ASSISTANCE. Department of Agriculture (DA) Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) in Western Visayas chief Maria Teresa T. Solis (inset) presents the latest data on the recipients of the government’s cash and food subsidy during the DA Regional Management Committee virtual meeting on May 12. In an interview Wednesday (May 19, 2021), she said the one-time assistance to farmers and fisherfolk was able to help recipients in these trying times. (Photo screenshot from virtual meeting)
ILOILO CITY – The Cash and Food Subsidy for Marginal Farmers and Fisherfolk (CFSMFF) program initiated by the Department of Agriculture (DA) already benefitted 101,914 in Western Visayas.
Maria Teresa T. Solis, chief of the DA Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) in Western Visayas, on Wednesday said the program, with funding support under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2), was launched in Bacolod City in December last year targeting around 120,000 recipients in the region enrolled with the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).
They were identified by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), DA Corn Program, Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
“The agencies submit the names to their central office, which then submit to the DA Information and Communications Technology Services (ICTS) for the QR code to be distributed to their beneficiaries,” she said in a phone interview.
They can use the QR code in claiming their subsidy.
Each recipient is entitled to PHP5,000 worth of subsidy; PHP3,000 cash released through the M Lhuiller remittance center and PHP2,000 worth of rice, chicken, and eggs from suppliers recommended by the AMAD to the implementing agencies.
The supplier, in turn, will claim the payment from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).
“At least it was able to help them in their daily needs at this time of pandemic,” Solis said.
As of May 11, AMAD data showed that 51,163 beneficiaries under BFAR received their subsidy; 23,104 under PCA; 12,734 under SRA; 12, 942 for DA corn; and 1,971 under NCIP.
DA targets to complete the distribution of the one-time subsidy by June 11 this year.
Meantime, Solis said that not all farmers and fisherfolk will be served under the program but she hoped that there will be additional assistance for DA and its attached agencies. (PNA)
