BUTIL Farmers’ Day 2009
PGMA traced the lessons learned from the 1930 depression to the 1997 financial crisis and the role of global initiatives vis-a-vis our local cooperative banks
I recently attended the 75th birthday of Congresswoman Leonila V. Chavez. The affair coincided with the Butil Farmers’ Day. No less than PGMA graced the occasion. The theme is “Bagong Magsasaka para sa Bagong Panahon.” After a short but substantive introduction by Ms. Chavez, the President traced the lessons learned from the 1930 depression to the 1997 financial crisis and the role of global initiatives vis-a-vis our local cooperative banks. The track of self – reliance by coop banks started by the group Of Butil is a good strategy Its scholarship, health and education program for farmers’ children speaks of a long term proactive practice that truly made a difference. The President said that her administration’s strategy is “Palakasin any Ekonomiya.- Through job creation, livelihood, infrastructure- in tandem with the millennium development goals like poverty alleviation, hunger mitigation and health improvement prepared our country for the global crisis and financial meltdown.
Before going to Butil’s Farmers’ Day, the President talked with Brunei’s Sultan Bolkiah to support the Philippine initiative to insure cash flows of Asian countries by setting up a fund. Asian countries include Japan, China, etc. Sultan Bolkiah promised to support this initiative. It was altogether an inspired speech. She thanked Butil and all farmers for feeding the Filipino nation and for leading the way for the economic empowerment of farmers.
The occasion was also highlighted by “Gintong Butil” Awards. BukodTanging Coopbank Farmer-Partner are: Catalina Gelacio (Cooperative Bank of Tarlac), Dante Zosa (Cooperative Bank of Zambales), Eduardo Policarpio (Cooperative Bank of Nueva Ecija), Leimwel Qulaot (Cooperative Rural Bank of Bulacan), Gerry Soriano (Cooperative Bank of Bulacan), Eloy Dizon (Cooperative Bank of Pampanga), Juan Lajom (Cooperative Bank of Btdacan), and Miguel Iracta (Cooperative Bank of Bulacan). “Bukod-Tanging Koopcratiba” are: Pagbiagan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Cooperative Bank of Tarlac), Nangalisan Credit Cooperative (Cooperative Bank of Nueva Vizcaya), Aglipay Producers Cooperative (Cooperative Bank of Nucva Ecija), BagAvan Buguias Development Multipurpose Cooperative (Cooperative Bank of l3cnguct), and Liwan Norte MultiPurpose Cooperative (Cooperative Bank of Cagavan). “Ulirang Magsasaka” are: Catalina Gelacio (Cooperative Bank of Tarlac), Pablo del Rosario (Cooperative Bank of Nueva Ecija), Eleno Natura (Cooperative Bank of La Union), Sixto Trinidad (Cooperative Bank of Cagayan) and Joselito Tabagui Guya (Cooperative Bank of Cagayan).
It was interesting to note that the Philippine Crop Insurance (PCIC) gave out insurance payment claitns. It showed the improved status of PCIC under the leadership of Atty. Jovy Bernabe. As long as our insurance premiums are reasonable and as long as PCIC pays legitimate claims for the protection of our farmers in covering risks in production, the farmers will be happy.
The affair also showed the fact that if only cooperative banks and insurance companies like PCIC and the Cooperative Insurance Systems of the Philippines (CISP) covering life insurance are working well – then the farmers lot is assured. Another initiative of the dynamic Congresswoman is the resolution in Congress to give the 25% agir-agra provision of all banks to cooperative banks. The farmers’ welfare is taken care of by Butil. How I wish all the party list representatives are like that.
I met APEC party list representative Sunny Rose A. Madamba. It’s a woman’s name but Sunny Rose is actually a man. APEC stands for Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives. He was accompanied by his charming wife, Yolanda Yu. They helped in generating electric power to all the towns of the country. Madamba is looking at untapped water resources as sources of energy in the future. He is proud to support, the VAT law which is saving otir country from the effects of the financial melt down.
Why Romblon?
NMU (National Marketing Umbrella) from 2002 has regional meetings in 11 Regions all over the country.
As we go over the list of island provinces which belongs to the, ig depressed provinces, we chose Romblon because of’ its potential as a goat raising province and a good source offish. We wanted to know what critical government interventions are needed and what markets are necessary to insure its growth.
If we take care of our poor provinces, it shows that we can look forward to a better country. I therefore say, why not Romblon?
Update on BINS (Buhayin and Industriya ng Sibuyas)
Our hi-monthly meeting of onion farmers and the scientists from the University of the Philippines, Los Banos (UPLB) has been very effective. An onfarm hands-on technology transfer by Dr. Renato Mabesa and Dr. Bonifacio Cavabvab has aroused the interest and hope of the onion industry.
The weather has been cooperating so far. HVCC Coordinator Dr. Rene Espino has inspired the industry as well. With the support of DA-BAR, the process is on its way to sending its first sane of sweet onions to Japan in March.