Department of Agriculture Boosts Aid to Quezon Farmers with P5,000 Cash Assistance

QUEZON PROVINCE – The Department of Agriculture in Calabarzon (DA 4-A) has intensified its efforts in providing financial support to small farmers in Quezon province. This initiative is part of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RCEF-RFFA) program.

According to Philippines News Agency, Regional Rice Program focal person, the DA 4-A distributed PHP 7.2 million in cash aid to 1,444 farmers across several towns including Lucban, Tayabas City, Pagbilao, Mauban, and Sampaloc on January 18. Each qualified beneficiary received PHP 5,000 through the enhanced ‘Interventions Monitoring Card’. Baja, in an interview with the Philippine News Agency, expressed appreciation for the farmers’ contributions. “We salute the farmers of Calabarzon because without them, we would not have food for our family, community, and the whole country… We may still be far from what we hope to be rice sufficiency, but we hope that you will continue to support all the programs provided,” she said.

Baja also mentioned a similar distribution caravan held in General Nakar on January 25, where 1,132 qualified farmers benefitted. However, the total amount distributed in General Nakar was not disclosed. The farmer-beneficiaries, listed in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), cultivate not more than two hectares of rice fields, aligning with the requirements of Republic Act (RA) 11203 or the ‘Rice Tariffication Law’.

Baja added that further financial aid distributions are scheduled. “Financial aid will continue to be given to our farmers who will go to work from the endorsed qualified farmers and in the second week of February, there will be another Caravan distribution in POGI island, District 1 and approximately 1,000 farmers will be given financial aid again,” she stated. POGI refers to the Polillo Group of Islands, including Polillo, Panukulan, Burdeos, and Jomalig towns.

The region experienced a decline in rice production last year, dropping by 17,086.96 metric tons, primarily due to pest damage. Baja noted that the insufficient submission of monthly reports on planting and harvesting from several towns also contributed to this decrease. Despite this, there is an expectation of increased rice planting for the upcoming summer season.

Apart from financial assistance, DA 4-A also distributes regular agricultural inputs such as fertilizer discount vouchers, free seeds, soil ameliorants, and Bio N fertilizers to support struggling farmers. The accreditation of additional four farmer associations under the Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) program has reportedly increased local land cultivators’ yield.

Lastly, Baja encouraged farmers to contact their respective Municipal Agriculturist Offices (MAOs) for access to free, high-quality seeds and new farming technologies.