More than 1,000 rice farmers received cash cards of P15,000 each as the Department of Agriculture (DA) officially launched its Expanded Survival and Recovery Assistance Program for Rice Farmers (SURE Aid) in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar led the distribution, which coincided with the 123rd celebration of Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija (First Cry of Nueva Ecija), and attended by some governors of top rice-producing provinces in Luzon, including Governors Rodolfo Albano III (Isabela); Carlo Cua (Quirino); Carlos Padilla (Nueva Vizcaya); Susan Yap (Tarlac) and Aurelio Umali of host Nueva Ecija.
Land Bank of the Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer Cecilla Borromeo said they brought here several automated teller machines (ATMs) to make sure beneficiaries can readily withdraw their zero-interest SURE Aid loans.
Dar said SURE Aid is aimed at providing loan assistance for immediate relief to rice farmers affected by the impact of low palay prices as a result of the Rice Tariffication Law (Republic Act 11203).
“The loan is payable in eight years.”
“The loan is payable in eight years. It can be availed by farmers tilling one hectare of land and below,” the agriculture chief said.
Under the program, the Land Bank will administer the P1.5-billion fund from DA-Agricultural Credit Policy Council ((DA-ACPC) by releasing the loans either through direct lending to farmers or through service conduits in unbanked and unserved areas.
The program intends to serve a total of 100,000 rice farmers nationwide.
The program intends to serve a total of 100,000 rice farmers nationwide, of which, 2,000 are from Nueva Ecija.
“This is more sustainable than dole-outs,” the agriculture head said.
He also asked the National Food Authority (NFA) to intensify procurement of locally-produce rice even as he requested the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to buy rice from local producers, specifically local government units (LGUs) that buy and mill palay from their constituents.
At least 22 governors from Central Luzon, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley and Cordillera are set to meet at the DA Central Office to tackle implementation of an assistance program similar to that in Nueva Ecija.
The Nueva Ecija provincial government, which had earlier put up a P200-million procurement fund, will buy fresh palay at P15 a kilo.
Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija Mayor Efren Nieves lauded the project that has so far benefited 299 rice farmers in his town.