The DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management organized the Manila Bay Rehabilitation (MBR) Project Annual Stakeholders’ Consultation Meeting at the Bataan Peninsula State University – Abucay Campus, Abucay, Bataan last November 16, 2022, to assess the implementation of the project on the establishment of the said project of Technology Demonstration Sites (TDS) for further improvement.

The Annual Stakeholders’ Consultation Meeting focused on determining the current status of the project sites and the challenges encountered in implementing the project proactively.

DA-BSWM Soil Conservation Division (SCD) OIC-Chief Engr. Eduardo V. Alberto said that MBR Project would fight soil erosion and protect the environment without sacrificing farmers’ livelihoods. Furthermore, he stressed that conserving the soil will help the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.

In addition, Project Focal Person Engr. Evangeline F. Dacumos envisions during her presentation that the next step of the DA-BSWM is linking the food produced from the project site to profitable markets. She hopes that the farmers’ momentum and eagerness should maintain to sustain and improve the project.

Moreover, Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office No. 3 (DARFO3) through Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division Market Specialist Jennelyn D. Ibale enlighten the participants’ awareness that the DARFO3 offers a KADIWA market initiative which empowers the farming community by providing a direct farm-to-consumer food supply chain. The DARFO3 offers to help the farmers’ produce to mobilize the people through the KADIWA Market.

Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) Senior Agriculturist Nancy T. Aspuria profounded that fruit production in Bataan will provide economic benefits for farmers. With fruit trees, the benefits of sustainable income-generating produce while conserving the soil can achieve.

2021 and 2022 Bataan project sites, LGUs, and farmers’ cooperatives participated in the event.

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