Over PhP288 million in financial assistance was distributed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to various local government units (LGUs) in Western Visayas.
The aid amounting to PhP288.41 million was intended for farmers and fisherfolk affected by the El Niño phenomenon.
President Marcos handed over PhP50 million each to Aklan Gov. Jose Enrique Miraflores, Antique Gov. Rhodora Cadiao, Capiz Gov. Fredenil Castro and Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
Another PhP28.41 million was given to Guimaras Gov. Joaquin Carlos Rahman Nava during the distribution of assistance in Antique.
In Bacolod City, the President distributed PhP50 million to Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and PhP10 million to Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez.
At least 197 local government units (LGUs) were placed under state of calamity (SOC) as of June 25, affecting 563,348 families and 84,488 farmers in the region. Agricultural products worth PhP2.91 billion were lost to El Niño.
The government has standby funds of PhP5 million. It also has prepositioned relief stockpile worth PhP86.8 million intended for 80,907 families affected by El Nino. The amount includes PhP60.639 million worth of other food and non-food items.
President Marcos said the government is not turning a blind eye on the problems of farmers and fisherfolk as the whole government will work to address their concerns.
“Bagama’t malayo na rin ang inabot natin mula nang [umpisahan nating] tahakin ang daan tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas, marami pa tayong sektor na dapat pagtuunan ng pansin at kailangan pang alalayan,” the President said.
“Magtiwala pa kayo na sisikapin namin na maabot ang ating mga liblib at malalayong pamayanan sa bawat sulok ng bansa, nang sa gayon ay walang maiiwan at walang mahuhuli at sama-sama tayong [maglakbay] sa Bagong Pilipinas, patungo sa Bagong Pilipinas,” he added.
The President called on the beneficiaries of the presidential assistance to use the financial aid wisely.
Meanwhile, the Office of Speaker Martin Romualdez extended rice assistance during the aid distribution in Antique and Bacolod.
In Bacolod City, President Marcos was impressed by the initiative of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to award projects on coconut fertilization and hybridization to beneficiaries.
On the other hand, the Department of Agriculture (DA) offered to farmers and fisherfolk its programs and projects on rice, small scale irrigation; corn seed reserve/El Niño rehabilitation; durian seedlings; Agrinegosyo (ANYO) loan; and integrated national swine production Initiatives for recovery and expansion.
It also provided livestock enterprises development such as the salvanticam native chicken breeding, production and marketing; Negros Occidental Virgin Coconut Oil Production and Marketing and the Negros Occidental Goat Breeding and Marketing.
The DA’s Philippine Rural Development Project also shared the Cadiz City Coffee Processing and Marketing Enterprise, Ara-Al’s Coffee Processing and Marketing Enterprise, and the Kape Primera dela Castellana Processing and Marketing Enterprise. | PND
