A total of PhP162 million in financial assistance was extended by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday to farmers and fisherfolk affected by the El Niño phenomenon in Bicol along with other various government assistance and services.
Of the figure, President Marcos handed over PhP10.28 million in cash assistance to Camarines Norte Gov. Ricarte Padilla and PhP50 million to Camarines Sur Gov. Luigi Villafuerte during the distribution of land titles, support services and financial assistance in Pili, Camarines Sur.
President Marcos also distributed over PhP41.55 million in financial assistance to Albay Gov. Edcel Grex Lagman; PhP10.23 million to Catanduanes Gov. Joseph Cua; PhP36.79 million to Masbate Gov. Antonio Kho; and PhP13 million to Sorsogon Gov. Jose Edwin Hamor in Legazpi City, Albay.
No state of calamity was declared in Bicol Region as of June 6 as far as the El Niño is concerned.
But the weather phenomenon has affected around 80,479 families, or 368, 360 individuals from 918 barangays in the region with a total of 11,252.11 hectares of agricultural land damaged, resulting in a total production loss of 21,333.88 metric tons worth PhP532.87 million.
Around PhP26.25 million worth of assistance was provided to affected families in Bicol while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) prepositioned nearly 40,000 family food packs worth PhP27.22 million along with PhP223.24 million worth of standby funds and stockpile.
President Marcos also led the distribution of a total of 2,115 certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) and electronic titles (e-titles) to 1,965 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), also in Bicol.
The President also distributed 617 farm machineries and equipment (FMEs) worth PhP20.66 million to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) while eight completed farm-to-market road (FMR) projects worth PhP193 million were turned over to different local government units in Camarines Sur.
President Marcos said nine other FMR projects, amounting to PhP675 million are already in the pipeline.
In his speech during the distribution of aid in Albay, President Marcos assured El Niño-hit farmers, fisherfolk, and their families that the government will provide all necessary assistance even to those in far-flung areas.
“Titiyakin po natin na ang bawat ayuda na [ipapamahagi] namin ay [makakarating] sa lahat ng mga pinaka-nangangailangan. Ang hiling ko lang sa ating mga benepisyaryo ay samantalahin ninyo ang pagkakataon na ito upang makabangon at makapagsimula muli,” President Marcos said.
“Basta lahat ng mga paraan na [makakatulong] sa inyong pagiging produktibo, suportado ko at ng inyong pamahalaan. Magtulungan po tayo, at tiyak na lahat tayo ay sabay-sabay na babangon,” the chief executive added.
Speaking during the distribution of assistance and other government services in Pili, Camarines Sur, President Marcos assured the Bicolanos that the financial assistance and other aids provided to them are part of the government’s “aggressive efforts” to help to needy Filipinos.
“Makikita niyo naman na siksik, liglig, at nag — usmapaw ang aming tulong upang kayo’y makabangon mula sa pagsubok na kinakaharap ninyo ngayon. Dalangin po namin na payabungin ninyo ang mga natanggap ninyong biyaya ngayong araw,” he added.
President Marcos brought a whole-of-government approach to Camarines Sur and Albay to help El Nino-hit Bicolanos. PND
