The Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office I (DA-RFO I) in partnership with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) turned-over P2.002 million worth of cash assistance to 404 farmers in Pinili, Ilocos Norte through the DA’s Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) Program.
Held at Pinili Amphitheater, Pinili, Ilocos Norte on January 28, 2020, the cash assistance distribution was initiated by no less than DA-RFO I Executive Director, Lucrecio R. Alviar, Jr. together with Provincial Government Officials headed by Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc and Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta Marcos.
The distribution of cash cards amounting to P5,000 each of the farmer-beneficiary is among the immediate interventions that DA and LBP is doing to mitigate the initial impact of the Rice Tarrification Law to the local farmers.
In Ilocos Region, a total of 107,122 farmers shall be benefitted by the RFFA, with Ilocos Norte having an allocation of 19,927 farmer-beneficiaries. In the distribution in Pinili, a total of 206 farmers would still be waiting for the second batch schedule of distribution,
In his message during the event, Director Alviar took the chance of informing the various interventions that the DA is doing to modernize the agriculture sector aligning towards the attainment of DA Sec. William Dar’s new thinking in agriculture.
He mentioned the P10 billion allocation every year for DA through RCEF which will be given within the period of six years subdivided into P5B for machinery projects, P3B for seeds development, propagation and promotion as well as P1B each for credit, training and extension.
Pinili Mayor, Rommel Labasan in his message expressed his gratitude to the DA officialdom for bringing this project in his town while reminding his farmer-constituents to embrace these programs and projects for the improvement of their livelihood and income
“Nagpapasalamat kami dahil nandiyan po kayo na laging tumitingin sa kapakanan ng aming mga minamahal na magsasaka. Kaya sana, sa ating mga magsasaka, tangkilikin natin ang mga proyektong ito para sa ikabubuti at ikauunlad ng ating buhay,” Mayor Labasan said.
Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Manotoc also expressed in his message gratitude to the DA and LBP for providing this immediate intervention to the Ilokano farmers. He recognized the partnership that these government institutions are doing for the good and welfare of his farmer constituents in Ilocos Norte.
“With the convergence and synergy of all, we will be able to take care of the needs of our farmers,” Governor Manotoc said.
Meanwhile, informing the participants about other credit window facilities that the DA and LBP are offering to the farmers, Ms. Zenaida Edra, LBP representative also informed about the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund as well as the SIKAT-SAKA Programs to provide farmers additional production capitals.