by: Caloy Bautista / August 3, 2007

The Cattle and Small Ruminants Dispersal Program of the provincial government of (North) Cotabato got a boost recently with Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap himself promising financial support for the program.

In a meeting in Davao City recently with Sec. Yap, Gov. Jesus N. Sacdalan proposed a 50/50 counterparting scheme between the provincial government and the Department of Agriculture for the program which aims to aims to revitalize the local livestock industry to further enhance agricultural productivity in the province and contribute positively to the national government’s productivity targets.

“We have already allocated P6 million as seed fund for the program by way of our Supplemental Budget No. 1 which was approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan under the leadership of Vice Gov. Manny F. Piñol,” Gov. Sacdalan said.

“What we asked from Sec. Yap is for DA to provide another P6 million for the program to which he responded positively.”

Aside from the P6 million, Gov. Sacdalan also asked for an additional counterpart of P15 million from the DA for next year.

“We are already planning to allocate an additional P15 million for the program, if not in our next supplemental budget, then maybe next year. If the DA can again provide us P15 million as counterpart, that will really be a big boost for the program,” Gov. Sacdalan said.

“We do not only want to revitalize and strengthen the local livestock industry through this program. Our ultimate goal is of course to provide our farmers additional income sources and a better opportunity to provide for their family needs. We believe that Sec. Yap and the DA shares this vision with us that is why I have approached him with the proposal.”

“I am very grateful that he responded positively,” the governor said.