A total of 2,709 farmers in Zambales have received fertilizer discount vouchers from the Department of Agriculture in Central Luzon (DA-3) since the distribution activities started early this month.

Regional Rice Program Coordinator Lowell Rebillaco said on Thursday the recipients were from the towns of Iba — 680; San Felipe — 412; and Sta. Cruz — 1,617.

He said the fertilizer discount voucher is valued at PHP1,131 per hectare for inbred rice and PHP2,262 per hectare for hybrid rice.

The discount voucher can be used by the farmer-beneficiaries to claim fertilizers from accredited merchants, Rebillaco said.

He noted, however, that only farmers who are registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and those who availed rice seeds from the DA Rice Program shall be eligible to receive the fertilizer discount voucher.

Rebillaco encouraged farmers to register with RSBSA since it is the first requirement for receiving assistance from DA.

Meanwhile, Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. thanked the DA for the much-needed support to the farmers.

“Sinimulan noong ika-7 ng Pebrero ang pamamahagi ng fertilizer discount voucher mula sa Department of Agriculture sa pakikipagugnayan ng ating pamahalaang panlalawigan sa pamumuno ng inyo pong lingkod at ng Provincial Agriculture Office. Maraming salamat po sa Department of Agriculture sa pagbibigay tulong sa aming mga magsasakang Zambaleño (The distribution of fertilizer discount voucher from the Department of Agriculture started last Feb. 7 through the coordination of our provincial government under our leadership and the Provincial Agriculture Office. Thank you very much, Department of Agriculture for providing support to our Zambaleño farmers),” he said in a statement.

Zambales provincial agriculturist Cris Rabaca said the assistance is a big help for the farmers considering the high cost of farm inputs such as fertilizer. (PNA)