LANDBANK, DA Distribute P2.65 Billion Cash Aid to Rice Farmers Amid COVID-19

In partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) has distributed a total of Php2.649 billion to 529,816 rice farmer-beneficiaries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic across 26 provinces, under the DA’s Financial Subsidy to Rice Farmers (FSRF) Program.

As of July 1, 2020, a total of 61,928 rice farmers claimed their cash benefits through their existing LANDBANK ATM Cash Cards while 467,888 farmers received their financial assistance in designated pay-out sites nationwide.

Small rice farmers tilling farms with an area of one (1) hectare or less received Php5,000 each to supplement their production budget and family income.

“In partnership with the Department of Agriculture led by Secretary William Dar, LANDBANK continues to deliver much-needed financial aid to small palay farmers nationwide during these difficult times. This is in fulfillment of our expanded mandate to support our priority sector—the agriculture sector—recover from the challenges of COVID-19 as soon as possible,” LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo said.

Meanwhile, LANDBANK has also provided 29,728 agrarian reform beneficiaries a one-year moratorium on amortizations with due dates falling during the previous Enhance Community Quarantine (ECQ) period. This covered 41,837 hectares of agricultural land amounting to a total of Php1.56 billion in dues.