Millions of Filipino farmers missing from govt aid database, lawmaker warns

MANILA – Approximately two out of every five Filipino farmers remain absent from the Department of Agriculture's database for agricultural workers, potentially blocking them from accessing vital government support programs, Pampanga Rep. Anna York Bondoc said Tuesday.

Bondoc raised the concern while defending the DA's proposed budget allocation for the coming year, emphasizing the need for unregistered farmers to complete their enrollment. She stressed that registration is essential for farmers to qualify for various government assistance initiatives designed to help them cope with mounting operational expenses.

The revelation comes at a critical time, as farmers across the Philippines grapple with escalating fuel and input costs that have squeezed profit margins and threatened agricultural productivity. Without proper documentation in the government system, thousands of farmers lack access to subsidy programs, credit facilities, and other support measures intended to stabilize farm incomes.

Bondoc's statement underscores a broader challenge facing agricultural development efforts in the country: the difficulty in reaching and formally registering the nation's farming population, particularly those in remote or marginalized areas. The congresswoman's call for expanded registration aims to ensure that assistance programs reach their intended beneficiaries more effectively.