Capitol to hike budget for agri

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu provincial government is hoping to increase the budget allocation for agriculture development, especially among farmers in the province.

But that would also depend on who wins in the coming election, said acting governor Agnes Magpale.

Magpale said yesterday that they are seriously looking at increasing budget for the DA given the benefit it brings to residents of municipalities, especially those dependent on the agriculture as main source of living.

In the past year, Magpale said that allocation for each farmer was only P600 for the whole year.

During the budget hearing of the Provincial Board, it was pointed out since the Provincial Agriculture Office looks for payment of farmer’s insurance premiums and equipment, the budget of P22 million is insufficient.

Out of the P22 million, P5.732 million was for the insurance of over 36,000 farmers and fisherfolk, which would only be around P160 each.

Magpale said that they are hoping to increase the budget but it would also depend on who wins in the election