President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. attended Friday the distribution of PHP50 million worth of cash assistance to about 5,000 Pangasinan farmers, fisherfolk and livestock raisers severely affected by recent calamities.
Most of the beneficiaries are from the first district, with 1,485; while there are 887 from the second district; 552 from the third district; 941 from the fourth district; 886 from the fifth district; and 249 from the sixth district.
Each of the beneficiaries received PHP10,000 under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolk and Families (PAFFF), Provincial Agriculturist Dalisay Moya said in an interview on the sidelines of the aid distribution at Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center here.
She said the agriculture workers were chosen based on the severity of the effects to their livelihood.
The President said the event was held to not only give aid but provide support and hope to the calamity victims
“Sa nagdaang mga linggo, naramdaman natin ang hagupit ng kalikasan na dulot ng climate change o pagbabago ng klima. Ngunit kasabay nito, nasaksihan din natin ang diwa ng ating bayanihan. Sa bawat puso na nagmamalasakit at sa bawat kamay na tumutulong, malinaw ang ating mensahe: Sa harap ng unos, hindi tayo nag-iisa (In the past weeks, we experienced the wrath of nature due to climate change. But alongside this, we witnessed the spirit of unity. With every heart that has concern and with every hand that helps the message is clear: In the face of calamity, we are not alone),” he said.
The President also assured the provision of buffer seeds and other forms of assistance for the agriculture workers.
“Inatasan ko na rin ang Department of Agriculture (DA) sa pakikipagtulungan sa ibang sangay ng pamahalaan na siguraduhin matulungan ang mga apektadong magsasaka at mga mangingisda (I have already mandated the DA to coordinate with other national government agencies to ensure help for the affected farmers and fisherfolk),” he said.
Marcos directed the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to provide temporary housing to those who have lost their homes.
The President was with DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cesar Chavez.
Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III thanked the President for bringing the PAFFF to the province.
Guico said coordination continues with local government units and the national government for the rehabilitation plan for the province’s agriculture sector.
Juanita Sumaya, 63, of Barangay Malioer in Bayambang thanked the government for the assistance she received.
Nora Medalla, 54, a farmer from Infanta, said their rice crop yield is expected to decrease by half from the usual 300 cavans due to the effects of the recent weather disturbances, but the government assistance will be of great help to address their needs.
Reynaldo Cruz, 61, a farmer from Malasiqui, said he will use the PHP10,000 cash assistance to buy farm inputs for the next cropping season.
Nestor Fernandez, 47, a fisher from Binmaley, will use the PHP10,000 cash aid as startup capital after losing income in the weather disturbances.
Initial estimates of Super Typhoon Pepito’s (international name Man-yi) damage on the province’s agriculture industry was PHP39.9 million and PHP468,500 on livestock. (PNA)
