Bicol Farmers Receive Over PHP600 Million in Cash Aid

LEGAZPI CITY: In a significant financial boost, 127,931 rice farmers in the Bicol region each received PHP5,000 in cash assistance, totaling more than PHP600 million. This distribution was part of the 2023 Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) program conducted by the regional agriculture office. These farmers, managing up to 2 hectares of land, are beneficiaries registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).

According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Agriculture (DA) 5 (Bicol) information officer, the RSBSA registration ensures that farmers are eligible for government aid. Currently, DA-5 has more than 550,000 farmers in its RSBSA database. These registered farmers have access to various agricultural programs, including agricultural loans, crop and livestock insurance, seeds, fertilizers, technical assistance, and soil analysis.

The RSBSA is a comprehensive electronic database of farmers and farm laborers involved in animal and crop production. It facilitates access to various agricultural-related services and interventions from the government. Guarin emphasized the commitment of DA-Bicol to support rice farmers beyond cash assistance. This includes distributing various interventions aimed at enhancing yields and overall productivity.

Furthermore, the DA extends its support to corn and high-value crop farmers, animal breeders, and provides live animals, medicine, and biological products for various livestock including pigs, chickens, cows, buffaloes, and goats.