The Department of Agriculture on Tuesday started its rollout of P5,000 cash assistance to rice farmers in Negros Oriental, whose farming areas are two hectares or less.
A total of 21,000 rice farmers in this category are targeted in the Province for this year, said Bernard Limbaga, agricultural program coordinating officer of DA-Negros Oriental, during a Kapihan sa PIA forum at a local hotel here.
“The rollout started today in Canlaon City and the rice subsidy is part of the rice tariffication law through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund,” Limbaga said in mixed English and Cebuano.
“We hope that the farmers will use the cash assistance for fertilizers and other farm inputs instead of buying cellphones,” he added.
The distribution of the monetary aid will be held on Monday, Oct. 17 in Ayungon and Mabinay; Oct. 18 in Tanjay City, and on Oct. 19 in Bayawan City and in Sta. Catalina.
The cash aid for La Libertad farmers was completed on Oct. 13.
Other areas for the cash assistance distribution will also be scheduled, while some beneficiaries may go directly to a money courier duly accredited by the government to collect their rice subsidy in cash, Limbaga said.
Last year, around 15,000 to 16,000 rice farmers were identified to receive the same assistance, he added. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)
