Antique: The Department of Agriculture (DA) has released PHP109 million in financial aid under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program (PAFFP) to 46,944 beneficiaries in Antique. According to Philippines News Agency, the PAFFP aims to provide PHP2,325 aid to 54,749 rice, corn, and sugarcane farmers from the 18 municipalities of the province to mitigate the effects of the fuel crisis.

Since the distribution began in April this year, only 7,805 farmers have yet to claim their assistance. "Those who were not able to claim their cash assistance may still be able to receive it next month when the payout resumes," said DA Antique Program Coordinating Office head Sonie Guanco in an interview on Monday.

Guanco encouraged farmers to prioritize purchasing additional fertilizers, insecticides, and other farm inputs using their cash assistance. The beneficiaries are registered with the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and are actively working on farms with an area of two hectares and below.