MANILA, (PIA) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday launched the Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid Program, a government initiative aimed at providing financial assistance and support to Filipino farmers.
During the event held at the Our Lady of Sacred Heart Gymnasium in Guimba, Nueva Ecija, Marcos emphasized the crucial role of farmers in the country’s economy and pledged to improve their livelihoods.
“You are the backbone of our nation,” Marcos told a crowd of farmers, local officials, and government representatives. “Your hard work ensures food security for our people.”
(Photo: PCO)
The Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid Program provides farmers with an Interventions Monitoring Card (IMC) which can be used to purchase seeds, fertilizers, and other agricultural inputs from accredited merchants. Beneficiaries will also receive a P32,000 cash grant, with P8,000 released every month for four months.
President Marcos is joined at the event by several Cabinet members, including Agriculture Secretary Dennis “Kiko” Laurel and Development Bank of the Philippines President Michael de Jesus. (Photo: PCO)
Additionally, the National Food Authority will purchase palay from farmers at a price of at least P21 per kilo.
Marcos said the program aims to address the financial challenges faced by farmers, such as high interest rates on loans and limited access to credit.
“We want to ensure that our farmers have the resources they need to succeed,” he said.
The president also announced that the government has been implementing various initiatives to support farmers, including:
- KADIWA Centers – These centers provide farmers with a market to sell their products at fair prices.
- Infrastructure development – The government invests in infrastructure projects, such as the construction of bridges and roads, to improve access to farmlands and markets.
- Agricultural research and development – The government supports research and development initiatives to improve agricultural productivity.
(JCO/PIA-NCR)
