By Dominique Gabriel Bañaga
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson together with First District Rep. Gerardo Valmayor, Jr., and First District Board Members Araceli Somosa and Rommel Debulgado joined the Pasalamat 2021 activity of the Minapasok Farmers Association (MIFA) Wednesday, which included a blessing of farm equipment, and MOA signing for a ram pump project.
The activity was held at Sitio Crossing Kawayan, Brgy. Minapasuk of Calatrava town.
The activity started with a thanksgiving mass followed by a short program and blessing of the farm equipment that include a mini tractor and rice reaper harvesters.
Lacson advised the association to unite and help each other in the attainment of their association’s goals, and to properly manage and maintain the project entrusted to them.
He also told the farmers to support the government’s COVID-19 vaccination program, and reminded everyone to follow health and safety protocols at all times.
The Punao Small Coconut Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (PUSCOFAC), San Carlos Bioenergy, Inc. (SCBI), and MIFA signed a Tripartite Memorandum of Agreement for the ram pump project, as part of the activity.
They agreed to work together as partners in the development and improvement of water system facilities that will result in increased production and farm outputs for the benefit of the farmers.
PUSCOFAC was represented by its chairman, Nelson Limot; SCBI was represented by its AVP Head for Factory Operations, Alexander Pino, while MIFA was represented by its chairman, Rogelio Rebucas.
Also present in the activity were Mayor Marilyn Era of Calatrava, Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) Head, Atty. Danilo Amisola, and Minapasuk Farmers Association (MIFA) Chairperson Rogelio Rebucas and vice chairperson Rene Somuelo, among others.
The MIFA officers and members thanked the government officials and private partners for the support given to them.
The officials said that the improvement of water sources through available technology is vital in the improvement of quality of life of farming communities including sugarcane farmers./DGB, WDJ