ILOILO City – Western Visayas has emerged as the region with the highest number of enrollees in the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), accounting for over 13 percent of the national total.
As of June 2025, more than 1.4 million individuals in Region 6 — including farmers, fisherfolk, farm laborers, and agri-youth — have registered in the RSBSA, according to Reynol Dequiño, RSBSA Region 6 focal person, during the “Usapang Agrikultura” program aired over Radyo Pilipinas Iloilo.
Of the total regional registrants, more than 819,000 are farmers, 319,000 are fisherfolk, 287,000 are farm laborers, and 199,000 belong to the agri-youth sector.
Dequiño emphasized that being listed in the RSBSA is crucial, as it is a prerequisite for accessing government interventions such as cash assistance, crop insurance, and calamity-related support distributed by the DA and its attached agencies.
The high number of enrollees also translates into the region receiving the most government aid among all regions, further reinforcing the benefits of registration.
“It is very easy and free to register,” Dequiño said.
Applicants only need to visit their Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) with a 2×2 photo, valid government-issued ID, and either proof of land ownership or a lease agreement. They must also fill out forms detailing their personal and farm information.
The RSBSA serves as the government’s official database of agricultural stakeholders. It enables the efficient delivery of agricultural programs and services by identifying eligible beneficiaries and improving targeting mechanisms.
“The goal of the RSBSA is to empower stakeholders, especially LGUs and partner agencies, by providing accurate data, improving transparency, and ensuring efficient delivery of services and interventions,” said Dequiño./PN
