Bountiful Harvest, Better Life: Gomer Bantilan reaps record yield through Gov. Oaminal’s Asenso Rice Program

 

                                                                                    

BONIFACIO, Misamis Occidental — For more than 20 years, Gomer R. Bantilan of Barangay Liloan has devoted his life to farming. But in July 2025, his perseverance finally paid off—thanks to the Asenso Rice Program initiated by Governor Henry S. Oaminal.

On July 9, Gomer sold 8,393 kilograms of dried palay (variety 222) under the province’s palay-buying program. From his 4-hectare farm, he harvested 299 bags of rice—123 of which were sold, while 176 were kept for personal use. The government bought his palay at ₱26 per kilo, totaling ₱218,218—a far better deal than the ₱16–₱18 per kilo offered by private traders.

More than just boosting rice production, the Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental is also ensuring that every Misamisnon has access to affordable rice. Through the Asenso Rice Farmers Full Assistance (ARFFA) Program, the province buys dried palay directly from local farmers at ₱26 per kilo and processes it into affordable rice sold through Asenso Misamis Occidental Kadiwa Centers at just ₱20 per kilo, under the “Baratong Bugas para sa Misamisnon” initiative.

While market prices range from ₱40 to ₱60 per kilo, this program provides real savings and relief to families across the province.

“Sa 20 katuig nakong pagpanguma, karon pa gyud ko naka-experience nga ang akong humay paliton ug ₱26 per kilo,” Gomer said, visibly emotional. “Dako kaayo mig pasalamat kay kung wala ang programaha sa Gobernador, maglisod gyud mi.”

Gomer credits his high yield to proper care and adequate fertilization. “Kung gamay ang abono, gamay pud ug saha ang humay, mao nang gamay ra sad ang abot,” he shared. Still, like many farmers, he faces common struggles—such as pests, like rats and rice bugs, and the rising cost of farm labor.

He recalled the difficulty of farming before the program. Most farmers had to borrow money at high interest rates just to start planting. “Sa una, igo ra gyud mi sa pagbayad sa interes. Karon, tungod sa programa ni Governor—naay ayuda nga cash, abono, ug binhi—mubawas na among gastohonon ug di na mi kinahanglan mangutang.”

The ARFFA program not only buys palay at better prices, but sells it back to the public as “Baratong Bugas” for only ₱20 per kilo. Gomer was deeply touched by this selfless governance approach.

“Imagine, paliton among humay sa ₱26, unya ibaligya ra sa katawhan ug ₱20. Sakripisyo ug serbisyo gyud ang tumong ni Governor Oaminal para matabangan ang mga farmers.”

He also acknowledged the long-term infrastructure support that changed their farming conditions. "Sa una, walay flood control dinhi. Magbaha, malapawan ang similya, ug dili na katurok. Karon, tungod sa proyekto ni Congressman pa siya, naa na'y flood control. Ug hangtod karon, nagpadayon gihapon ang iyang suporta."

Looking ahead, Gomer hopes the ARFFA program will continue and urges fellow farmers to take advantage of this support.

“Naa na tay inputs, financing, ug suporta gikan ni Governor. Ato nalang gyud ani ang pagkugi ug pag-atiman. Ang Asenso sa Misamis Occidental, among nabati na gyud.” (SN/PGMO)