𝗚𝗼𝘃. 𝗣𝗮𝗺 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀, 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆
BALAMBAN, Cebu — Gov. Pamela Baricuatro on Thursday said the Cebu Provincial Government is gradually expanding its agriculture programs to improve food security, alongside its efforts to modernize Capitol-run district and provincial hospitals.
“Agriculture is the way to solve poverty. It is the way for Cebu to achieve food security,” the governor said, noting that the province continues to feel the impact of high food prices because much of its food supply comes from outside the island.
She said strengthening the agriculture sector would reduce Cebu’s dependence on food supplies from outside the province and improve the livelihoods of farmers.
Gov. Baricuatro said her goal is for Cebu to sustainably produce more of its own food.
Among the Capitol’s food security initiatives are Agrilink, the Adopt-a-Farm Program, the distribution of fish cages, the construction of the People’s Food Center, among others. The provincial government has also been providing farmers and fisherfolk with inputs, livestock, and other livelihood assistance.
Agrilink is a Capitol-run market linkage program that connects farmers directly with buyers through an online platform, while the People’s Food Center provides farmers and fisherfolk with rent-free stalls where they can sell their produce directly to consumers, eliminating the need for middlemen.
During her visit to Balamban, Gov. Baricuatro led the distribution of farm assistance to 20 farmers from Barangays Nangka and Cantuod whose livelihoods were affected by Typhoon Tino. The turnover, held at the Balamban Municipal Gym, was attended by Mayor Amos Cabahug.
The beneficiaries received 10 carabaos, 20 goats, a walking-type agricultural tractor with a rotary tiller, hemorrhagic septicemia vaccines, anti-rabies vaccines, and veterinary medicines and supplies.
Meanwhile, the governor thanked Public Health Consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan for overseeing the Capitol’s health reforms, saying their impact is now being felt by Cebuanos across the province.
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