SOME 500 farmers from two cities and three towns of Pampanga received cash cards with P15,000 each under the Department of Agriculture's (DA) Expanded Survival and Recovery Assistance Program for Rice Farmers (Sure Aid).

Agriculture Secretary William Dar earlier said that more farmers in Central Luzon will be able to avail themselves of the zero-interest loan to help cushion the effects of the Rice Tariffication Law.

The DA, through the Land Bank of the Philippines, distributed some P7.7 million cash loan for the Pampanga farmers in the cities of Mabalacat and Angeles and towns of Candaba, Magalang, and Sta. Rita. The distribution of the cash cards was held at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in coordination with the Provincial Government of Pampanga.

Aside from the initial loan recipients, another batch of farmers from other towns in Pampanga will also receive their cash cards on November 15.

In an earlier interview, DA Regional Director Crispulo Bautista said that in Pampanga alone, there are around 4,000 farmer beneficiaries.

Under the Sure Aid, which started last September 1, 2019, rice farmers who are farming one-hectare land and below, may avail themselves of a one-time, zero-interest loan amounting to P15,000 payable up to eight years.

The National Food Authority (NFA) will also buy the produce of rice farmers who avail themselves of the loan assistance under the said program.

Dar earlier said that the loan assistance is a manifestation of the strong desire of the government to help Filipino rice farmers.

Sure Aid aims to provide loan assistance for immediate relief to rice farmers affected by the reduction or loss of their farm income.

The program also intends to help rice farmers regain their capacity to continue their production.