The DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM), through the Soil Conservation and Management Division (SCMD), initiated the first Consultation and Study Visits with the Partner Local Government Units (LGUs) on the final year of the Sustainable Land Resource Management Approach (SLRMA) Project in the City of Ilagan, Isabela and Alfonso Lista, Ifugao from March 7 to 10, 2023.
During the opening of the Program, SCMD OIC-Division Chief Engr. Eduardo V. Alberto expressed his gratitude to all the Partner LGUs for the Project’s success since 2019 despite the pandemic.
“I’m grateful for the cooperation and proactive attitude of everyone. We know that in the first year of the Project implementation, we faced our biggest threat: the pandemic. However, we are here today, sharing the success of our six (6) Pilot Sites despite the challenges. Every site has diversity, distinct traits, and socio-economic needs, and I’m looking forward that this consultation and study visits will give everyone the wider knowledge and initiative to adopt the good practices of the other sites.”, Engr. Alberto
He added that the LGU should allocate funds from the Local Disaster and Risk Reduction Budget to continue and sustain the Project as it helps the prevention of soil erosion, flooding, and other related problems and possible risks in the community.
On the other hand, SLRMA Project Focal Engr. Joseph B. Rojales complimented the statement of Engr. Alberto. “As the project focal, I am glad that this Project elevates the lives of our farmers. This year, 2023, is the final year of the BSWM intervention for all six (6) sites. However, our help will never end as the BSWM will continue to help in other technical aspects of the Project, and we will continue to look and expand the SLRMA to other provinces.”
During the first day of the activity, the participants visited the SLRMA site at Sitio Bataan Rock, Brgy. Pinto, Alfonso Lista, Ifugao. The participants were welcomed at the site with the traditional ethnic dance from the youth of Alfonso Lista. Also, one farmer-beneficiary shared his own song composition where he tells the story of Alfonso Lista beneficiaries on how the SLRMA Project changed their lives.
On the following day, the Study Visit was conducted in Brgy. San Lorenzo, City of Ilagan, Isabela. One farmer-beneficiary pointed out that the usual Pineapples used in the Project were changed to Legumes as they faced the challenge of growing Pineapple on the site. The beneficiaries chose the Legumes as alternative crops to solve the demands of their farm animals’ food needs.
Presentation from the six partner LGUs presented their current and future plans for the SLRMA Projects on the last day. The Consultation was attended by the LGU-Alfonso Lista, Ifugao; LGU-City of Isabela; LGU-Sagñay, Camarines Sur; LGU-Tapaz, Capiz; LGU-Dapitan City, Zamboanga Del Norte; and LGU-Sumilao, Bukidnon. They are the Pilot Sites of the 5-year SLRMA Project funded by the Department of Agriculture – National Corn Program.
The Consultation and Study Visits aim to mainstream the SLRMA to all the Farmers in the Philippines.
