ALAMADA, North Cotabato, April 16 (PNA) — A multinational firm has put up a plantation in this bustling town in North Cotabato providing livelihood for thousands of villagers already affected by the long dry spell.
On Thursday, the local government unit of Alamada headed by Mayor Virginia Concepcion and DOLE Philippines, Inc. conducted a ceremonial pineapple planting at Barangay Pigcawaran, Alamada, Cotabato.
The activity aims to show commitment and support to the poverty alleviation programs of Gov. Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza, the latest of which is the launching of “Gulayang Pangkabuhayan sa North Cotabato, according to Board Member Loreto V. Cabaya, Chairman of Committee on Agriculture of the provincial council.
“Around 150 people from different sectors including government, peoples’ organization farmers and growers joined the ceremonial planting which gave more meaning to Gov. Taliño-Mendoza’s endeavor of promoting green and healthy environment,” Cabaya said.
He said that a total of 75,000 crowns of pineapples were planted in the one hectare of land area owned by Yhasser Arat, chairman of Barangay Pigcawaran.
“These pineapples would be part of our first line of defense against food shortage and even calamities whether man-made or natural,” he said.
For his part Arat said that the ceremonial planting in his lot area is a good start to improve the livelihood of small planters and fruit growers like him in his village.
“Pineapple in particular is an economically significant plant for growing towns like Alamada and the rest of nearby municipalities and can help us in our efforts to strengthen food security and poverty alleviation program of the provincial government,” said Arat in Filipino.
The Dole Philippines, Inc was represented by General Manager Randy Fleming, Jorge Paez, Director for Agriculture Operations; Atty. Jose Melquiades, Director for Corporate Affairs Division; Elvis Dy, Plant Development Manager and Marion Candava, Transportation and Security Division during the launching of the multi-million project.
A leading exporter of canned pineapple products and other fruits like banana and mangoes, Dole Philippines, supports the poverty alleviation program and food security efforts of both the LGU of Alamada and the Provincial Government of North Cotabato.
Officials of two participating NGO’s were also present at the activity namely Martiniano Magdolot, Executive Director of Mahintana Foundation, Inc. and Junbard Mahinay, Manager, Tibud sa Katibawasan Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
Aside from Mayor Concepcion, those who participated in the activity that came from the LGU of Alamada where Alamada Municipal Councilor Anthony Senerez, Chair of the SB Committee on Environment, Noel Biadnes, Manager of PALMA-PB.
Like the rest of the province, the Municipality of Alamada is basically agricultural where high value crops like corn, upland rice, palm oil, rubber are produced by farmers.
At present the agriculture sector in Alamada also focuses in growing strawberries and pineapple in farm lots knowing that it will help boost the livelihood of the farmers and eventually the economy of the municipality.
To date, a total of 30 hectares of land in the villages of Pigcawaran, Rangayen, Barangiran, Lower Dado and Upper Dado in Alamada are now also planted with thousands of pineapple.
It is seen as a move that will enhance agriculture development and poverty alleviation in the municipality. (PNA)