President Ferdinand R. Marcos, along with Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr., Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr., led the distribution of various government assistance to farmers, fishers, and other beneficiaries on June 28, 2024 at the President Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex in Tagbilaran City.
For its part, the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA ACPC) turned over P50 million worth of loans for small farmers and fishers and agri-fishery-based micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Region 7.
DA-ACPC’s partner lending conduits (PLCs) tapped to extend loans to farmers and fishers under the AgriNegosyo Loan Program were present during the ceremonial check turnover. These were the Bohol Bayanihan Multipurpose Cooperative Bank (BBMPC), First Consolidated Bank Foundation Inc. (FCBFI), and the Bohol Community Multipurpose Cooperative (BCMPC).
The AgriNegosyo Loan Program aims to provide eligible borrowers with accessible and affordable loans to finance their capital requirements, allowing them to improve the efficiency, productivity, and profitability of their agribusiness activities across the value chain.
Ms. Ednalyn Cris Alipasok of BCPMC expressed her gratitude for being tapped as one of DA-ACPC’s PLCs. “We are happy to be part of the success of the farmers and fishers. We saw the improvement in their lives through DA-ACPC’s credit programs. We are thankful to be chosen as one of ACPC’s partners. We are very much willing to continue to become an instrument for empowering farmers and fishers through DA-ACPC’s easy-to-access credit programs, especially since food security is now one of our priorities,” she said.
Also present during the event were four of the nine out-of-school youth (OSY) beneficiaries of DA-ACPC’s Credit Program for OSY from the Municipalities of Trinidad and San Miguel, Bohol who were able to avail themselves of a total of P1.8 million worth of loans.