PANAY, Capiz, March 5 (PNA) -– The Japan Government, through its Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF-JAPAN) under the Tier 3 program of the Asean Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) donated rice to Panay town in Capiz, Balete of Aklan and Carles of Iloilo.
In a ceremonial turnover held at the Panay Civic Center Wednesday morning, some 580.05 metric tons were allocated in Panay town which was received by Panay Mayor Dante Bermejo, Vice Mayor Gualberto Bernas, other municipal officials and hundreds of beneficiaries.
The turnover was attended by Mr. Akira Karawasa, Director General, Crop Production Department (MAFF-Japan); Mr. Wiroj Saenbangka, General Manager, APTERR; Mr. Ludovico Jarina, NFA Deputy Administrator; Ms. Josephine Dagala, SWOII/SWAD Team leader in Capiz, and representatives from Iloilo and Aklan provices, among others.
Mayor Bermejo thanked the Japanese government for choosing Panay town as the only recipient in Capiz province of the rice donation.
It was learned that the said rice allocation is now distributed to the typhoon victims through food-for-work program.
Mr. Rey Cordenillo, municipal administrator, said that the program is already implemented in eight barangays namely: Poblacion Ilaya, Poblacion Ilawod, Poblacion Tabuc, Linateran, Tanza Sur, Tanza Norte, Calitan and Candual.
He added that the beneficiaries will render five days of work in the barangays and be given 30 kilos of rice from Japanese government. (PNA)