CABARROGUIS, Quirino (PIA) - - The Korean Government, through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and the provincial government recently conducted the inauguration and turn-over ceremony of the Q-LiFE Center and Cattle Breeding Center, two of the major structures built under the Quirino Integrated Rural Development Project (QIRDP) on June 1, 2023.  

QIRDP, implemented from 2018-2023, provided the setting-up of an integrated model farm for agroforestry development, the establishment of the Quirino Livelihood for Everyone (Q-LiFE) Center for value chain formation and the Quirino Cattle Breeding Center (QCBC) for the development of the local livestock industry. 

KOICA Country Director Kim Eunsub, in his message, noted that the Q-LiFE and QCBC will showcase advanced and cutting-edge technologies and will benefit more than 650 farming households in Quirino Province for inclusive and sustainable rural development.

Director Kim further said that Quirino Province will be able to process meat, fruits and vegetables, tea, bread and noodles and other products at large quantities for local consumption and for sale to neighboring provinces through the state-of-the-art Q-LiFE Center.

The QCBC on the other hand will be utilized for cattle raising and distribution. The agroforestry-based integrated model farm component aims to create sustainable farming systems by combining agricultural crops, trees and livestock.

“The project will contribute to poverty reduction by increasing farmers’ income and will also serve as a model of a comprehensive and integrated rural development initiative, not only to other provinces in the Philippines, but also to other developing countries around the world,” Director Kim said.

For his part, Governor Dakila Carlo E. Cua stressed that with the help of the Korean government throughout the last ten years when the project started, the poverty incident of Quirino which was at around 15% has been reduced to 6.5%, much lower than the national poverty incidence of 17 percent, based on data from the National Economic Development Authority.

“So as we look to the future we would like to further reduce our 6.5% poverty incidence. This is our goal and thank you for taking the journey with us. We will always remember KOICA, the Republic of Korea and Hankyong University and all the happy memories that we shared, Dr. Seong and all the consultants that we have with, as we tried to provide better life for every family here in the Province of Quirino. Again, in the behalf of the people of Quirino, Kamsahamnida and we look forward to more partnership, more collaboration, and more success for the people of Korea and the people of Quirino here in the Philippines,” Cua said.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Korean Embassy 3rd Secretary Kim Dosik, KOICA Country Director Kim Eunsub, Hankyong National University President Dr. Lee Won-Hee, Project Manager Dr. Hwang Seong-Gu, PCSO Chairperson Junie E. Cua, Governor Dakila Carlo E. Cua, Congresswoman Midy N. Cua, Provincial Administrator Carmelita B. Jimenez, DA Regional Office II Executive Director Narciso Edillo and DENR Regional Office II Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan.

The QIRDP covers 29 barangays in the municipalities of Aglipay, Cabarroguis, Diffun and Maddela. It is Phase II of the Quirino Integrated Agricultural Development Project (QIADP) implemented in 2013-2016. (OTB/TCB/PIA Quirino)