More than 20,000 Bulakenyo tillers of two hectares or below of rice lands that are registered to the Farmers and Fisherfolks Registry System (FFRS) will receive cash assistance worth P5,000 under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RCEF-RFFA) Program.
Under Republic Act No. 11598 or the Cash Assistance for Filipino Farmers Act, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is authorized to provide direct cash assistance to farmers who are tilling two hectares or below of rice lands until 2024.
At least 20,118 farmers in the province of Bulacan will be given an Intervention Monitoring Card (IMC) from the DA. The IMC will serve as the farmers’ identification (ID) and cash card which will allow them access to government interventions.
Out of the 748 farmers from the City of Malolos, 200 already got their IMCs and cash assistance during the program’s kick-off ceremony held at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium last Thursday, Feb. 10.
Meanwhile, farmers from the other 10 cities and municipalities including Balagtas, Baliwag, Guiguinto, Hagonoy, Marilao, Obando, Plaridel, Santa Maria, City of Meycauayan and City of San Jose del Monte received their IMCs and cash assistance through store payout in the respective Universal Storefront Services Corporation (USSC) branches in their area.
Governor Daniel R. Fernando said a payout caravan will also be held in other cities and municipalities with a higher number of beneficiaries and those areas with no USSC branch.
Fernando lauded the farmers whom he considered as living heroes together with frontliners.
During lockdowns, Filipinos had seen the importance of rice, vegetables, pork, and chicken supplies.
He said the RCEF-RFFA program will benefit those who are affected by the rice importation in the country and the health and economic crisis due to the pandemic.
Fernando also announced the ongoing construction of the Bulacan Farmers Training Center within the premises of the Provincial Government of Bulacan to further help the farmers widen their knowledge in agriculture.