The Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA-ACPC) released an initial credit funding of P80 million for farmers affected by El Niño in Oriental Mindoro. 

Recently, the municipalities of Bulalacao and Mansalay, which are located in the second congressional district at the southern tip of the province, were declared as areas under state of calamity due to the impacts of El Niño. 

DA-ACPC’s downloaded P40 million each to its partner lending conduits (PLCs) namely the Rural Bank of Bansud which will cater Mansalay, and Saklaw Foundation, Inc., which will cater Bulalacao, for the implementation of the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Assistance Program. 

Under the SURE, small farmers and fisherfolk may borrow up to P25,000 loan with no interest, no collateral and payable up to three years. Only one borrower is allowed per household.

Said PLCs will also facilitate the approval of loan moratorium to their borrowers with outstanding loans under the ACPC programs. 

DA Undersecretary Roger Navarro assured the affected farmers and fisherfolk that the DA, under Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, is committed to help them overcome these challenges.

On top of the loans, the DA is also providing cash assistance, seeds of palay, corn, assorted vegetables and fuel assistance to aid farmers from burdens caused by El Niño. 

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