Manila: About 542,000 beneficiaries have received PHP4.3 billion worth of agricultural aid under the administration's 'Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat', the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Monday.
According to Philippines News Agency, this initiative culminated alongside the celebration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s birthday on September 14, marking a significant milestone for the Handog ng Pangulo 2026 program. The program aims to enhance the accessibility of government services by fostering cooperation between national agencies and local governments.
DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized that the program is designed to meet the 'practical needs' of Filipino food producers. "We want to make sure our farmers have the support they need to produce more, earn more, and build more secure livelihoods," he stated.
The program offers a variety of interventions, including assistance for rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock, and fisheries sectors. It also encompasses initiatives like the Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) and the Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo program, which provide farm inputs, production support, market access, and livelihood programs.
Additionally, the program launched the Benteng Bigas, Meron (BBM) Na initiative. This involves the sale of PHP20 rice from both aging and non-aging good-quality stocks managed by the National Food Authority, further supporting the agricultural community.
