MT. BALATUKAN, Misamis Oriental—Department of Agrarian (DAR) Secretary Brother John Castriciones has pledged to distribute 109 hectares of lands to 173 landless farmers and provide capability development projects worth P30.1 million.

“I commit that we will work hand in hand with the local government and all the other agencies to protect this area. We will not allow any illegal structures to be built here that would spoil or destroy the beauty of this area. Aside from giving away lands, we will also give support services so that we will be able to enhance their economic lives,” said Brother John.

Brother John made this pledge during the launching of the cluster Convergence Area Development Plan 2019-2022 (CADP) for Mt. Balatukan in Misamis Oriental last 11 March 2021. The CADP is a program of the National Convergence Initiative (NCI) which seeks to develop a framework for sustainable rural development through the convergence of the resources of different government agencies.

“We are also providing support services such as processing facilities, farm equipment and various trainings on modern farming and entrepreneurship,” Brother John said.

The plan calls for the collaboration, complementation and harmonization of resources and support from the DAR, Department of Agriculture, Department of Interior and Local Government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The Mt. Balatukan cluster covers the municipalities of Balingasag, Balingoan, Binuangan, Claveria, Kinoguitan, Lagonglong, Magsaysay, Medina, Salay, Sugbongcogon, and Talisayan and Gingoog City.

Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincent Emano, who led the launch, said the Mt. Balatukan CADP will serve as the framework for the attainment of responsible eco-tourism, sustainable agriculture, and a balanced ecosystem.

“To use our resources efficiently, the CADP is adopting the “ridge-to-reef” or watershed ecosystem management approach as the intervention framework. It is a holistic perspective of the ecosystem. We are focusing on helping small farmers, fisherfolks, and marginalized upland dwellers here,” Emano said.

The event was held at the Misamis Oriental Tourism Complex and Botanical Garden in the boundary between Gingoog City and Claveria.

MT. BALATUKAN, Misamis Oriental — Nangako si Agrarian Reform Brother John Castriciones na mamamahagi ng 109 ektaryang lupain sa 173 na mga walang lupang magsasaka at magbibigay ng mga suportang serbisyo na nagkakahalaga ng P30.1 million.

"Nangangako ako na makikipagtulungan kami sa lokal na pamahalaan at lahat ng iba pang mga ahensya upang protektahan ang lugar na ito. Hindi namin papayagan na magtayo ng anumang mga iligal na istraktura na makakasira sa kagandahan ng lugar na ito. Bukod sa pagbibigay ng mga lupain, magbibigay din kami ng mga suportang serbisyo upang maitaas namin ang kanilang pamumuhay," sabi ni Brother John.

Ang pangakong ito ay binanggit ni Brother John sa paglulunsad ng cluster Convergence Area Development Plan 2019-2022 (CADP) para sa Mt. Balatukan sa Misamis Oriental noong Marso 11, 2021. Ang CADP ay isang programa ng National Convergence Initiative (NCI) na naglalayong makabuo ng isang balangkas para sa sustainable rural development sa pamamagitan ng pagkuha ng mga tulong sa iba't ibang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan.

"Magbibigay din kami ng mga supporting serbisyo tulad ng mga processing falities, kagamitang pangbukid at iba't ibang mga pagsasanay tungkol sa modernong pagsasaka at pagnenegosyo," sabi ni Brother John.

Ang plano ay isang pakikipagtulungan at pagsasaayos ng mga mapagkukunan ng mga tulong at serbisyo mula sa DAR, Department of Agriculture, Department of Interior and Local Government at Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Ang Mt. Balatukan cluster ay binubuo ng mga munisipalidad ng Balingasag, Balingoan, Binuangan, Claveria, Kinoguitan, Lagonglong, Magsaysay, Medina, Salay, Sugbongcogon, at Talisayan at Gingoog City.

Sinabi ni Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincent Emano, na namuno sa paglulunsad, na ang Mt. Balatukan CADP ay magsisilbing pamantayan upang makamit ang responsableng eco-tourism, mapanatili ang agrikultura, at ang balanseng ecosystem.

"Upang magamit nang mahusay ang aming mga resources, ang CADP ay gumagamit ng "ridge-to-reef " o maayos na pamamahala ng watershed ecosystem. Ito ay isang holistic na pananaw upang mapangalagaan ang ecosystem. Kami ay nakatuon sa pagtulong sa maliliit na magsasaka, mangingisda at mga mahihirap na naninirahan sa upland area, "Emano said.

Ang paglulunsad ay ginanap sa Misamis Oriental Tourism Complex at Botanical Garden sa hangganan sa pagitan ng Gingoog City at Claveria.