LAOAG CITY—The local government unit (LGU) of Paoay in Ilocos Norte has turned over a curing barn to farmers in Brgy. Sta. Rita to boost the tobacco industry.
Paoay Mayor Sheilla Galano said that the newly constructed tobacco curing barn was funded using the municipality’s share in tobacco excise tax, as mandated under Republic Act (RA) 7171.
The law grants benefits to farmers in towns and provinces that produce Virginia tobacco. Under it, local governments that produce Virginia tobacco are entitled to 15 percent of national tax collections.
“This facility underscores the local government’s unwavering support for our tobacco farmers,” Galano said in a phone interview.
She added that it was the second curing barn that the municipality has turned over to tobacco farmers, with the first one benefiting farmers in Brgy. Surgui.
According to Galano, more curing barns are scheduled for turnover in time for this year’s cropping season.
As the demand for quality tobacco remains high in the global market, Paoay’s LGU is enticing more farmers to plant tobacco and maximize their profit by producing top-grade leaves.
The curing barn is expected to improve efficiency in the drying process, resulting in better tobacco quality and higher income potential for farmers.
Despite the anti-smoking campaigns and related legal frameworks affecting the industry, tobacco still remains a reliable cash crop in Ilocos Norte, according to the National Tobacco Administration. (Leilanie G. Adriano)
