Senator Joel Villanueva has urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to increase financial aid for farmers and fisherfolk, saying the current P2,352 assistance is too low.
“I’m not sure it will be enough,” Villanueva said, noting millions rely on agriculture while only about 4 million are targeted beneficiaries.
He warned the small aid may discourage food producers, especially as transport workers receive higher daily support.
“We must understand that we are still an agricultural country,” he stressed.
The DA said P6.5 billion of the P10 billion fund has been released to regional offices, with payouts set to begin April 15, but delays persist due to banking and liquidation issues.
Villanueva emphasized the holdup is not the farmers’ fault and pressed for faster and bigger assistance.
