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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