Bulacan farmers probed over sale of fertilizer subsidies

MALOLOS, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Central Luzon is investigating upland rice farmers in Bulacan for allegedly selling their fertilizer subsidies.

Ma. Gloria Carillo, chief of the provincial agriculture office, said she had discussed the matter with DA regional director Cris Bautista.

“It will be investigated by the DA and the provincial agriculture office. If someone is found guilty, legal actions will be done,” Bautista said.

Simeon Sioson, chairman of the 4SM Multipurpose Cooperative in San Miguel town, told The STAR that upland farmers tilling two hectares or less of land recently received their fertilizer subsidies from the government.

“But since upland farms are usually cultivated during the rainy season, many farmers opted to sell their fertilizer and used the proceeds to buy basic commodities for their families,” Sioson said.

Meanwhile, Rosendo So, president of the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura, said the beneficiaries were not allowed to sell their subsidies.

So said that if the beneficiaries do not have standing crops, the subsidy should not be released to them.

Federation of Free Farmers national manager Raul Montemayor said it is illegal for farmer-beneficiaries to resell the fertilizers or seeds provided to them by the DA.

The purpose of the subsidy is to help farmers reduce production costs and not to buy other needs.