NTA Administrator and CEO Belinda S. Sanchez paid official courtesy visits on the local officials of the Virginia tobacco-producing provinces in Regions 1 and 2.
Administrator Sanchez, along with acting Deputy Administrator for Operations Dr. Giovanni Palabay, acting Deputy Administrator for Support Services Dinah E. Pichay; Special Assistant to the Administrator Benjamin V. Sarmiento, visited on separate occasions Candon City Mayor Eric D. Singson (December 14), Ilocos Sur Vice Governor Ryan Luis V. Singson (December 15), and Ilocos Norte Governor Mathew M. Manotoc (December 16).
The three local officials committed to consistently giving various support assistance to the tobacco farmers to sustain the Virginia tobacco production in the region.
Candon City Mayor Singson informed Administrator Sanchez that LGU Candon had initially given farm inputs assistance to their tobacco farmers.
Aside from farm inputs assistance, Vice Governor Singson and Governor Manotoc said the their respective provincial governments had given various support assistance to the tobacco farmers.
Governor Manotoc, as the chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC) of Region 1, also committed to support all the proposals and programs for the development and sustainability of the tobacco industry in the region.
In Region 2, Administrator Sanchez met with Tuguegarao City Mayor Maila Rosario Ting-Que on December 28, to discuss some programs that will help boost the tobacco industry in Cagayan province.
Special Assistant to the Administrator Benjamin V. Sarmiento, NTA Consultant Minerva P. Mizal, NTA Cagayan Branch Manager Gilbert A. Taguiam, Atty. Jun Fred V. Parado of the Legal Department, and NTA Public Relations Officer V Freddie G. Lazaro.
