By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
Around P952.660 million financial assistance, services, loan assistance, and subsidies were given to farmers and fisherfolk affected by the El Niño phenomenon in Palawan and Marinduque.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the distribution of various government assistance in a ceremony in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on Thursday.
Of the figure, P99.13 million in financial aid was distributed by the President to the local governments of Palawan (P50 million), Puerto Princesa (P10 million), and Marinduque (P39.13 million).
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also gave P10,000 each to 6,043 beneficiaries of the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP) program.
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), meanwhile, gave P8.4 million for operations and maintenance subsidy of the irrigator’s association and P533.66 million worth of certificates of condonation and exemption for landowners.
The NIA also provided irrigation projects worth P201 million to farmers in Papualan, Sumbiling, Timburan, Bagong Bayan, and Apurawan.
Meanwhile, the Agriculture Credit Policy Council (ACPC) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) allotted P20 million for the Survival and Recovery Program and P30 million for the Agri-Negosyo Loan Program.
In his speech on Thursday, Marcos acknowledged the vibrant tourism industry in Palawan and the significant contributions it brings to the Philippine economy.
“Kaya, sa araw na ito, hayaan ninyong kami naman ang mamahagi ng biyaya sa inyo. Kung sanay ang lahat na magdala ng pasalubong mula sa Palawan, kami [naman po] ang magdadala ng pasalubong sa inyo rito sa lahat ng Palaweño,” he said.
All those who attended the event also received five kilos of rice from the Office of Speaker Martin Romualdez.
P140-M standby funds
Marcos also said the government has allotted some P140 million for standby funds and stockpiles for the Mimaropa Region in preparation for the advent of the La Niña phenomenon.
Of the figure, P5 million is for standby funds; P102,770,100 for food packs; and P32,342,633 for non-food items.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) recently raised the La Niña warning, announcing that there is a 70% chance the phenomenon will occur starting next month.
La Niña is characterized by cooler sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, which triggers above-average rainfall in the country.
