AIDFI joined The Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc. (CCFPI) President Ma. Cecilia L. Alcantara, and Roxas Holdings, Inc. (RHI) Vice President & General Manager, RHI Agribusiness Development Corp., Mr. Jose Manuel D. Mapa, in turning over the Agos Ram Pump project: Water for Agriculture of Small Farmers last November 10 in Brgy. Tuy, Talon, Batangas.
The program was also joined by Cashmer Dirampaten, the Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Director East Region (KH,PH,VN), Coca-Cola ASEAN & South Pacific Operating Unit, The Coca-Cola Company, SRA Deputy Administrator for Research, Development and Extension, Atty. Ignacio S. Santillana, office of the Congressman Hon. Eric R. Buhain, the office of the Municipal Mayor of Hon. Jose Jecerell C. Cerrado, Brgy. Captain Hon. Simeona M. Cornejo MDDFI Chairman Engr. Arnel Panganiban, beneficiaries of the Brgy. Talon Farmers Association, and Project Lead & Area Manager RHI CADPI Mr. Mark William M. Santos.
The project, initiated by RHI and funded by CCFPI, was implemented by AIDFI on June 24, 2022 and completed on September 28, 2022. It is a joint project of the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc., Roxas Holding Inc. Agri-Business Development Corp., Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), and the Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, Inc. (AIDFI). It is part of CCFPI's Agos project under its water stewardship program in the Philippines.
The project will primarily be used for sugarcane production, vegetables, and other domestic usage, benefiting 41 households. The installed water system in Brgy. Talon, Tuy has two (2) ram pump units, a 5" unit, and a 4" unit. Both units pump 67,789 liters daily to two (2) 100,000-liter capacity ferrocement water reservoirs to irrigate their lands.
The Barangay Talon Farmers Association, headed by its Chairperson Reynaldo C. Binay will manage the water system with the water board committee composed of the Barangay, MDFFI, and non-block farmer members.