President BBM distributes assistance to El Niño-stricken farmers and fisherfolk, in the provinces of Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental, and Iligan City.

 

ILIGAN CITY – President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. leads the turnover of assistance to farmers and fisherfolk affected by El Niño on May 16, at the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, in this city.

As part of the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFFF), the President, together with Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu-Laurel, Jr. and other government officials handed over Php10.54 million in aid to Iligan City Mayor Frederick Siao, Php13.92 million to Lanao del Norte Vice Governor Allan J. Lim and Php24.36 million to Misamis Occidental Governor Henry S. Oaminal, Sr.

In his speech, President Marcos highlighted that the public can expect government programs and projects that will help improve the lives of the people living in regions.

“Ngunit, nahaharap din ang ating bansa sa matinding tagtuyot na balakid sa ating kaunlaran. Kaya nga po ang ginagawa natin ngayon ay sinusuyod natin ang buong kapuluan upang maghatid ng tulong sa mga napinsala ng matinding tag-init at [tagtuyot] na nangyayari sa El Niño,” he said.

Meanwhile, DA Secretary Laurel noted that the agency is providing farmers in Region 10 numerous agricultural programs and projects which include agri inputs (vegetable seeds, corn seeds, rice seeds, fertilizers), Fertilizer Discount Vouchers, machinery and equipment, fuel discount vouchers, Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA), among others.

For 2024, the DA has appropriated Php2.9 billion in funds for agricultural programs, projects and services across Northern Mindanao. Of the total appropriation, Lanao del Norte is allocated Php498 million worth agricultural interventions, while Misamis Occidental and Iligan City were allotted Php276 million and Php99 million, respectively.

“Ang importante ay maidentify natin at maitulak natin ang mga stratehiya natin sa agrikultura. This will bring us closer to achieving our economic growth and ensuring food and nutrition security, para maparami ang trabaho at mabawasan ang kahirapan,” the DA chief remarked.

During the turnover program, the DA regional office has also distributed 7,000 packets of assorted vegetable seeds, 53 packets of forage seeds, 20 bags corn seeds (at 9 kilos per bag) and 20 bags of biofertilizer (at 200 grams per bag). # (AMBM)