Bicol farmers, fishermen get P31-M in survival aid

THE Agricultural Credit Policy Council ( ACPC) has turned funds to six Camarines Sur and Catanduanes cooperatives that will serve as lending conduits for the Survival and Recovery ( SURE) Assistance Program for by Typhoon Nina.

Camsur Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Pili, Camarines Sur; Mag- arao Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Barangay Casuray, Magarao, Camarines Sur; San Antonio Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Buhi, Camarines Sur; Sampaloc Multi- Purpose Cooperative of Gainza, Camarines Sur; PinoyLingap Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Cavinta, Virac, Catanduanes and the Maymatan Farmers MultiPurpose Cooperative.

The SURE Assistance Program is a post-disaster facility that pro- vides loans to calamity-affected small farmers and through part lending conduits.

Interest-free loans of not more provided for the rehabilitation of farming, fishing and livelihood activities, including the purchase of production inputs, the acquisition of livestock and work animals.

Areas covered are those declared under a state of calamity by concerned local government units and validated by the Agriculture department or local National Disaster Risk Reduction and Manage to have sustained considerable agriculture damage.

Typhoon Nina devastated wrought over P4 billion in agriculture damage when it hit Bicol last year.