Davao city: The Department of Agriculture in Davao Region has allocated around PHP212 million under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program (PAFFP) to benefit 91,338 validated rice and corn farmers across Region 11. In an interview Friday through DA-11 Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section, Regional Director Macario Gonzaga said each qualified farmer will receive PHP2,335, with payouts already completed in Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao City, and Davao Occidental. "Distribution in Davao del Norte, the province with the largest number of registered beneficiaries, is set to begin this week," he said.

According to Philippines News Agency, as of July 31, Gonzaga reported that more than PHP100 million has been released to about 43,000 farmers in Region 11. He emphasized that only rice and corn farmers registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) are eligible for the program. "This assistance is for qualified and legitimate farmers. Registration in the RSBSA ensures that interventions from the government reach those who truly need them," Gonzaga said, adding that the program was facilitated with the support of DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. amid recent crises affecting production costs.

PAFFP is a government initiative providing unconditional cash aid to help small agricultural workers offset rising fuel and production costs. Funded under the 2026 General Appropriations Act (Republic Act No. 12314), the PAFFP seeks to provide unconditional cash assistance to more than 4.17 million beneficiaries nationwide.