Leyte economic program gets boost in 2018 outlay

TACLOBAN CITY, Oct. 10 -- The prime economic program dubbed "Leyte Economics" gets a boost of PHP3.9 billion under the 2018 Annual Investment Plan (AIP) which the provincial legislators approved during Monday’s session.

The budget for the program accounts for 51 percent of the PHP7.6 billion 2018 investment plan.

Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla said the "Leyte Economics" program will remain the province’s main economic strategy to achieve an eight percent drop in poverty incidence by 2022.

"Leyte Economics" adopts a community-based approach to capacitate the poor and marginalized villages through packages of goods and services. The program is aimed at increasing income, skills development, and improved health and nutrition status of families.

Under the AIP for 2018, the program will be boosted through its More Income in the Countryside (MIC) Agri-Fishery Livelihood Projects, Compact Farming on High Value Vegetables and Fruitcrops Production, Rice Production Enhancement Program

These projects organize the farmer-beneficiaries into associations which undergo a 16-week season-long training on high vegetable production as initial step and followed by various interventions in livestock, fisheries, non-agri skills training to empower to become active members in the community. (ACR/LAAA/PNA)