CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) - The Office of the Vice President-Isabela Satellite Office and the 86th Infantry Battalion based in the Jones town brought relief assistance to the El Niño affected farmers from a remote village of Sta. Isabela, Jones, Isabela.

The relief goods to over 160 farmers to cushion the impact of El Niño which have been experienced in the last few weeks that affected their rice and corn plants.

In the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecast, El Nino will be experienced in the country in the 1st and 2nd Quarter of 2024.

OVP Isabela Satellite Office head Maria Laiza Frogoso-Pamittan said the assistance that were distributed from the OVP is necessary to at least ease the burden of farmers and residents in the remote village of Jones on the effect of El Niño.

Pamittan acknowledged the support of the 86IB soldiers for bringing into the place the needed assistance and in providing security to the personnel of the OVP during the distribution of relief goods to the residents and farmers.

Aside from the distribution of relief goods, a community dialogue was also conducted by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) 2 to ensure that the residents will not be recruited by the CPP-NPA-NDF.

The town of Jones was recently one of the declared insurgency-free towns in the province by the RTF-ELCAC.

Meanwhile, Sta. Isabel Barangay Captain Rollyvan A. Antonio expressed his thanks to the OVP Isabela Satellite Office personnel and the soldiers of the 86IB for bringing the relief goods despite the distance from the poblacion.

"Ako po ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa mga kasundalohan ng 86IB at sa bumubuo ng OVP, sapagkat napili ang aming barangay na mabigyan ng tulong na galing sa ating gobyerno,” Antonio said. (MGE/PIA Isabela)