DA has P30-M loan aid for farmers, fishers affected by Taal eruption

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Wednesday that its Agricultural Credit Policy Council was currently distributing loan assistance amounting to P30 million that benefit 1,200 farmers and fishers affected by the volcanic eruption of Taal Volcano.

The loan assistance, the DA said, was under its Survival and Recovery (Sure) aid program, and would be distributed through its conduit bank, the Mount Carmel Rural Bank.

“ACPC Dir. Jocelyn Badiola swiftly acted on the matter, which enabled us to provide immediate loan assistance at zero interest to those affected. The agency is further speeding up its distribution of loans in coordination with our regional offices in the area,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar said in a statement.

The DA also said that its Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. would “fast track the release of insurance benefits for quick-turnaround plans and re-insure affected farms.”

Gov’t distributes P160M worth of livelihood aid

Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte has distributed P160 million worth of agriculture, fishery and livelihood aid to farmers and fishers affected by the Taal Volcano eruption.

The Chief Executive himself distributed the aid on Monday night at the Batangas City Sports Complex, which serves as an evacuation center for currently displaced.

Dar, who was also present at the event, said that he has ordered DA family officials to extend full support to those affected.

Dar added that DA family agencies are crafting a comprehensive rehabilitation program, which “includes appropriate measures and interventions for immediate implementation” once volcanic activities cease, and thus safe to resume farming and fishing activities.

“We want fast and concrete actions during this trying time. I am personally seeing to it that all hands in DA are on board to deliver the services to our farmers and fishers, and the general public that depends on the sustainability of our food supply,” Dar said.

/atm