DA-ACPC turns-over P6M credit assistance to Butuan Farmers’ Coop

By Aurell P. Arais

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 16 (PIA) -- Two farmers cooperative here received credit assistance amounting to more than P6 million from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) during the turn-over ceremony held recently at Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, this city.

ACPC Executive Director Jovita Corpuz together with Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit (DA-RFU) Caraga regional director Edna M. Mabeza and city mayor Ferdinand M. Amante , Jr. turned-over the two checks to Antongalon Farmers Association Caraga Incorporated (AFACI) with the amount of P1.05 million and to Antongalon-Agusan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (AAMPC) amounting to P5 million.

AFACI President Epifania Antoquia said the credit assistance they had received from ACPC is a big help in the operation of their packing house for vegetables that soon to open in Langihan Public Market in Butuan while Gerardo Mag-isa of AAMPC said that the amount they had received will be utilized for rice production projects.

Mabeza in her speech reminded the recipients of the ACPC credit assistance to use the money efficiently and be counted as among the new breed of farmers reflecting the virtues of self reliance, responsibility and care for the community .

As a response to the director’s message, Mayor Ferdinand Amante signified the LGU’s commitment to help in nurturing the recipients to use the money efficiently and to give them necessary assistance to ensure sustainability of the projects.

The credit assistance will be paid back by the two recipients in a very minimal interest.

ACPC is the government’s primary institution in rural finance policy and programs to address the need for access to sustainable credit of small farmers and fisherfolks.

Meanwhile, Caraga Region Agricultural Credit Desk Officer Marilou M. Gruyal urged other farmer cooperatives who would like to access lending assistance to finance various agricultural projects to coordinate with DA-RFU 13 thru the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD). (FEA/RAFID DA-13/PIA-Caraga)