BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday reiterated the need for farmers to register with the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) as the department continues dialogues with stakeholders amid the fuel crisis.
“Kailangan RSBSA registered. Tulungan na natin sila para maka-register sila. Kung miyembro sila ng farmers’ cooperative, na-vouch na sila kaya pwede na natin silang i-register (They have to be RSBSA-registered. Let us help them register. If they are members of farmers’ cooperatives, they have already been vouched for, so we can already have them listed),” DA Assistant Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Logistics Daniel Atayde said during a dialogue with farmers here.
Atayde explained that RSBSA registration is a requirement for any beneficiary of the department’s programs and projects. The system identifies specific agricultural activities, equipment owned, land area being tilled and commodities produced to help the government properly address industry needs.
He added that registration ensures easier identification of beneficiaries for government support.
The official’s order to assist unregistered farmers followed concerns raised by a farmer regarding the technical skills and internet connectivity required for registration.
Engr. Danilo Daguio, DA-Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) assistant regional director for operations, noted that while rice and corn farmers are generally registered, many in the high-value crop (HVC) sector remain unregistered.
“It is understandable that HVC producers were not enticed because of the limited assistance to the sector, but this is now the proper time to be registered,” Daguio said. “We urge you to come forward if you have problems registering and we will help. This is needed for you to receive the necessary aid, especially at this time when the fuel crisis is affecting the agriculture industry.”
The DA began conducting dialogues with stakeholders in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) on April 1, a move facilitated by Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
“We have been visiting the regions since the start of the war in the Middle East to hear from the stakeholders and get inputs on what kind of support is needed to ensure that the food chain is not interrupted,” Laurel said.
Attendees assured the DA that there is no food shortage, but noted that spiking fuel prices are increasing transport costs, which in turn hurts the farmers. **Liza Agoot
