A total of 393 marginalized and small farmers and fishers from Capiz were able to access easy, affordable, and timely credit assistance under the Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Credit Policy Council’s (DA-ACPC) Expanded SURE Aid and Recovery Project (SURE COVID-19).

The Pontevedra Peoples Multi-Purpose Cooperative (PPMPC), DA-ACPC’s partner lending conduit in the said province, released a total of P9.84 million to the beneficiaries whose livelihood were severely affected by the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) due to the COVID-19 virus. Each borrower received P25,000 no-interest loan payable in 10 years.

“Hindi na kami nahirapan sa requirements para makautang,” said farmer-beneficiary Judith Binag of Pilar, Capiz. “Malaking tulong ito sa panahon ng krisis,” she added.

Lady-farmer Leonisa Gallego of Cuartero, Capiz, on the other hand, lauded the loan program’s simple process and easy-to-comply requirements: “Naging madali sa amin maka-utang dahil hinatid niyo pa dito sa aming munisipyo at walang maraming dokumento na hiningi.”

“Mayroon na akong kapital pambili ng abono para sa aking maisan at iba pang gamit sa pagsasaka,” said Joel Villarena, a borrower from Maayon, Capiz. “Pagsisikapan ko na mabayaran ko ito kada taon o kada ani ng aming mais.”

According to Joemar Dequina, DA-ACPC focal person for Capiz, the validation and orientation of beneficiaries were quite a challenge as there were no transportation available due to the ECQ. He added that the loan releases were implemented by batch to avoid congestion at the lending conduit premises.

The DA-ACPC continues to modify procedures to adapt to the “new normal” to fast track loan releases in coordination with its lending conduits, DA-Regional Field Offices (DA-RFOs), and local government units.