By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday led the launching of the Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid (APP) Program in Mindanao to give farmers in the region better access to government assistance.
In a keynote speech delivered at the Sarangani Gymnasium in Alabel, Sarangani, Marcos said the APP aims to boost farmers’ income and productivity, as the government aims to achieve food security.
“Isa pong pribilehiyo na maging susi upang maipatupad ang inyong mga adhikain. Sa Bagong Pilipinas na ating itinataguyod, sinisiguro po natin na walang maiiwanan, walang mapapabayaan,” Marcos said.
“Sa inyo pong pagtanggap sa mga tulong na ito, umaasa po ako na mas lilinangin ninyo ang inyong mga kakayahan at magiging bukas kayo sa mga makabagong teknolohiya at pananaw sa agrikultura. Sama-sama po nating tahakin ang landas ng pagbabago,” he added.
APP beneficiaries may borrow up to P60,000 at a low interest rate of 2% per year, Marcos said, adding that they would also receive a monthly subsistence allowance of P8,000 for four months.
Marcos said Interventions Monitoring Cards (IMC) would also be distributed to enable farmers to purchase seeds, fertilizers, and other farming tools through merchants accredited by the Department of Agriculture (DA).
He said various farm machineries and equipment would also be turned over to help farmers increase their yield and income.
“Bahagi ang mga serbisyong ito sa isang mas malawak at mas matibay na istratehiya para sa tunay na pangmatagalang pagbabago. Nawa’y magsilbi pong paalala ang mga tulong na ito na laging nakaalalay sa inyo ang inyong pamahalaan,” Marcos said.
“Handa po kaming makinig sa inyong mga hinaing at tulungan kayo na maging matagumpay sa mga pagsubok na inyong hinaharap sa abot ng aming makakaya,” he added.
Marcos also said that on top of the APP Program, the P3 billion earmarked for the Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund in 2024 has benefitted more than 17,700 farmers and 331 agricultural cooperatives.
He added that in 2024, nearly 19,000 farmers and fishers and 112 enterprises were able to borrow P1.7 billion through the Agricultural Credit Policy Council’s Agri-Negosyo Loan Program, Survival and Recovery Assistance Program, and Young Agripreneurs Loan Program.
“Nilalayon po naming maihatid sa inyo ang mga serbisyong makakatulong sa pagpapalakas ng inyong kabuhayan, pagpapabuti ng inyong kapakanan at pagsusulong ng inyong kaunlaran. Isa pong karangalan na kayo’y mapaglingkuran,” Marcos said.
