FARMERS SUPPORT. Rice farmers in Piddig town, Ilocos Norte province receive a total of PHP9,765,000 this week from the government's Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. The amount benefited a total of 1,953 rice farmers. (Photo courtesy of Piddig LGU) LAOAG CITY - Financial assistance worth PHP9,765,000 was handed to 1,953 rice farmers in Piddig, Ilocos Norte province as part of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) of the Department of Agriculture (DA). Piddig town Mayor Georgina Guillen confirmed this on Wednesday as she expressed gratitude to the Marcos administration for prioritizing the needs of farmers and for giving them hope in the middle of a crisis. "Thank you for the support of Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc and to the national government and other stakeholders for supporting and inspiring our farmers. Together, we shall achieve sustainable and inclusive rural development," she said. Farmers here said the goals of the Masagana 150 and Masagana 200
AGRI MODERNIZATION. Water buffalo at the Philippine Carabao Center in Batac City get a fresh bath in this undated photo. To revitalize the carabao industry in the province, the Ilocos Norte government, the Philippine Carabao Center, and selected farmers' cooperatives have agreed to consolidate their efforts to increase carabao milk and meat production. (Photo courtesy of PCC) LAOAG CITY - The Ilocos Norte government, the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), and a multi-sectoral group composed of local farmers' cooperatives have pledged to consolidate their resources to revitalize the province's carabao industry. Through Provincial Resolution 2023-02-103, a memorandum of agreement is being prepared for the establishment of a province-wide carabao-based business improvement network to boost the local dairy industry and provide business opportunities to carabao entrepreneurs or "carapreneurs." "The memorandum of agreement is due for signing by the governor, the PCC,
AGRO-TOURISM SITE. Photo of Barangay Maruaya in Piddig, Ilocos Norte in this undated photo. Soon, an Agro-Industrial Economic Zone is expected to rise in Piddig to promote business and livelihood development initiatives, Mayor Eduardo Guillen said on Wednesday (Feb. 2, 2022).(File photo by Leilanie G. Adriano) LAOAG CITY - The municipal government of Piddig in Ilocos Norte is ready to host an Agro-Industrial Economic Zone to facilitate business opportunities and generate jobs for the locals. Through a public and private partnership agreement with the business sector, local government unit, and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), Piddig Mayor Eduardo "Eddie" Guillen said in an interview Wednesday the creation of a special economic zone will help stir rural progress in the area including its nearby towns and cities once fully developed. Following a recent virtual meeting with representatives of PEZA and Go Negosyo, Guillen said Piddig town can offer an initial 25 hec