DA calls for additional P30B aid for farmers

The Department of Agriculture on Saturday appealed to the national government for an additional P30 billion to provide fertilizers and subsidies to farmers amid high fuel costs. 

“About P30 billion. Kasama na rito ‘yung para sa fertilizer at saka ‘yung additional subsidy para sa ating mga magsasaka,” DA Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa said in a Dobol B TV interview.

(This includes fertilizers and additional subsidies for our farmers.)

The DA is currently implementing a nationwide rollout of the P10 billion Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program (PAFFP)—aimed at providing a critical financial cushion for agricultural producers grappling with volatile fuel and production costs.

The Agriculture Department also tapped its P1 billion quick response fund (QRF), which was activated following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s declaration of a state of national energy emergency last month. 

Meanwhile, De Mesa reported that the National Rice Program lowered its projection of local rice production from 20.8 million metric tons to 19.8 million MT.

“Ine-expect natin nga na magkakaroon pa ng further reduction. We're harvesting 10-11 million metric tons ng palay during the main cropping natin, itong wet cropping season. So yan ang posibleng maapektuhan,” he said.

(We expect that there will be a further reduction. We're harvesting 10–11 million metric tons of palay during our main cropping, this wet cropping season. So that's what could be affected.) — Jamil Santos/VBL, GMA News