Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Executive Director, Remelyn Recoter, led the distribution of P5.2 million in financial assistance to 1,041 farmers in Binalbagan town Thursday, January 13.
The aid is from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund – Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RCEF – RFFA) of DA, which provides financial assistance to rice farmers as compensation to the projected reduction of farm income arising from the tariffication on rice, a press release from the Capitol said.
Each farmer-beneficiary received P5,000 during the distribution at the Payao Covered Court in Brgy. Payao, Binalbagan, attended by Board Members Rita Gatuslao and Tinto Bascon, Binalbagan Vice Mayor Samuel Gavaran, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist OIC, Dr. Dina Genzola, and other local officials.
Recoter said the DA Region VI targets to distribute (RFFA) cash assistance to 45,213 rice farmers in Negros Occidental with a total amount of P226 million.
She also said that the agricultural and fisheries damages caused by Typhoon Odette in the whole Western Visayas amounted to P5 billion, and 70 percent of it is from Negros Occidental.
Preparation for rehabilitation is being undertaken by DA to help the farmers, she said.
Lacson thanked the Negrense farmers for being key players in ensuring food security in the province.*