Benguet: The local government here said the financial aid provided by the national government to farmers is timely, as this would help them buy boosters for their fruit trees in time for the town's "Fruit Festival'.
According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Alfredo Dacumos highlighted the significance of the aid during the distribution of the Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolks (PAFF) at the municipal hall. He expressed that the assistance will enable farmers to purchase necessary fertilizers and insecticides amidst rising supply costs.
Known as the "Fruit Basket of Benguet", the town hosts its annual "Fruit Festival" as a thanksgiving event for its rich agricultural harvests. The festival showcases a variety of fruits such as bananas, oranges, pomelo, papaya, pineapple, guava, coconut, rambutan, durian, mangosteen, and lanzones, and includes a series of activities promoting the municipality's agriculture, tourism, and industry assets from mid-August to September.
On Thursday, 573 beneficiaries received PAFF worth PHP2,325 each from the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR). These beneficiaries are part of the 123,144 individuals from the region's six provinces who are eligible for the aid. The DA allocated over PHP430 million for the PAFF cash aid in the region, with the requirement that beneficiaries personally collect the aid.
Oracion Tolmod, 77, a native farmer, indicated that the assistance will support his garden where he cultivates vegetables, fruits, and corn. Similarly, Juliet Quinio, 53, plans to utilize the funds for daily necessities.
DA-CAR Field Operations Division OIC chief, Dr. Leisley Deligen, encouraged farmers throughout the region to register with the Registry System of Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) to secure their participation in future government programs and assistance initiatives. Deligen emphasized the importance of registration, noting that many farmers in CAR remain unregistered.
He also explained that PAFF beneficiaries were selected from the RSBSA database and verified by local government units. The distribution of aid is scheduled to continue throughout the region until July.
