The lives of the Filipino people have been affected in so many ways by this

COVID-19 pandemic. Following public policy toward the vindication of this dreaded
disease has turned our lives ups and downs. The struggles to find better ways and to
tolerate stay at home orders are exhausting. Our stress and anxieties are peaked by
the fear of contracting the said virus. We are tormented as we experience the
veracity of death and the struggle for survival of a friend/s or a family member as an
outcome of this infection.

In the episode of DXBU 104.5 last September 16, 2020, NEDA Regional
Director Ms. Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariňo gives her insights on the challenges and
opportunities for the development in the new normal setting in our community right
now. She emphasizes the importance of strengthening the Agriculture production to
secure food security in Bukidnon. As we all know that Bukidnon has always been the
land of farmers and with the majority of it, still living in rural areas which they remain
primarily farmers as of today. Corn and rice are some of the principal crops Bukidnon
produces.

RD Cariňo also discusses that a task force was made by the NEDA Economy
task force headed the rehabilitation as early as March. Rehabilitation and Recovery
Plan was also created. She also sighted that the Development Plan was already
made early this year. The Province of Bukidnon was the number one (1) contributor
for Agriculture and Fisheries Industries. She also pointed out that there are ten (10)
commodities the Province of Bukidnon is the first in terms of contribution. The said
commodities are Pineapple production, cattle, cassava, sugarcane, bananas, hogs,
carabao, rice, corn, and tomato.

She also states that Bukidnon is also a contributor in terms of Rubber,

Papaya and Chicken. She pointed out that Agriculture has become less sexy in the
young generation. Young people today are usually not concerned in agriculture due
to their insight of farming being archaic and unprofitable. Most of the young adult
nowadays prefers to work in offices. While the young men and women who want to
go into farming face other impediments, including limited access to information,
technology, and financial services.

From my own perspective, we need to encourage young men and women to

venture into Agriculture. For this to be more effective we need to support more the
Agricultural sector. The government should provide more attractive strategies or
programs to encourage young men and women to venture into agriculture. Such as
an Agricultural Enterprise Development in order to support sustainable agriculture
and rural development. This will also encourage out-of-school youth in rural areas to
pursue a professional career in agriculture.

It is also good to rebrand agriculture in schools. With this, we can attract more
students to enroll in agriculture courses. It is also good to create or to develop a
young rural entrepreneur and land program for the youth so that they will experience
reality in the agricultural sector. The government must also provide a loan project for
young entrepreneurs. And lastly, easy access to financial services for then to easily
get financial support for them to start their agricultural business.

In this time of the pandemic, we need to find the purpose behind this obscure
cloud that can bring new life. We need to store away these outlooks of today. Our
incarnate wisdom of empathy must be heightened by the internalization of these
feelings that we are experiencing these days. As a people of faith, we can and must
emerge from this pandemic more empathetic than ever to the reality of loneliness
that so many experiences each day throughout their twilight years. Let’s make sure
to convey life to everybody and to carry it to the fullest.