My first travel in the amazing province of Abra

It was 1:00 in the morning (July 23, 2010) when I and driver Kuya Nelson leave Nueva Ecija with pick up Trekker as our vehicle. My target is to be at Lagangilang, Abra 1 hour before the scheduled program which is 8:00 am. The travel was not in my plan. Biglaan lang. I was invited by the project leader to join and observe the project launching of Location Specific technology Development (LSTD) Plus Women Initiatives to Integrate Vegetable Production in Rice. This project was lead by Ms. Alma C. Aguinaldo and Ms. Evangeline P. Agres of PhilRice Batac. A Farmer’s Field School (FFS) was organized in three barangays within the municipality.

I remembered the political conflicts between politicians in this province wherein they have their private armies. Magulo, but still I take this opportunity to travel in this province. According to data, Abra was one of the poorest provinces in the Philippines. The was low productivity in rice.

We arrived at Bangued, Abra at 6:00 am. We took our breakfast in the food court of Bangued because Jollibee was still closed that time. Our breakfast which I think un talaga ang pinakamadami is pancit na may sabaw with egg, chicharon, and pork.

After our breakfast which was voluntarily paid by Kuya Nelson, we proceeded in Lagangilang. Tayum was the next municipality, Dolores then Lagangilang.   It was my first time to travel in Abra, so hindi ko alam ang daan papunta sa LSTD site na ito. But I thank God, mababait naman mga taga-Abra na napagtatanungan namin.

As we traveled to Brgy. Dalaguisen, I observed the road became narrower and narrower. Then rough road na. I said to Kuya Nelson, “dead end na yata ang daan na ito”. Haha. Here is the picture..

rough road way to Brgy. Dalaguisen, Lagangilang, Abra

After 5 minutes, nakita na namin ang welcome landmark..Thanks God hindi kami nahirapang hanapin ang barangay na ito.

It was past 7:00 am when we arrived in the area. A ceremonial planting was done in the demonstration field of one of the woman farmer innovator Ms. Nelia Edwin in Brgy. Pawa, Lagangilang participated by the municipal mayor, provincial and municipal agriculture officers. The mayor arrived with his bodyguards.

Mayor Patronicio Abaya Jr. arrived in the site with his bodyguards

Provincial agriculturist Jesus Villamor Jr. and Mayor P. Abaya Jr. in the ceremonial planting

Ceremonial planting of ampalaya mulched with plastic in Brgy. Pawa by woman participants in the LSTD Plus

After the said activity, we proceeded at Brgy. Dalaguisen in one of the demo farm for the program proper. All those who participated in the ceremonial planting, the municipal nutrition officer and her staff, Lagangilang Philippine National Police chief Claro and his staff attended the program.

Astig talaga, the PNP full force came in the site. Nauna pa nga silang nagpunta sa Dalaguisen kaysa sa amin na nag-witness ng ceremonial planting. So when I arrived in the site, nakatingin sa aming trekker, sa akin as a visitor sa kanilang municipality. Buti na lang tinted, hindi napansin na kinuhanan ko ng picture. Haha. Now, I confirmed what PhilRice Director Beronio said. Nandiyan ang mga sundalo at pulis na aali-aligid.

Some of the Lagangilang PNP and residents of Lagangilang

New Lagangilang PNP chief Claro, private army of Mayor Abaya Jr. and Municipal Nutrition staff during the program

The program was attended by more than 200 individuals which is more than the expected attendance of the project leaders. They were the woman participants of the project, some of residents of 8 barangays, PNP staff, Municipal nutrition staff, and agriculture officers.

Ms. Evangeline P. Agres, one of the project leader.

The mayor in his speech expressed his support to the project wherein he even said that travels of employees will be limited so that they can give support to the on-going project for women such as establishment of a market center for vegetables and others. The provincial and municipal agriculture officer also stated their full support in the project by taking their responsibilities.

Ms. Alma Aguinaldo said that the project will apply the good agricultural practices in vegetable production such as less use of pesticides. The project will help in the development of the community as women can produce high quality and healthy vegetables for their home and in their community. The components of the project were the conduct of FFS, establishment of three demo farm for each barangay, microfinancing, cross visits, and field day. Microfinancing will be provided so women can provide the need of the farm on time and this is in kind like seeds, seedling trays, plastic mulch, and fertilizers. Cross visits will be done to compare the quantity and quality of vegetables planted while in field day; results of the technology applied in the farm will be presented.

The production of vegetable in this municipality was assessed in comparison on how much they actually need. Thus, they found out that farmers shall produce more vegetables to supply the needs of the community.

The woman farmer innovators express their expectations in the project. One of them said that healthy vegetables will be produced if technology is applied. They will spend less because they will eat the food they produce and they do not have to buy for their household. By composting, they will manage their waste better.

The works of woman farmers

A nursery was built. They used seedling tray for the production of seedlings.

Primera F1 of Ampalaya in a seedling tray

Nursery of one of the demo field in Brgy. Dalaguisen, Lagangilang, Abra

Starting demo farm in Dalaguisen

Ayon kay Ms. Agres, noong dumating sila sa site na ito, madamo pa. And of course, this is the work of woman farmers.

Way back home

On our way home, I was amazed on the beauty of nature. I was not able to see this when we came because it is still dark. Wow! Awesome place! If compared to Lagangilang, this is more breathtaking. For me Abra was one of the provinces in the country which I categorized one of the most wonderful place.

Rice fields surrounded by mountains

Mountain side

Rice field in the flat areas of Abra

Another rice production area in Abra

national highway in Abra

 

Tunnel

The mountains are green, with trees and grasses grown. Buhay na buhay. Thanks God for the rainfall after almost 6 months of drought. Lumago ang mga halaman pagkatapos ng halos araw araw na pag-ulan since late June. The air is fresh and is not hot nor cold.  Tamang tama lang. The soil is not sticky, it is favorable for any crops. God’s creation is wonderful. I hope I can go back to Abra soon.