ILOILO CITY (PIA) — A total of 5,000 farmers and fisherfolk who have been affected by the El Niño phenomenon in Iloilo province are set to benefit from the financial assistance extended by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. following his visit in Antique province on June 27.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., who joined local officials in welcoming President Marcos Jr. during his visit, received a check amounting to P50-million worth of Presidential aid for Iloilo during a short program in Binirayan Sports Complex, San Jose de Buenavista.
The beneficiaries were registered with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and would receive P10,000 each through the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFFF).
Ten selected farmers also immediately received their assistance during the ceremonial distribution during the program.
A statement from the provincial government noted that Provincial Administrator Raul Banias and Provincial Agriculturist Ildefonso Toledo facilitated the receipt of the assistance.
The provincial board of Iloilo previously placed the province under a state of calamity as the damages brought by the intense drought to the agriculture and fisheries sector already reached P1.025 billion – most affected in Western Visayas as of April 26.
Meanwhile, in his message, President Marcos Jr. urged the people to fully trust the government and unite with all its undertakings to fulfill the goals set for Bagong Pilipinas.
“Magtiwala po kayo na sisikapin namin na maabot ang ating mga liblib at malalayong pamayanan sa bawat sulok ng bansa, nang sa gayon ay walang maiiwanan at walang mahuhuli at sama-sama tayong [maglalakbay] sa Bagong Pilipinas, patungo sa Bagong Pilipinas. Sa pakikipagsapalaran nating ito, umaasa akon na makikiisa kayo sa amin at sa inyong lokal na pamahalaan upang mapaunlad lalo ang inyong ekonomiya at magdala ng pangmatagalang kasaganahan,” he said.
(We will strive to reach our isolated and remote communities in every corner of the country, so that no one will be left behind and together we will reach the ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ that we aim. In this venture of ours, I hope that you will join us and your local government to further develop your economy and bring long-term prosperity.)
“Nananatiling bukas ang inyong pamahalaan upang makinig at tumugon sa inyong mga hinaing at upang matulungan kayong makamit ang inyong mga pangarap para sa inyong mga sarili, para sa inyong mga pamilya, at kasama rin para sa buong Pilipinas,” President Marcos Jr. added.
(Your government remains open to listen and respond to your grievances and needs, and to help you achieve your dreams for yourselves, for your families, and also for the entire Philippines.)
Aside from the aid for Iloilo, the nearby province of Guimaras, represented by Gov. JC Rahman Nava, also received a check amounting to P28.41 million for the Guimarasnon farmers and fisherfolk; while 10 selected beneficiaries from the island likewise received their financial aid during the program.
The Office of the President distributed a total of P288.41 million aid to Western Visayas during his visit in Antique and Negros Occidental on June 27, which benefitted 61,000 farmers and fisherfolk in the region. (AAL/JNH/PIA Iloilo)
