Farmers and vulnerable sectors in Iloilo are set to benefit from government programs highlighted in President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA), including rice assistance and aid for farmers affected by calamities.
Iloilo Provincial Agriculturist Officer-in-Charge Geron Magbanua said Tuesday that the province is preparing to implement its rice support program funded through the Local Government Support Fund – Financial Assistance to Local Government Units (LGSF-FALGU).
“We have received PHP299 million from the national government intended to procure rice directly from farmers through the Sagip Saka Act. We allocated each municipality an estimated PHP5 million to PHP6 million to augment their rice support program for vulnerable sectors,” Magbanua said in an interview.
He said the provincial government will purchase rice from farmers’ cooperatives and distribute the stocks through local government units.
Under the program guidelines, purchases must prioritize locally produced rice sourced directly from farmers, with assistance provided in the form of rice.
Magbanua said beneficiaries will receive an additional 10 kg. of rice every two months, with the province targeting the release of supplies next month through six tranches.
Last year, the provincial government distributed about 1 million kg. of rice under the Benteng Bigas Meron Na! Program, providing a PHP6.50 subsidy per kg.
“This year, it is fully subsidized by the national government, and the role of the provincial government is to ensure that requesting municipalities can avail of the program,” Magbanua said.
Meanwhile, farmers affected by El Niño received assistance through the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk, while those affected by Typhoons Tino and Basyang received aid from the Office of the President’s special assistance fund.
Magbanua lauded the national government’s response in providing assistance to affected farmers, noting that priority is given to those who suffered the most significant losses.
He added that the provincial government provides additional support to farmers who do not qualify for national government assistance.
More than 100,000 farmers in Iloilo are registered under the Registry System for Basic Agriculture. (PNA)