GOV'T AID.Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar (center), along with DA-Cordillera Administrative Region Director Dr. Cameron Odsey (right), leads the initial distribution of government aid to farmers in CAR on Thursday (Oct. 28, 2021). Around 144,836 farmers in the region and parts of Northern Luzon will receive assistance totaling PHP1.349 billion. (Photo from DA-CAR) BAGUIO CITY -A total of 144,836 farmers from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and other provinces in Northern Luzon are set to receive additional assistance as the Department of Agriculture (DA) rolls out the release of more government aid. "Hindi po nagpapabaya ang gobyerno under President Rodrigo Duterte sa magsasaka, mangingisda kahit marami tayong problema sa Covid-19 (The government under President Rodrigo Duterte has not neglected the farmers and fisherfolk even if we have problems on Covid-19)," DA Secretary William Dar said during the initial distribution of assistance to the farmers from Benguet province held in a hotel here on Thursday. A total of PHP1.349 billion will be released before the year ends to 144,836 farmers in CAR and Northern Luzon. Dar, together with the DA-CAR and local government officials in Baguio and Benguet, led the initial release of PHP5,000 one-time government assistance to 65,836 rice farmers who are tilling less than two hectares of land. The entire region had been allotted PHP329,180,000 assistance. The amount is the region's share from the PHP7.6 billion excess tariff on rice for 2019 and 2020 which is a result of the Rice Tariffication Law passed in 2017. Dar said 35,000 farmers in CAR will also receive assistance from the over PHP650 million set aside under the SURE (survival and recovery) aid program of the DA where farmer-beneficiaries can avail of PHP20,000 zero interest, non-collateral loan payable in 10 years. This is being implemented by the Agricultural Credit and Policy Council (ACPC). Dar added that PHP370,000,000 has also been set aside by the Philippine Crop Insurance Commission (PCIC) to indemnify around 44,000 registered farmers from the region and Northern Luzon who suffered agricultural damage during the height of typhoon Maring. He said President has also approved on October 27 the release of PHP461 million fund for the African swine fever indemnification program for raisers whose hogs were affected by the disease. (PNA) }