Indigenous People benefits from Abaca seminar in Bukidnon

IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon – As part of facilitating the peace and development effort in the province of Bukidnon, the 8th Infantry Battalion in partnership with the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority Regional Office 10 (PhilFIDA RO-10) launched the Abaca Production Seminar in support to the Indigenous People (IP) abaca farming which benefited the members of Kapunongang Mag-uuma sa Ulayanon (KAMAU) Farmers Organization and other residents at Sitio Ulayanon, Brgy Kalabugao, Impasugong, Bukidnon on October 6, 2020.

Then Abaca Production Seminar in Sitio Ulayanon is a one-day training participated by 124 members of KAMAU Farmers Organization. It provided the IP farmers field training on good agricultural practices to produce high quality abaca fiber.

PhilFIDA RO-10 also distributed abaca seedlings to the farmers.

Maj. Lemuel D. Bacarro, Executive Officer of 8th Infantry Battalion; Engr. Roque S. Pepito, Officer In-Charge, PhilFIDA RO-10; and Engr. Herbert C. Penonia, Provincial Fiber Officer of Bukidnon spearheaded the seminar and introduced the new abaca farming technology to help the IP farmers to handle the increasing demand of abaca fiber in the market today.

“Mapasalamaton ako sa atong kasundalohan ug sa PhilFIDA RO-10 sa pagtabang kanamo aron kami mahatagan og kahibalo ug kahanas para sa among panginabuhian, makatabang kini aron mapuna-an ang among inadlaw-aw nga panginahanglanon,” Datu Danilo “Balitungtung” Diatao, President, KAMAU Farmers Organization said gratefully.

(I am thankful to our Army and to the PhilFIDA RO-10 for providing us additional knowledge and skills for our livelihood, this will help provide for our daily needs.)

Engr. Roque S. Pepito, Officer In-Charge, PhilFIDA RO-10 expressed his gratefulnnes for the opportunity to share to the IP farmers, “Ako malipayon sa inyong pagka-interesado nga makat-on sa bag-ong pamaagi sa pagproceso sa abaca farming. Nanghinaot ako nga magamit ninyo ang inyong kahibalo aron mapalambo ang abaca farming sa inyong komunidad,” Engr. Pepito said.

(I am very grateful for your eagerness to learn the proper ways of processing in abaca farming. I hope that your enhanced knowledge will improve abaca farming in your community.)

Lt. Col. Edgardo V. Talaroc Jr, Commanding Officer of the 8th Infantry Battalion said, “Ang inyong kasundalohan kanunay nga magsupporta para sa kaayuhan sa mag-uuma sa Bukidnon. Padayon namong dal-on ang mga programa sa atong gobyerno ngadto sa inyong komunidad.”

(Your Army will continue to facilitate government services that will benefit the farmers in Bukidnon. We will continue to bring the programs of our government to your community.)

Source: Civil-Military Operations Office, 8th Infantry Battalion, Joint Task Force Diamond, PA