PENRO Rainier Balbuena leads the inauguration of the Taro and Banana Processing building held recently in Daga, Conner, Apayao. This building is turned over to the Daga Greening Association headed by PO Chairperson Danilo Andres. The construction of the building was initiated by the Department of Trade and Industry, the implementing partner agency with the support of the Apayao Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU), Conner MLGU, DENR PENRO Apayao and the PO Officers and members/beneficiaries.
Ms. Wena Buston, the DTI Provincial Director, presented the overview of the convergence project of DENR and DTI and explained that DTI is mandated to provide assistance for enterprise development, business management, value chain adding, packaging and marketing. She encouraged the PO members to link with Eco-Tourism activities because the tourists are the potential buyers of their products.
Local Chief Executive of Conner Hon. Martina Dangoy applauded the PO and implementing agencies for the completion of the project. She stressed that the success, development and sustainability of the livelihood project is in the hands of members.
Likewise, PENR Officer Rainier Balbuena discussed the INREMP objectives that the more projects brought to the community the more opportunities for development.
Mr. Thomas Tumbaga, Apayao PLGU representative encouraged the beneficiaries to plant their corn plantations with taro and banana to sustain their livelihood project. He announced that the Provincial Government Allotted 1.5 M for the concreting of access road towards the barangay road going to the processing building and another 1 M for the finishing of the building. PO Chairman Andres accepted the project and is grateful for the additional 1m to fund the finishing of the building and the 1.5m for the concreting of the access road. He appreciated, on behalf of all the PO officers and members, the implementing agencies, and the staff who helped start and finish the project. Conner CENRO Officer Rodel Cacpal complimented the PO members for their active participation and advised them to support this livelihood project.
