CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda has rolled out over P1.063 billion in agricultural support and infrastructure for Pampanga’s farmers and food producers from 2022 to 2024, aimed at ensuring food security and climate resilience across the province.
Data from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist showed the aid covered fertilizer subsidies, seedlings, financial assistance, and infrastructure, including drought support amid the El Niño phenomenon.
Under the rice program, 73,474 bags of organic fertilizers worth P25.716 million were distributed to 7,346 farmers. An additional 1,000 soil conditioner packs worth P1 million and P3.525 million worth of micronutrients reached 9,125 farmers.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) also backed Pampanga’s efforts, funding 7,292 bags of ammonium sulfate worth P9.5 million for 3,646 farmers in 2023.
From 2022 to 2024, 1.3 million sampaguita seedlings were distributed in four towns, along with 7,000 fruit-bearing tree seedlings to schools and walk-in clients.
To counter the effects of El Niño, 63 farmers and irrigators associations received P19.025 million in assistance under the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Program.
The Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) program distributed a total of P443 million to 88,595 rice farmers, while the Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolks, and their Families (PAFFF) contributed P110.9 million to 11,090 beneficiaries.
Construction is also underway for the Pampanga Food Security Complex in Lubao. Of the P360-million budget, P238 million came from the provincial government, P50 million from the DA, and P72 million from the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech).
“Priority ko na tiyakin na sapat at mura ang pagkain ng mga taga-Pampanga (My priority is to ensure Pampanga residents have enough and affordable food),” Pineda said.