SAN JOSE, Batangas – CALABARZON region’s farmers and fisherfolk reeling from El Niño’s impact have received much-needed aid for livelihood recovery.
On July 11, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. personally led the distribution of assistance under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolk, and their Families (PAFFF) program to beneficiaries from Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Rizal, and Quezon provinces.
Regardless of the amount given, farmer-beneficiaries thanked the President for financial aid to restart their livelihoods destroyed by the long dry spell.
Marivic Mallo of Mataasnakahoy, Batangas, said she would use the government’s cash assistance as additional seed money.
“First of all, we are grateful for the assistance provided to us, and we will use it as additional capital for our crops. I thank President [Marcos Jr.] because he gave us his time and attention to improve our situation. I am grateful he showed he cares for farmers; we are greatly honored.”
Gaudioso Ambat, whose hometown of Amadeo, Cavite, is known for producing coffee and fruits, cultivates bananas, avocados, and langka (jackfruit) for his family’s livelihood. However, rising fertilizer costs stopped him from keeping his farm productive.
Ambat said, “[These PAFFF] benefits are a big help for farmers like me, as our dear President provided us with some aid to buy fertilizers for our plants. The money will help us buy fertilizers.”
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured farmers and fisherfolk in the region that the government will continue to do its part in making the agricultural sector of the country more productive and progressive. (ST/PIA-4A)
Aside from the rising input costs, the extreme drought caused by the El Niño phenomenon has affected 4,735 farmers and fisherfolk in the region, resulting in an estimated production loss of P407,817,700.73.
“Using the cash assistance provided by the President, I would like to buy new seeds to replace those damaged by the drought and, of course, replant my farm since my crops dried up,” said coffee grower Jeffrey Mendiola from Mataasnakahoy, Batangas, who currently maintains a 2,000-tree coffee farm.
Fishermen in CALABARZON also benefited from the PAFFF program, including Pepito Pangilinan in the coastal town of Tanza, Cavite.
Despite the difficulties of fishing, Pangilinan was able to send his children to school and provide for them.
“The fishing sector’s main problem [really] is calamity. Whenever there is a typhoon, the shoreline for berthing our boats shrinks; it destroys or sinks our fishing vessels.”
Pangilinan added: “This assistance is a big help to our livelihood, especially these days when the catch is scarce. I am thankful for the cash aid, which boosts our livelihood.”
Overwhelmed by the aid provided to local farmers and fishers in their province, Jerwin Matibag of San Jose, Batangas, admitted that the money he received was overwhelming.
Matibag added, “I cannot do anything but smile and be grateful. Receiving this kind of [help] from the government and President Bongbong Marcos’s visit gives me a different kind of happiness.”
The President has earmarked Php 170.27 million for the assistance provided throughout the region, with each beneficiary receiving Php 10,000 and each provincial government receiving grants for developing their agriculture programs.
Batangas governor Hermilando Mandanas thanked President Marcos Jr. for the cash grants, symbolizing the chief executive’s resolve to bring about positive changes to the province.
“We wholeheartedly accept and thank the qualities shown and initiatives done by President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr., who changed the way we see Filipinos. All of these show that our President does whatever he can to embody and realize the vision of Bagong Pilipinas.”
Meanwhile, more business interventions were provided by other government agencies, including the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in the form of cash assistance, business kits, starter tool kits, certificates of scholarship, and five kilos of rice to each attendee throughout the day. (PB/PIA 4A)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. with the beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) cash assistance. (CO/PIA-4A)
