Sugarcane farmers from the municipality of Murcia received the bulk of the P13.6 million 1st batch Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolks Program for sugarcane farmers, which were distributed in three separate venues on April 16 to 18.
Records from the Department of Agriculture – Negros Island Region disclosed that Murcia topped the number of farmer-recipients at 2,644 individuals, aggregating to a total assistance of P6.15 million.
Talisay City had the second highest number of recipients at 1,050 farmers, while the other local government units covered by the first roll out of the assistance listed fewer than 500 cane farmers.
The distribution started April 16 in Victorias City for sugarcane farmers from Cadiz, Manapla, Victorias and EB Magalona; April 17 in Murcia for Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto cane growers; and April 17 in Talisay City for farmers in Talisay and Silay.
A total of P13,578,000.00 was allocated for 5,840 cane farmers from all LGUs in the third district and two LGUs from the second district of the province. Each recipient went home with P2,325 cash assistance.
In Murcia, DA-NIR Regional Executive Director Jose Albert Barrogo, Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas, Vice-Mayor Johnny Reosura and Sangguniang Bayan members supervised the activity to ensure the speedy and orderly distribution of cash assistance.
“We congratulate the municipality of Murcia, particularly Mayor Gerry Rojas and the other local officials, for their efforts in registering their sugarcane farmers under the DA’s Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), which led to Murcia having the highest number of beneficiaries in this first batch of distribution,” said Barrogo.
Rojas thanked the national government for the presidential assistance, which the mayor said is a huge help for sugarcane farmers who are suffering from the current economic crisis, worsened by weak sugar prices.
“We sincerely thank 3rd District Representative Javi Benitez for ensuring that sugarcane farmers are included as beneficiaries of the DA’s assistance, and for his efforts in facilitating with the DA for the timely release of the assistance for our sugarcane farmers.” Rojas said.*
