To alleviate the plights of small-holder farmers confronted by sectoral issues and to recognize their efforts in ensuring food adequacy amid this pandemic, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Western Visayas has started the distribution of ₱5,000.00 worth of cash and food assistance to some 241 corn growers in Aklan province.
According to DA Regional Executive Director Remelyn Recoter, corn farmers from Madalag, Makato, and Numancia had already obtained their food assistance valued at ₱2,000.00 for rice, chicken, and eggs, and ₱3,000.00 worth of cash.
“Other than them, coconut and sugarcane farmers and fisherfolk will also receive the same assistance from DA’s accredited cooperative/farmers association suppliers. The ₱5,000.00 cash and food assistance was funded under the Bayanihan Act II,” added Recoter who spearheaded the distribution on December 29 in the province.
Glenn Mariano, Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer for Aklan, said that the initial batch of recipients is from Batan with two corn farmers, Makato – 21, Numancia – 38, Lezo -20, Altavas – 70, Malinao – 32, Buruanga – 16, and Madalag – 42.
Using the e-voucher system, recipients in Aklan can claim their cash subsidies at MLhuillier Financial Service Centers as an accredited partner of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) in this particular social amelioration support program of the DA intended to benefit the small and marginal farmers and fisherfolk.
“We are also tying up with the IBON Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC), SANDONA Development Cooperative (DC), Lezo MPC, and Libacao DC as suppliers of the food packs,” said Mariano.
Meanwhile, 6,582 coconut farmers and 4,792 fisherfolk in Aklan are also poised to receive cash and food assistance this year from the DA-Philippine Coconut Authority and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. # # # (Sheila Mae H. Toreno /DA-RFO VI, RAFIS 6 & photo by Glenn Mariano/ APCO for Aklan)
