As planting season begins, rice farmers in Mangaldan, Pangasinan are preparing their fields—but many are still waiting for the promised seed distribution from the local government.

Some farmers have started preparing their rice fields using seeds they bought themselves, while they wait to receive free seeds from the Municipal Agriculture Office.

They are now appealing for immediate distribution to help reduce their expenses this cropping season.

“’Yun talaga kailangan namin, mga binhi,” Bernardo Quince, a farmer, said.

“Kailangan talaga namin ’yun para makatulong sa amin sa pagtatanim at mabawasan gastos namin,” Leonardo Ocay, another farmer, added.

In response, the Municipal Agriculture Office said it is processing the allocation of seeds from the Department of Agriculture.

“Sa katunayan, naghahanda na kami. Kasalukuyang naghahakot kami ng alokasyon natin mula sa Department of Agriculture ng binhi,” Manuel Aquino, the rice coordinator for Mangaldan, said.

Officials said a distribution schedule will be released soon to ensure an orderly process. They also assured all farmers will receive their share, depending on the size of their farmland.

Seed distribution is expected to begin next week.