DA, NTA vow support to the country’s tobacco industry

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala and the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) through Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza vowed support to the tobacco industry in the country during their recent visit in the Ilocos Region, which forms part of the DA’s nationwide farmers’ dialogue campaign.

Despite contradictions from other sectors, Alcala said he will fight for the continuous production of the commodity because of the many benefits it could give to the economy and to the farmers.

He spelled out the DA’s programs and projects for the tobacco industry, which includes provision of postharvest facilities and establishment of irrigation systems. He said the DA will be in close coordination with the NTA to work on the development of this industry.

In a consultation-dialogue held in Candon City , Ilocos Sur, Alcala assured the LGUs and tobacco farmers that the DA will work on helping the farmers produce quality tobacco. He also promised to sit down with cigarette manufacturers to negotiate for a better price of tobacco products. He instructed Administrator Zaragoza to look for production technologies which can improve the quality of produce and can lower the production cost.

Moreover, the DA will spearhead a consultation with Ilocos Region local farmers, local officials and stakeholders to come up with strategies to boost agriculture development in the region.

These among other initiatives will be included in the crafting of the Ilocos Region’s master development plan for the next five years which will be aligned with the DA’s national development roadmap.

For his part, NTA Administrator Zaragoza expressed his gratitude to the Secretary for his support in the tobacco industry. He also lauded the local chief executives in Ilocos Sur for extending support in his administration as the NTA administrator.

Zaragoza updated the group of tobacco farmers on the NTA’s initiatives in promoting the industry which include an allocation of: P34 million(M) for this year’s production assistance; Php200 million (M) budget for intervention programs for next cropping season; and increased funding support from Php8M to Php24M this year in support for palay production.

He added that NTA will study the floor prices of tobacco and assured the body that it would look into the price of the commodity. He said dialogues with cigarette manufacturers and exporters have positive results.

Meanwhile, part of the Secretary’s visit in the region is the inauguration of the P12.5M-worth new NTA building in Candon City, Ilocos Sur. The fund for the building construction was sourced out from RA 7171 or the Tobacco Excise Tax Law, district share of former Deputy Speaker Eric D. Singson. The activity was attended by 1st District Representative Ryan Singson, 2nd District Representative Eric Owen Singson, Vice-Mayor Alfonso Singson, former Deputy Speaker Singson, and DA national rice program coordinator Dante Delima.

In the same event, 11 tobacco farmers from Burgos (2), Candon City (2), Galimuyod (2), Quirino (1), Salcedo (1), Santiago (1) and Sta. Cruz (2), Ilocos Sur whose barns were burned while flue-curing, were awarded checks worth P10, 000.00 each through the initiative of Rep. Eric Owen Singson, to assist them in reconstructing their barns. NTA Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza