By Pearl Gumapos
In response to calamities and the pandemic, the Department of Agriculture (DA) assured agricultural aid through a registry system for basic sectors in agriculture.
The registry system for basic sectors in agriculture (RSBSA) is the official list of Filipino farmers and fishermen beneficiaries.
“Nakatulong po ang RSBSA natin sa agarang pagbibigay ng mga listahan ng mga rehistradong magsasaka at mangingisda upang matukoy po natin kung sinu-sino ang kinakailangan abutan ng kung anu-ano pong tulong,” DA Undersecretary Ariel Cayanan said.
Aside from disaster response, the RSBSA has also helped in establishing different programs that give away fertilizers, seeds, vitamins for livestock, fingerlings, and fishing equipment.
It has also helped in the rehabilitation of different machines and facilities.
Around four million farmers and fishermen are registered under the RSBSA.
“Ang bilang po sa planong mairehistro sa RSBSA ay nasa walong milyong magsasaka at mangingisda hanggang sa taong 2022. Ito po ang target natin sa next year,” Cayanan said.
One of the main programs of the DA under the RSBSA is the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund or R-CEF.
Under the R-CEF, the DA gives machines, training, and loan programs to its beneficiaries.
Cayanan said to register under RSBSA, the beneficiary must be a Filipino above the age of 18.
“Ang mga pangunahing pamantayan po natin para makapag-parehistro, una, siya dapat ay mamamayang Pilipino na may edad pong labing-walong taong gulang pataas at ang pangalawa po ay ang pangunahing hanapbuhay po ay syempre ay nasa pagsasaka’t pangingisda,” he said.
“Maaari pong magparehistro ang mga magsasaka at manggagawa ng sakahan, hindi po ibig sabihin na kailangan may pag-aari ka na lupa, maging po yung farm workers sa Ingles at ang mga mangingisda sa RSBSA,” he added.
The first step in registering is to acquire an enrollment form at the city or municipal agricultural office.
The second step is to present a government-issued ID and documents that prove that the individual is a farmer or a fisherman.
The third step is to sign and provide a recent 2×2 picture for the identification process.
Finally, submit the RSBSA enrollment along with the other documents. The individual shall submit their enrollment stub which will contain their RSBSA reference number.
“Maski naka-quarantIne, hindi naka-quarantine, kailangan nating kumain. Ito po ay magandang senyales, magandang manifestation kung gaano ka-importante ang pagsasaka at pangingisda. If life will continue, then of course, agriculture and fishery will continue,” Cayanan said. -rir
