Laguna Governor Teresita “Ningning” S. Lazaro and Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit (RFU) IV-A Regional Executive Director Dennis B. Araullo’s representative Ms. Digna P. Narvacam, who is the Manager of Southern Tagalog Integrated Agricultural Research Center (STIARC), lead the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Laguna Provincial Government and STIARC on the project “Agribusiness Development Project of the Lansones Industry in Calabarzon.”

     The signing was held at Field Agricultural Extension Services (FAES) Multi-Pupose Hall, FAES Demo Farm in Brgy. Callios, Sta. Cruz, Laguna last February 27, 2006 with Provincial Agriculturist Marlon Tobias. The project’s was designed for the further growth of the lansones industry in Laguna and in the Calabarzon Area.

     Aside from the close coordination and cooperation for the material, technical, and financial needs, it is included in the signed MOU that the two parties must work together to create the Samahan ng Lansones Nursery Growers and the Samahan ng Magsasaka sa Paglalansones. Also included is the Financial Management Scheme for a more effective use of funds for the said project.

     Gob. Lazaro said in an interview that the MOU is just a small part of the Provincial Government’s Sulong Agrikultura program under the flagship 7-Point Agenda. It may be recalled that there was also a seperate Memorandum of Agreement signing between the Provincial Government and the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE) for the project Collaborative Project on Postharvest Database and Master Planning for Laguna.

     “In behalf of my fellow public servants in the Provincial Government, you can be confident of our relentless effort in pushing agricultural programs and projects for food security and economic growth,” Gov. Lazaro added. # (PIO-Laguna)