President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. launched the Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid Program in Sarangani, reaffirming his commitment to uplift the lives of Filipino farmers, whom he called the “pillars of the economy.”
Speaking at the event, Marcos Jr. praised farmers for their vital role in food security and economic growth.
“Ang inyong pawis, pagod, at sakripisyo ang siyang bumubuhay sa ating sektor ng agrikultura. Sa inyong mga kamay, nakasalalay ang pagkain sa hapag ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” according to him.
“Isa pong karangalan na kayo’y mapaglingkuran. Hindi ko po itinuturing na isa lamang itong tungkulin. Sa halip—para sa akin—isa pong pribilehiyo na maging susi upang matupad ninyo ang inyong mga adhikain,” he also said.
The program, part of the government’s push for long-term agricultural reform, aims to address key challenges such as high-interest loans and limited access to quality farm inputs.
Developed in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), and Planters Products Inc., the program allows farmers to borrow up to P60,000 at a low 2% annual interest rate. Repayments can be made through harvest sales to the National Food Authority (NFA) or DA-accredited cooperatives—helping both farmers and the nation’s rice supply.
To ease the burden during the planting season, the program also provides P8,000 monthly cash aid for four months.
Marcos Jr. also introduced the Interventions Monitoring Card (IMC), which lets farmers access credit to buy affordable, quality farm inputs from DA-accredited stores.
In addition to financial support, the government is distributing farm equipment such as mobile disinfection trucks and forage choppers to boost productivity and income.
“Bahagi ang mga serbisyong ito ng isang mas malawak at mas matibay na estratehiya para sa tunay [at] pang-matagalang pagbabago,” the President said.IMT
