The Department of Agriculture (DA) is providing appropriate interventions for all the farmers and fisherfolk affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake, particularly in the Sarangani province.

In the DA DRRM Operations Center Bulletin No. 2, the DA is providing these assistance to help the agricultural sector of the area to regain its footing.

The DA is set to provide agricultural inputs, including 29,827 bags of palay seeds, 20,331 bags of corn seeds, 16,500 bags/packs of highland and lowland vegetable seeds, 307,153 kilograms of biopesticides, and 37,500 kilograms of fertilizers and soil ameliorants.

The department will also send 1,200 bags of rice authorized for release by the National Food Authority through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, 500 bags to the General Santos City (Gensan) branch and 700 bags to the Provincial Capitol of Sarangani (South Cotabato Branch).

The agency will also provide P810,000 worth of livestock animals and inputs (chicken, native swine, cattle and forage seeds); P23.68 million worth of fingerlings (tilapia, carp, milkfish), including fishing gear and paraphernalia; and P25,000 loanable amount from the Survival and Recovery Loan Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council, payable in three years at zero interest.