Manila: The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) has initiated the distribution of approximately PHP100 million in production grants aimed at enhancing local tobacco production, as announced by the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday. This initiative is part of efforts under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., facilitated by Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., and the NTA, to improve the quality of tobacco produced.

According to Philippines News Agency, the assistance targets at least 16,666 eligible tobacco farmers for the cropping year 2024 to 2025, which started in September and will conclude in June of the following year. Each farmer is set to receive cash assistance amounting to PHP6,000 by December 15, as confirmed by DA Undersecretary Deogracias Victor Savellano.

Savellano highlighted the necessity of production grants due to the tobacco industry’s significant economic contributions. The sector accounts for 1 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) a
nd constitutes 6 percent of the annual tax revenue collections. The regions with the highest number of farmer beneficiaries include Isabela with 2,925 farmers, followed by Batac in Ilocos Norte with 2,778; Candon in Ilocos Sur with 2,573; Pangasinan with 1,765; and La Union with 1,667 beneficiaries. Other areas include Mindanao with 1,666 farmers, Vigan in Ilocos Sur with 1,600, Abra with 992, and Cagayan with 700.

Out of the total beneficiaries, 9,055 farmers are enrolled in the NTA’s Tobacco Contract Growing System (TCGS) program, while 7,611 are non-members. To qualify for the grant, farmers must be registered with the NTA, own a personal tilling farm, have sufficient labor capacity for quality tobacco production activities, possess basic farm tools and equipment, and have access to adequate irrigation water sources.