Pres. Marcos extends assistance to farmers and fishermen hit by El Nino

During his visit to Calbayog City and Palo

TACLOBAN CITY – President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. distributed a total of P136.30 million in financial assistance to various local government units (LGUs) in the region during his visit on Thursday(July 4) in Calbayog City and Palo, Leyte.

This assistance was aimed at supporting farmers, fisherfolk, and their families affected by the El Niño phenomenon in the region.

In his Calbayog visit, the President handed over P50 million to Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan; P25.99 million to Northern Samar Gov. Edwin Marino Ongchuan; and P19.30 million to Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone.

In Palo, the President extended financial assistance of P17.02 million to Leyte Gov. Jericho Petilla;P10.31 million to Southern Leyte Gov. Damian Mercado; and P13.68 million to Biliran Vice Governor Brigido Caneja III

At least three LGUs were hit by El Niño in the region, affecting 19,971 families and causing agricultural losses of P23 million. A total of 504 farmers were affected in Samar, Biliran, and Leyte.

To mitigate El Niño’s effects, the government allotted standby funds and stockpiles totaling P179.69 million.

Additional assistance included P10,000 cash to each of the 8,930 beneficiaries in Samar under the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The President also distributed P10,000 cash to each of the 1,500 beneficiaries in Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Biliran under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the DSWD.

Farm machinery, equipment, and various government projects were also given to identified recipients from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), DSWD, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The Office of Speaker Martin Romualdez distributed 10 and five kilos of rice each to beneficiaries in Samar and Leyte, respectively.

Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla expressed her gratitude, noting that despite the bad weather, the President was able to distribute assistance to fisherfolk, farmers, and selected families.
Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla was pleased with the President’s visit, even though it was not initially scheduled.

He suggested that the President’s frequent visits might be because of his Leyte roots. Petilla welcomed all forms of assistance from the President and other national agencies. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)