A total of 849 farmers and fisherfolk from Makato receive the PAFFF during the fourth pay-out at the ABL Sports Complex on August 15, 2024. (PIA Aklan)
KALIBO, Aklan (PIA)—A total of 4,827 farmers, fisherfolk, and families reeling from the effects of the Niño phenomenon in the province have received financial assistance from the Office of the President.
Under the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFFF) program, the beneficiaries received P10,000 each during the four-day payout facilitated by the provincial government.
The assistance was part of the P50 million fund given to the province, which was handed over to Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s visit to Antique on June 27, 2024.
The first batch of the payout was on July 30, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. at the ABL Sports Complex in Kalibo, Aklan.
A total of 1,048 beneficiaries from Aklan’s first district, specifically from the municipalities of Banga, Kalibo, Madalag, and New Washington, received the financial aid.
In the afternoon of July 30, the aid distribution for the beneficiaries of the second district—from the towns of Buruanga, Ibajay, Lezo, Malinao, Nabas, Numancia, and Tangalan—was held at the Aklan Sports Complex in Calangcang, Makato.
A total of 1,445 farmers, fisherfolk, and families received the cash assistance.
The third batch of beneficiaries received their financial aid distributed at Villa Socorro Bypass Road in Altavas town, benefiting the 1,485 recipients from the remaining towns of the eastern side of Aklan, specifically Altavas and Batan.
The 849 farmers and fisherfolk from Makato received the PAFFF during the fourth payout at the ABL Sports Complex on August 15, 2024.
Gov. Miraflores, who led the PAFFF cash aid distribution in Aklan, thanked the President for the assistance.
The Governor also acknowledged the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Social Welfare & Development for their efforts to make the payout a success.
In addition, Gov. Miraflores advised the recipients to spend the money to replace their crops damaged by the long dry spell.
Meanwhile, Limpy L. Nadua, a 71-year-old farmer from Alaminos, Madalag, thanked God and the President for the cash aid.
“Salamat gid ah sa Diyos ag kay PBBM hay may blessing nga nag-abot. May pambakae eon ako it abono ag bayad sa pagpasapsap sa eanas,” said Nadua, as she prayed to spare the country of calamities.
(Thank you to God and PBBM for the blessing that I received. I now have money to buy fertilizers and pay someone to clean our rice field.)
Fisherman Jimmy Bartolo from Guinbaliwan, New Washington, also thanked the President for giving him a chance to recoup his losses.
“Mabahoe gid a akon nga pasaeamat sa Presidente dahil gintaw-an nana kami it kapital. Tungod sa hara nga bulig, makaumpisa euman kami sa pagbakae it semilya it bangus para makakita kami sa amon nga fishpond,” Bartolo said.
(I thank the President a lot for giving me capital. Due to his help, we could start buying bangus fingerlings and our fishpond will have income again.)
On the other hand, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist said that the release of assistance for the families of the deceased will take place at a separate date. Requirements for qualified beneficiaries will be communicated to them soon. (AGP/SQP/PIA Aklan)
