DAMULOG, BUKIDNON – Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) launched the Cash and Food Subsidy for Marginal Farmers and Fishers Program (CFSMFF) on December 21, 2020 in Damulog, Bukidnon.
DA-RFO 10 Provincial Operations Chief for Bukidnon, Dr. Janet D. Lopez, who represented Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado shared, the program aims to help farmers recover from the effects brought about by the pandemic.
In Region 10, around 29,426 corn farmers will benefit the cash and food subsidy at P5,000 each – P3,000 cash and P2,000 worth of food items comprising of 25kg rice (P1,000), 4.5kg chicken (P600) and 2 trays of eggs (P400).
In Damulog, Bukidnon alone, 1,813 qualified corn farmer-beneficiaries will receive said subsidy with a total of P9 million.
With allocation from the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act law or “Bayanihan II,” the agency seeks to provide direct food and financial assistance, highlighting the theme “Biyayang pang-agrikultura, hatid sa gitna ng pandemya.”
Implementing agencies include the DA under its Corn Program, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Sugar Regulatory Administration and the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP).
For DA, criteria for the selection of corn farmer-beneficiaries include having one hectare and below landholding and must be registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and Farmers and Fisherfolk Registry System (FFRS); farmers from cities under 5th to 6th income classification or municipalities under the 4th to 6th income classification; and farmers who are not covered by other Social Amelioration Programs from other government agencies.
Damulog being a 4th class municipality, corn farmers from its 17 barangays will benefit from the program.
“The assistance will definitely help us with our needs, especially in this time of pandemic,” shared corn farmer Erlina B. Bosquit. # # # (AMBManto / DA-RFO X, RAFIS)
