More than 63,000 farmers and fisherfolk across the province of Sultan Kudarat have received an unconditional cash assistance under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program (PAFFP), with the Department of Agriculture (DA) continuing distribution activities in several municipalities throughout the province.
The program provides ₱2,325 in financial assistance to qualified beneficiaries, including Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture-registered rice, corn, and sugarcane farmers, as well as fisherfolk registered under the National Program for Municipal Fishing Boats and Gears Registration. Distribution began on June 1, 2026 in the municipality of Isulan.
As of July 27, 2026, Sultan Kudarat recorded 63,251 beneficiaries served out of 69,823 target beneficiaries, amounting to ₱147 million in cash assistance. These beneficiaries came from the municipalities of Isulan, Bagumbayan, Esperanza, Lebak, Senator Ninoy Aquino, Kalamansig, Columbio, Lambayong, President Quirino, and Tacurong City.
Farmer Ronnie Estoquia from Brgy. Daluga, Bagumbayan thanked the national government for the cash assistance saying “Nagpapasalamat po kami sa DA sa tulong pinansiyal mula sa PAFFP. Malaking tulong po ito na pandagdag sa aming gastusin sa abono.”
According to Dr. John B. Pascual, regional executive director of the DA in Region XII, 248,727 of the region’s 326,050 target beneficiaries have been validated by local government units and confirmed eligible for assistance.
Director Pascual also shared that farmer-beneficiaries from other provinces and city of the region will receive similar cash assistance. South Cotabato is allocated with ₱104.42 million for 42,941 beneficiaries; Cotabato Province has ₱195.35 million for 84,022 beneficiaries; Sarangani has ₱71.56 million for 30,777 beneficiaries; and General Santos City is also set to release ₱4.61 million to 1,981 beneficiaries.
“I encourage our program beneficiaries to use the cash assistance according to its purpose and it is to help them improve their livelihood,” Director Pascual said in one of the distribution caravans.
The director further shared that the PAFFP aims to assist farmers and fisherfolk whose livelihoods have been affected by economic instability and global market disruptions brought about by geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. “The assistance is intended to help offset rising production costs, including fuel for agricultural machinery, pumps, fishing engines, and other operational expenses, while strengthening the resilience of agricultural communities amid economic uncertainty,” he added.
Director Pascual also lauded the national government, under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., for initiating this program that provides vital support to farmers and fisherfolk during times of crisis.
Ms. Janeth Fernandez, PAFFP focal person, said that the agency will distribute similar cash aid to eligible farmers and fisherfolk across Region XII.
“We just began the distribution in Sultan Kudarat and will soon extend it to other provinces. We advise our farmers to stay tuned for announcements from their respective City and Municipal Agriculture Offices,” she said. (ABTPorras/LMSalvo)
A farmer-beneficiary in President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat flashes a smile while holding her cash assistance from the Department of Agriculture, as an agency official uses a tablet to digitally record the process. This distribution is part of the Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk Program, ensuring vital support is directly delivered to farmers and fisherfolk during times of crisis. 🌾🤝