MANILA -- The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), on Friday launched the “Gawad sa Paglingap sa Magsasaka at Mangingisda (Gawad Lingap)” awards to partner lending conduits and small farmer and fisherfolk borrowers of the Production Loan Easy Access (PLEA) held at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.
Themed as “Sharing the Vision, Fulfilling the Mission”, the activity recognizes outstanding partner lending conduits under the PLEA in addressing the financial needs of small farmers and fisherfolk, especially in the unbanked areas, for a fast, convenient and affordable credit.
Likewise, inspiring farmer and fisherfolk borrowers, who showed exemplary accomplishment in the utilization and repayment of their loans under the PLEA, were also honored during the event.
“This is a great opportunity for DA-ACPC to express our gratitude to our program partners for their unwavering commitment and support in the implementation of the PLEA,” ACPC Executive Director Jocelyn Alma R. Badiola said.
“The success of PLEA would not have been possible without the strategic leadership and guidance of Secretary (Manny) Piñol and the support and assistance of the whole DA family,” she added.
Coinciding with the recognition was the launch of the Pilipinas Agila Tires, the first farmer-owned motorcycle tire brand in the country.
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol said the launching of Pilipinas Agila Tires marks the first attempt of the DA to elevate the Filipino farmers from the status of primary materials producer to the level of processor, manufacturer, and merchandiser of their farm produce.
The Pilipinas Agila Tires is a product of the Philippine Rubber Farmers’ Cooperative (PRFC), which was organized by the DA two years ago as part of its program to elevate rubber farmers to the level of processors.
Piñol said the cooperative received a PHP10-million loan from ACPC to start the tire manufacturing business which the PRFC will repay at six percent interest per year for a period of eight years.
The initial production will just be one motorcycle tire size (300 x 17) used in tricycles and utility motorcycles.
The event also featured an exhibit of various agri-fishery products by DA-ACPC partner lending conduits nationwide.
Aside from the Pilipinas Agila Tires, other products to be displayed are vegetables, processed food, nuts, organic food, rice, dairies, mushrooms, sardines, abaca, cacao, cassava, among others.
Meanwhile, Piñol said the PLEA credit facility offers non-collateralized loans to small farmers and fisherfolk at 0.5 percent per month with free crop insurance and flexible repayment schedule and convenient loan maturity.
The DA-ACPC implements the PLEA through lending conduits, which include grassroots-based organizations such as rural banks, cooperative banks, cooperatives, and non-government organizations.
Since its launch in Malimono, Surigao del Norte on June 23, 2017, PLEA has disbursed PHP1.66 billion through 166 lending conduits, benefitting an estimated 37,084 small farmers and fisherfolk and recording a 91 percent repayment rate as of January 2019. (PNA)
