CH to distribute P50 million livelihood aid to farmers

CEBU, Philippines — Nearly two years after its approval, ?50 million worth of livelihood assistance is set to be distributed to at least 9,000 farmers in Cebu City under the Food Security Ordinance.

This was confirmed by Cebu City Agriculture Department (CAD) Head Arlie Gesta, who said they are now in the process of disbursing the assistance to registered farmers in the city.

According to Gesta, the budget appropriation was approved in 2023 through an ordinance authored by Councilor Philip Zafra. However, the CAD is currently compiling the necessary documents to secure an exemption certification from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) due to the election-related ban on releasing government resources.

Once the process is completed, each of the 9,000 farmer beneficiaries will receive ?5,000 in livelihood assistance. However, Gesta emphasized that beneficiaries must submit a project plan to ensure the proper use of funds.

"Kailangan related to farming gyud siya. Although di gyud namo ni siya ma-monitor individually, to be honest, but possible amo gyud ni siyang tan-awon no sa makaya namo," Gesta stated.

Aside from being registered under the Registry System of Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), Gesta said beneficiaries must also be members of their respective farmer associations.

The target release of assistance is in March, pending the COMELEC exemption certification. Once approved, the distribution will be completed by April.

Gesta stressed the importance of implementing food security programs to lessen Cebu City's reliance on external food sources.

"Need jud siya nato nga naa gyud tay mga programa, ato gyud siyang focus-an kini siyang Food Security no kay di man pwede nga mamalit nalang ta sige outside of Cebu City sa atong pagkaon," Gesta explained.

He added that Cebu City has abundant agricultural resources, but programs must be strengthened to help farmers reduce production costs.

"Kay with that, kung ma-reduce ilang production cost, by way of giving inputs and financial assistance, for sure madasig sila sa ilang pagpanguma, and ma-expand ilang production," he added.

Originally, the ordinance mandated a ?100 million budget appropriation for food security programs, but only ?50 million was approved. Gesta expressed hope that the City Council would allocate additional funds to support more farmers, particularly large-scale producers.

On November 27, 2024, the Cebu City Council called on the executive department to fully implement the Food Security Ordinance after several members raised concerns over unutilized programs meant to support local farmers.

This came after a privilege speech by Councilor Pastor "Jun" Alcover, chair of the Committee on Agriculture, who highlighted the struggles of Cebu City’s farmers, particularly the effects of El Niño in upland barangays.

Alcover noted that 28 mountain barangays in Cebu City were declared under a state of calamity to mobilize response funding, but support from the CAD was lacking, particularly in transporting agricultural goods from farms to markets.

In the same discussion, Councilor Zafra reminded the council that the Food Security Ordinance, passed in 2021, already mandates an allocation of at least ?100 million in subsidies for farmers’ associations.

At the end of the session, the council approved Zafra’s motion to urge the executive department to fully implement the Food Security Ordinance. .