Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon urged the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to prioritize developing and implementing programs that would encourage the culture of entrepreneurship among Davao Oriental constituents.

Governor Malanyaon said during the agency’s courtesy call on Monday, July 18, at the Capitol that producing more entrepreneurs and small enterprises in the province is one way she sees would help push her administration’s thrust of reducing poverty in the province.

Governor Malanyaon said, “There is an urgency for us to improve the financial conditions of our people.” 

She added that, “All interventions must be market-driven. Currently, her administration is bent on producing livestock and crops with a readily available market. Moreover,  she said she will see to it that the government will also prioritize scholarship programs on agri-business courses to encourage the younger generation to engage in business while helping in the province’s pursuit of creating sustainable livelihoods.

To realize these, she asked for the complementation of efforts between all national agencies, including the DAR, and the provincial government so that “no resources will be wasted.”

“We are in uncertain times, especially on income and food security,” she said, noting that the government must be prudent on its priorities, including its spending. “Di na tayo gagasto nang kung ano-ano lang. Yun lang talagang direct na makakatulong sa tao,” (We will not spend on anything that is not important. We will only spend for priority projects that can directly help the people), she said, noting that her administration will prioritize road rehabilitation and improvement, which has a direct impact on the people’s livelihoods.

She anticipates establishing strong collaboration with the agency in the province’s development programs. “We could not do everything alone, but with you complementing us, we could do many things for our people,” the Governor said, adding that there should be “real convergence and real institutionalization of all government programs.”

She also appealed to the agency to implement results-oriented programs. “For every program, there should be a result to the people’s economic condition. “Whatever intervention, for every centavo the government gives, we should know the impact on every household. That is what I am rallying for,” the Governor said.

The DAR, headed by Eduardo Suaybaguio, PARPO II, assured the Governor that the agency would align its development initiatives to the thrusts of the provincial government.

DAR, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, is currently implementing initiatives to restore the province’s swine industry which was affected by the African Swine Fever. The project aims to repopulate swines to help farmers and livestock raisers recover their losses from the ASF.

Governor Malanyaon lauded the agency’s efforts as she also looks forward to working with them to benefit the people of Davao Oriental. Karen Lou Deloso-PIO | Photos by Van Jorain Rufin