Squash Noodles! DOST 12 Builds Alamada ‘Kalabasa’ Pancit Factory

Exactly one year after, the “Kalabasa” farmers of Alamada, Cotabato suffered heavy losses as prices dropped from P20 to P2 per kilo, the first “Kalabasa” Noodles Processing Facility is set to be established in the town next month.
Yesterday, Dept. of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 12 Director Sammy Malawan and Provincial Director Michael Mayo visited me in my farm in Kidapawan City to share the good news that DOST had provided funds for the establishment of the Noodle-Making Facility.
Last year, I witnessed how Alamada’s “Kalabasa” farmers suffered heavy losses because of the very low buying pricesof their produce which had dropped down to P2 per kilo.
Following this, I asked Alamada Mayor Jesus Sacdalan , who was Vice Governor of Cotabato when I was Governor and who later became Governor and Congressman, to ask DOST to assist his town in establishing a Processing Facility to turn the “Kalabasa” produced by his farms into tasty and nutritious “Pancit Canton.”
I shared with Mayor Sacdalan the experience of the local government of Cabadbaran City in Agusan del Norte whose squash farmers also faced problems of very low prices.
With the help of DOST, the City LGU organized its farmers and established a “Kalabasa Pancit Canton” production center whose produce was displayed during the MinDA Tienda of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) when I was Chairman.
The Cabadbaran “Kalabasa Pancit Canton” was one of the most salable items during the MinDA Tienda in Manila which was held in coordination with the Manila City Government.
Following my recommendation, the Alamada Municipal Council passed a Resolution asking DOST support in funding and establishing the Alamada Kalabasa Pancit Canton Factory which will assure farmers of a ready market for their excess production.
Alamada First District Congressman Joel Sacdalan supported the request and finally, Alamada Kalabasa Farmers could now process their produce into a high value item which is very much in demand in the market, the Alamada Kalabasa Pancit Canton.
The project will not only protect Kalabasa farmers from exploitation but also provide jobs to women in the community and create an economic enterprise.
Thank you DOST 12 and Congratulations Mayor Susing, Cong. Joel and the people and farmers of Alamada.

#GovernanceIsCommonSense!
#KungGustoMaramingParaan!
(Video editing by John Pagaduan)