Newly enrolled and verified rice farmers from the municipality of Maria in Siquijor benefited from the Department of Agriculture’s Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund – Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (DA RCEF-RFFA) program during the RFFA rollout held at the Municipal Agriculture Office in Maria, Siquijor.

Some seventy farmers enrolled in the Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture (RSBSA) and filtered through the Farmers and Fisherfolk Registry System (FFRS) have their information verified during the roll-out.

Upon verification of their personal information, these farmers received the Php 5,000.00 worth of assistance. These farmers are tilling two hectares and below of rice fields.

The cash aid is provided mainly to augment the farmers’ capacity to purchase farm inputs for optimal rice production.