TACLOBAN CITY — More than 1,400 rice farmers from northern municipalities of Eastern Samar have received financial assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA) as part of the government’s continued support for the farming sector.
A total of 1,403 farmers benefited from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund–Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RCEF-RFFA) program, which was distributed in coordination with DA Regional Office 8. The aid aims to help rice farmers cope with the effects of market liberalization and rising production costs while strengthening agricultural productivity.
The distribution was attended by Eastern Samar lone district Representative Christopher Sheen Gonzales, Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone, provincial agriculturist Virgilio Capon, and officials of the Oras local government unit, led by Vice Mayor Adolfo Mugas and members of the Sangguniang Bayan.
In his message, Rep. Gonzales emphasized the need for sustained government intervention to improve farmers’ welfare and highlighted legislative measures being pushed in Congress to further support the agriculture sector, in coordination with House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Representative Marcelino Libanan.
Gonzales also paid tribute to farmers, recognizing their crucial role in ensuring food security and driving rural development. He reiterated the commitment of both Congress and the provincial government to continue implementing programs that promote the welfare of farmers and strengthen the broader agricultural sector.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
