Agriculture office lacks rice seeds subsidy supply for farmers

ILAGAN, Isabela — Provincial Agriculturist Danilo Tumamao said Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) could not fully implement the rice seeds subsidy program due to lack of available supply from registered rice seed growers here.

The rice seeds subsidy program is a flagship project of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to increase rice production in the country and to prevent shortage of rice supply.

However, Tumamao said that if supply of rice seeds is no longer available in Isabela, the agriculture office thought of procuring to other rice producing provinces so that all farmers would benefit from the program. # PIA- Isabela

Congress approves bill declaring Bessang Pass a memorial shrine and national protected area

CANDON CITY — A bill seeking for the declaration of the historic Bessang Pass as national heritage and protected place was already passed and approved after its final reading in a regular session at the Lower House, it was learned.

House Deputy Speaker Eric D. Singson, who was the principal author of the House Bill No. 4968, told the said bill was already elevated to Senate for further discussion and approval.

The historic Bessang Pass, which was located along the highest peak in the mountainous area of Barangay Malaya, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur with a total land area of 1,121 hectares, was recognized as national monument primarily to protect and conserve its scenic, cultural and historical features including the diverse terrestrial resources found therein.

In Philippine history, the Bessang Pass was the site of the last battle between the Filipino guerrillas and the Japanese Imperial Army during the World War II, famously called the “Battle of Besang Pass,” in which Filipino soldiers defeated Japanese troops under Gen. Tumoyuki Yamashita.

Around 3,400 who fought gallantly for freedom and peace during the historic Battle of Bessang Pass that ended on June 14, 1945, were killed and wounded. # Freddie G. Lazaro/PIA-Ilocos Sur