Brgy. New Mabuhay, Dinagat, Province of Dinagat Islands — For years, local corn farmers in this island municipality carried the burden of transporting their harvests to distant towns just to have them milled. That long and costly struggle has finally come to an end with the turnover of the first corn milling machine in the Municipality of Dinagat.
The New Mabuhay Cassava and Corn Farmers Association received the long-awaited equipment on August 26, 2025, through the Department of Labor and Employment’s Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP). The project was spearheaded by DOLE-PDIFO Field Office Head Engr. John Ritche A. Tangpos and Livelihood Development Specialist Jezreel B. Salino, who formally turned over the machine to the association.
“This is the first and only corn milling machine in the Municipality of Dinagat,” said Cresencio Romo, President of the association. His words carried the weight of years of waiting and wishing for a piece of equipment that could change the daily lives of farmers like him. “We are very thankful to DOLE for choosing us as recipients. What we only hoped for before has now been given to us.”
The turnover was not just about the arrival of a machine, but the realization of a dream. For many farmers in New Mabuhay, the absence of milling facilities meant higher costs and longer hours before their crops could be processed. The new corn mill now promises accessibility, reduced expenses, and improved efficiency for the farming community.
During the ceremony, LGU-Dinagat Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager Jeraldine B. Camporedondo applauded DOLE’s initiative, noting that the project’s impact would ripple far beyond the association. “This corn mill will benefit not only the members but also the wider farming community in the municipality,” she said, urging the farmers to protect and manage the machine responsibly.
For Engr. Tangpos, the corn mill symbolizes more than just technological support. It is an opportunity for the farmers to strengthen their collective spirit and open new doors of livelihood. “This machine is not just a tool; it’s a stepping stone to greater opportunities. We’re here to support you, but the key to its success lies in how you manage it,” he reminded the beneficiaries after inspecting the equipment.
The turnover represents DOLE’s continuing commitment to empowering grassroots communities. For the New Mabuhay farmers, it is both a gift and a responsibility—an opportunity to grow, work together, and inspire a new chapter in Dinagat’s agricultural journey.
With the hum of the corn mill soon to echo in their community, the farmers of New Mabuhay no longer need to look far for a better future—it has finally arrived at their doorstep.