A total of P219 million (M) will be released to rice farmers of Nueva Ecija under the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance Program (RFFAP) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in partnership with the Land Bank of the Philippines, which rolled out on December 23, 2019 .

“Dalawa po ang utos sa amin ng mahal nating Pangulo. Una suportahan at mahalin ang mga magsasaka sa kanayunan, at pangalawa ibigay kaagad ang P5,000 ayuda sa mga magsasakang nagsasaka ng kalahati hanggang dalawang ektaryang lupang sakahan,” Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar announced.

During its launch, the RFFAP financial aid was initially awarded to 500 farmers from the municipalities of Cuyapo, Guimba, Science City of Muñoz, Quezon, Talugtog, and Nampicuan.

In the coming days, 43,845 rice farmers from the province will be awarded Land Bank cash cards loaded with P5,000 which they can use to improve production and augment their income.

“Desisyon nyo po kung saan gagamitin ang pera, pero sana gamitin ninyo sa productive na bagay tulad ng mga livelihood project. Merry Christmas po,” Dar explained.

He added that aside from the 33 provinces and qualified farmers who will receive the first tranche of the RFFAP, DA will look into awarding the same financial aid to provinces that have constantly partnered with the drive of the government to attain food security and help rice farmers.

“We will be providing the same grant to other areas as an incentive,” he said.

The Secretary explained that the strategy  also aims to encourage other provincial government units to take initiative and assist rice farmers affected by the implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law, as well as find solutions to address reduced prices of rice. ### (Adora D. Rodriguez/DA-AFID)