National Gov’t allots P15 M for rehabilitation of affected EV rice farmers

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
January 23, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The National Government through the Department of Agriculture has allotted P15 Million for the rice farmers in Eastern Visayas so that they can recover from the devastating effect of flooding brought about by torrential rains.

DA Regional Executive Director Leo Cañeda informed the Philippine Information Agency that DA will start the implementation of the Rehabilitation Scheme next week.

He said that the provincial agriculturists were called to a meeting at the DA Regional Office last week in order to orient them with the program and to finalize the guidelines in the implementation of the Rehabilitation Scheme for the affected rice farmers in the region.

In the proposed rehabilitation plan, DA 8 placed the budgetary requirement for the province of Leyte at P1,708,200; Southern Leyte at P1,431,720; Samar at P82,080; Eastern Samar at P4,600,800; and Northern Samar at P6,163,200.

The Rehabilitation scheme which was approved by Secretary Proceso Alcala will entail the immediate distribution of certified seeds or good seeds to affected farmers on full subsidy at 40 kilograms per hectare.

RED Cañeda said that the level of devastation calls for quick implementation of the rehabilitation program to sustain productivity gains and to restore the morale of the affected farmers.

The master listing of beneficiaries will be based on the official calamity or damage reports validated and submitted by the municipal or provincial agriculture office.

The full provision of rice certified seeds or good seeds shall be shouldered by the national government through the Department of Agriculture.

The seeds must be procured from any accredited seed grower or seed cooperative.