Farmers, fisherfolks not left out in government’s Social Amelioration Program

TACLOBAN CITY, April 13 (PIA) – Farmers and fisherfolks are not left out from the government’s Social Amelioration Program.

The Department of Agriculture is implementing the Social Amelioration Program for farmers and fisherfolks pursuant to Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, to provide financial assistance to low-income families who are affected by the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) implemented to mitigate the impact of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country.

The Department of Agriculture in Region 8 through Mr. Francis Rosaroso, Chief Regional Information Officer for Agriculture and Fisheries, in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency via Suruswerte Ha PIA, disclosed that DA is implementing the SAP for farmers and fisherfolks through three programs.

The first is the cash assistance to rice farmers dubbed Financial Subsidy to Rice Farmers. As of April 13, some 3,977 farmers in Eastern Samar and some 1,283 farmers in Northern Samar have received the P5,000 cash assistance thru LandBank using cash cards of farmers issued last year.

DA-8 is also implementing the Survival and Recovery Assistance (SURE) Program for Marginalized Small Farmers and Fishefolks. The masterlist for this P25,000 zero interest loan assistance is now being validated on the ground as is expected to be submitted to DA-8 at 5 pm of April 13, Rosaroso disclosed. On April 15, the masterlist will be submitted to DA Central Office, Rosaroso added.

The third is the Recovery Package for Micro and Small Enterprises Engaged in Agriculture and Fisheries Production. The beneficiaries may avail of a loan up to as high as P300K or 90 percent of their projected cost but not to exceed P15M. This is on process, the target is before the end of April, Rosaroso, said. (PIA8)

source https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1038873