(Photo courtesy of Naga City Government)
LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) — Ten days after visiting storm-affected areas in Camarines Sur and Naga City, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is scheduled to distribute financial assistance to farmers and fisherfolk in Albay and Camarines Sur today, November 6.
President Marcos will provide cash assistance to 5,000 farmers and fisherfolk in Camarines Sur and another 5,000 in Albay, whose farmlands and crops were severely destroyed by the flooding caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.
The financial assistance will be distributed by the Office of the President through the Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFFF).
Camarines Sur experienced heavy rainfall during the storm, affecting over 395,000 families in 36 municipalities, leaving many devastated and homeless. Food crops such as rice, corn, and cassava, along with high-value crops, suffered significant damage, impacting over 40,614 farmers and fisherfolk and resulting in losses exceeding P1.9 billion.
According to the initial report from the Camarines Sur Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), the damage to livestock was estimated at P17.6 million, with an additional P43.7 million in losses to fishing gear and equipment.
Recipients will include residents from the inundated areas, where floodwaters rose over 10 feet. The most affected towns were Milaor, Minalabac, Gainza, Canaman, Camaligan, Bula, and Nabua.
Camarines Sur experienced severe flooding during the onslaught of Kristine, with the state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reporting an accumulation of 711 mm of rainfall within 24 hours.
In Albay, the Provincial Agricultural Office (PAO) recorded that a total of 14,066 farmers and 493 fisherfolk were impacted by the storm.
Daryl John Buenconsejo, the PAO officer in charge, reported damages amounting to P752 million in agriculture and fisheries.
President Marcos will be accompanied by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla, Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Cesar B. Chavez, and various local government officials. (PIA5)
