BALAMBAN, Cebu — From illegal planters of marijuana, farmers in mountain barangays of this town are now finding an alternative means of livelihood, one that will not make them run away from the cudgels of the law.

The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) granted financial assistance to former marijuana cultivators now engaged in alternative livelihood in the mountain barangays of Magsaysay, Bayong, Cansomoroy and Ga-as in Balamban municipality.

In a ceremony at the Balamban municipal building the other day, the farmers signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the cultivation of abaca, a species of the banana shrub, used as a raw material in the manufacture of ropes and other related products. The MOA also mentioned of a “rain forestation” program which would exploit the expertise of the farmer-beneficiaries.

DDB acting Chairman Paul Oaminal, who witnessed the ceremony, said the DDB has persuaded farmers not to plant marijuana anymore and instead focus on alternative plants.

The implementation of the program is done with the expertise of the Fiber Industry Development Authority-7 with Regional Director Benjamin Gomo. Here in Cebu, the first town beneficiary is Balamban under Mayor Alex Binghay.

Oaminal envisions extending the program in other towns such as Alcoy, Badian, and Dalaguete; and in the cities of Danao and Toledo. The program has likewise been implemented in San Fernando, Bukidnon and many parts of the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Local government officials in towns and cities where there are marijuana plantations are encouraged to coordinate with the regional offices of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to assist them in facilitating the granting of financial assistance by the DDB.

Other areas where marijuana has been uprooted again and again include Davao, Cotabato, Agusan, and Region 2 or Cagayan Valley.

Oaminal has replaced Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, who is seeking again a Senate post. Sotto held the position as Secretary and Chairman of the DDB in less than two years.