PAMANA AREAS

Corn farmers in Baganga, Davao Oriental can now look forward to increased productivity with PAMANA's assistance

Baganga, Davao Oriental, Aug. 1 – The government’s PAMANA or Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Peaceful and Resilient Communities) program has extended its support in expanding a corn production livelihood project in Sitio Tayudong, Barangay Salingcomot in Baganga town. PAMANA is the national government’s program and framework for peace and development in areas affected by conflict and communities covered by existing peace agreements.

It aims to reduce poverty, improve governance and empower communities in situations of conflict. “We know that this province experiences poverty due to persistent armed conflicts. We want the community to know that the government is on their side, helping families who have long been affected by conflict and violence,” explained PAMANA Manager Oliver Binancilan of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) during the celebration of Baganga’s first ever Corn Harvest Festival held recently.

Unexpected miracle Prior to the corn production initiative, nobody believed that Baganga’s type of soil and terrain could yield tons upon tons of corn. Because of this seemingly miraculous feat, the interest of Sitio Tayudong and its neighboring sitios in corn farming has been revived. Farmer Jaime Taya started with 5.5 kilos of seeds and harvested 2.8 tons. Carlito Bendanello, another corn grower, bought his own house and a motorcycle from the earnings of his three-hectare corn farm. “Until the day I die, I will never forget this,” Bendanello remarked during the festival.

During the event, community members of Sitio Tayudong shared their successful experience of convergence or “panag-uban,” the coming together for the common goal of peace and development. PAMANA had previously assisted Baganga in rubber production through a P1.7-million fund.

This year, the town is set to receive another P2 million to expand its corn production and an additional P2.3 million in 2013 for the purchase of post-harvest facilities. Also present at the festival were representatives of Agrikulturang Makamasa Barangay Extension Technician, Barangay Nutrition Specialist, Agriculture Technologist, and Sangguniang Bayan.