THE National Tobacco Administration presented the Sustainable Tobacco Enhancement Program (STEP), a five-year industry development roadmap, to the Provincial Development Council in La Union during a virtual meeting held on August 19.
Fortuna C. Benosa, Corporate Planning Department Manager, presented to the council’s Executive Committee (PDC-ExeCom) headed by Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III, the current and proposed programs and projects for La Union under the industry roadmap for the five-year period.
Acting NTA Deputy Administrator for Operations Engr. Cesario G. Sambrana and La Union Branch Manager Dr. Giovanni B. Palabay joined Benosa during the presentation and discussion of the STEP.
Also in attendance were La Union Provincial Agriculturist Ramon Laudencia, other provincial government officials, and representatives from different government agencies in the province.
After the presentation the PDC-ExeCom approved the endorsement of the tobacco industry roadmap to the Regional Development Council (RDC).
According to Benosa, the endorsement from the provincial council is not only a requirement for the RDC but also a good opportunity for the agency to “reach out to our partners from the local government units and work together in improving the lives of the local tobacco growers.”
NTA Administrator/CEO Robert Victor G. Seares Jr has described the development plans under the STEP as the agency’s mission to keep the industry sustainable in the next five years and more, while helping the farmers increase their income and productivity, and make the industry a major contributor to food security and poverty alleviation program of the government.