Monday, May 29, 2017

DA-ACPC Extends SURE Recovery Loan Package for Flood Affected Farmers

Sure and faster way of helping affected small farmers to recover from recent severe flooding in Caraga Region has been given an utmost priority of the government through the Department of Agriculture nowadays.

One of the approach is giving the farmers an access to avail a recovery loan package of maximum to P25,000.00 per borrower without an interest and payable of up to 3 years.

The loan package called the Survival and Recovery (SURE) program will be implemented through the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) in coordination with banks, cooperatives and other financial conduits whichever is accessible to the affected areas.

ACPC Administrative Officer Noel Clarence Ducusin said that SURE program is an immediate response of the government to help the farmers for faster recovery from damages incurred due to intermittent weather conditions.

“After Secretary Emmanuel PiƱol saw in person the extent of damage on farms during his personal visit here in Caraga Region, ACPC immediately formulated the guidelines for this kind of loan package,” Ducusin revealed.

As per guideline, SURE recovery loan package is extended for small farmers whose farms incurred considerable damaged due to the flood and situated on an area declared under the state of calamity.

Small farmer refers to farmer whose land area is not more than five hectares. The loan package is also open for fisherfolks.

The said loan package is designed to finance the requirements of rehabilitating the farms, and or livelihood activities of fisherfolks to include production inputs, repair of farm or fishery assets, acquisition of livestock or working animals.   

As of writing, 12 municipalities in Agusan del Sur, 3 municipalities in Agusan del Norte and the City of Butuan had been declared under the state of calamity due to Typhoon Auring and the Tail-End of the Cold Front.

Currently, ACPC is awaiting the final lists of affected farmers who may qualify the loan portfolio from the respective local government units to ascertain the needed amount and to give the go signal to the financial conduits to start releasing the loan package. (Aurelius P. Arais/DA Caraga)


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