QUEZON -- Almost P3,891,000 worth of financial assistance and fuel discount cards have been granted by the Department of Agriculture IV-Calabarzon (DA-4A) to farmers and fishermen of Mauban and Pagbilao towns through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RCEF-RFFA) and Fuel Discount Program for Corn Farmers and Fisherfolk over the weekend.
A total of 588 farmers received P5,000 each from RCEF-RFFA and 317 fishermen and corn farmers got Fuel Discount Cards worth P3,000 each.
The RCEF-RFFA is pursuant to Republic Act No. 11203 or ‘Rice Tariffication Law (RTL)’ and R.A. No. 11598 (Cash Assistance for Filipino Farmers Act).
The distribution of fuel discount cards is part of RA 11639 or Special Provision No. 20 of the General Appropriations Act of 2022.
Quezon 1st District Rep. Mark Enverga, chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, DA-4A Officer-in-charge-regional executive director Engr. Abelardo Bragas, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ Ernest John Laureles, Mauban mayor Ninong Pastrana, Pagbilao mayor Angelica Portes-Tatlonghari, OIC-Field Operations Division chief Engr. Redelliza Gruezo, Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer (APCO) for Quezon Rolly Cuasay took care of the distribution.
"We can see the concern of the government, especially our current secretary, President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr., who took the lead in addressing the problems through these programs. So, you can count on the vision of our agriculture sector to continue prioritizing farmers and fishermen," said Enverga.
On the part of the agriculture office, Bragas told the participants the importance of the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) because it serves as the basis of the government in determining who will be given assistance and intervention under this program.
"This five thousand I received I will budget carefully for our farm. This is a big help especially since we don't always have a harvest and sometimes, we even get storms,” said Nirza Almira, one of the RSBSA’s who received aid from RCEF-RFFA.
“I am very happy with the DA because they are diligent in giving us grace especially when the pandemic started," added Almira.