Instead of the usual packed noodles and canned goods, North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco has ordered the provincial social welfare office to consider procurement of locally-produced supply of farm products for constituents affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis.
Catamco said it will be a great help to rice farmers, for instance, if the provincial government buys local rice instead of the imported ones to be distributed to the communities.
The governor said he thought of the idea after the North Cotabato hog raisers association told her they could no longer transport hogs to other areas because of the lockdown amid the Covid-19 threat.
“Not canned goods or noodles anymore. We give our indigents vegetables, locally milled rice, eggs, and fruits we buy from our local farmers so they too have sure markets,” Catamco told social welfare officials Monday.
She assured that the move is in accordance with the government procurement law.
“We need to support our local economy and the provincial government will start the ball rolling so the government can help our farmers in situations like this where a crisis occurs,” Catamco said. (PNA)