TARLAC CITY (PIA) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has extended financial assistance to about 2,360 farmers in Tarlac through the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program (PAFFP), as part of the government’s continuing efforts to support the agriculture sector amid rising fuel costs and other production expenses.
Under the initiative, each beneficiary received P2,325 in cash assistance to help sustain their livelihood and farming activities.
DA Region 3 Agricultural Center Chief Ricky Manguerra said the fund was originally intended for agricultural disaster response but was later realigned following the surge in fuel prices brought about by the crisis in the Middle East.
“Ito ay programa ng national government especially ng Department of Agriculture na kung saan iyong perang ipinapamahagi natin dito ay supposed to be gagamitin para sa national disaster sa agricultural sector. But then, dahil nagkaroon tayo ng krisis sa Middle East, tumaas ang presyo ng gasolina, ang ating secretary ay nag-seek ng authorization na pahintulutan ng ating pangulo para gamitin natin ito,” he explained.
Farmers who received the assistance expressed gratitude to the agency and the government for the support provided to them.
Tarlac City farmer Rafael Martinez shared that the financial aid will be used for his next planting season.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa ating gobyerno sa kanilang tulong pinansyal. Malaking bagay na po ito para sa amin (We are thankful to the government for the financial assistance. This is a big help for us),” he said.
Meanwhile, farmer Catalina Baun also expressed her appreciation, emphasizing that the DA served as a bridge in bringing government assistance closer to farmers.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa gobyerno. Kahit papaano ay malaking tulong po iyong natanggap namin para sa pagsasaka. Sa DA naman po, maraming-marami rin pong salamat. Isa kayo sa naging tulay para makarating sa amin ang tulong ng gobyerno. Maraming-marami pong salamat (I am thankful to the government. The assistance we received is a great help for our farming needs. To the DA, thank you very much as well. You became one of the bridges that brought the government’s assistance to us. Thank you very much,” she stated.
Baun added that the aid will be used to purchase seeds in preparation for the upcoming rainy season.
The PAFFP is an initiative of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., implemented through the DA, to provide immediate assistance to farmers and fisherfolk affected by increasing production expenses. (Ara Jamica R. Reparejo)
