The municipality of Tumauini, Isabela, one of top tobacco producers in the province, has started giving cash assistance of P15,000 (per hectare of farm area) for the farmers in tobacco-producing barangays. Mayor Arnold S. Bautista, in coordination with senior officials of NTA Isabela headed by Manager Dr. Corazon R. Riazonda and Chief Agriculturist Joefrey T. Bautista, conducted meetings on tobacco production with the tobacco growers to coincide with the ceremonial distribution.
After the farmers’ meeting in Barangay Paragu on December 1, Mayor Bautista showed to the NTA officials various ongoing LGU projects such as goat production, dairy processing center, dairy cow production, LGU livelihood center, and mango processing center. The funds for the financial assistance and the livelihood projects are from municipality’s shares of the tobacco excise tax collections (per RA 8340).
Mayor Bautista wants collaborative efforts with NTA and leaf buyer ULPI for the sustainability of the tobacco industry in the municipality, while helping the farmers produce more quality tobacco and earn higher income from tobacco production.
[Text/Photos: Joey A. Pascual]