Food Summit due in Eastern Samar

By ALICE NICART (PIA Eastern Samar)
April 15, 2008

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar  –  Sharing the same concern with Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in providing food on the table  for every Filipino family, Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone is set to hold a Food Summit soon.

In the latest Provincial Development Coordinating Council meeting, Evardone received reports about the looming scarcity in Palay, vegetables and root crops as a result of the massive flooding that hit the province recently which according to him must be addressed proactively.

“We must inculcate massive food production in the minds of our people”, Evardone urged the mayors in attendance, the municipal agriculturists and planning officers. “Maybe, a food summit has to be held so that we can plan out what best tasks we can do for our farmers and for ourselves.” he said.

He then requested Provincial Planning Officer, Henry Afable to draft a design for the Summit as he wants it done soonest.

Early on, Evardone has already ordered the Provincial Agriculturist, Jessie Agda to release the hand tractors and pump boats to the most affected farmers.  Originally, the equipment were subjected to loan agreements with farmers’ cooperatives. However with the heavy flooding which brought severe damages to agricultural lands and products, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan issued a Provincial Resolution which subsidized the 50% cost of the equipment.

Evardone however stressed that the food crisis is true worldwide.

“The problem in food supply is not only happening in Eastern Samar, it is everywhere in the world, but we cannot afford to just sit down and wait for national leadership to spoon-feed us; we must utilize every available lot to plants.  Cassava, Camote, Pechay and other common vegetables must be made available here in our province because we have plenty of open fields,” he stressed.

Desiring for a rice sufficient province and for a start, the most that he can  is to make do whatever resources is available.  He then ordered Agda to already release the certified seeds to the farmers.  Agda reported that there are available 991 bags of certified seeds that if planted, can bear the same certified seeds for replanting.  These certified seeds are then expected to bear Palay in double in just a matter of three months.