Aquino turns over millions worth of farm equipments

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO --  President Benigno Aquino III through Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala has  turned over million pesos worth of farm equipments and implements as a gesture of support to the  farmers in typhoon-devastated municipalities.

Alcala initially delivered  P10 million worth of two hand tractors, one four-wheel tractor, one manual and machine-operated rice sweeper, thresher, 24 drum seeders and a P2 million worth combined harvester.

Some mayors who also attended the dialogue in San Luis town with affected farmers, fisherfolks and provincial government officials led by Governor Lilia Pineda, also received their farm equipments from the department to expedite the recovery of the local agricultural sector.


Replanting support
The secretary announced the provision of P29 million budget for the “palit tanim” or replanting of affected farmers with 100 percent assistance for planting of certified seeds for those with totally damaged crops and 50 percent for partially damaged crops.

With this, DA executive regional director Andrew Villacorta disclosed that affected farmers in the flooded municipalities can now get free seedlings to start anew with their farm activities.

Fingerlings subsidy
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will provide 10 million tilapia fingerlings and another 10 million bangus fingerlings to affected fisherfolks, especially those in Masantol and Macabebe.

 About 500 fishing nets will also be given to the affected sector including one motorized banca each for Masantol and Macabebe towns.

Pineda, meanwhile,  extended gratitude to President Aquino as she said that the national government’s assistance would definitely help in the speedy rehabilitation and recovery of farmers and fisherfolks whose crops were severely damaged by typhoons Pedring and Quiel.

The governor is positive that with the sincere commitment and collaborative efforts of concerned government agencies including private entities, the agriculture sector will soon be able to recover from the damages wrought by the two typhoons.