The Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA-ACPC) launched the Agricultural Rehabilitation, Emergency Credit, and Operational Viability for Economic Restoration (Agri-RECOVER) Program, a comprehensive loan program that aims to provide immediate financial assistance, stabilize cash flow, and support the rehabilitation of small farmers and fisherfolks (SFF) and micro and small enterprises (MSE) engaged in the agriculture sector and affected by calamities.
The program was officially launched on September 14, 2026, in Angeles City, Pampanga. Pampanga farmers participated in the launch as part of the Handog ng Pangulo, which gathered government agencies to bring government services closer to every Filipino.
The Agri-RECOVER program combines emergency financing for daily needs and livelihood restart for farmers and fisherfolk, as well as targeted credit relief measures for existing borrowers, including agri-based MSEs.
Strengthening Recovery Through More Accessible Agricultural Credit
Through Agri-RECOVER, DA-ACPC aims to accelerate the return to productive activities of agriculture communities affected by calamities, while protecting borrowers from severe financial difficulties.
The program provides no-collateral and zero-interest calamity loans for qualified SFFs that can be used for immediate needs and livelihood restart. It also provides mechanisms for credit relief, including loan restructuring, refinancing, and moratorium, to help existing borrowers maintain operations of viable projects despite the effects of calamities and financial challenges.
The program also includes financial literacy and capacity-building interventions to help borrowers better manage their finances and use credit responsibly. This includes cash flow and debt management, farm record-keeping, savings management, agricultural insurance protection, and ways to avoid fraud and scams.
Four Main Credit Support Under Agri-RECOVER
Agri-RECOVER provides four interrelated credit interventions aimed at delivering immediate aid, easing payment obligations, and supporting the recovery and continuation of viable agricultural operations: (1) Calamity Loan, (2) Loan Restructuring, (3) Loan Refinancing, and (4) Loan Moratorium.
Under the Calamity Loan, SFFs registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and affected by an officially declared calamity or emergency may avail up to Php 35,000 zero-interest and no collateral, payable within up to three years. For existing qualified borrowers, they may avail an amount equivalent to their accumulated past payments, in accordance with the maximum Php 35,000.
For borrowers experiencing financial difficulty but whose projects remain viable, Loan Restructuring provides an opportunity to adjust their loan terms based on their capacity to pay. Meanwhile, Loan Refinancing provides new capital for projects experiencing financial distress but can still be revived through additional financing and have the capacity to pay under new terms.
Loan Moratorium provides temporary relief in debt payment of up to one year, when activated through an ACPC advisory. It aims to give affected borrowers enough time to focus their resources on recovery before resuming regular payments.
Overall, the four components provide immediate assistance, debt restructuring, recovery capital, and payment flexibility, to address the diverse financial needs of borrowers and support the restoration and continuation of their livelihoods and agri-businesses.
Expanding Credit Support for Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Agri-Based Enterprises
The main target of the program are SFF and agri-based MSEs whose livelihood or operations were affected by calamity, emergency declaration, or severe financial difficulty. New and existing borrowers registered in RSBSA may avail the four components of the program, in accordance with the set eligibility requirements.
Meanwhile, existing MSE borrowers of ACPC may benefit from restructuring, refinancing, and moratorium if their operations are affected or they are experiencing financial difficulty while their project remains viable.
Qualified situations include officially declared calamities or emergencies caused by natural disasters, biological outbreak, plant and animal pests and diseases, industrial disaster, armed conflict, civil unrest, displacement, and severe market disruptions that have a major impact on agriculture and fisheries. The credit relief components may also be extended to existing borrowers experiencing financial distress that threatens the continuation of their operations.
Recovery Assistance Brought Closer to Farmers
The DA-ACPC will implement the Agri-RECOVER Program in partnership with its Partner Lending Conduits (PLCs), composed of accredited rural banks, cooperative banks, and qualified non-government organizations. The primary responsibility of PLCs is to assess, identify, and validate affected borrowers in their respective areas of operation. They will be supported by DA Regional Field Offices and local government units through related disaster declarations, damage assessment reports, and validated RSBSA list.
Interested applicants may directly apply to the accredited PLCs of DA-ACPC and will undergo the appropriate assessment and validation process based on the guidelines of Agri-RECOVER.
Through stronger linkages of partner government agencies and financial institutions, DA-ACPC aims to ensure effective and timely delivery of credit assistance to agricultural communities, especially those facing crises that threaten their livelihoods.
Continued Support for Farmers
Agri-RECOVER emphasizes DA-ACPC’s continued commitment to strengthen a responsive, accessible, and sustainable agricultural credit system that responds to the changing needs of Filipino farmers, fisherfolk, and agriculture-based businesses.
“Our goal is no longer simply to weather a crisis or ensure basic survival,” said DA Undersecretary for Operations, Agri Fisheries Mechanization and Rural Credit Roger V. Navarro in his message during the official launch. “We are raising the bar toward a comprehensive and holistic model of rehabilitation. To help farmers and fisherfolk whose agri-fishery projects and businesses have been affected by floods and other disasters, the ACPC has developed AGRI-RECOVER to serve as a strong shield and steadfast partner in every step of your recovery.”
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