SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is expected to arrive in this province on June 27 to lead the distribution of the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFFF).
Alongside the country’s top officials, Marcos will extend over P70 million worth of Presidential aid to some 7,067 Antiqueño farmers and fisherfolk severely hit by El Niño, each receiving P10,000.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Assistant Secretary for Television Dale De Vera, in a press briefing, said that PAFFF beneficiaries are farmers registered with the Department of Agriculture (DA) who have officially declared losses due to the extreme-dry condition.
Asec. De Vera noted that President Marcos’ series of visits to the provinces to personally extend PAFFF to the people displays the Chief Executive’s commitment to delivering Malacañang and government services closer to Filipinos.
Meanwhile, on the President’s third visit since his election to office, Gov. Rhodora J. Cadiao said that President Marcos has a “heart” for Antique as seen through the assistance he brings whenever he comes to the province.
The governor then expressed her gratitude to President Marcos and conveyed her and the Antiqueños’ warmest welcome to the President and his delegation.
Apart from the PAFFF, each of the beneficiaries will also receive five kilograms of rice from the Office of the House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and another five kilograms from the Provincial Government of Antique through the Office of the Governor.
The Department of Agriculture and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) are also expected to bring their share of assistance.
For the ceremonial distribution of the PAFFF at the Binirayan Sports Complex in the capital town of San Jose de Buenavista, President Marcos will be joined by Special Assistant to the President Sec. Antonio Lagdameo Jr., DA Sec. Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr., DSWD Sec. Rexlon Gatchalian, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Benjamin Abalos Jr., and PCO Sec. Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil, among others.
Governors in Panay and Guimaras islands are also anticipated to arrive in Antique to receive from the President their province’s allocation of the Presidential assistance which will benefit at least 61,000 farmers and fisherfolk in Western Visayas.
After his visit to Antique, the President will proceed to Negros Occidental for another ceremonial PAFFF distribution. (ED/AGP/BPS/PIA Antique)
