Ang Kassanga partylist Rep. Teodorico Haresco has called on financial institutions to step up financing programs for the benefit of farmers, fisherfolk and micro entrepreneurs to improve the country’s economy.
Haresco made the call after the Ang Kasangga partylist entered into a memorandum agreement with the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Department of Agriculture for the implementation of the Livelihood Partnership Scheme that would extend LBP loans to finance small livelihood programs of the beneficiaries.
Included among the beneficiaries are farmers, fisherfolk, micro-entrepreneurs, non-government organizations and cooperatives.
“It is from this account where approved loans shall be deducted and released by the Landbank,” Haresco said following the signing of the memorandum of agreement.
The partylist lawmaker said that the program aims to assist farmers-fisherfolk, and other small entrepreneurs by providing loans through a counterpart fund.
Haresco explained that his partylist will release a counterpart fund in the amount of P5-million to the Department of Agriculture which in turn will be deposited through Landbank’s Trust banking Group, in the account name of the program.
The Department of Agriculture, he said, will also identify areas suited for agriculture or livelihood development and provide technology and technical assistance for the program.
He said that creating business in the countryside could translate to jobs and subsequently economic development.
Meanwhile, Reps. Catalina Bagasina (ALE Partylist) and Tobias Tiangco (PMP, Navotas) have filed separate bills pushing for the establishment of a fishing port in Sasmuan, Pampanga.
“I firmly believe in empowering our fishermen, not only of Navotas but of the entire country. A Feeder port in Sasmuan with complete facilities will help the fishing industry in Pampanga flourish,” Tiangco said Wednesday.
(source: Manila Bulletin)
