SOME 115,000 rice farmers in Central Luzon received P575 million in funds from the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) program of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar recently handed over cash cards from the Landbank of the Philippines and notices of cash grant from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) during the program's launch held at the Dinalupihan Civic Center in Bataan.
Under RFFA, Bataan and Pampanga rice farmers can claim their P5,000 cash assistance through Landbank, while Tarlac and Zambales beneficiaries can claim at MLhuillier Kwarta Padala, the partner lending facility of DBP.
"Hindi po kami natutulog sa Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka, gagawin po namin ang lahat. And all of these are in partnership with provincial government officials who will also elevate their game and buy palay from the locals," Dar said.
Aside from the financial assistance, Dar announced that Central Luzon will receive a total of P1.6 billion in interventions from the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office this year.
These include assistance under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, Solar Power Irrigation System project for rice and high-value crops, Youth Agri-Entrepreneurship program, seeds, and other farm inputs.
"Out of the P1.6 billion, Bataan province will receive P276 million," Dar said.