MANILA, March 18 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday said it distributed around PHP379.06 million worth of aid to affected farmers in the Mimaropa region amid the El Nino phenomenon.

According to the DA's latest report, a large sum of the aid was coursed through the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) Program, granting around PHP362.56 million worth of financial assistance to 71,795 farmers in the provinces of Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan.

In an interview, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa also reported the distribution of hybrid rice seeds and fertilizers to compensate for the loss of farmers.

"PHP379 million na iyong naibigay na assistance sa mga farmers, kasama na rito iyong sa high-value nat...