CASH ASSISTANCE. Thousands of farmers and sugarcane workers gather at the Panubigan Covered Court in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, to receive PHP2,325 each on Saturday (April 25, 2026). The distribution marks the first rollout of the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program in the province to help workers manage rising fuel and production costs. (Photo courtesy of SALTA Canlaon Official Facebook)
DUMAGUETE CITY – The Department of Agriculture-Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) has rolled out the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program (PAFFP) in Canlaon City, benefiting 2,982 agricultural workers over the weekend.
Dana Sampilo, DA-NIR Alternate Rice Program focal person, said Monday that Canlaon is the first local government unit (LGU) in Negros Oriental to receive the assistance. The beneficiaries, consisting of rice and corn farmers as well as sugarcane workers, each received PHP2,325.
“The total number of beneficiaries from Canlaon City who received PHP2,325 each, comprised rice and corn farmers and sugarcane workers,” Sampilo said in an interview.
She added the grant helps mitigate the impacts of rising fuel prices and the Middle East conflict.
The LGU validated the list of rice and corn farmers through the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA). Registration in this system is a mandatory requirement for identifying beneficiaries for government interventions.
For the sugarcane sector, the Sugar Regulatory Association (SRA) coordinated with the LGU to identify eligible workers. The distribution was held last Saturday at the Panubigan Covered Court.
Sampilo said similar activities are already scheduled for other towns and cities across the province.
She said the next cash distribution will be held this week in Jimalalud, San Jose, and other municipalities.
In Siquijor province, which is also part of the NIR, the PAFFP distribution is scheduled for April 29 and 30. Negros Occidental began its rollout last week in at least three LGUs.
The PAFFP is a PHP10-billion initiative providing unconditional cash assistance to combat rising production costs. The program, implemented by the DA, supports over 4 million vulnerable agricultural workers registered under the RSBSA. (PNA)