GMA Kapuso Foundation sends aid to Mindoro farmers affected by fuel price hikes, fertilizer costs

The GMA Kapuso Foundation has extended aid to farmers in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, who continue to grapple with fuel price hikes, soaring production costs, and extreme heat. 

According to "24 Oras” on Friday, April typically marks the start of preparations for the planting season, with farmers purchasing supplies. 

But this year, the sharp increase in fuel prices has driven up the cost of fertilizers, leaving many farmers in distress. The price hikes have been partly attributed to tensions in the Middle East, a major source of raw materials for fertilizer production. 

The price of a bag of fertilizer has risen from around P1,600 to P1,900. For a single hectare of farmland, farmers need up to nine bags of complete fertilizer. 

“Sa transportation cost, pagsakay pa lang ng barko may additional so lahat 'yan idinadagdag sa presyo ng abono. Magbawas ng kanilang sasakahin kasi 'yun ang isang napaka-epekto na nangyayari sa panahon ng mga farmer,” said farm supply store supervisor Ruth Fegalan.

Aside from high costs, water scarcity due to intense heat has worsened the farmers' situation. 

Farmer Dennis Miraples said he temporarily shifted to planting calamansi due to irrigation challenges in his rice field, but even this crop suffered from the dry conditions, resulting in lower yields.

“Ang mga bilihin sobrang mamahal na. Hindi lang po magsasaka, siguro pati po 'yung ibang sektor ng mga asosasyon,” he said. 

To help, the GMA Kapuso Foundation extended assistance to affected communities in Calapan through its Operation Bayanihan project, providing much-needed support to struggling farmers and residents. 

“Taos-puso po kaming nagpapasalamat sa GMA Kapuso Foundation. Ang pakiramdam ngayon ay nasa krisis pero andyan kayo ngayon para alalayan at tulungan,” Barangay Mag-iba II Barangay Captain Wenie Wong said.

For those who wish to support GMA Kapuso Foundation's projects, donations may be made via Metrobank, Land Bank, BDO, Bank of Commerce, UnionBank, PNB, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Lazada, Shopee, and Palawan Pay. Visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website for more information.

—Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA News