At least 5,000 farmers and fishers in Albay province on Wednesday thanked and commended President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for the cash aid they received through the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFF) program, saying it will greatly help them recover from the devastation caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami).
The Chief Executive led the distribution of PHP10,000 to each member of the fishery and agriculture sector in the province at the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation in this city.
In an interview, Randy Mabini Lorica, 42, of Barangay Miisi, Daraga town, said he would use the amount he received to buy farm inputs for his rice field.
“The money provided by the President is a great help for me to get started. My crops were damaged, there is something I need to buy again. I will also use it to buy something for my family,” he said in Filipino.
Belle Retuma of Barangay Maonon in Ligao City thanked the President for including them in the financial assistance distribution.
“Thank you, Mr. President, for your assistance. We truly appreciate that you haven’t forgotten us. The funds I received will be used to purchase agricultural inputs required for my 1.5 hectares of land. This support is a significant help for us as it means we won’t have to take a loan anymore,” the 59-year-old corn farmer said.
Albay Governor Glenda Ong Bongao, in her message, thanked President Marcos for personally visiting the farmers and fisherfolk in the province.
“The visit of our President today is a big proof of how important farmers and fisherfolk are. On behalf of the province of Albay, together with the 18 mayors of Albay and every Albayano farmer and fisherman, I would like to extend our gratitude to you, President Bongbong Marcos,” Bongao said.
She said the agriculture and fishing sectors are the ones that suffer the most in times of natural disasters, which also impacts the public once food security is threatened.
“That’s why the PAFF program is so important so that you can start over,” she told the beneficiaries.
The recipients are from the towns of Libon –1,000; Oas — 900; Guinobatan –400; 300 each in Camalig and Polangui; 200 each in Pio Duran and Malinao; 150 each in Daraga and Tiwi; 100 each in Rapu-Rapu, Malilipot, and Jovellar; 80 each in Sto. Domingo and Bacacay; 60 in Manito; 450 in the city of Tabaco; 350 in Legazpi; and 80 in Ligao City.
Aside from the financial aid from the Office of the President, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) provided a Training Support Fund of PHP3.414 million to 1,162 beneficiaries from Albay.
Another 5,000 farmers and fisherfolk in Camarines Sur also received the same assistance from the President.
Marcos last went to the Bicol region on Oct. 26 to visit the Kristine-affected areas and released PHP130 million as immediate relief for the residents.
Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cesar Chavez joined the President in visiting Albay and Camarines Sur on Wednesday.
Other Cabinet officials who came were Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr., Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla, and Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian. (PNA)
