TACLOBAN CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA)-Eastern Visayas has distributed on Wednesday, July 19, a total of P99 million worth of agricultural assistance to farmer beneficiaries in seven (7) local government units in the region. 

The distribution, which was meant to help farmer alleviate from poverty, was held at the City Engineer’s Office gym, this city, and was attended by Senator Imee Marcos, with DA-8 Regional Director Andrew Rodolfo Orais.

Qualified beneficiaries from Tanauan, received P23,569,160; P13,965,000 for Palo; Babatngon with P10,169,000; P3,085,000 for Tacloban City; P15,766,000 for Sta. Fe, all in Leyte; and P15,984,000 for Basey and P10,622,000 for Sta. Rita, both in Samar.

The interventions were in the form of hybrid rice seeds, certified rice seeds, fertilizer support thru Fertilizer Discount Voucher, vegetable seeds, grower, among others.

In addition, a total of P5,905,000 worth of financial assistance were also distributed to some 1,181 rice farmers from various local government units in Region 8.

Each rice farmer-beneficiary received P5,000 financial assistance under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund - Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RCEF-RFFA) of DA.

Tacloban City Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez, Mayor Luz Chu-Ponferrada of Basey, Samar, Regional Manager Joel O. Pilapil of the Philippine Coconut Authority 8 (PCA-8), and representatives of various local government units also graced the activity. (MMP/CBA/EPL/PIA-8)