DA distributes ?65M aid to Albay farmers and fisherfolk
LIBON, Albay — The Department of Agriculture has rolled out more than ₱65 million worth of agricultural assistance for farmers and fisherfolk in Libon, Albay, as part of efforts to strengthen food production and rural livelihoods.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. led the distribution of support packages during a ceremony at Pantao Port on Thursday. The initiative aligns with the food security and agricultural development agenda of Ferdinand Marcos Jr..
Libon, often referred to as the “rice granary” of Albay, received assistance covering the rice, livestock, crops, and fisheries sectors.
Under the Rice Program, local government units were provided with 11,498 bags of inorganic fertilizer valued at ₱18.7 million. The inputs are intended to support inbred rice areas and improve yields during both the dry and wet planting seasons.
The Livestock Economic Enterprise Development (LEED) Program delivered eight livestock packages worth ₱28.77 million. These included swine, cattle, goats, chickens, ducks, and stingless bees, along with housing materials, feeds, and biologics. The program aims to boost income opportunities for smallholder farmers and encourage cooperative-based livestock production.
Farmers engaged in high-value crops also received vegetable production inputs worth ₱96,730. The assistance included garden tools, seedling trays, plastic mulch, and quality seeds under the Gulayan Production Program.
For the fisheries sector, the DA coordinated with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to distribute two Lambaklad (Otoshi-ami) fishing gear units valued at ₱7.4 million. Tilapia and catfish fingerlings worth ₱48,157 were also given to local beneficiaries, along with technical training on fish culture and pond management.
In addition, the government allocated ₱10 million for the construction of a climate-resilient freshwater fish hatchery in Camalig. The facility is expected to serve as a breeding and training center for freshwater species such as tilapia, catfish, and carp.
According to Tiu Laurel, the interventions form part of the government’s broader push to modernize agriculture and improve food production systems. He said the support packages aim to help farmers increase productivity while strengthening community resilience and long-term food security.
The agriculture chief added that the initiative reflects the department’s goal of promoting “Masaganang Agrikultura, Maunlad na Ekonomiya,” by supporting cooperatives, raising farm incomes, and expanding economic opportunities across the agricultural and fisheries value chain.
NPO News Team | DA Press Office - PR
