
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday thanked farmers and fisherfolk in Ilocos Region for their dedication to ensuring food security amid the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.
The President distributed a total of PhP339,540,000 in financial assistance to farmers and fisherfolk in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan.
Of the figure, PhP184.99 million came from the Office of the President and PhP46 million from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).
President Marcos said the government allotted PhP80 million for the AgriNegosyo Loan Program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The agency also extended PhP8.66 million for the implementation of its Shared Service Facilities Project.
On the other hand, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) distributed PhP19.87 million in financial assistance.
The local government units of Solsona and Dingras in Ilocos Norte are still under a state of calamity due to El Niño, affecting 63,747 individuals as of June 25.
Damage and losses to agriculture as of July 8 reached PhP559.72 million, affecting 19,075 farmers and fisherfolk.
“Sa kabila ng mga pagsubok na ito, patuloy kayong nagsusumikap at nag-aalay ng inyong sarili upang masiguro na may pagkain ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” President Marcos said.
“Bilang pasasalamat at ganti sa ipinamalas ninyong dedikasyon, katatagan, at pagmamahal para sa bayan, pumarito po kami upang maghandog ng ilang tulong na magpapagaan sa hinaharap ninyong hamon,” he added.
The President also visited Lingayen town in Pangasinan where he led the distribution of government assistance to farmers, fisherfolk and their families on Friday.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) provided farm inputs and machinery for farmer groups. They included a hauling truck, tractors, a corn sheller, a recirculating dryer, a hammer mill, a pump and engine set, a riding transplanter, and a combine harvester.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) distributed units of motorized fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) boats and livelihood packages to Fisherfolk Cooperatives and Association (FCA) in Pangasinan.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) showcased its Special Training for Employment Program (STEP) through a ceremonial turnover of training allowances and starter toolkits.
The DTI, for its part, turned over 17 Shared Service Facilities (SSF) Projects to 13 cooperators in Pangasinan.
President Marcos reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting and strengthening the country’s agriculture sector through continuous delivery of programs and services.
Each attendee at the event received five kilos of rice from the Office of Speaker Martin Romualdez. PND