SAN MARIANO, Isabela – The Department of Agriculture’s Regional Field Office 2 has released a total of P62.4 million for District 2, Isabela’s dry season share for hybrid seeds, and Fertilizer Discount Vouchers (FDV) worth P11.7 million for San Mariano and P10.9 million for Benito Soliven town for San Mariano.
Rep. Ed Christopher S. Go of Isabela’s 2nd District expressed his appreciation to the Agriculture Department for continuously accounting for the needs of farmers, noting that 3,992 San Mariano farmers and 3,800 Benito Soliven recipients are among them.
“FDV is advantageous for farmers as it addresses the significant fertilizer issue in rice farming, thereby reducing the total cost of rice production,” he said.
Discount coupons can be redeemed at any authorized fertilizer merchant in the recipient’s specified location and are only good for one usage, according to DA Assistant Chief of the Field Operations Division Dr. Marvin Luis.
Additionally, the recipient needs to be enrolled in our RSBSA (Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture),” added Luis, who was joined by Engr. William Contillo, Isabela Agricultural Programs Coordinating Office (APCO), Ms. Rosemarie Suyu-Tasani and staff.
Joining Congressman Go during the awarding were Councilor Girlie Glo Warren representing San Mariano Mayor Edgar Go, Ms. Amalia Culili, Municipal Agriculturist of San Mariano, Vice Mayor John Paul S. Azur, who represented Benito Soliven Mayor Roberto Lungan, and Engr. Edmundo Gauiran, Municipal Agriculturist of Benito Soliven.
To mitigate the possible effects of inadequate urea fertilizer application on palay output and, eventually, food security, the DA will give qualified recipients fertilizer vouchers to be utilized toward the purchase of urea fertilizers.
For farmers whose income is limited, using fertilizer vouchers provides an alternate means of acquiring an adequate amount of urea for their rice field, the DA said.