Christmas came early for farmer members of cooperatives in Region III, as from the twenty (20) units of 2in1 Cornmill Combined Rice mill and Generator Set, ten (10) were distributed to the beneficiaries of the Capability Enhancement of Micro Agriculture Cooperatives through Cooperative Development Project. This program is under the supervision of the Regional Office’s Cooperative Project Development and Assistance Section (CPDAS), led by Mr. Raul S. Encarnacion.
The ten (10) cooperative beneficiaries were as follows:
- Central Luzon Progressive Agriculture Cooperative
- Corazon de Jesus Agriculture Cooperative
- Culubasa Farmers Agriculture Cooperative
- General Tinio Rice and Vegetable Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (GTRVF Agri Coop)
- Greater Bani Multipurpose Cooperative
- Kabuhayan Multipurpose Cooperative
- Lacmit Farmers Agriculture Cooperative
- Maunlad Farmer’s Multipurpose Cooperative
- Ines Golden Grains Primary Multipurpose Cooperative
- Zaragoza People’s Agriculture Cooperative (ZPAgCo)
The programme commenced with enthusiasm as Mr. Rhon-Sydney S. Salunga, emcee of the day, acknowledged the presence of the guests and beneficiary coops present. He then called on Regional Director Marieta P. Hwang to welcome the attendees.
RD Marieta P. Hwang, more famously known as RD Mayet, mentioned with pride that the venue of the activity, which was also where the machineries were kept prior to distribution, was a property of LKBP, one of the billionaire cooperatives in the region. She then encouraged every cooperative present to strive for excellence and grow as successful as LKBP.
A video greeting filled with words of inspiration from CDA Chairman Joseph B. Encabo was then shown to the attendees, followed by friendly remarks from Dr. Virgilio R. Lazaga, ASEC for the Agricultural Cluster. ASEC Lazaga also serenaded the crowd beautifully later that day.
As the day progressed, Mr. Cresencio B. Pilao, Jr. gave the attendees a re-orientation on the guidelines and mandates governing the release of grants under CDA. With renewed knowledge on the grants they were to enjoy, the beneficiary coops were formally awarded their new agri machineries.
With a joyful heart, in behalf of the beneficiary coops present that day, Mr. Vic T. Octaviano of Zaragoza People’s Agriculture Cooperative (ZPAgCo) expressed his gratitude towards the program, the CDA, and everyone who helped in making the grant possible.
A full demonstration of the assembly and proper use of the machines was later conducted by Mr. Jefferson Chong of the Great Agricultural Products Builders and Development Corp., supplier of the agri machineries under the project.
At the end of the day, 70 farmer members from 20 cooperatives who attended the activity went home with renewed vigor for farming, as they looked forward to improved production in their farms.
