PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. led the distribution of various government aid to farmers, fishermen, and their families in Palawan, who were affected by El Niño.
The President personally conducted the distribution at the Edward S. Hagedorn Coliseum, Puerto Princesa City on July 18 in collaboration with the office of House of Representative Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
In his message, the President said that apart from UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Palawan province also leads in food production. In addition to the vast fields of rice, corn, and coconut, there are also cashews, bananas, and other fruits that the province could share with tourists but also with all citizens in different parts of the country.
However, the President did not deny that the last El Niño phenomenon had affected the farms and fisheries in Palawan.
“Ayon sa aming huling datos, umabot sa higit tatlong bilyong piso ang nasira sa sektor ng agrikultura dito sa MIMAROPA sanhi ng matinding tagtuyot, kaya’t marapat lamang na pa-ulanan naman namin kayo ng tulong upang maka-ahon kayo sa pagsubok na pinagdaanan ninyo,” President Marcos said.
He first distributed financial assistance from his office to some farmers, fishermen, and their families who were most in need amounting to P10,000 for each family.
He also handed a P10 million worth of cheque to the City of Puerto Princesa which was received by Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron, and P50 million for the province of Palawan which was accepted by Governor Victorino Dennis M. Socrates.
The President also led the provision of assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA) in the form of seedlings, fertilizers, and some equipment, not only for farmers but also for Indigenous Peoples and communities who want to plant in their backyards.
Fertilizer and fuel vouchers were also distributed to farmers to help them earn a living, and several tractor units, rice combine harvesters, walk-behind transplanters, pump and engine sets, hammer mills, corn shellers, and other machinery from the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The DA’s Agriculture Credit Policy Council will provide P20 million funds for the Survival and Recovery Program and P30 million funds for the Agri-Business Loan Program.
Meanwhile, the President distributed five boats, three ferries, and two units of fish cages from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for the fishermen’s association.
From the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), the President distributed P10,000 each to more than 6,000 beneficiaries.
On the part of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), more than P8 million was distributed for the operations and maintenance subsidy of the irrigators’ associations.
The NIA also gave more than P500 million worth of certificates of condonation and exemption to landowners under the National and Communal Irrigation System so that they no longer have to worry about debt and fees to the NIA.
The TESDA also distributed some starter toolkits and a check for the Training Support Fund.
The DILG also brought funds as support to the local governments of Dumaran, San Vicente, Roxas, Taytay, Cagayancillo, and Araceli.
The DILG also has support for the former rebels and the families of the dead barangay officials here in Palawan.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Romualdez distributed five kilos of rice to all who attended the event at the Coliseum. (OCJ/PIA-MIMAROPA, Palawan)
