BALANGA CITY, Bataan – “Today, I am announcing here in Bataan the granting of the SURE Loaning progran for all farmers and fisherfolk mostly affected by the tropical depression Josie”, said Secretary Manny Piñol of the Department of Agriculture during his recent visit here.
To console the farmers and fisherfolk, he said that, in the aftermath of every disaster, one must remember that “it is not how many times we fall but how fast we’re able to recover… the important thing is that, after every disaster we need to help our farmers/fisherfolk to recover right away.”
Secretary Piñol narrated that it was during his visit in Agusan del Sur, after a calamity that the SURE program was born, for it would take more than a month before farmers can again plant their crops. The SURE loaning program means survival and recovery, to help a farmer to buy food for his family and recover immediately.
Under the SURE loaning program, every accredited farmer or fisherfolk could avail of a loan of up to 25k per family, without collateral, without interest and three years to pay, available right away, according to Sec. Piñol.
Secretary Piñol directed Executive Director Badiola for Agricultural Credit to assist immediately the farmers and the fisherfolk in their loans, he added that the SURE loaning program of the Dept. of Agriculture is one of the successful programs with an agripayment rate of 96% nationwide.
