PGLU to Institutionalize Search for Outstanding Agricultural Entrepreneur through an Ordinance

By: Rafael C. Mosuela, GPC-SP | Date: January 25, 2022

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Last January 25, 2022, Vice Governor Mario Eduardo Ortega together with the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of the Province of La Union during its 104th regular session approved SP ordinance 358-21 ‘Institutionalizing the search for Ten (10) Outstanding Agricultural Entrepreneur Year Award in the Province of La Union’’.

SP Member Geraldine R. Ortega, the principal author of the ordinance, said that the ordinance aims not just to recognize the vital role of the farmers in providing food in every table but also to empower them while promoting and protecting their welfare. Moreso, said ordinance intends to provide support to farmers and to urge them adapt agri-preneur and see their farms as a potential agribusiness.

Hon. Geraldine Ortega also emphasized the important role being played by them through contributing in the social and economic situation of the country such as employment and income generation, poverty reduction and improvement in nutrition, health and food security.

“With the advent of the said ordinance, test runs of newly improved technologies can be applied to such agricultural products to meet world standards for competitiveness, increased production and thereby contributing to economic growth”, she said.

With the unanimous approval by the SP, the said search for Outstanding Entrepreneurs is open to all private enterprises, including corporations, cooperatives and similar collective organizations of the Province of La Union.

In order to qualify for the search, the nominee should be duly registered by the concerned government agencies (i.e. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Board of Investments (BOI), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Cooperative Development Authoriy (CDA), etc.), the ownership of the land should be at least 60% Filipino.

The search culminates with the recognition and conferment of awards with an allocated amount of Ten Million Pesos (10,000,000.00) for prizes and other expenses during the celebration of the foundation anniversary of the Province in March.

The said ordinance is anchored on the vision of the Provincial Government of La Union which is to make the province “The Heart of Agr-Tourism in Northern Luzon by 2025”.