PBBM distributes over P500M agri-fishery projects for Panay, Guimaras

President Ferdinand “Bong Bong” R. Marcos Jr. spearheaded a significant boost to the agricultural sector in Panay and Guimaras by distributing P514,279,217.00 worth of agri-fishery projects on June 27, 2024, at Binirayan Sports Complex, San Jose, Antique. These interventions are in addition to the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFF), which provides P10,000.00 direct financial aid each to 61,000 farmers and fisherfolk in Western Visayas immensely affected by the prolonged El Niño phenomenon.

“Batid naming na kailangan niyo ng sandigan at kaagapay upang matagumpayan ang mga pagsubok na kaakibat ng El Niño. Kaya narito kami upang personal na iabot ang tulong,” he underscored the administration’s commitment to supporting farmers and fisherfolk.

Under Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu-Laurel Jr.’s lead, the DA turned over the certificates of award for the Rice Processing Centers (RPC) III over P19 million each to Hamtic Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) in Antique and Integrated Barangays of Numancia MPC in Aklan; irrigation development projects for Brgy. Agila, Sebaste, and Brgy. Masanag, Hamtic in Antique Province; and provision of corn postharvest facilities and equipment to Patnongon MPC, Kalipunan ng mga Magsasaka Agricultural Cooperative, and Katilingban kang mga Mangunguma Kang San Remigio, Antique.

“Mas mapabilis ang pag-ani, mas mabilis ang pagsasaka, mas mura ang (production) cost, para mas maganda ang kita ng ating mga magsasaka,” the President remarked, highlighting the distribution of modern farming equipment under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) such as four-wheel drive tractors, single pass rice mill, precision seeder, multi-stage rice mill, recirculating dryers.

As part of the African Swine Fever recovery efforts, the DA also granted the Barbaza Farmers Irrigators Association and Belison MPC P10 million each worth of Community Swine Production through clustering and consolidation project under the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) Program.

For the wet planting season, the DA Rice Program supported Antique farmers by providing them with hybrid seeds and discounted vouchers for fertilizers, covering 18,613 hectares. In addition, the Corn Program distributed hybrid corn seeds along with inorganic and bio-fertilizers, while the High-Value Crops Development Program distributed power sprayers and multi-cultivators.

The DA Philippine Rice Research Institute, on the other hand, distributes a total of 228,642 bags (at 20 kilogram per bag) certified inbred seeds to farmers in Western Visayas.

Antique farmers also received P1,758,988.74 indemnity checks from the DA Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation to cover their losses in crop production due to pests and drought.

The Philippine Coconut Authority granted Aureliana, Apgahan, Agrarian Farmers Association, and Malabor Small Coconut Farmers Organization in Antique 11,000 seednuts each to establish a hybrid communal nursery.

DA’s Philippine Rural Development Project officially handed over P11.9 million each worth of Oyster Production, Processing, and Marketing Enterprise to Altavas Small Fishermen Association and Tinagong Dagat Fisherfolk’s Association in Altavas, Aklan.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources distributed postharvest kits to the fishermen of Patnongon, Hamtic, Bugasong, San Jose, and Caluya and 20-footer fiber-reinforced plastic fishing boats to the beneficiaries of Barbaza, Antique.

To support the expansion of agricultural activities and enterprises in the region, the DA Agricultural Credit Policy Council has provided a total of P143 million in funding for the Survival and Recovery (SURE) and Agrinegosyo (ANYO) Loan Programs to Lending Conduits such as Hamtic MPC, Libertad MPC, and Valderrama MPC in Antique, as well as the Rural Banks of Miagao and Calinog in Iloilo Province.

“Bagama’t malayo na rin ang naabot natin mula nang maumpisahan nating tahakin ang daan tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas, marami pa tayong sektor na dapat bigyan ng pansin at alalayan. Magtiwala po kayo na sisikapin naming maabot ang mga liblib at malayong pamayanan sa bawat sulok ng bansa nang gayon walang maiiwanan at walang mahuhuli. Sama sama tayong maglalakbay tungo sa bagong Pilipinas,” said President Marcos.
###Texts by SMHToreno and Photos by SMHToreno and KDCaldina/DA-RAFIS 6