Philippines Department of Agriculture distributes ₱4.3 billion in aid

The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) has distributed approximately ₱4.3 billion in assistance and services to 542,000 beneficiaries across 269 local government units. This rollout was conducted under the ‘Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat’ program, which aims to bring government services closer to communities through the coordination of national agencies and local governments.

The aid package supports various sectors, including rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock, and fisheries. Specific initiatives include the KADIWA ng Pangulo program, which connects producers with consumers, and the Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo program for indigenous communities. Additionally, the rollout included the ‘Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!’ flagship program, providing vulnerable sectors access to ₱20-per-kilo rice sourced from National Food Authority stocks.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stated that the assistance is designed to address the practical needs of food producers, helping farmers increase production and secure their livelihoods.