Manila: The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) on Thursday announced it has commenced the distribution of PHP9 million worth of assistance to 2,618 tobacco farmers in Northern Luzon. These farmers were impacted by a series of typhoons and heavy rains that caused the wilting of growing and early transplanted tobacco seedlings.

According to Philippines News Agency, the succession of Typhoons Kristine, Leon, Marce, and Ofel from November to December 2024, coupled with unusual rains in early January 2025, severely damaged tobacco plantations in Regions 1, 2, and CAR, including Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and the Cordillera Administrative Region. NTA Deputy Administrator for Operations Nestor Casela emphasized the importance of supporting farmers to help them recover and rebuild their tobacco plantations.

Casela stated that affected farmers will receive cash assistance and support for purchasing 'biostimulants' aimed at helping tobacco production recover. The total aid package includes PHP5 million for biostimulants and PHP4 million for cash aid. Each farmer will receive a cash subsidy of PHP1,500 and two liters of biostimulants to protect tobacco seedlings from wilting due to excessive soil moisture.

The majority of the assistance is designated for 1,024 tobacco farmers in the 2nd district of Ilocos Sur, followed by 502 farmers in La Union, 452 in the 1st district of Ilocos Sur, 272 in Isabela, 151 in Cagayan, 95 in Pangasinan, 83 in Abra, and 39 in Ilocos Norte. The NTA initiated the aid distribution in Abra and Cagayan on March 14 and 17, respectively, with other branches expected to follow in the coming weeks.