After three trips to Pampanga Province during the week to address the Avian Influenza case, I flew to Cebu City on Friday to fulfil previously arranged engagements.
In just one day, I covered six engagements starting with a breakfast meeting with two congressmen and several town mayors, the mango stakeholders forum for Central and Eastern Visayas, a side meeting with a group of fishing boat operators, a visit to the vegetable producing town of Dalaguete, a drop-by visit to Naga City modern waste processing facility and a quick dinner with the vice governor of the province and more mayors.
It was in Dalaguete, however, where I felt the needs of the upland farmers of Cebu Province.
Flying by helicopter provided by Congressman Wilfredo Caminero, I reached Dalaguete shortly after lunch and proceeded to the mountain village of Mantalongon where vegetable is being produced.
During the dialogue which I usually do with farmers, I was once again confronted by the very basic problem many farmers and fisher folks face – easy access to credit.
The farmers who own marginal lands but produce quality vegetables which are sold in Cebu City and the nearby islands, including Manila, said they were paying an interest of 10% monthly for the money that they borrow to buy seeds, farm inputs and farm equipment.
That is a whooping 120% interest on a yearly basis and that explains why farmers have remained poor.
After responding to their requests for roads, water hose, drums and minor needs, I announced to the farmers that the Agriculture Department through the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) will extend the Production Loan Easy Access (PLEA) program to them.
It will be a no-collateral loan with a 6% interest per year which will go to their cooperative or the rural bank which will managed the credit.
I saw happiness in the faces of the farmers and I wanted to stay longer but the dark clouds prompted us to leave before 4 p.m.
On the way back to Cebu City, heavy rains fell prompting our helicopter pilot to land for safety in the open area near the beach.
We arrived in the Mactan Airport safely, tired but happy with the thought that in one remote area of the country, farmers now feel that government cares for them.
(Photos by Bong Piñol)
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