Bringing life to dry lands

Agriculture is the main source of livelihood in Ligao City. Hence, the cultivation of land resources is highly significant for the sustainability and improvement of livelihood of the local residents.

For many years, the 30 hectares of land at Purok 4 of Barangay Allang remained idle and less productive. Farming was difficult in the area which eventually led to lesser income generation.

Before the irrigation canal was established, the land was idle and less productive.

In 2012, the fate of these hectares of land has been changed. An irrigation canal was constructed to irrigate the 30 hectares of agricultural land at Purok 4. This was made possible through the efforts of Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez and the City Government of Ligao headed by Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua.

The new irrigation canal covers 30 hectares of farm land at Purok 4, Barangay Allang.

One of the local residents who have been reaping benefits since the establishment of the irrigation system is 49-year old farmer Pedro Bordeos. He resides at Purok 4 Sitio Bulawgon with his wife and seven children. Bordeos is also the Vice President of the Irrigator’s Association in Allang.

The irrigation canal was constructed in 2012 to irrigate idle lands in the barangay.

Before the irrigation canal was established, Bordeos’s source of income came from farming one (1) hectare of rice field located at Purok 1 of Barangay Allang. He is able to harvest 80 cavans of rice every harvest season, twice a year. This yields to Php 120,000 gross annual income of his family. With all the expenses from rice production, Bordeos only earns Php 80,000 net annual income. That leaves him with only an estimated monthly income of Php 6,000 for his family. In addition to this, Bordeos also plants vegetables such as eggplant and squash which he sells in the market.

With the establishment of the irrigation system, not only it provided water resources to idle lands but it has improved the livelihood of local residents. The 30 hectares of unproductive land is now field with growing rice crops.

Left: 49-year old farmer Pedro Bordeos is reaping the benefits of having an irrigation canal. Right: Bordeos with Allang Barangay Captain  Nolito M. Quiles.

Bordeos owns 5,000 square meters of farm land in the newly irrigated area. He is able to harvest 60 cavans of rice per year which yields to Php 40,000 net income. This gives him an additional Php 3,000 income every month.

Like Bordeos, many farmers are in need of irrigation system to channel water resources their farm lands. This partnership project of the City Government of Ligao and Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez is a way of answering this concern that would likewise improve the living standards of the local farmers and their families. Lala Peñafiel / albay3d.blogspot.com

NMIS accredits Ligao City Slaughterhouse as Class “AA”

The Ligao City Slaughterhouse is located at Sitio Gamot, Tinago, Ligao City

The Ligao City Slaughterhouse has again received a Certificate of Accreditation from the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) to engage in slaughtering of hogs and cattle for domestic trade under Class “AA” category on 17 December 2015.

The accreditation of the slaughterhouse signifies that the facility has satisfied all the requirements set by Republic Act No. 9296 and Executive Order 137. This means that the meat and meat products from slaughtered hogs and cattle are safe and can be sold anywhere in the country.

NMIS Regional Technical Director Fernando N. Lontoc personally presented the Certificate of Accreditation to Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua and extended his support to the LGU to maintain stronger partnership

“Ang pagkakaroon po natin ng accredited na establishment ay napakahalaga para masigurado natin na malinis ang karne na kinakatay sa slaughterhouse [Having an accredited establishment is important to ensure that the meat are clean],” said NMIS Regional Technical Director Fernando N. Lontoc .

Aside from Ligao City, Sorsogon and Naga City were also on the list of cities/municipalities with accredited slaughterhouses. Dir. Lontoc sees this potential for Ligao City, being at the center of the region with accredited slaughterhouse, to increase the revenues from operating the facility. This will invite meat dealers from neighboring towns to avail quality services from the slaughterhouse. “Ito ang ating ituturo sa mga meat dealers na dito na sila magpakatay dahil dito nakakasunod sa pamantayan [We will direct the meat dealers to have their hogs and cattle slaughtered here because this facility follows the guidelines],” said Dir. Lontoc.

Because of the impressive approach and system of the City Government, Dir. Lontoc recommends Ligao City to be an example for other LGUs aiming to establish an accredited slaughterhouse.

Dir. Lontoc also extended his full support to the City Government to maintain a strong partnership with the LGU and sustain the accreditation of the slaughterhouse. He also acknowledged the efforts of Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua as a local chief executive who ensures the compliance of the LGU to the standards established by the NMIS.