CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The Pampanga provincial government has distributed rice seeds, tractors and planting implements worth P21.969 million to 22 cooperatives and associations of farmers who had been affected by typhoons since 2015.
The assistance given on Tuesday was part of the World Bank-funded Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) being implemented by the Department of Agriculture, according to Edelberto Salenga, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist.
At least 11 more cooperatives are set to receive P10.825 million worth of the same assistance.
Elma Mananes, PRDP deputy director of the North Luzon Cluster, thanked Governor Lilia Pineda, Vice Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda and the provincial board for prioritizing agricultural development and approving a counterpart of P4.2 million to the project.
Mananes congratulated farmers for complying with the requirements and qualifying for assistance. Only 33 of 200 registered farmers’ cooperatives and associations in Pampanga qualified, Salenga said.
“Wala ho kayong babayaran sa amin. Ang loan ay babayaran ho ng ating gobyerno kaya pagmalasakitan ho natin ang project. Inaasahan ho namin na tataas ang inyong kita ng 30 percent dahil sa tulong ng project,” Mananes told farmers.
It is also through the PRDP that a P48-million farm-to-market road is being built in Barangay San Jose Castuli in Macabebe town, she said.
Provincial Board Member Ananias Canlas Jr., chair of board’s agriculture committee, emphasized the importance of farmers and fisherfolk because they produce food for the people.
“Doing mechanized farming not only increases food production. It should also draw more youth into farming,” Canlas said.
Provincial Board Member Cherry Manalo said farmers should continue to trust the leadership of the Pinedas because they have prioritized the needs of farmers in the capitol’s programs.