The Department of Agriculture (DA) launched a major regional development initiative on Thursday, with Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. personally overseeing the distribution of over P65 million in agricultural interventions to local farmers and fisherfolk in this town widely recognized as the “rice granary of Albay.”
Held at Pantao Port, the event underscores the DA’s strategic focus on boosting productivity, ensuring food security, and improving rural livelihoods, in line with directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The interventions cover multiple sectors, providing farmers with the tools, inputs, and technical support they need to thrive.
Under the Rice Program, local government units received 11,498 bags of inorganic fertilizer worth P18.7 million, targeting inbred areas to increase yields during both dry and wet seasons.
The Livestock Economic Enterprise Development (LEED) Program delivered eight comprehensive packages, including swine, beef cattle, goats, chickens, ducks, and stingless bees, along with housing, feed, and biologics, totaling P28.77 million. These measures are designed to increase smallholder farmers’ income and support cooperative-driven livestock production.
High-value crop producers were provided with vegetable inputs worth P96,730, including garden tools, seedling trays, plastic mulch, and high-quality seeds, strengthening the Gulayan Production Program and improving farm-level efficiency.
In the fisheries sector, in coordination with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the DA distributed two units of Lambaklad (Otoshi-ami) fishing gear valued at P7.4 million, alongside tilapia and catfish fingerlings worth P48,157. Beneficiaries were also given technical guidance on fish culture and pond management to maximize growth and survival rates.
Additionally, P10 million has been earmarked for the construction of a modern, climate-resilient freshwater fish hatchery in Camalig.
This facility will serve as a breeding and training hub for freshwater species, including tilapia, catfish, and carp. The scale and diversity of these interventions reflect the DA’s deliberate strategy to balance support across crops, livestock, and fisheries.
By combining direct investments, technical guidance, and infrastructure development, the agency seeks to enhance productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and promote sustainable practices.
Secretary Tiu Laurel outlined the broader impact of the initiative. “These interventions are more than just support packages—they are a concrete step toward modernizing our farms, empowering our farmers, and ensuring a stable, sustainable food supply for all Filipinos,” said the DA chief.
“By providing the right inputs, technology, and guidance, we are building resilient communities and laying the foundation for long-term food security,” the DA chief said.
Tiu Laurel noted that the program aligns with the DA’s mandate of “Masaganang Agrikultura, Maunlad na Ekonomiya,” highlighting how the assistance goes beyond immediate yield improvements to strengthen cooperatives, increase incomes, and generate economic opportunities along the entire agricultural and fisheries value chain.
With this high-profile rollout, Albay is positioned to serve as a model for coordinated regional agri-fishery development, demonstrating how targeted government support can drive productivity, resilience, and inclusive economic growth.
