CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) — Farmers and fisherfolk in the province of Oriental Mindoro expressed their gratitude to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. for the assistance extended to them under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolks, and Families (PAFFF) program.
The aid was distributed to typhoon-affected communities during a ceremonial event held in Pinamalayan on Thursday, November 14.
The PAFFF program, aimed at providing immediate relief to those impacted by recent natural disasters, has been a lifeline for many in the region who were left reeling from the devastation caused by Typhoon Kristine and Typhoon Leon earlier this month.
The program provided essential support, totalling ₱50 million financial assistance to almost 5,000 beneficiaries from the 15 municipalities in the province.
Andres Kalaw, a farmer from the Naujan town, as he received his P10,000, said “Ito po ay aking gagamitin upang muling makapagtanim sa aming bukid. Ang mensahe ko po sa ating kagalang-galang na Pangulo, maraming maraming salamat po sa inyo PBBM sa napakalaking tulong na ipinagkaloob niyo po sa amin.”
Fisherfolk from the coastal areas of Bongabong also expressed their gratitude for the the government support they received.
“Noong dumaan po sa amin itong kalamidad na ito, ang amin pong pinagkakakitaan ay lubos na naapektuhan ng bagyo. Kami po ay lubos na nagagalak at niloob ng Diyos na ang ating pamahalaan ay nagbigay ng ganito kalaking halaga. Ito po ay malaking tulong sa amin dahil sa kabila ng bagyong dumaan ay nandoon po ang suporta ng pamahalaan sa pangunguna ng ating Pangulong Bongbong Marcos,” said Alberto Morillo, a fisherman from the Bongabong town.
“Gagamitin ko po ang nasabing halaga (P10,000) pambili ng kagamitan. Lubos ang aking pasasalamat kay PBBM dahil sa tulong na akin pong natanggap,” said Pedro Marasigan, also a fisherman from the same town.
In his speech, President Marcos assured the affected farmers and fisherfolk that the government remains committed to assisting those who are working hard to recover from the typhoon’s impacts.
“Hindi man natin mapipigilan ang pagtama ng mga bagyong ito sa bansa, maaari naman tayong gumawa ng mga hakbang upang maibsan ang epekto nito. Makakaasa kayo na ang pamahalaan ay narito para matulungan kayo na makabangon sa mga ganitong pagsubok,” said President Marcos.
Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Department of Social Welafre and Development Secretary Rexlon T. Gatchalian, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla Jr. and Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Cesar B. Chavez, Governor Humerlito A. Dolor, Vice Governor Ejay Falcon, Pinamalayan mayor Aristeo A. Baldos Jr. and other local officials also attended the ceremony, underscoring the importance of close cooperation between the national and local governments in addressing the needs of disaster-stricken families.
Farmers and fisherfolk, many of whom are still struggling to recover from the severe impacts of the typhoons, thanked the President for the timely intervention and expressed hope that the aid would help them return to normalcy.
The PAFFF program is part of the Marcos administration’s broader disaster relief efforts and is expected to expand to other affected provinces in the coming weeks. (AS/PIA MIMAROPA-Oriental Mindoro)
