AGRI Party-list Rep. Manoy Wilbert Lee is advocating for doubling the maximum loanable amount under the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Survival and Recovery (SURE) Assistance Program to help farmers and fisherfolk recover from the worsening impacts of natural disasters.
Lee underscored that increasing the current cap of ₱25,000 to ₱50,000 should be studied as the current maximum amount is no longer adequate, especially in the face of the escalating frequency and severity of calamities due to extreme weather disturbances.
“Taon-taon, hinaharap ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda ang kalbaryong dala ng bagyo, baha at tagtuyot sa kanilang kabuhayan. Sa panahon ng kalamidad, nawawala sa isang iglap ang kanilang mga pinagpaguran at pinaglaanan ng puhunan,” the Bicolano lawmaker said.
AGRI Party-list which is running for reelection in the 2025 National and Local elections, pointed out that the program’s maximum loanable amount has not been adjusted to keep pace with the rising costs of inputs and labor.
“Pagkatapos ng sakuna, ang kadalasang naiiwan sa kanila ay utang at lalong pagkabaon sa kahirapan. The current ₱25,000 is simply not enough for them to rebuild and recover,” he added.
The Philippines experienced consecutive tropical cyclones during the last quarter of 2024, causing widespread destruction to agricultural lands and fishing communities.
According to reports, the damages from the typhoons amounted to billions of pesos, leaving thousands of farmers and fisherfolk struggling to restart their livelihood.
The SURE Program was first implemented in 2017 to provide quick access to financing for agricultural workers affected by disasters. It offers zero-interest loans with no collateral, payable up to three years, with a one-year moratorium on payment of loans under other Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) programs.
AGRI Party-list which is running for reelection in the 2025 National and Local elections, pointed out that the program’s maximum loanable amount has not been adjusted to keep pace with the rising costs of inputs and labor.
“Malaki na ang itinaas sa presyo ng mga binhi, fertilizers at mga gamit sa pagsasaka at pangingisda, isama pa ang nakakalula pa ring presyo ng gasolina. Doubling the loanable amount to ₱50,000 under SURE Program will give farmers and fisherfolk a fighting chance to rebuild their livelihoods,” the party-list said.
The SURE Program was first implemented in 2017 to provide quick access to financing for agricultural workers affected by disasters.
AGRI also highlighted the need for government agencies to streamline, simplify, and liberalize requirements and processes in government services such as providing loans which continue to burden many Filipinos.
“This is not just about loans for our farmers and fisherfolk whom we consider our ‘food security soldiers’. This is about achieving cheaper food prices, ensuring food security and protecting the backbone of our economy,” AGRI said.
“Hindi natin sila pwedeng pabayaan, lalo pa’t sila ang pinanggagalingan ng ating pagkain, at sila ang magsisiguro na anuman ang mangyari sa loob at labas ng ating bansa ay mayroon tayong makakain,” it added.
AGRI Party-list, principal author of House Bill No. 1298 or the “Essential Crop Insurance Act”, also renewed its call for the urgent passage of the said measure. This aims to reorganize the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) in fast-tracking the processes in compensating the loss in livelihood and giving financial assistance to farmers affected by disasters.
“Every peso we invest in helping our farmers and fisherfolk recover is an investment in our country’s future. Sa suporta sa agrikultura, panalo ang sambayanang Pilipino. Sa dagdag na suporta sa ating local food producers, mapapataas ang produksyon na hindi lang magpapataas sa kanilang kita, kundi magpapababa rin sa presyo sa merkado. Murang pagkain, gawin na natin!” AGRI stated.
