ILOILO CITY (PIA) — The Iloilo provincial government recently spearheaded the distribution of cash assistance to 1,668 Dumangas-based farmers, fisherfolk and their families under the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFFF).
Each PAFFF beneficiary received 10,000 in a bid to help in the recovery of farmers and fisherfolk who were severely affected by the El Niño phenomenon.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. along with the local officials led the distribution of the financial assistance during the opening of the town’s Haw-as Festival.
Data from the provincial government said that a total of P12.650 million has been allocated and sourced from the PAFFF fund which was turned over by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Governor Defensor on June 27, 2024 in Antique.
USWAG Partylist Rep. Jojo Ang, on the other hand, provided an additional fund of P1.1 million while Fourth District Rep. Ferjenel Biron gave P2.930 million.
Governor Defensor emphasized that agriculture is one of the priority sectors of the provincial government, recognizing that the majority of Ilonggos depend on farming and fishery as their main sources of livelihood.
Further, the provincial government is apportioning a huge budget for agricultural programs such as hybrid rice, irrigation, and rice processing to ultimately reach a target of six metric tons per hectare of agricultural production in the province.
“Ubuson naton ang aton pwersa para makalab-ot kita sa anum ka tonelada kada hektarya. Indi ini mahapos pero mas maayo nga may ginatulok kita nga direksyon,” Defensor said.
(We will exhaust our force to get to six tons per hectare. This is not easy but it is better that we have a direction to take)
This move aligns with Defensor’s development thrust anchored on MoRProGRes Iloilo which aims to maximize agricultural production and boost the province’s agri-tourism industry.
The governor said the provincial government also eyes a shift to inland aquaculture for an alternative source of protein aside from pork.
He also emphasized his administration’s new approach to agriculture which is to treat it as a business to ensure its sustainability.
To note, the provincial government, through the Provincial Agriculture Office, previously distributed the aid to 3,949 farmers and fisherfolk covered by PAFFF. (AAL/LMLE/PIA Iloilo/With reports from Iloilo Provincial Gov’t)
