President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday extended PhP771.300 million in financial assistance to the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
The assistance aims to help farmers and fisherfolk recover from the crippling effects of the recent onslaught of the El Niño phenomenon in the country.
President Marcos turned over PhP50 million each to the Provincial Governments of Apayao, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province. He also gave PhP34.52 million to the Provincial Government of Abra and PhP29.74 million to the Provincial Government of Benguet.
A total of PhP264.26 million was turned over to CAR.
President Marcos said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed PhP10,000 each to 2,500 beneficiaries under its Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), or a total of PhP25 million.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) allotted PhP77 million for its AgriNegosyo Loan program and PhP131.53 million for the Agricultural Insurance Program.
On the other hand, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) provided PhP28.53 million for the Pump Irrigation System and Solar Submersible Pump and Irrigation System, he added.
According to the President, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) distributed PhP209.16 million in financial assistance to the CAR.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) allotted PhP7.55 million in livelihood assistance. The agency also allotted PhP28.3 million for 4,230 families under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay Sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), the President said.
President Marcos said the DA also distributed tractors, mechanical transplanters, open source water pumps, recirculating dryers, and facilities, and farming equipment.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), for its part, handed over three units of 3D printing machines, tool kits, and training support funds and allowances for Apayao scholars.
The office of Speaker Martin Romualdez of the House of Representatives gave five kilos of rice to all the event attendees.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), on the other hand, distributed a boat and fish hatchery. It also implemented projects under the integrated farming pond culture for Apayao beneficiaries.
Based on government data, the dry spell caused agricultural damages in CAR worth more than PhP1.24 billion, affecting close to 30,000 farmers and fishermen. PND
