COTABATO CITY – Ninety-seven (97) marginalized, small farmers and fisherfolks (MSFF) from the 63 barangays in North Cotabato individually received Php25,000.00 non-interest-bearing cash loan from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR).
MAFAR Minister Dr. Mohammad S. Yacob led the loan distribution on Tuesday, January 12, in the Municipality of Carmen. He said the loan aims to help the beneficiaries recover from their loss brought about by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.
“Karamihan sa mga magsasaka ay nahihirapan sa kanilang pamumuhay dahil sa kawalan ng kita at capital upang muling makapagsaka. Ang programang ito ay isa sa nakikita nating makakatulong sa mga farmers and fisherfolk na naapektuhan ng pandemic,” said Yacob.
“Gamitin po natin ng tama ang loan na ito upang makabayad at patuloy na makatanggap ng suporta mula sa BARMM, at sa bandang huli ay kayo naman ang makapaghandog ng tulong sa kapwa,” he told the beneficiaries.
The loan was granted through the MAFAR’s expanded Sure Aid and Recovery Project in partnership with Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Farra Penas, Project Assistant IV from ACPC, explained that the loan assistance is payable in 10 years with no interest and no collateral. ACPC is an attached agency to the DA that reviews and evaluates all agriculture and fisheries credit policies and programs.
Carmen Agricultural Resources and Development Multipurpose Cooperative (CARD – MPC) served as MAFAR and DA-ACPC’s partner loaning channel for the North Cotabato beneficiaries.
Barangay Chairman Gil Dondonayos, representing the local government of Carmen, CARD MPC Manager Nasser Ali, Director Macmod Mamalangkap of MAFAR-Fisheries Services, and other MAFAR officials witnessed Tuesday’s activity. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
