DSWD Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman and Secretary Proceso Alcala of the Department of Agriculture (DA) will be the principal guests of the national launching of the DSWD – DA AGRIKULTURANG PANTAWID PAMILYANG PILIPINO PROGRAM in Las Navas, Northern Samar on Dec. 12.

The cooperation program is envisaged to implement agricultural productivity projects that would provide sustainable livelihoods and emergency or short-term jobs that would develop the skills and guarantees employment opportunities of the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in coconut, sugar, rice/corn and coastal communities and other areas under agricultural zones in the countryside.

One of the components is the Development of Paddy Dikes, Irrigation Canals & Service Roads in Undeveloped / Unutilized but Potential Rice / Agricultural Fields. This project component will develop potential agriculture sites, develop rice paddies with necessary dikes, irrigation canals, service roads and provide livelihood assistance that would support farmers/beneficiaries productivity.

DSWD Field Office Eight Director Leticia Diokno said, the project will employ Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in the construction of paddy dikes, irrigation canal and service roads thru DSWD’s cash/food for work program in specific type and size of land areas to be identified by the DA. The DA will provide equipment, materials, expertise and other agricultural inputs. Working beneficiaries will be organized to become service providers in paddy dikes and irrigation canals construction that can be employed by big landowner or fishpond operators needing this type of services.

She further revealed that two groups, with 30 members per group, is currently organized by the DSWD, DA and NIA to become a service provider in the construction of paddy dikes and even fishpond dikes. These groups will be awarded with hand tractors by the DA during the launching in December 12.

Under Phase I, the construction of paddy dikes covered a total of 96.96 hectare of potential rice fields in Las Navas, Northern Samar. These were completed thru cash-for-work of 390 Pantawid beneficiaries in September 2011.

Meanwhile, the Phase II paddy dike construction thru cash-for-work of 200 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries is still ongoing.