Mulberry plantation in Balubal in the offing

THE city government of Cagayan de Oro will soon establish a mulberry plantation at the city-owned 1.0-hectare lot in Barangay Balubal.

Through an ordinance, the 20th City Council, during its regular session presided over by Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez, enacted an ordinance authorizing Mayor Rolando A. Uy to enter into and sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA Region 10) and Balubal (CDORSHP 4) Sericulture Farmers Association Inc., covering the parties’ collaboration for the purpose.

Under the MOA, the PhilFIDA shall, subject to compliance with RA 9184 and applicable Commission on Audit (COA) rules and regulations, provide funds needed for the establishment of mulberry plantation and maintenance for the first year; assign technical staff to conduct geotagging activity in the area and orientation on mulberry farm management; and conduct training on good agricultural practices for mulberry products, among others.

On the other hand, the farmers’ association shall provide manpower resources for the establishment and maintenance of the plantation to avoid delay in the implementation of the project during the whole duration of the contract.

For its part, the city shall include sericulture in their agricultural development plan as one of the major or priority commodity of the locality, assist in the identification and recommendation of beneficiaries of the project, provide continuous support to the association to enhance utilization of natural fibers in the community, and assist during the conduct of project monitoring, evaluation, and inspection.

The ordinance was authored by Councilor Edgar S. Cabanlas, chair of the Committee on Urban Poor.