28 2020 Annual Report on the Human Rights Situation in the Philippines 71 Under its recovery program, the State allocated additional funding support for these sectors. As of 24 August 2020, a total of 32,354, or 79% out of the targeted 40,000 marginalized and small farmers and fisherfolk (MSFF), were given PHP1,200,573,000.00cash assistance transferred to partner lending conduits, and a total of PHP809,740,000.00 worth of loans disbursed. 72 agri-fishery micro and small enterprises (MSEs) were served out of the targeted 150 MSEs with a total of PHP675,850,000.00 worth of loan released for MSEs. 72 Amidst the pandemic, it is noteworthy and commendable that the agriculture sector had 1.6% growth119 even though the country plunged into recession and the economy shrunk by 16.5% in the 2nd quarter of 2020.120 73 In the face of loss of income due to lockdown measures, some local government units and the concerned national government agencies initiated setting up online platforms to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers.121 74 CHR Region X likewise reported that the pandemic has affected 24,490 farmers in the region. Their needs were catered through the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance Program and the Financial Subsidy to Rice Farmers with total releases of PHP76.06 million and PHP46.94 million, respectively. To ensure the continuing production of rice, financial assistance was granted along with the provision of seed bags. The KADIWA ni Ani at Kita (KADIWA on Wheels), which sells agricultural goods at reasonably low prices, served 12,037 households in Cagayan de Oro City, as of 07 May 2020. Urban gardening with the distribution of seeds was also promoted to the households.122 75 Around 1,124 rice farmers received the cash assistance under the Department of Agriculture’s Rice Farmers Financial Assistance Program. Each farmer received PHP5,000 financial support for their farm inputs, food, or anything they need for their families. The program is intended for the rice farmers who are tilling 0.5 hectares to two hectares of land and registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture.123 Rights of Indigenous People During the COVID-19 Pandemic 76 More than a week after the declaration of the ECQ, the CHR received a complaint alleging a lack of food provisions among Mangyan indigenous cultural communities (ICCs) / IPs in some barangays in Occidental Mindoro due to government-imposed restrictions on movement. Other members of indigenous communities have experienced difficulty bringing their crops to trading posts due to the proliferation of PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) checkpoints. Some indigenous farmers have even left their crops to rot because they cannot transport them.124 77 The Mangyans expressed their concern both for the community and the local biosecurity, specifically for the tamaraws in their care. The community is already vulnerable to other diseases, common ailments, and widespread malnourishment due to their isolation and limited access to health care; the lockdown due to COVID-19 also resulted in the loss of livelihood and income from ecotourism revenues.125 119 See https://psa.gov.ph/press-releases/id/162842. 120 See https://mb.com.ph/2020/08/06/ph-plunges-into-recession/. 121 CHR CAR (2020, July 30). Regional Human Rights Situation Report January to June 2020, p. 43. 122 CHR Region X (2020). 1st Semester 2020 Regional Situation Report, p. 7. 123 CHR Region XI (2021, Jan 28). Regional Human Rights Situation Report July 2020 to December 2020, pp. 56. 124 See CHR (V) A2020-006. 125 See https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/05/22/20/tiis-pilipit-mangyan-tribesmen-tamaraw-threatened-by-hunger –