FOUR outstanding farmers and fishermen were recognized for their vital contribution to the different sectors of agriculture (fisheries, high-value crops, livestock, rice and corn) in line with the celebration of the Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month held at the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Quezon City on May 23.
The awards were presented by Agriculture Undersecretary for Operations Emerson Palad, Assistant Secretary for Finance Ophelia Agawin, and Region 4B Regional Executive Director Cipriano Santiago to Fidel Josue (fisheries), Demetrio de Ocampo (high-value crops), Jerry Villanada (rice) and Leon Bonilla (corn). The four were recognized for their commendable impact to the growth and development of Philippine agriculture.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, through his message read by Palad, described the farmers and fisherfolk as the “true heroes of our country. They constantly provide food on our tables,” the message said.
The DA continues to collaborate and partner with farmers, fishers and other agricultural stakeholders as part of the efforts of the government geared toward a more developed rural sector, focusing greatly on food production.
Based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, agricultural losses due to El Niño and other calamities like typhoons were much lower than the projected figures, because of the steadfast cooperation of the private and public sectors.
Aside from these, the government provided interventions, including the conduct of cloud-seeding sorties, information dissemination, technology adaptation, construction and rehabilitation of diversion dams, and similar projects essential in mitigating the impacts of the long dry spell.
Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month is celebrated every May by virtue of Proclamation 33 signed by President Corazon C. Aquino in 1989. The annual celebration aims to give honor and recognition to the men and women of the agriculture sector who toil on the farms, amid adverse weather conditions, to provide safe and quality foodstuff to the entire nation.