TARLAC CITY -- In support to Tarlaqueño farmers, the Provincial Government of Tarlac launched in the Municipality of Paniqui the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance [RFFA] that will target some 32,000 farmers province-wide. The launching ceremony was held at the Paniqui Municipal Covered Court last Wednesday, February 12.
In partnership with the Department of Agriculture [DA], Land Bank of the Philippines [LBP] and the Development Bank of the Philippines [DBP], the financial assistance aims to help small farmers most affected by the initial impact of the Rice Tariffication Law.
In Governor Susan Yap’s message, she said that the amount is aimed to lessen the effects of the first wave of the Rice Tarification Law [RTL].
“This amount, though small, can help our dear Tarlaqueño farmers to lessen the impact of the new tariffication law,” Yap said adding that they understand the plight of our rice farmers particularly the marginal ones and that the RFFA is one way to help you cope with the tough competition in the market today.”
The Duterte administration, through the DA and in partnership with the LBP and DBP will disburse the P3-billion to 600,000 rice farmers whose farm size ranges from one-half hectare to two hectares.
The funding for the RFFA is sourced from the tariff collection of the P10-billion Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund [RCEF].
Likewise present during the ceremony were Vice Governor Carlito “Casada” David, Provincial Board Committee Chairman on Agriculture Board Member Saturnino Mandal, Paniqui Mayor Leonardo Roxas, DBP-Tarlac Manager Evangeline Robles and Provincial Agriculturist Alicia Cruz. (Ric Sapnu)