MISAMIS ORIENTAL (PIA)--The Department of Agriculture (DA)-10 handed over the certificate of turnover from its Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita financial grant assistance valuing at P1.3 million to the Atay-yan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) through the local government unit of Gingoog City.

Gingoog City Mayor Erick G. Cañosa and Vice Mayor Thaddeus P. Lugod received the said certificate from DA-Misamis Oriental Provincial Operations Center Chief Wilson V. Lagdamin, and later conferred it on Agay-ayan MPC Chair Pacita S. Cago.

The amount serves as the 80% grant of the agency for the enhancement of the barangay food terminal via the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita of the cooperative, with a total project cost of P1.625 million. Implemented through a cost-sharing scheme, the Agay-ayan MPC also provided equity amounting to P325K.

The grant will also be used to pay for the cooperative's working capital, transportation vehicles, and extra equipment.

In December 2022, the department’s grant amounting to P1.17 million was already downloaded to the cooperative, with the remaining amount to be released upon liquidation.

In addition to handing over the certificates, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga also led the handover of the P799,000 utility van to Agay-ayan MPC Vice Chairman Anita P. Madrazo, January 19, at the agency compound.

"The program will enable farmers’ cooperative, associations to participate in the food supply distribution system, which is available and accessible, and ensure the stability of the prices of food and other basic commodities in areas with high consumer demand," DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said.

Funded by the DA-10 through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said the program will enable farmers’ cooperative, associations to participate in the food supply distribution system, which is available and accessible, and ensure the stability of the prices of food and other basic commodities in areas with high consumer demand.

With all the help coming in, Agay-ayan MPC Vice Chairman Madrazo thanked the agency for helping their cooperative and promised to use the utility van as much as possible to make sure that goods were distributed safely.

Agay-ayan MPC has a total of 245 farmer-members with products and commodities such as milled rice, assorted highland and lowland vegetables, spices, eggs, chicken, and pork. (DA-10/PIA-10/Misamis Oriental)