More than 5,600 rice and corn farmers in Marilog District received nearly P13 million in financial assistance from the national government through the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program (PAFFP), reinforcing support for agricultural communities facing economic and market challenges.
The aid distribution was led by Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office XI (DA-11), with a total of 5,626 qualified beneficiaries receiving P2,325 each. Recipients were identified through the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), the government’s official database of farmers and fisherfolk.
Among the beneficiaries were 1,518 rice farmers and 4,041 corn farmers whose livelihoods have been affected by rising production costs, fluctuating market conditions, and other challenges confronting the agriculture sector.
DA-11 Regional Executive Director Macario Gonzaga said the assistance reflects the government’s continuing commitment to safeguarding the welfare of farmers and strengthening the country’s food production capacity.
“The PAFFP serves as a concrete demonstration of the government’s support for our farmers and fisherfolk. By providing direct financial assistance, we help ease their burden, improve livelihoods, and strengthen food security in communities that play a vital role in feeding the nation,” Gonzaga said.
The Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program is a P10-billion national initiative designed to provide direct cash assistance to qualified farmers and fisherfolk registered under government-recognized databases. The program aims to help beneficiaries cope with increasing production expenses, market uncertainties, and other economic pressures affecting the agriculture and fisheries sectors.
Officials said the initiative forms part of broader government efforts to sustain agricultural productivity, improve rural livelihoods, and ensure a stable food supply across the country.
Through programs such as PAFFP, the government continues to extend support to farmers and fisherfolk, recognizing their critical contribution to national food security and economic development.
