KIDAPAWAN CITY — There is quick response because calamity victims should not be waiting for government action in times of calamities.
This was proven by Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol when he led Monday the distribution of assistance to farmer-victims of Typhoon “Vinta” at the University of Southern Mindanao in nearby Kabacan town.
Farmers from the municipalities of Kabacan, Pikit and Carmen received PhP2.6-million worth of production support assistance for them to start in their farming activities.
Piñol also distributed a total of 1,150 bags of rice and corn seeds to qualified recipients from the three adjoining towns.
The agriculture chief said the local agriculture offices have validated and confirmed the list of farmer-beneficiaries hit by the typhoon. In the same activity, the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) released PhP452, 224 worth of indemnity checks to Kabacan and Pikit farmers.
Before his visit to assist calamity affected farmers in North Cotabato, Piñol also turned-over agricultural interventions to ravaged farmlands by typhoon Vinta in Lanao Del Norte province.
He said local officials and stakeholders could not believe that government could act so fast to respond to the needs of the farmers so they could recover immediately after a calamity.
Piñol stressed that his actions are based on what President Duterte wanted to happen every time calamities strike. (PNA)