ILOILO CITY — The provincial government of Capiz will prioritize the provision of financial assistance to farmers “heavily affected” by Tropical Depression “Agaton”.
Capiz Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management officer Esperidion Pelaez in an emergency meeting on Thursday of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) announced that PHP10.9 million was realigned for their post-disaster rehabilitation and recovery assistance for farmers. The fund was taken from their calamity fund.
Pelaez said that some 5,000 farmers were initially identified to avail of the financial assistance.
They will be provided PHP290 per day for seven and a half days. Local government units placed under a state of calamity have option whether or not to give the same amount as counterpart.
Pelaez said that they would start the release as soon as possible because Governor Tony Del Rosario did not want to delay the provision of assistance.
The state of calamity was declared in towns of Panitan, Sigma and Pontevedra.
The initial damage to fisheries was estimated at PHP75.56 million while some 9,763 hectare of rice lands incurred damages based on the PDRRMC initial report.
He added that their provincial agriculture office was also working on the ground to ensure that farms would get insured with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation. (PNA)
