General Santos City --- The ceremonial distribution of coconut seedlings to Mabuhay Indigenous Peoples Waterworks and Farmers Association was done on September 19 in Purok 7, Nopol, Brgy. Mabuhay, General Santos City during the 2nd FYE LAWIL Festival cum Farmers’ Assembly with theme, “Empowering the Indigenous Peoples thru Agri-Cultural Development Program.”

In photo: PCA Region XII RTS, PCA-Sarangani, NCIP XII, LGU GSC-Mayor's Office, and Mabuhay Indigenous Peoples Waterworks and Farmer's Association members

A total of 14,300 coconut hybrid seedlings were distributed to the above group, under the Coconut Hybridization Project of the region. The hybrids were sourced out from PCA-New Coconut Seed Production Center (PCA-NCSPC) in Aroman, Carmen, North Cotabato.

PCA-Sarangani Acting Division Chief Jerry Prongco said in his message during the activity, “Mabuhay Indigenous Peoples Waterworks and Farmers Association is one of the most active and responsive recipients of PCA’s Projects. They are motivated, and they work harder to achieve their goal.”

“Again, we are encouraging you to take good care of these hybrid coconut seedlings. These are really intended for your benefit and of the future generations,” Prongco added.

Mabuhay Tribal leader Fulong Dan Alim responded and said, “On behalf of the B’laan Tribe, we express our thanks to PCA for addressing our request, for giving us this opportunity to avail of the coconut hybrid seedlings. We are looking forward to more future project partnerships with PCA.”

The activity was attended by PCA-Sarangani and the PCA Regional Technical Staff headed by Acting PDO IV Elisa O. Gabi, together with other representatives from Department of Agriculture-RFO12, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Region XII, and LGU-General Santos City. ### (PCA XII)