Baguio holds consultation with agri-stakeholders

Mayor Benjamin Magalong expressed the city government’s all out support for the Summer Capital’ agriculture sector during a consultation with its various groups and other stakeholders, August 12, at the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO). building spearheaded by the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO) under Dr. Silardo Bested.

The Mayor said that although only about three percent of the city’s population are involved in agriculture, he stressed that through innovations and technology, the quantity and quality of their products can dramatically increase.

“If tiny and industrialized Singapore with no farm lands can do it, what more with Baguio where we have more areas for agriculture?” Magalong asked as he disclosed the city government’s aim of turning the City of PInes into Luzon’s center of innovation.

The Mayor said he suggested for the conduct of the consultation since he believes that suggestions on how to improve the city’s agriculture industry should not emanate from the top but from the grassroots – its urban farmers and those engaged in aquaculture.

“From now on, the city will conduct quarterly consultations with its agricultural stakeholders so that we will know their suggestions, what their needs are and how we can be of help to them,” he stressed.

The next consultation is scheduled sometime this November at the same venue.

For his part, Councilor Isabelo ‘Popo’ Cosalan, chair of the city council’s committee on trade, market, commerce and agriculture, assured the participants that with their help and cooperation, he would be able to craft legislation that would benefit their sector.

CVAO senior agriculturist Marcelina Tabelin also presented her office’s present accomplishments and plans for the next three years.

Present during the consultation were officials from the Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Training Institute, Bureau of Plant Industry, Department of Trade and Industry, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. – Gaby B. Keith