DAVAO CITY (PIA) — Recognizing their role in nation-building, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assures farmers and fisherfolk of government support amidst various incidences that affect their production, like the El Niño phenomenon.
“Kayo po ang sandigan ng ating bayan sa pag unlad kung kaya’t hindi kami titigil sa pag-agapay sa inyong lahat,” President Marcos said during his visit in Tagum City, Davao del Norte on June 6, 2024.
Marcos also said that the national government and local government units will work hand in hand to provide the necessary aid that will help farmers, fisherfolk, and their families in this time of distress.
Among the support, Marcos led the distribution of P 10,000 cash assistance each to 10,000 beneficiaries under the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and their Families (PAFFF).
The chief executive also gave another P 10 million each to the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental, which was received, respectively by the governors, namely, Acting Governor De Carlo Uy, Governor Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga, and Governor Niño Sotero Uy, Jr.
Different farmer and fisherfolk associations also obtained farm inputs and facilities like rice combine harvesters, floating tillers, walk behind transplanters, four-wheel tractors, fertilizers, and motorized boats.
According to reports, around 1,000 families in 16 barangay in Davao Region have been affected by the El Niño phenomenon damaging around P 50 million agricultural and marine products.
Aside from these, President Marcos also directed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to increase the supply of fishes through aquaculture production and planting of mangroves.
The president also assures them of financial and technical support from the programs of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment, (DOLE), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Beneficiaries of the program were elated to receive the aid from the government.
Hansel Hempon, a fisherman from Maco, Davao de Oro, expressed his gratitude to the government as he received a 21-footer motorized fiberglass reinforced plastic boat from BFAR XI.
“Nagpasalamat mi sa dakong tabang sa among panginabuhian. (Kumpara atong amoang bangka,) kini karon mas dako-dako na ug naa pa jud makina,” he said. (We are thankful for this assistance for our livelihood. Compared to our boat, this now is bigger and with a motor.)
Anabie Macamay of Panabo City is thankful to President Ferdinand Marcos for the cash assistance as it will greatly help in their daily needs.
“Maligaya kami na makakatanggap kami ng tulong mula sa gobyerno,” she said. (RVC/MLU/PIA-Davao with reports from ASU)
