MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) delivered more than P16-million worth of farm equipment, projects and inputs to the Bicol region as DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala visited Albay and Sorsogon Thursday.

Alcala handed over the assistance to farmers and local officials of the two provinces on his third visit to Bicol from January 26 to 27.

The amount includes P14.7-M worth of various farm equipment like hand tractors, power tillers, flatbed dryers, palay shed, multipurpose drying pavements, seed cleaners, and shredders, a hauler truck, vermin composting facility and shallow tube wells, all for the Tastas Farmers’ Producers Cooperative of Ligao, Albay.

A rice mill was also delivered to the Capuy Basud Multipurpose Cooperative in Sorsogon.

He also handed over livelihood project funds totaling P1.23 million to 123 beneficiaries in Albay under the 2nd tranche of the Akbay program implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Thursday, he had a breakfast meeting with Albay Governor Joey Salceda and municipal mayors and other officials in Legazpi City.

He was joined by DA officials led Region 5 director Jose V. Dayao, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) director Asis G. Perez, National Irrigation Administration (NIA) chief Antonio S. Nangel and Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) administrator Euclides Forbes. Former Senator Victor S. Ziga was also invited.

Thereafter, Alcala will proceed to the office of the Naval Forces Southern Luzon at the Regional Government Center in Rawis, Legazpi City for the turnover of farm equipment and livelihood checks to beneficiaries of DA Akbay livelihood program.

He will then proceed to Bacacay, Albay for Agri-Pinoy Stakeholders’ forum just before noon and motor to Sorsogon City for another AgriPinoy stakeholder’s forum at the Provincial Gymnasium.

In both events, Alcala will distribute farm equipment and livelihood checks to poor agriculture stakeholders.

Upon returning to Albay, he will meet with 3rd district Rep. Fernando V. Gonzales and later preside over the meeting of the DA Region 5 Executive Committee (REC), comprised of the heads of DA-attached agencies in Bicol.