DA’s Tiu-Laurel on aid for vegetable farmers: ‘There’s no fund to help them’

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. delivers his speech at Malacañang grounds in Manila on Friday, November 3, 2023 upon his appointment. (File photo from INQUIRER.net/RYAN LEAGOGO)

MANILA, Philippines — There is no budget for cash aid to help farmers who incurred financial losses, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. disclosed on Tuesday.

In a Palace briefing, Tiu Laurel was asked what aid government can extend to help vegetable farmers regain their lost capital.

“As of now, wala dahil we are technically, there is no fund to help them,” he announced.

INQUIRER.net has reached out to Department of Agriculture (DA) to clarify if the Secretary meant the budget for 2023 or 2024.

Tiu Laurel was asked earlier in the briefing about instances of farmers having an oversupply of products, forcing them to throw their commodities away.

According to the cabinet member, in cases of oversupply, farmers can either store their produce or government can buy their products and sell them in Kadiwa stores.

Pressed further for clarification on what help can be given to vegetable farmers, and if government will search for the budget to assist them, the Secretary said they will look for it.

“As of the moment, our team at the DA is trying to figure out what we can give them,” Tiu Laurel said.

“As far as cash ‘ayuda’ is concerned, I’m actually not a believer in that,” he noted.

“I’d rather give farm implements like seeds, fertilizers. Something else,” he explained.