??Farm equipment and machinery valued at PHP33.7 million that was acquired using the municipality's portion of the tobacco excise tax were distributed to registered farmers' associations in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
Included in the list of equipment given to the farmers were water pumps, mist blowers, brush cutters, transplanters, irrigation hoses, combine harvesters, hand tractors with trailers, and cultivators.
Requested by farmers
Farmers' requests during the consultation meetings served as the basis for the acquisition of farm machinery and equipment.
"The municipal government of Bacarra remains committed to the fair, transparent, and equitable allocation of the tobacco excise tax under Republic Act 7171 and Republic Act 8240, amounting to PHP33,741,478, for the benefit of our hard working farmers," Bacarra town mayor Nicomedes dela Cruz said.
Some farmers claim that farming is now easier because of the government's provision of various agricultural aid, such as water pumps and machinery.
According to tobacco producers, the distribution of water pumps will be very beneficial to them as the dry season approaches.
Expanding tobacco
Municipalities that cultivate tobacco receive a portion of tobacco excise tax revenues under Republic Acts 7171 and 8240.It is determined by the amount of leaves produced by local tobacco growers.
By offering farmers a minimum 20% discount on agricultural inputs including fertilizers and pesticides, the province is experimenting with the tobacco contract growing system in an effort to get more farmers to produce tobacco.
