GOVERNMENT SUPPORT. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (3rd from left) turns over a cheque worth PHP48 million to Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolk and their Families at Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center gymnasium in Lingayen town on Friday (July 19,2024). Some 4,000 beneficiaries in the Ilocos Region are from Pangasinan. (Photo courtesy of PIA-Pangasinan)
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday led the ceremonial distribution here of PHP186.7 million worth of financial aid to 18,674 farmers and fisherfolk from the Ilocos Region severely affected by the El Niño phenomenon.
Each beneficiary of the Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolk and their Families (PAFFF) will receive PHP10,000. The funds were downloaded to their respective provincial governments.
Of the total, 8,162 of the beneficiaries are from Ilocos Norte; 3,333 from Ilocos Sur; 3,259 from La Union; and 3,920 from Pangasinan.
In his speech at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center gymnasium here, Marcos said the cash aid is also a way of thanking the farmers and fisherfolk for their dedication, strength and love for the country amid the challenges caused by the El Niño-induced dry spell.
"Narito kami para bigyan ng bagong pag-asa at bagong simula ang mga bayani ng sektor ng agrikuktura. Alam natin na matindi (ang naging) epekto ng El Niño sa mga kabuhayan ninyong lahat at ang pagkatuyo naman ng lupain, (at) ang kakulangan sa tubig ay nagdulot ng malaking hamon hindi lamang sa mga pananim kundi pati na (rin) sa palaisdaan dito sa Pangasinan (We are here to give the agriculture sector’s heroes new hope and new start. We know that El Niño has greatly affected all your livelihood, and the drought has caused great challenge not only to the crops but also to the fisheries in Pangasinan)," he said.
"Ngunit sa kabila ng mga pagsubok na ito ay patuloy kayong nagsumikap at nag-alay ng inyong sarili upang masiguro na may pagkain ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino (Amidst all these challenges, you continue to strive and offered your lives to ensure that all Filipino families have food to eat)," Marcos added.
Aside from the PAFFF, the Department of Social Welfare and Development also distributed PHP10,000 each to 4,600 beneficiaries under the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) while 4,567 benefited from the Department of Labor and Employment's emergency employment program Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD).
Alex dela Cruz, a farmer from Laoac town, said he will use the financial support to buy fuel for his water pump.
"I thank the President for this cash aid. It is timely and will be very useful for me and my family," he said in Filipino.
Raymundo Sison, one of the AKAP beneficiaries, said the money he received will be used as additional capital to his online selling business.
"This is a huge help during this time," he said in Filipino.
The Department of Agriculture distributed various farm machinery, equipment and inputs; the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources distributed over PHP3.8 million worth of interventions; the Department of Trade and Industry disbursed PHP9.6 million worth of Shared Service Facilities to 13 micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs; and the Department of Agriculture allotted PHP80 million for the Negosyo (Business) Loan program.
The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), meanwhile, paid PHP4 million worth of indemnity to 498 Pangasinan farmers and fisherfolk.
Tony Ferrer, president of Bantayan Farmers Association in Lingayen town, said they experienced losses but remained grateful that they were able to recover because of PCIC.
"We are also encouraging other farmers to insure their crops to be prepared for possible effects of calamities or disasters on their crops," he said in Filipino. (PNA)
