Department of Agriculture IV-CALABARZON (DA-4A) with the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC), Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), and Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) discussed plans that will strengthen the support to the high-value crops (HVC) farmers affected by the Taal Volcano during the sectoral meeting on HVC on July 29.

DA-4A will provide solar power irrigation systems and other farm machinery, particularly in Batangas, Cavite, and Laguna, through the Taal Rehabilitation Program.

The OPA of Batangas submitted the proposed P150-M mitigating plan to DA-4A for funding and approval. This plan includes the distribution of seeds, fertilizers, farm machinery, and irrigation to the farmers greatly affected by the Taal Volcano unrest.

All Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA)-registered HVC farmers are eligible and encouraged to apply for the RSBSA Agricultural Insurance of PCIC, free insurance for all registered RSBSA farmers. Interested farmers should coordinate with their respective Municipal Agriculture Offices (MAOs).

The Regional and Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Councils in CALABARZON will monitor and report the damage in the vulnerable and affected areas. It will also serve as a bridge between government and private offices during the planning and implementation of their response to the farmers near Taal Volcano.

“Ang mga pinaplano nating ito ay patunay lamang na hindi nagpapabaya ang Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka sa pagbibigay ng tulong sa mga magsasaka sa tatlo sa ating probinsya na talaga namang naapektuhan ng Taal,” OIC- Regional Executive Director Vilma M. Dimaculanganm said. #### (Reina Beatriz P. Peralta, DA-4A RAFIS)