DA’s RCEF-RFFA provides cash assistance to 20,118 Bulakenyo farmers


by Eloisa Samonte-Silverio
DA's RCEF-RFFA provides cash assistance to 20,118 Bulakenyo farmers
IMC FOR RICE FARMERS. Governor Daniel Fernando (left) hand over the P5,000 cash assistance to one of the 20,118 Bulakenyo farmers who received their Intervention Monitoring Card (IMC) each from the Department of Agriculture (DA) under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement-Rice Farmers Financial Assistance Program during the RCEF-RFFA distribution held on February 11, 2022 in Barangay San Roque covered court in Pandi town. Also in the photo are Board Member Alex Castro (center) and Provincial Agriculturist Gloria SF. Carrillo. Photo by ERICK SILVERIO

CITY OF MALOLOS – A total of 20,118 Bulakenyo farmers registered to the Farmers and Fisherfolks Registry System (FFRS) who are tilling rice lands that are two hectares or below will receive cash assistance worth P5,000 along with the Intervention Monitoring Card (IMC) from the Department of Agriculture (DA) under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RCEF-RFFA) program.

In accordance with Republic Act. No. 11598 or the Cash Assistance for Filipino Farmers Act, the DA was authorized to provide direct cash assistance to farmers who are tilling two hectares and below of rice lands until 2024.

Accordingly, the IMC will serve as their identification (ID) and cash card which will give them access to government interventions.

Initially during kick-off ceremony held recently at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium, 200 out of the 748 farmers from the City of Malolos already got their IMCs and cash assistance
while farmers from the other 10 cities and municipalities including Balagtas, Baliwag, Guiguinto, Hagonoy, Marilao, Obando, Plaridel, Santa Maria, City of Meycauayan and City of San Jose del Monte received their IMCs and cash assistance through store payout in the respective USSC branches in their area.
 
On Friday, the Provincial Government of Bulacan through its Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) continued to distribute the IMCs and cash assistance to farmers in Barangay San Roque in Pandi town.
 
Provincial Agriculturist Gloria SF. Carrillo said a payout caravan will also be held in other cities/municipalities with a higher number of beneficiaries and those areas with no USSC branch.

Meanwhile, Governor Daniel Fernando lauded the farmers and said that this program will benefit those who are affected by the rice importation in the country.

“Napakalaking tulong nito sa ating mga magsasaka na naaapektuhan ng rice importation maging ng krisis pangkalusugan at pangkabuhayan na dulot ng pandemya. Kayo po ay maituturing na isa sa mga nabubuhay na bayani kasama ng ating mga frontliners. Sa panahon ng mga lockdowns, nakita lalo natin ang kahalagahan ng mga bigas, mga gulay, baboy at manok,” the governor said.

He also announced the construction of the Bulacan Farmers Training Center within the premises of the Provincial Government of Bulacan.

“Batid natin na may mga centers of training and learning sa iba’t-ibang lugar dito sa lalawigan at hindi po papayag ang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan na hindi maging bahagi ng tamang pagtuturo ng kaalaman sa ating mga minamahal na buhay na bayani. Ginagawa na po ang Bulacan Farmers Training Center, ang kauna-unahang school o training center ng Provincial Government of Bulacan at ito ay itinatayo na inside capitol compound,” he added.
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