By Sarwell Meniano/PNA
TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Agriculture (DA) delivered on Monday PHP30 million worth of assistance for the fast recovery of flood-stricken town of Jipapad, Eastern Samar.
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol took a four-hour trip from this city to lead the delivery of assistance meant for the recovery of farmers and fishermen from a flash flood brought by Tropical Depression Samuel that crossed the province last week.
“The flood was so violent rising to about 10 feet and swept away almost everything that they owned. When I arrived in Jipapad Monday noon, people were cleaning their houses of debris and drying whatever was left of their farm produce,” recalled Piñol in a statement posted on his social media account Tuesday.
Newly-planted rice farms estimated at 640 hectares were totally destroyed by widespread flooding.
The farm department extended PHP5,000 per farmer and fisherman family affected by the floods amounting to PHP9.4 million under the survival and recovery loaning program.
Also released are the PHP10 million in loan funds under the Production Loan Easy Access Program of the DA Agricultural Credit Policy Council. The women’s groups got rice seeds good for 641 hectares and vegetable seeds.
A group received a PHP1.5 million capitalization and PHP1.5 million for the purchase of a hauling truck for coconut farmers so they could buy copra and deliver this directly to the oil mills.
The DA also donated two tractors with plow and rotavators for the rice farms. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) also turned over three 30-footer fiberglass fishing boats.
The National Food Authority (NFA) had set up special outlets to sustain the rice needs of the town until the farmers have fully recovered.
“The residents said it was also the first time that a Cabinet Secretary personally checked on them to find ways to help. A village chief stood up during the forum in the town gym and cried openly as she said that people of the town felt that they are cared for by government,” Piñol added.
The DA chief admitted that food shortage in Jipapad town came to his attention following media reports that the town had ran out of food supplies.
The Philippine News Agency (PNA) was the first to report on the afternoon of Nov. 22 about the appeal for help in Jipapad town after a phone interview with Eastern Samar Board Member Joji Montallana, the town’s former mayor.
Montallana appealed to the national government to help residents of Jipapad town, which was isolated after “Samuel” caused landslides and massive flooding in low-lying communities on November 21.
She reported that many residents have been begging for food after a seven-meter high floodwater-soaked food supplies, including prepositioned relief goods from the national and provincial government.
Jipapad town is about 24 kilometers away from the main Eastern Samar highway in Arteche town. It is located 80 kilometers north of Borongan City, the seat of the provincial government.
