NTA Candon had series of meetings with the local government units in the second district of Ilocos Sur to discuss immediate assistance and other interventions to tobacco growers whose farms were damaged by the off-season rain in late January.
In his report to the Oras ni Mannalon ti Tabako radio program via FB live on February 10, NTA Candon officer-in-charge Adonis D. Lazo said he had met with the local leaders of the municipalities of Sta. Lucia, Narvacan, Sta. Maria and Burgos, Ilocos Sur in separate schedules last week.
He said he also met with Deputy Speaker and Ilocos Sur 2nd Dist. Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan in Candon City for the coordination of all LGUs as regards assistance to the tobacco growers.
“We will continue cooperating with our LGUs, with the help of our extension workers assigned in their areas, to ensure that our farmers are given the assistance they need,” Adonis said, adding that the local leaders “are very supportive of our farmers.”
He reported that about 76% of the total 5,702 tobacco contract growers in the district, and about 57% of the 2,712 hectares of tobacco farms were affected. The Branch Office had already furnished copies to LGUs who requested for the data for damage assessment.
[Photo credit: NTA Candon]