr. Emily Miralles Ramos-Arangote, who is very thankful for the support of all DA agencies and Aklan officials.

She said, “the projects will enhance the University’s capabilities especially its College of Agriculture and help the Aklanon farmers. (Myleen Subang/DA-RAFIS 6)