President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. launches the Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid Program in Mindanao at the Sarangani Gymnasium in Alabel, Sarangani on April 11, 2025. (RTVM)
PRESIDENT FERDINAND R. Marcos Jr. on Friday led the launching of the Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid (APP) Program in Mindanao to give farmers in the region better access to government assistance.
In a keynote speech delivered at the at the Sarangani Gymnasium in Alabel, Sarangani, Marcos said the APP aims to boost farmers’ income and productivity, as the government aims to achieve food security.
“Isa pong pribilehiyo na maging susi upang maipatupad ang inyong mga adhikain. Sa Bagong Pilipinas na ating itinataguyod, sinisiguro po natin na walang maiiwanan, walang mapapabayaan (It is a privilege to be the key to helping you reach your aspirations. In the New Philippines that we are promoting, we ensure that no one is left behind, no one is neglected),” Marcos said.
“Sa inyo pong pagtanggap sa mga tulong na ito, umaasa po ako na mas lilinangin ninyo ang inyong mga kakayahan at magiging bukas kayo sa mga makabagong teknolohiya at pananaw sa agrikultura. Sama-sama po nating tahakin ang landas ng pagbabago (As you accept this assistance, I hope that you will further develop your skills and become open to modern technologies and perspectives in agriculture. Together, let us walk the path of change),” he added.
APP beneficiaries may borrow up to PHP60,000 at a low interest rate of 2 percent per year, Marcos said, adding that they would also receive a monthly subsistence allowance of PHP8,000 for four months.
Marcos said Interventions Monitoring Card (IMC) would also be distributed to enable farmers to purchase seeds, fertilizers and other farming tools through merchants accredited by the Department of Agriculture (DA).
He said various farm machineries and equipment would also be turned over to help farmers increase their yield and income.
“Bahagi ang mga serbisyong ito sa isang mas malawak at mas matibay na istratehiya para sa tunay na pang-matagalang pagbabago. Nawa’y magsilbi pong paalala ang mga tulong na ito na laging naka-alalay sa inyo ang inyong pamahalaan (These services are part of a broader and better strategy for real long-term change. May this assistance serve as a reminder that your government is always there for you),” Marcos said.
“Handa po kaming makinig sa inyong mga hinaing at tulungan kayo na maging matagumpay sa mga pagsubok na inyong hinaharap sa abot ng aming makakaya (We are ready to listen to your concerns and help you be successful in overcoming the challenges you face to the best of our ability).”
Marcos also said that on top of the APP Program, the PHP3 billion earmarked for the Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund in 2024 has benefitted more than 17,700 farmers and 331 agricultural cooperatives.
He added that in 2024, nearly 19,000 farmers and fisher and 112 enterprises were able to borrow PHP1.7 billion through the Agricultural Credit Policy Council’s Agri-Negosyo Loan Program, Survival and Recovery Assistance Program, and Young Agripreneurs Loan Program.
“Nilalayon po naming maihatid sa inyo ang mga serbisyong makakatulong sa pagpapalakas ng inyong kabuhayan, pagpapabuti ng inyong kapakanan at pagsusulong ng inyong kaunlaran. Isa pong karangalan na kayo’y mapaglingkuran (We aim to deliver services that will help strengthen your livelihood, improve your welfare, and advance your development. It is an honor to serve you),” Marcos said. (Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)
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