An initial of 4,798rice farmers who were previously validated and qualified beneficiaries received cash cards of P15,000 each as the Department of Agriculture – Agricultural and Credit Policy Council (DA-ACPC) in partnership with Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) officially launched the Expanded Survival and Recovery Assistance (E-SURE Aid) Program in the province of Isabela held at Josefina T. Albano Sports and Cultural Complex in Cabagan, Isabela on October 29, 2019.
Mr. Julio Climaco Jr., LBP Executive Vice President said that E-SURE program organized by DA-ACPC and LBP aims to provide loan opportunities for immediate relief to rice farmers affected by the impact of low palay prices as a result of the Rice Tariffication Law. He said that E-SURE program was first launched in Nueva Ecija on September 2, 2019, followed by Tarlac and now rolled out in the province of Isabela.
1,380 scholars of the Bojie-Rodito Opportunities (BRO) for Education in the Municipalities of Luna, Aurora, Roxas, Burgos, and Mallig received their 3,000.00 educational allowance from the Provincial Government of Isabela during the past five days from September 16-21, 2019. The distribution was personally attended by Governor Rodito T. Albano III and Vice Governor Faustino N. Dy III. A total of 13,480 BRO Scholars in Isabela Province will be receiving their educational allowance for the Second Semester SY2018-2019, which will be delivered to the scholars and their parents in their municipalities as scheduled. The event started on September 16, 2019 in Luna, Isabela and was synchronized with the distribution of Financial Assistance to Tobacco Farmers and the Orientation and Membership recruitment of the Nagkaisang Magsasaka ng Isabela Agricultural Cooperative which is expected to be completed at the end of October.
2,663 tobacco farmers from the municipalities of Luna, Aurora, Roxas, Burgos, and Mallig received financial assistance of P5,000.00 each from the Provincial Government. The distribution was personally administered by Gov. Rodito T. Albano III, Vice Gov. Bojie G. Dy III, the Mayors and other local officials of the said municipalities.
Aside from the financial assistance sourced from the Tobacco Excise Tax, the governor also announced that the Provincial Government will enroll all the tobacco farmers in the Social Security Service (SSS) and PAG-IBIG Fund. With their membership in SSS and PAGIBIG, the tobacco farmers are ensured of the opportunity to save and to obtain loans from the said institutions. The Governor emphasized that the Tobacco Excise Tax is intended for all tobacco farmers regardless of their areas of tillage, “everything it will be given to them because it is intended for them”.
Governor Rodolfo T. Albano III personally attended the Orientation and Seminar on the Nagkaisang Magsasaka ng Isabela Agriculture Cooperative (NMIAC) with simultaneous conduct and distribution of the BRO for Education Scholarship Allowance and Financial Assistance to Tobacco Farmers in the municipalities of Luna, Aurora, Roxas, Burgos, and Mallig from September 16 to 20, 2019. The orientation and seminar was spearheaded by former Congresswoman Ana S. Go and Provincial Cooperative Development Officer Lilia Castillo. The Governor himself answered questions from the rice farmers during an open forum, and he assured that the cooperative will work its best to help the farmers. The orientation and membership seminar enlisting has been made in 17 municipalities and 1 city with a total of 2,724 members registered. The cooperative was duly registered with the Cooperative and Development Authority last August 28, 2019.
