President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is doubling down on his administration’s push for food security with the official Mindanao launch of the Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid (APP) Program, held at the Sarangani Provincial Capitol on April 11, 2025.
Originally rolled out in September 2024, the APP Program is a national initiative designed to support rice farmers who are part of agricultural cooperatives.
The program covers 1.2 million hectares across the country and seeks to increase farmers’ productivity and income through accessible credit, financial aid, and guaranteed markets for their crops.
During the Mindanao leg of the launch, Marcos distributed farm machineries and equipment (FMEs) to several local government units and farmers’ cooperatives in Region XII—particularly Sarangani, Cotabato, South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat.
Provincial LGUs also received various forms of intervention support from the national government.
Part of the day’s activities included a showcase of agricultural products from Planters Products, Inc. (PPI), and a visit to the Kadiwa ng Pangulo booths—government-run stalls that offer affordable produce directly from farmers.
A symbolic feature of the event was the President’s use of the Interventions Monitoring Card (IMC), a digital card that farmers can use to buy seeds, fertilizers, and farming tools from accredited sellers.
This card system marks a step forward in digitizing agriculture support, allowing for more efficient monitoring and distribution of aid.
The APP Program reflects the administration’s broader effort to modernize the agricultural sector, uplift rural livelihoods, and ensure stable food supply across the country—especially in farming regions like Mindanao.
