PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is expected to lead the distribution of cash assistance to El Niño-affected farmers and fishermen in Palawan.
The affected farmers and fishermen of the El Niño phenomenon will each receive ₱10,000 in cash assistance from the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFFF) to support their recovery from the impact of the disaster on their agricultural livelihood.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Assistant Secretary Joey Villarama said in a briefing on Thursday that there is no exact figure yet of recipients or the definite allotted budget for the province of Palawan.
The minimum amount of cash assistance extended to each province under PAFFF is ₱10 million and can reach up to a maximum of ₱50 million.
“Pwede makatanggap ang MIMAROPA region between ₱10 million to ₱50 million depending on the number of farmers and fisherfolk affected— wala pa akong figures kung ilan ang validated and registered na beneficiaries dito sa MIMAROPA,” he said.
The PAFFF comes from the budget of the Office of the President to extend assistance to affected farmers and fishermen during El Niño in 2024.
It was piloted in Zamboanga Peninsula on May 9 for Region IX, as one of the first impacted regions at the onset of El Niño in 2024.
PAFFF serves as additional support from the government aside from those provided by various government agencies for a whole government approach, Villarama added.
“Sabi ng Pangulo, he hopes that this ₱10,000 will be a seed fund lamang para makabawi muli dahil ‘yong iba ay walang-wala. The President hopes that this ₱10,000 will help renew, restart, or rehab the farm or aquafisheries business or livelihood of the beneficiary,” he said.
The government has extended a total of ₱10 billion to affected farmers and fishermen nationwide in different forms, such as food, financial assistance, farm inputs, and equipment.
Villarama, who also serves as spokesperson for Task Force El Niño, said 2024 is the fourth strong and mature El Niño phenomenon experienced by the country since 1997.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) leads the validation and identification of beneficiaries in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and local government units.
In Villarama’s coordination with the DA, he said that the basis for the list of beneficiaries is the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).
If there is going to be an excess from the base fund of ₱10 million given to a certain province, the Office of the President gives the authority to the provincial government to identify other qualified beneficiaries.
“Hindi naman lahat ay makakapunta sa Municipal Agricultural Office para makapagrehistro. Hindi naman lahat ng field offices ay may farm tech, meron nakarating sa amin na nakikisama lang, iniisip nila na di sila qualified, doon papasok ang provincial government para maka-identify ng additional beneficiaries,” Villarama explained.
The provincial government must liquidate the funds within 30 days and ensure transparency in the turnover of assistance through Facebook Live streaming.
For MIMAROPA, the ceremonial turnover is scheduled in Odiongan in Romblon, and Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, with the possible arrival of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on July 18.
As per the latest record, around ₱1.8 billion has been distributed through PAFFF to the affected farmers and fishermen in the country.
Aside from PAFFF, DA will also provide intervention with a total worth of P936 million to a combined number of individuals and cooperatives of farmers and fishermen affected by El Niño. The interventions include financial assistance, farm inputs, equipment, and machinery for Palawan.
In the data shared by DA MIMAROPA, the damage and losses (DALA) for crops hit 10,030 farmers and 141 for livestock in Palawan. (RG/PIA Mimaropa-Palawan)
