Ilocos Norte bats for TWG for tobacco contract growing

To improve and stabilize the tobacco industry in Ilocos Norte, Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc pushed for the creation of a Technical Working Group composed of representatives from various stakeholders of the tobacco industry. He wanted the group to work closely with the National Tobacco Administration in the implementation of the multi-sectoral tobacco contract growing project in the province.

Governor Manotoc, along with Vice-Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, appealed to the municipal mayors and agricultural officers from 18 tobacco-growing municipalities and representatives of buyer firms during the Consultative Workshop of the Tobacco Stakeholders held at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Hall, Provincial Capitol in Laoag City on September 4.

NTA Ilocos Norte headed by Branch officer-in-charge Luzviminda U. Padayao facilitated the consultative workshop. Director Nestor C. Casela, member of the NTA Governing Board, presented the update of the multi-sectoral Tobacco Contract Growing System (TCGS) after its first implementation in the province last year.

According to Padayao, the governor enjoined the participating LGUs to provide production input subsidy to encourage more farmers to join in the tobacco production venture and increase provincial coverage area (hectarage). [Photo credit: NTA Ilocos Norte]