P1.28B allotted for nationwide database of farmers, farm workers

The President has approved the allocation of P1.28 billion toward the building of a nationwide database of farmers and farm laborers. The Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) will contain the baseline information of farmers, farm laborers and fisher folk from identified provinces, as well as the geographical coordinates of agricultural and fishery workers' households. The data will be used in the formulation of agriculture-related programs and policies. The RSBSA is a joint project of the Departments of Agriculture, Budget and Management, Agrarian Reform and Interior and Local Government; the National Statistics Office; and the National Anti-Poverty Commission. Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad said that the project is aimed at providing the government with a comprehensive information system that would help it identify farm industry workers; end farm subsidy “anomalies” and ensure that the poorest farmers will benefit from agriculture-related programs and services. “The small owner-cultivators, land holders, tenants, and regular and seasonal farm workers will have their names and addresses duly registered in a comprehensive database,” he said. The NSO has piloted the project in 20 provinces chosen based on poverty incidence, engagement in agricultural work, and vulnerability to calamities: Abra, Apayao, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Romblon, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Siquijor, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Western Samar, Zamboanga del Norte, Davao Oriental, North Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur. During this phase, the NSO registered 2,116,313 farmers, farm laborers and fisher folk. The project's second phase will cover 55 more provinces. — BM, GMA News