SUREAIDE CASH LOAN, RELEASED TO FIRST BATCH OF BENEFICIARIES IN NORTH COTABATO
Eighteen farmers from Dunguan, Aleosan, North Cotabato were joyful after each of them received Php20,000 cash loan under the Expanded Survival and Recovery Assistance Program or SURE Aide COVID-19 on July 27, 2020.
They were just the first batch of beneficiaries in the 63 barangays of North Cotabato under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The launching and ceremonial releasing of cash loans to the marginalized small farmers was done at the Office of Administrator Mohammad Kelie U. Antao in Sadaan, Midsayap, North Cotabato through the MAFAR and the conduit cooperative Carmen Agricultural Research Development (CARD) and was funded by the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) of the Department of Agriculture.
Minister Dr Mohammad S. Yacob led the distribution of cash loans and he reminded the recipients to value and use the cash wisely because it is a rare opportunity for the farmers and not all had the chance to be benefited.
The MAFAR Chief pointed out the importance of trust especially when it comes to financial assistance. He said trust is one of the most important factors in ensuring the continuity of the program. He further expressed that if the cash loans will be used for its main purpose that is as capital to produce more in farming, more opportunities and blessings will follow. “The success of the said assistance will depend on the farmer beneficiaries. I encourage every beneficiary as well as all the partner agencies to cooperate to be able to manifest how the BARMM government works to help the needy people like the farmers”, he emphasized.
Administrator Antao in his short message thanked Minister Yacob for supporting and providing the program to the farmers for them to have a starting capital that will help them increase their productivity in their farm.
According to Engr. Noraine Dumasil, MAFAR SURE Aid Focal Person, the beneficiaries first underwent the Pre Membership Educational Seminar (PMES) before receiving their cash loans in order for them to be well aware of the lending policies.
The SURE Aid Program requires no interest and collateral and the farmers can pay the loan for a period of eight years.
Other key officials who actively took part in the activity were Assistant to the Minister for Operations Engr. Ismail A. Guiamel, MAFAR Focal Person for the 63 Barangays Dr. Macmod S. Mamalangkap and other leading officials from the ministry and the partner agencies.
The remaining cash loans for the first batch of farmers in the other barangays shall be released this week.