Magpale hires Davide

ACTING Cebu Gov. Agnes Magpale hired Dr. Romulo Davide, her running mate’s uncle, as consultant of the Farmer Scientists Training Program (FSTP).

Davide will be paid P1 a year, she told reporters yesterday.

Magpale said the FSTP has been revived and renamed Integrated Farmer Systems Development Program (IFSDP).

Davide’s appointment was made on March 20, just days before the start of the local campaign, during which “appointment or hiring of new employees, creation or filling up of new positions and promotion or giving of salary increases, remuneration or privilege” are prohibited.

Magpale and Hilario “Junjun” Davide III are running for vice governor and governor, respectively. Hilario is running against Rep. Pablo John Garcia (Cebu, third district) of One Cebu Party.

Dr. Davide established the FSTP when he was a consultant of the Provincial Agriculture Office.

The FSTP was renamed during the term of suspended Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

Gwendolyn’s brother, Pablo John, said the IFSDP is an expanded version as it also tackles high-valued farm products like banana and sweet potato, apart from rice and corn.

Insurance

He said the IFSDP also provides insurance coverage for farmers under the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. of up to P57,000. Benefits include death and burial assistance, and health coverage.

Farmers and fisherfolk also got insurance coverage against calamities.

During a Sun.Star Cebu forum, Pablo John stressed the need to continue programs that have been found to be successful.

“We need consistency of any program, otherwise, the people would lose hope and trust in (government),” he said.

During the recent launching of the National Year of Rice 2013 at the Capitol, Magpale said the Provincial Government will focus on promoting organic farming.