The Department of Agriculture (DA) will give financial aid to farmers amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.
Under the Financial Subsidy to Rice Farmers program, every beneficiary will receive PhP 5,000 each. The bank will give the cash directly to the beneficiaries so they can use it for necessities immediately.
600,000 farmers will benefit from the PhP 3 billion fund.
The distribution of the cash subsidy will start this week to lessen the impact of the Enhanced Community Quarantine on their livelihood.
Farmers are advised to coordinate with the DA if they have any problems transporting their products.
The department has also ensured the speedy dispensation of free seeds in provinces at the start of the planting season as part of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Program under the existing Rice Tarrification Law. The seeds to be distributed will cost around PhP 3 billion.
The Phil-Rice will deliver the aid on a house-to-house basis.
Report from Cleizl Pardilla
