On August 23, 2025, the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 5, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, held the Distribution of Agricultural Interventions and Ugnayan sa mga Magsasaka, an open forum between DA Secretary Tiu Laurel and the farmer-beneficiaries at Fuerte CamSur Sports Complex, Capitol Complex, Cadlan, Pili.
Under the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) program, 751 farmers received cash aid amounting to ₱7,000 each to help reduce production costs and increase farmers' agricultural yields. Additionally, various Farmers Cooperative and Associations (FCAs) received farm machinery as part of DA's agricultural intervention programs for Corn, Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), and Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).
“Dakulang tabang po in isa mga farmers sa Bula lalo ta mahalon naman ngunyan ang pagpapa-harvest and land prep sa mga private. Ngunyan, nasa 1,200 per hour per hectare, and mas tataasan pa dahil mahal naman ang mga parts [kang machinery]. Ining tinao samuya ngunyan, syempre libre, [makakatipid na kami] discounted na, maintenance [na lang ang iisipon]. Kaya naoogma kaming maray na na-recognize ang mga pangangaipo mi. Salamat po sa DA sa tinaong machinery pati na sa ibang agri inputs arog kang banhi, abono, saka mga chemicals,” shared 83-year-old Amelita Canet Malanyaon, President of San Roque Danawan Farmers Association (SARDAFA) in Bula.
Malanyaon also urged the Provincial Government to undertake critical infrastructure improvements, including the repair of floodgates and dredging of canals, to support local farming activities in Bula and enhance resilience against high tides and severe weather disturbances, particularly in light of the shearline's impact they experienced last year.
Other FCAs that received agricultural interventions include the Sto. Niño Ocampo Farmers Association, Bigaas Corn Cluster Association, Kilomaon Integrated Farmers Association, San Antonio Cagbunga Agriculture Cooperative, Catanusan Farmer Agriculture Cooperative, and Sto. Niño Small Farmers Association.
During the Ugnayan sa Magsasaka, DA Secretary Tiu Laurel personally addressed issues and concerns raised by the farmer-beneficiaries. One of the issues raised was the persistently high cost of fertilizers, highlighted by Joan Arroyo, a farmer from San Jose, Pili. The secretary answered that the high price of fertilizer, particularly the urea 46-0-0 variety, is due to the surge in global oil prices. He also offered practical solutions for farmers to adapt and mitigate the impact.
“Ang kailangan diyan ma-testing natin yung lupa niyo sa soil laboratory. Meron tayong bagong mobile soil lab nasa Pili, next week magagamit na. Dito, makikita natin kung anong kulang ng inyong lupa. ‘Pag tinesting natin yung lupa niyo, baka sabihin nung test, hindi mo kailangan ng sampong bag, kailangan mo lang anim. Dun makakatipid na tayo. Pwedeng lumabas din dun na hindi mo kailangan ng urea, ang kailangan mo ay ammosol o potash na mas mura,” DA Secretary explained.
Secretary Tiu Laurel also suggested using organic alternatives such as pig and chicken manure, which are not only cost-effective but have also proven to be effective fertilizers. This approach can help reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers and lower costs for farmers.
Prior to this, Secretary Tiu Laurel, along with Governor Lray Villafuerte, visited the ongoing construction of a ₱500-million Mega Cold Storage Facility in San Jose, Pili, which aims to enhance food security, preserve farmers' harvests, and boost productivity. Governor Lray also announced that the facility is expected to be operational by December this year, allowing farmers to utilize and benefit from it.
