A TOTAL of 686 Kapampangan farmers received cash cards worth P15,000 each, with a total of P10.29 million, from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), in coordination with the Provincial Government of Pampanga and Department of Agriculture (DA).
Kapampangan farmers from eight municipalities -- Apalit, Arayat, Macabebe, Mexico, Minalin, San Simon, Sta. Ana, and Sto. Tomas -- attended the distribution of cash cards at Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in the City of San Fernando.
According to LBP, the distribution of cash cards is part of the Expanded Survival and Recovery Assistance Program (Sure Aid) wherein provincial lending centers are tasked to give cash loans to farmers who own a hectare or less of agricultural land.
Prior to this, the farmers were able to apply for registration under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA). Then, the respective Municipal Agriculture Offices prepared the master list of the qualified farmers for the Sure Aid.
The list was validated and endorsed by the Department of Agriculture-Central Luzon to the LBP.
According to Pampanga Lending Center head Rogelio Santos, each cash loan recipient must pay P1,000 in a semi-annual amortization period, with zero percent interest, starting next year. The loan is payable for eight years.
The zero-interest loan is aimed at cushioning the effects of the Rice Tarrification Law in the country.
Currently, LBP has already distributed cash cards to Kapampangan farmers in 11 towns and two cities.
LBP is set to distribute cash cards again on December 20 for the other farmer recipients in the province. (PR)