ILOILO City – Around 46,000 farmers from the province of Iloilo are expected to benefit from the P3 billion unconditional cash transfer program of the national government which aims to help those who are affected by the drop in the prices of palay.
Agriculture assistant secretary Andrew Villacorta, in a press conference Monday on the sidelines of the National Rice Industry Stakeholders Conference held in this city, said the P3 billion is just the first tranche because they are looking at a total of P6-billion financial assistance.
“This is intended for most affected rice farmers in 33 provinces…The other tranche of P3 billion will be given next year,” he added.
Engr. Roy Abaya of the Agriculture Field Programs Operational Planning Division said the fund for the unconditional cash transfer program will come from the national government and not from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. “We are just finalizing the guidelines,” he added.
The Department of Agriculture targets to launch the program next month. Once there is an excess tariff, it will become a regular program.
To avail of the assistance, farmers should be registered with the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA). Updating of the RSBSA is currently ongoing. They just have to visit their respective local government unit offices.
Each farmer tilling one half to two hectares of rice field stands to receive P5,000.(PNA)
