Farmers and fisherfolk affected by the continuing rains in the Cordillera region can apply for interest-free calamity loans of up to PHP35,000, the Department of Agriculture - Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) said Monday.
The assistance comes as the region’s agricultural damage and losses reached PHP456.94 million as of 6 p.m. Sept. 6, according to DA-CAR data.
Regional Executive Director Jennilyn Dawayan said the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) has simplified the application process under its AGRI-RECOVER program to help disaster-affected farmers and fisherfolk quickly restart their livelihoods.
“As a result of the rains, you can apply for a loan,” Dawayan said.
The calamity loan is interest-free, requires no collateral and is payable over three years, she said.
Qualified small farmers and fisherfolk must be registered with the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and have a valid bank or financial account.
Approved loans can be credited to the applicant’s account on the same day, according to the DA.
The program provides working capital to help affected producers resume farming, fishing and other livelihood activities after disasters disrupt production.
Agriculture damage
DA-CAR reported PHP456.94 million in damage and losses from the continuing rains, affecting 2,052.23 hectares of crop production areas.
Crops accounted for the bulk of the losses at PHP436.94 million, followed by livestock at PHP4.83 million and irrigation at PHP3.95 million.
High-value crops accounted for more than PHP400 million in crop damage, while rice and corn sustained comparatively minimal losses.
About PHP239.5 million worth of crops were totally damaged, DA-CAR reported.
The agency said it has verified the reported damage and prepared a rehabilitation and recovery plan covering its major programs for crops, rice, corn, livestock and high-value crops.
It is also distributing available seed reserves to affected farmers.
DA-CAR said damage and loss assessments are regularly submitted to the national office and updated as reports from affected communities come in and rains continue.
Despite the extensive damage to highland vegetable farms, Dawayan said farmers in the provinces continue to plant crops, helping maintain food supplies in the coming days, weeks and months.
Source - https://www.pna.gov.ph
