CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-10, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-10, and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Gingoog signed a tripartite sub-project agreement as part of the Rural Agro-enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth).

This agreement will strengthen the roles and responsibilities of these agencies and the LGU in improving the farm-to-market infrastructure (FMI) in Bal-ason, Gingoog. 

Present at the signing were Gingoog Mayor Erick Cañosa, DTI-10 Regional Director Ermedio Abang, represented by Assistant Regional Director Ruel Paclipan, and DILG-10 Regional Director Wilhelm Suyko. 

Leo Lirawan, the President of Bal-ason Higaonon People’s Organization, also attended the signing.

The P26.26 million project will improve a 1.06-kilometer stretch of road, benefiting 905 households. 

The FMI is one of the sub-components of the RAPID Project. It secures access of farmers and producers to the markets. 

Paclipan said the bottom line of the component is to increase farmers' income.

"The program intends to boost coffee production in Gingoog, enhance productivity, and elevate the earnings of local farmers," he explained. 

Meanwhile, Mayor Cañosa expressed his appreciation that one of the FMIs is implemented in Gingoog, saying it will help improve the lives of every Gingoognon.

Director Suyko also emphasized in his message that FMIs are essential instruments in addressing our country's food security needs.

It is the third agreement signed under Batch 3 of RAPID Growth Project Region 10 for 2023. (DTI-10/PIA-10)