Where In The Philippines Is Secretary Of Agriculture William Dar/Manong Willie?

So, can you tell me where the above picture was taken? (See note on January 31 below.)

I was laughing to myself while I was reading about peripatetic William Dar/Manong Willie as PH Secretary of Agriculture – you cannot guess where he is at any given day! The busiest Secretary I have ever known about in the last 20 years, via the Internet, and I am a Facebook hound.

January 24, Pampanga – At the campus of Pampanga State Agriculture University, PSAU, Manong Willie opens the Animal Disease Diagnostic Research Facility. This setup supports the DA’s campaign for food security, safety and sustainability. He is the keynote speaker during the 5th University Anniversary of PSAU in Magalang town. He says the DA will soon launch an Agri-Business Incubation Program to encourage individuals, especially the youth, to engage in agriculture and to benefit farmers and fishers. “This is not a loan but a grant to be given to public and private institutions providing agri-business programs. These institutions will serve as mentors who will assist interested individuals or groups to scale up their farming activities and agri-business endeavors.” DA has allotted P500 million for the program while Congress allocated an additional P8 million for it. He also says, “Even before I became the Agriculture Secretary, I (was) already advocating programs because I want the millennials to go back to farming and agricultural business.”

January 24, still in Pampanga – Still at PSAU, Manong Willie leads the launching of two loan programs totaling P2 billion in funds to encourage young Filipinos to engage in farming. One is the Kapital Access for Young Agripreneurs, the other Agri-Negosyo loan program for young Filipinos. The funds are managed by the Agricultural Credit Policy Council, which is under the DA.

January 26, Manila – At the Baseco Port Area, “DA to level up support for Manila Bay rehab, focus on fishery,” Manong Willie says.

January 28, Dumaguete City – He awards P350 million in assistance to 2 provinces of Central Visayas. Signs each with Negros Oriental State University and Siquijor State College a Memorandum of Agreement for “TREEwardship Program,” part of the National Greening Program. The 2 state academic institutions each will receive P3 million for the massive seedling production program in Central Visayas, plus P7 million each for agri-entrepreneurship.

January 28, Bohol – He turns over P380 million worth of agriculture and fishery programs and projects to the province of Bohol during the 20th Ubi Festival. These include awarding of various agri-machineries, inputs (including inbred seeds), and projects; and training and extension under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. P40 million is committed for fisheries projects. A Land Suitability Map for coffee and cacao is turned over to Bohol.

January 31, Pagadian City – He launches the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance Program in this city in Zamboanga, where 1,200 farmers each receives P5,000 cash assistance through cash cards distributed by Land Bank.

Now then, do you still have doubts about the compassion, competence and composure of this Secretary of Agriculture at these turbulent times?

Science with a human touch! @517