Praising Filipino farmers as “pillars of the economy,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday reaffirmed his commitment to uplift their welfare and better their condition.
During his visit to Sarangani Province to launch the Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid Program in Mindanao, the President also commended the farmers’ vital role in the nation’s food security and economic growth.
The Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid Program in Mindanao is an initiative that marks a pivotal step in the administration’s broader vision for long-term and inclusive agricultural reform, placing Filipino farmers at the center of national progress.
“Kayong mga magsasaka ang haligi ng ating ekonomiya. Ang inyong pawis, pagod, at sakripisyo ang siyang bumubuhay sa ating sektor ng agrikultura. Sa inyong mga kamay, nakasalalay ang pagkain sa hapag ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” President Marcos said.
“Isa pong karangalan na kayo’y mapaglingkuran. Hindi ko po itinuturing na isa lamang itong tungkulin. Sa halip—para sa akin—isa pong pribilehiyo na maging susi upang matupad ninyo ang inyong mga adhikain,” the President said.
He said the program is designed to respond to the persistent challenges in the agricultural sector, particularly high-interest borrowings and limited access to affordable, high-quality farm inputs.
The President said the program is a collaborative initiative with the Department of Agriculture, Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), and Planters Products Incorporated as key implementing partners.
“May ilan nga po sa inyo na napipilitang umutang nang napakataas na interes—isang sitwasyong lalong nagpapabigat pa sa inyong pinagdaraanan,” President Marcos said.
“Bilang tugon ng pamahalaan, inilulunsad natin ang Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid Program. Bunga po ito ng masusing pag-aaral, matibay na pagtutulungan, at malalim na malasakit mula sa iba’t ibang sangay ng pamahalaan,” he added.
President Marcos said the program enables farmers to borrow up to PhP60,000 at a low annual interest rate of two percent, which is a significant reduction from prevailing lending rates.
The repayment can be made through the sale of harvests to the National Food Authority (NFA) or DA-accredited cooperatives, directly supporting rice affordability and food supply stabilization efforts, he said.
The program also provides a monthly cash assistance of PhP8,000 over four months during the planting and growing season, helping farmers meet basic needs while waiting for harvest, the President said.
President Marcos introduced the Interventions Monitoring Card (IMC), which allows farmers to access input credits to purchase affordable, high-quality farm inputs from DA-accredited merchants.
In addition to financial aid, President Marcos announced the distribution of essential farm machinery, including mobile disinfection trucks and forage choppers, to help improve yield and boost farmer incomes.
“Bahagi ang mga serbisyong ito ng isang mas malawak at mas matibay na estratehiya para sa tunay [at] pang-matagalang pagbabago,” the President said.
He assured farmers the government remains a steadfast partner in their journey toward sustainability and success. “Nawa’y magsilbi pong paalala ang mga tulong na ito na laging nakaalalay sa inyo ang inyong pamahalaan,” the President said.
“Handa po kaming makinig sa inyong hinaing at tulungan kayo na maging matagumpay sa mga pagsubok na inyong hinaharap sa abot ng aming makakaya,” he added.
The President highlighted complementary programs, such as the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), which benefited 17,763 farmers and 331 cooperatives last year, disbursing more than PhP3.01 billion in loans.
The Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) continues to lead in extending credit access to farmers in need of capital support, he said. | PND
