EU officer lauds fishpond project in Pedtad, Kabacan By Jimmy Sta. Cruz PGO Media Center KABACAN, Cotabato (Oct 17) – KABACAN, Cotabato (Oct 17) – Witnessing for herself the significant value of the fishpond project she visited in Barangay Pedtad, Kabacan on Oct. 11, 2014 European Union Field Mission Public Affairs Officer Thelma Gecolea lauded the stakeholders in the village for the project she called an instrument of peace. Gecolea was highly impressed on the project upon seeing how it has helped residents of Pedtad and upon learning that it is has become a major source of livelihood in the village. The project was funded by the Food for Work/Food for Training Program of the World Food Program (WFP) through the Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation Project Management Office (PRRO-PMO) under the office of Governor Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza. The EU official said she was astounded by the positive impact of the project to the community which helps a lot of families not only as a form of livelihood but as a way to promote peace. “To avoid war or conflicts from recurring, we encourage EU and WFP-funded project beneficiaries to sustain whatever productive things they do because this helps everyone in the community to realize that war can bring nothing except death and destruction” Gecolea said during the short welcome program. During Gecolea’s visit, the fisher folks in the village, all members of the “Siento Trenta” Farmers Organization harvested basketful of tilapia. “They have used fishing gears and hooks in harvesting the tilapia. The fishpond and fishing gears symbolize peace and abundance” says Allan Matullano, PRRO-PMO Head referring to the organization of fisher folks in Pedtad village which now manages the project. The residents wanted to convey the transformation of the village from a once conflict-affected village to a productive locality supported by both the Local Government Unit and the Provincial Government of Cotabato. “The people here in Pedtad supports the initiatives of the EU, WFP and the PRRO-PMO of the Provincial Governor’s Office and work together to improve their lives”, Matullano added. Badrudin Mantawil, Barangay Kagawad of Pedtad and a fisherman himself recalled that they have experienced difficult and trying times in organizing the fisher folks but with hard work and determination they were able to unite and organize. He also hopes that the fishpond for livelihood project in their village people will be a benchmark of peace and prosperity. Aside from Gecolea, 3rd District of Cotabato Representative Jose “Ping” Tejada also came to visit the project along with 1st District of Cotabato Board Member and Chair of SP Committee on Agriculture Loreto V. Cabaya, Jr., Kabacan Municipal Administrator Yvonne Saliling and DepEd District Supervisor Mantawil. Rep. Tejada thanked both the EU and the WFP for partnering with the Provincial Government of Cotabato in helping depressed villages through helpful projects and programs. He assured the villagers that his office and Gov. Taliño-Mendoza will continue to implement programs that will sustain stability and long lasting peace. In 2012, the fisher folks in Pedtad had their first ceremonial harvest from the fishpond project which was also witnessed by a visiting WFP official. From then on, the project continued to be one of the main sources of livelihood of the residents. (JIMMY STA. CRUZ/PGO Media Center/Photo credit-WFP-PRRO-PMO)
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 10:51:46 +0000