Sunday, July 23, 2017

DAF Releases P10 Million for Marawi Farmers as Part of Recovery Program, Despite Crisis Continues

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) has already released a budget of P10 million for the recovery of livelihood of farmers and fishermen in the affected area in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. This is despite the fact that military forces are still hunting for the remaining members of the terrorists Maute group, who attacked the city last May 23.



According to a Facebook post by DAF Secretary Manny Piñol this Sunday, DAF Undersecretary for Special Concerns Atty. Ranibai Dilangalen and the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) Executive Director Jocelyn Badiola released the P10 million recovery fund last Saturday, July 22, via a local conduit bank, Land Bank of Philippines.

"The first batch of 80 farmers from Marawi City and Lanao del Sur received P5,000 each while the other beneficiaries are still being validated." Sec. Piñol wrote, and posted several photos of some farmers, as they received the money. In one of the photos, the group showed a huge banner thanking him and President Rodrigo Duterte.

"The qualified beneficiaries are based on the listing of the Registry System of Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) handled previously by the Department of Budget and Management. The RSBSA will be turned over to the DAF next year and there will be a re-validation of the listing." He added, who apparently is not present during the said event.

Credit: Manny Piñol Facebook


According to Piñol, the P5,000 is the grant part of DAF's P25,000 Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program, which was started under the administration of President Rody Duterte. He emphasized that the said fund project was designed to assist farmers and fishermen affected by disasters and calamities, including those affected by Marawi crisis.



"As soon as the conflict ends, the DAF will proceed with the implementation of the Agricultural and Fisheries Rehabilitation Plan in Marawi City and Lanao del Sur." Piñol said further, adding that the recovery program shall include the seeding of Lake Lanao with about 5 million fingerlings of non-invasive and indigenous fish species in the said area.

Contributed by Abner Esteno

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