CamSur Farmers, Fisherfolk Receive Cash Aid as PAFF Rollout Begins in Bicol
Legazpi City – The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Bicol has started distributing cash assistance to farmers and fisherfolk under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk (PAFF) program.
The initial payout covered beneficiaries from Pili, Camarines Sur, where about 3,182 farmers and fisherfolk each received PHP2,325 during a two-day distribution that began Wednesday at the DA regional office.
According to DA-5 spokesperson Lovella Guarin, around 260,050 beneficiaries across the region are expected to receive assistance under the program.
Of the total, about 169,480 are rice farmers registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture. The list also includes around 50,970 corn farmers, 1,200 sugarcane farmers, and approximately 38,400 fisherfolk.
The DA reminded beneficiaries to wait for official notification before proceeding to payout sites and to bring valid identification along with their RSBSA receipt to ensure smooth processing.
The PAFF program aims to ease the burden of rising production costs in the agriculture sector, particularly amid increasing fuel prices.
One of the beneficiaries, Edith Nazaria, 64, shared that higher fuel costs have affected both transportation and farm operations, reducing the number of buyers who collect their produce.
She added that expenses for tractor services and other farm inputs have also increased, making the financial aid a timely relief.
Nazaria said she plans to use the assistance for land preparation ahead of the rainy season, noting that the support will help sustain her farming activities.
The DA said the cash aid distribution will continue in other municipalities and provinces in the coming weeks until all targeted beneficiaries in the region are reached.
NPO News Team | Philippine News Agency - PR
