Davao de oro: Around 116 corn, rice, and high-value crop farmers in Davao de Oro have been provided with fuel discount cards valued at PHP3,000 by the Department of Agriculture-Davao (DA-11).

According to Philippines News Agency, the distribution of these cards took place across several areas, benefiting 78 farmers in Monkayo, 23 in Montevista, 12 in Nabunturan, and three in New Bataan. During the event in Nabunturan town, DA-11 Regional Director Macario Gonzaga emphasized the agency's dedication to offering timely support services to maintain agricultural productivity in the region.

The program is designed to offer financial assistance to farmers, helping alleviate fuel costs required for farming and fishing activities. Gonzaga highlighted that the initiative also serves as a validation protocol, ensuring that government resources are accurately and ethically distributed to the intended recipients.

Beneficiaries were issued the DA Intervention Monitoring Card (IMC), preloaded with PHP3,000. This non-convertible digital credit is earmarked for powering essential farming machinery such as tractors and pump sets. Gonzaga noted the department's strategic focus on mechanization as a vital approach to future agricultural practices.

The regional director also reminded farmers about maintaining eligibility through adherence to the "three pillars of registry": enrollment in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), active participation in farmer cooperatives and associations (FCAs), and confirmed ownership or rental of operational farm machinery. Aligning with these criteria ensures that farming operations remain robust and technologically advanced for future challenges.

The Fuel Discount Program, in collaboration with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), aims to support registered farmers in running various types of agricultural equipment efficiently.