The Provincial Government of Albay has received the P40 million funding for the Abaca Rehabilitation Program.
It was officially received by Albay Governor Edcel Greco Lagman during the turnover program held recently at the Dignitaries Hall, Albay Capitol.
“Agriculture is the driver of our economy,” Lagman said as he expressed his gratitude to the people and departments involved in the project.
“The Abaca Rehabilitation Program will contribute to the development of eco-tourism industry in Albay.”
Regional Executive Director Rodel Tornilla has foreseen abaca as a high value crop wherein he emphasized its contribution to the development of the eco-tourism industry in Albay.
The program is an initiative of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Secretary of Department of Agriculture through the Regional Executive Director – DA RFO-5, Rodel Tornilla.
The project aims to revitalize abaca production in Albay.
Under the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), the program will include 15 local government units (LGUs) exempting Rapu-Rapu, Pioduran, and Jovellar.
It will benefit over 3,000 local abaca farmers and cultivate 4,200 hectares of land area.
“Rapu-Rapu island is one of the major suppliers of abaca in Albay.”
However, Albay Provincial Agriculture Office Chief Cheryll Rebeta suggested including Rapu-Rapu into the list as the island is one of the major suppliers of abaca in the province.
Abaca planting materials, fertilizers, and chemicals that will be used for the rehabilitation program will be procured by January 2023.
