DA-9 holds 2021 World Food Day outreach in Lipay, Zambo Norte

By Rene V. Carbayas

 

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct 26 (PIA) – Households of the remote barangay of Lipay in Jose Dalman town, Zamboanga del Norte were indeed “nalipay” (joyful, Lipay in Cebuano literally means joy) as their barangay became the venue for this year’s World Food Day event in the region.

 

In celebration of the 2021 World Food Day, the Department of Agriculture (DA) IX in coordination with other agencies travelled a 22-kilometer rough road from Jose Dalman national highway to reach barangay Lipay last October 1, 2021.

 

"We feel very fortunate that Barangay Lipay in our municipality was chosen as the beneficiary of these food packs. This will greatly help in this community," Jose Dalman Mayor Rachel Ferrater said.

With the theme, "Our actions are our Future. Better Production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life," 41 households in Lipay, an End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) community received food packages.

 

"In behalf of our Regional Executive Director Rad Donn L. Cedeño, the DA IX is elated to come here and provide you with food assistance as part of our celebration of this World Food Day," Reynaldo Campomanes, DA9 Chief of Operations said.

 

Through its rice program, the DA provided each household a sack of rice (50kgs), the DA High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) gave fresh vegetables and fruits and assorted vegetable seeds and the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section (RAFIS) provided Php1,000.00 worth of grocery items.

 

Meanwhile, the families also received other grocery supplies from other agencies. One liter of fresh milk from Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), 2kgs of sugar from Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), 1kg of chicken meat from Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), and 10 cans of sardines from Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

 

In response, Lenlen Rebucas expressed her gratitude by saying, "these grocery supplies provided by the DA really helped us because we no longer need to buy them, especially the milk for my children."

Also present during the one-day event are Agricultural Center Chief George Vallente, HVCDP Coordinator Hannibal Bayo-ang, other DA IX staff, BFAR representative Ian Durias Municipal Agriculturist Elizabeth Parcutilo and LGU Personnel. (EDT/RVC/PIA9 with reports from Aimee Lou D. Madjus/DA-RFO IX, RAFIS)