AID TO FARMERS, FISHERS. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. spearheads the distribution of the Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolk, and their Family (PAFFF) program in Butuan City on Thursday (June 20, 2024). Around 11,905 farmers and fisherfolk from the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, and Butuan City, whose livelihoods were affected in recent months by El Niño, received financial aid through the program. (PNA photo by Alexander Lopez)
BUTUAN CITY – Farmers and fishers whose livelihoods were affected in the past months by the onslaught of the prolonged El Niño phenomenon have found relief with the government's intervention through the Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFFF) program.
On Thursday afternoon, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the distribution of PAFFF relief assistance to 11,905 affected farmers and fishers from the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, and this city.
The family of Ani Lyn Villamor, 30, with two children, a resident of Barangay Masao in this city, relies on fishing for years.
“My father, who is over 50 years of age now, has been into fishing since his younger years. Now he has severe arthritis, so I need to represent him in this event,” Villamor said in the vernacular in an interview during the distribution.
She added that the El Niño phenomenon had decreased catch among the fisherfolk in Masao and the nearby barangays.
“There were times that they came home with a little catch, just enough to be cooked for food and nothing for the market. Sometimes, they come home with zero catch,” Villamor narrated.
She said the government's intervention is a big relief for her family as it would answer their immediate needs, especially for their children.
“Thank you, Mr. President, for this assistance. This is very timely and means a lot to us,” Villamor said.
Sofronio Pepito, 56, a rice farmer from Barangay Lemon here, was also among the beneficiaries who arrived early at the distribution venue.
“This financial aid is essential for us. The drought has caused the decrease in my rice production and income,” Pepito said.
President Marcos, through the PAFF program, gave the city government of Butuan PHP46.8 million in financial aid, another PHP28.2 million to Agusan del Norte, PHP10.5 million to Surigao del Norte, and PHP10 million to the Dinagat Islands.
In his message, the President recognized the efforts of the farmers and fisherfolk in ensuring the supply of food for the Filipino people.
“Ito ay nagpapakita ng inyong walang kapantay na pagmamahal para sa inyong pamilya at nagpapatunay din sa busilak ninyong hangarin para sa ating mahal na bansa” (This shows your supreme love to your family, and also confirms your pure aspiration to our beloved country), Marcos said.
During the event, the President, together with Department of Agriculture Francisco Tiu-Laurel handed over PHP13.5 million worth of farm inputs, machinery, and equipment to the affected farmers.
The DA Regional Office in the Caraga Region also released a separate PHP2.1 million worth of interventions, including multi-commodity threshers, corn shellers, mushroom fruiting bags, and high-value crop seeds.
For its part, the Philippine Coconut Authority distributed PHP1.2 million worth of assistance, including coconut seedlings and fertilizers.
The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, meanwhile, released PHP7 million worth of farm machinery and equipment to farmer groups and associations in the area.
Exceptional brand of leadership
Earlier on Thursday, President Marcos was in Tandag City for the release of the PAFFF aid to more than 10,000 drought-stricken farmers and fisherfolk in the provinces of Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur.
Marcos provided PHP12.48 million in assistance to the province of Surigao del Sur and PHP50 million to Agusan del Sur.
Surigao del Sur Governor Alexander Pimentel praised the President's exceptional leadership.
“Maraming, maraming salamat po mahal na President dahil kayo lang ang Presidente – hindi naman sa pagsisira ng iba – na hindi lang tuwing kalamidad pumupunta. Kayo lang ang Presidente na umiikot sa buong bansa,” (Thank you very much, Mr. President. It is because that you are the only President - not saying bad to others - who reaches to us not only durng calamities. You are the only President who goes around the whole country,” Pimentel said.
He noted that the President visits the different provinces in the country to personally see the welfare of farmers and fisherfolk even in times of no disasters or calamities and ensure that financial aid and assistance are given to the beneficiaries.
Surigao del Sur 1st District Rep. Romeo Momo Sr. said that he also shared the gratitude the farmers and fishers in Surigao del Sur have shown the President by thanking him for the timely government interventions. (PNA)
