San Carlos City Mayor Renato Gustilo, with CSWDO officer-in-charge Edena Dagondon, signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) with PhilRice Negros Branch director Ommal Abdulkadil and RiceBis focal Cielo Luz Mondejar for the implementation of the Walang Gutom program, at the City Mayor’s Office March 6.
Under the agreement, PhilRice, through its Rice Business Innovation System (RiceBis) 2.0, will assist rice farmers in obtaining Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) certification to ensure food safety, rice quality, environmental protection, and worker health and safety while integrating them into a viable agri-food business system for sustainable income and competitiveness.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) will implement the Walang Gutom program (WGP) to address food security and nutrition among vulnerable sectors in San Carlos City, with the MOA strengthening the linkage between agricultural research and local government initiatives to ensure sustained income for small rice farmers while meeting the hunger and nutrition needs of city residents.
The MOA signing was witnessed by Quezon Codcod Rice-Based Agriculture Cooperative chairman Hernan Samson and treasurer Mercedita Supangan; Bagonbon Small Farmers Association chairman Beltran Tabares and Jerico Vergera; and CSWDO social worker Kimberly Panuelo, the city said.
Samson said their cooperative will supply rice for the WGP, while PhilRice-Negros will provide guidance and monitor the implementation of new agricultural technologies to support farmers. ||
