TACLOBAN CITY — Leyte farmers received about P277 million worth of agricultural assistance covering farm machinery, production inputs, livestock support, insurance and livelihood programs during a government service caravan held in the province.
The assistance was delivered by the regional office of Department of Agriculture(DA- 8) during the “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat para sa Lahat” at the Leyte Academic Center on Sept. 14.
The interventions were intended to help farmer-beneficiaries sustain agricultural production, improve farm operations and livestock raising, and provide additional support for their livelihood needs.
Representing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza highlighted the administration’s efforts to bring government assistance closer to farming communities.
“Para sa Pangulo ang pinakamahalaga ay ang pagkakataong makatulong sa bawat Pilipino. Patuloy tayong magtulungan. Mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas!” Mendoza said.
The assistance included veterinary drugs, dewormers and biologics under the National Livestock Program (NLP), as well as support through the NLP Livestock-based Opportunities and Value Enhancement (LOVE) Project.
Farm beneficiaries also received farm tools, rice tillers with feeds, weighing scales and egg trays.
DA-8 distributed assistance under the Benteng Bigas Meron Na! Program to 5,000 beneficiaries, while vegetable seeds were provided to another 500 recipients.
The package also included 65- and 90-horsepower tractors, hybrid rice seeds and inorganic fertilizers for irrigated areas, rain shelters, nurseries and interventions under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP).
Other assistance included indemnity checks, insurance enrollment and anti-rabies vaccines.
A total of 305 farmers and fisherfolk also benefited from the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program (PAFFP).
During the ceremonial turnover, DA-RFO 8 Regional Executive Director Rodel Macapanas handed certificates to farmer-beneficiaries representing the various agricultural interventions.
The DA said the assistance forms part of its continuing efforts to provide farmers with production inputs, machinery, livestock support, insurance coverage and other resources aimed at sustaining and improving their livelihoods.
The “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat para sa Lahat” is a nationwide government initiative that brings together different agencies to deliver assistance, programs and frontline services directly to communities.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
