MANILA—Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar on Wednesday adjusted the department’s performance rate and warned his regional directors who are not following his orders to speed up the distribution of needed assistance to farmers affected by Covid-19 pandemic.
“Lahat po ng ating mga regional directors na hindi tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng Covid environment ay bilis-bilisan na ang aksyon diyan sa kanayunan at nandiyan na ang lahat na pangangailangan na ating maitutulong sa mga farmers” Sec. Dar said in a radio-TV interview monitored by Sandigan News and Banat Pilipinas News lately.
The DA secretary was irked by reports that some of his directors in the field are not doing their job particularly in the distribution of financial assistance under the Financial Subsidy for Rice Farmers project and other support that the government promised to marginalized farmers.
“Alam mo tayo ay aksyon agad pero ‘yung iba nating kawani ang nagtulong-tulong sa pansitan. Na-warningan ko na yung regional director na iyon, stern warning na,” Sec. Dar said.
Under the Financial Subsidy for Rice Farmers project, each rice farmer family that is listed in the Updated Farmer’s Registry will receive a one-time Php 5,000 aside from other forms of support such as supply of seeds, fertilizers and other farm inputs. “Nakabigay na din ang DA ng loan sa 200 na magsasaka ng ornamental plants sa Benguet na tig-Php 25,000 each payable within 10 years with zero interest,” he continued.
He also clarified that the DA has already reached 45 percent accomplishment of distributing financial aid to farmers as of April 28 in the evening. This is contrary to the earlier report of President Rodrigo Duterte during his late night public address on Monday of a dismal 9 percent accomplishment of his department.
“Gusto ko lang klarohin na 45 percent na ang aming accomplishment ngayon. Medyo natagalan ito dahil marami sa mga target provinces na bigigyan ng assistance ay bago kaya kailangan silang malista sa Farmers Registry,” Sec. Dar clarified.
He also disclosed that Landbank will immediately release the funds to farmers over the counter once they get hold of the said Farmers Registry. “Within this week seguradong maibibigay ng ang lahat sa kanila,” Sec. Dar concluded.
