North Cotabato, May 4 -- The Department of Agriculture in the Soccsksargen Region (DA-12) has completed the distribution of over PHP187.7 million worth of unconditional cash aid to over 37,000 rice farmers in North Cotabato province, an official said Saturday.

Alan Coronado, provincial rice program coordinator, said the series of payouts that started in March and carried out under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RCEF-RFFA) was accomplished on Friday.

"The list of qualified recipients was based on the DA's Registry System on Basic Sector in Agriculture," he said, adding that the distribution chain was coordinated with the beneficiaries' municipal and city agriculturist offices.

At least 37,55...