On his second visit to the province of Catanduanes, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel brought a total of P58 million in interventions for the agriculture and fishery sectors last week.
The turnover was made in the presence of Governor Patrick Alain T. Azanza, TGP Partylist Congressman Jose “Bong” Teves Jr., Congressman Eulogio R. Rodriguez, Baras Mayor Jose Paolo Teves Jr., and Virac Vice Mayor Lemuel Surtida.
Sec. Laurel’s visit last June 10, 2026 capped the DA Regional Field Office No. 5’s distribution and turnover of various agricultural and fisheries assistance, in partnership with the provincial government of Catanduanes, under the Rice Program, Livestock and Poultry Program, High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP), Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA), Organic Agriculture Program (OAP), the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 5, the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) Region 5, and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).
The agriculture department said the event underscores the government’s continuing commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity, promoting climate-resilient farming and fishing practices, strengthening food security, and improving the socio-economic well-being of farmers and fisherfolk in Catanduanes.
The interventions were worth a total of P58,377,312.13, benefiting 63 farmers’ and fisherfolk organizations, 11 local government units (LGUs), and 176 individual farmers received indemnity checks.
The assistance package includes a total of P3 million in cash aid under the Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk Program (PAFFP) for 1,323 fisherfolk throughout the province.
Under the Rice Program, all 11 municipalities received a total of P17,781,300.00 worth of production inputs, including soil ameliorants, bio fertilizers, hybrid palay seeds and inorganic fertilizers for hybrid and inbred rice areas.
These interventions aim to enhance soil fertility, improve crop productivity, reduce production costs, and strengthen the resilience of rice farmers through the adoption of quality seeds, balanced fertilization, and climate-smart farming practices, the DA stated.
The Caritas Virac Justice and Peace Inc. was granted a Livestock Economic Enterprise Development (LEED) Package worth P5.6 million under the Livestock and Poultry Program to strengthen livestock production and support sustainable enterprise development.
The Swine Module Package 3B with Housing includes 30 heads of gilt, two heads of hybrid hogs, digital weighing scale, high pressure washer, solar streetlights, solar panel equipment, drugs and biologics, PPEs, hog feeds and swine house.
Under the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), 39 kilograms of lowland vegetable seeds were provided to the Katipunan Farmers and Raisers Association in San Miguel, Baras Organiz Producers and Processors Association, San Isidro Lawa at Binhi Association of Bagamanoc, Samahang Bahay Kubo ng Dororian Good Shepherd Home in Gigmoto, Bagong Bayan Integrated Farmers Association in Panganiban, and the LGU of Pandan.
Malunggay, bamboo and pili seedlings as well as organic fertilizers were given to San Marcos Vegetable Growers Association in San Miguel, Tilis Organic Farmers Association in Bato, Mahigos Farmers Association in Virac, PLGU Catanduanes, and the LGUs of Viga, Virac and Gigmoto.
Gulayan sa Paaralan projects were given to 40 public schools along with Gulayan sa Bayan projects for eight farmers associations and Gulayan sa Barangay projects for five selected barangays.
These interventions are expected to increase agricultural production, improve food and nutrition security, promote environmental sustainability, and create additional livelihood opportunities for beneficiary communities.
Under the Organic Agriculture Program, nine (9) farmers’ associations each received P12,000 worth of garden tools while two others got livestock and farm inputs including molasses and rice threshers.
The Panganiban Organic Producers and Processors Association, which got the bulk of the interventions that included a solar-powered irrigation system, greenhouses, vermicomposting shed, multi-tilling machines, assorted vegetable seeds, African night crawlers, and various organic farming equipment and inputs.
DA officials said these interventions aim to strengthen organic agriculture production systems, improve farm productivity, and increase farmers’ incomes while promoting environmentally sustainable farming practices.
Vegetable Production Packages under the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP) were granted to the Rural Improvement Club of Ibong Sapa, Bigaa Peeps RIC, Calatagan Tibang BLGU, MLGU San Andres, BJMP San Andres, San Andres Central Elementary School, and Provincial Capitol Farmville.
The intervention is intended to support community-based food production, improve household food security, and encourage urban and peri-urban vegetable gardening initiatives.
On the other hand, a Multi-Commodity Processing Center worth P4 million will be established for the Barangay Asuncion Purok 1 Farmers Association in Viga under the Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA), with the facility to enhance postharvest handling, value-adding activities, and market opportunities while improving the climate resilience and income-generating capacity of farming communities.
Abaca spindle stripping machines worth nearly P2 million were given to 14 abaca farmers’ associations to improve the efficiency and quality of abaca fiber extraction, reduce labor costs, increase productivity, and enhance the income-generating capacity of abaca farmers.
An abaca farmers cooperative in Viga got a P1 million abaca drying facility, also from the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA).
The facility will improve the drying process and quality of abaca fiber, reduce post-harvest losses, ensure uniform drying, and increase the market value and competitiveness of abaca products, thereby contributing to higher incomes for farmers.
Six (6) four-wheel drive tractors from the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), worth P14.4 million, were turned over to the provincial government under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program.
The mechanization support aims to improve farm efficiency, reduce labor costs, accelerate land preparation and cultivation activities, and enhance overall rice productivity in the province.
From the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), 1,323 registered fisherfolk received P2,325 each in cash under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program (PAFFP) as financial support during periods of economic hardship.
Two fishermen and one fisherfolk organization from Bagamanoc and Viga got three units of motorized fiberglass boats while freshwater tilapia fingerlings were released to LGU Baras and the Catanduanes 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company in San Miguel.
Fishing gear consisting of bottom-set gill nets were given to six LGUs, freshwater gill nets to two LGUs, 10 tuna handlines to two LGUs, and tilapia techno-demo in pond projects to four fisherfolk organizations in Virac and San Miguel.
These interventions aim to increase fish production, improve fishing efficiency, strengthen local fisheries enterprises, and enhance the livelihoods of fisherfolk communities throughout the province, BFAR disclosed.
The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) also released indemnity checks amounting to nearly P1.2 million to 176 as financial assistance to help them recover from agricultural losses and sustain their farming activities.