CAPIZ – A total of 1,500 coconut seeds were distributed to local farmers during a ceremonial turnover held at the covered gym of Barangay Poblacion Ilaya, Dao town on Thursday, July 24.
This initiative marks Dao as the ninth municipality in the province to benefit from the “Kalubihan sa Kamaisan Project” — a flagship program of Gov. Fredenil H. Castro aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture and improving farmers’ livelihoods.
Forty farmers from various barangays in Dao received a share of the coconut seeds. The project seeks not only to increase agricultural productivity but also to empower farmers by equipping them with essential resources to diversify their crops and secure alternative sources of income.
The project is anchored in Provincial Ordinance No. 208, Series of 2023, co-authored by Vice Gov. James “Mitang” Magbanua, which addresses critical environmental challenges such as soil erosion and flooding — major issues that have long affected the mountain corn fields of Capiz. Through coconut farming, the province hopes to rehabilitate degraded farmlands while offering long-term livelihood opportunities for rural communities.
The event was also attended by various local government officials, signaling strong support for the initiative. Among those present were Provincial Board members Ma. Ivy Fundal, Aldwin Cruz-am, Trina Marie Ignacio, and Blesilda Almalbis; 1st District Deputy Provincial Administrator Enrique Martin; Glenn Beup, assistant department head of the Capiz Environmental and Natural Resources Office; and Andy Laurilla, Provincial Coconut Development Manager from the Philippine Coconut Authority.
Also in attendance were Dao’s Mayor Jimbo Barruela, Vice Mayor Dominico Daños, and members of the Sangguniang Bayan, reinforcing the municipality’s commitment to strengthening local agriculture and supporting farmer development./PN
