japan

JAPANESE BANK TO HELP

BRGY TACLOBO

By Beinvenido " Boy" Montana, Jr.

San Fernando, Romblon - Appropriations for rehabilitation and improvement of the Cantingas Irrigation System (CIS) and construction of about 5 kilometers farm to market road at Barangay Taclobo, an Agrarian Reform Community of the Department of Agrarian Reforms (DAR) at San Fernando, Romblon was approved for implementation in the area, according to Mr. Eduardo Falogme, Chief Agrarian Officer of DAR.

Mr. Falogme revealed that the funds will come from the 6.74 Billion Pesos allocation of ARISP 2 (Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project) obtained from a loan package from Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and Agrarian Reform Funds (ARF) of the Philippine Government.

Provincial Agrarian Officer for Romblon, Atty. Pacifico Bantang, Jr. host and prime mover of the program, assisted and joined to Sibuyan Island the validating team composed

of Japanese experts Yoshikaza Tahashi and Yojiro Sekiguchi, DAR consultants Melie G. Lambaon, Cristina C. Dagdag and the cooperators from the line agency. Engr. Teodorico Burac represented District Engr. Melvin Minano of the Public Works who was attending a conference in Manila. The National Irrigation Administration was represented by their chief officer Engr. Carmelo C. Estodillo to finalize the last stages of the validation of the project at ARC Taclobo.

Mayor Dindo C. Rios and his lady of San Fernando, Romblon himself a farmer, welcomed the validating consultants in the presence of the beneficiaries of CARP and irrigator members, to offer the foreign and local guests free lodging accommodation in the beautiful Cantingas river resort managed by the LGU, in the duration of the visit and ocular inspection of the team.

Mr. Falogme also disclosed that these projects at Brgy Taclobo is part of the overall program of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's administration to arrest poverty and to uplift the living conditions of the poor farmers especially CARP beneficiaries. The "CIS and farm to market road, will surely enhance food security and spur growth to the local economy". Falogme, concluded.