DUMAGUETE CITY: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will lead on Thursday the distribution of PHP10 million in government assistance to 1,000 farmers and fisherfolk in Negros Oriental affected by the El Niño phenomenon.
The grant was taken from the Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolks, and their Families (PAFFF). Each beneficiary will receive PHP10,0000 cash aid.
This is to help the beneficiary recoup losses and jumpstart their livelihood, Assistant Secretary Joey Villarama of the Presidential Communications Office said in a media briefing here Wednesday night.
A list submitted by the Department of Agriculture showed that 19,526 farmers and fisherfolk in Negros Oriental incurred damage and losses to their crops, livestock, farms, and fisheries due to the El Niño-triggered drought.
The list was also validated by the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and cross-matched with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Villarama said the PAFFF has a minimum payout of PHP10 mill
ion and a maximum of PHP50 million for each province, depending on the extent of the damage.
The excess beneficiaries not covered by PAFFF are qualified for other government assistance, such as the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis (AICS) and Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) of the DSWD, he said.
The President is expected to arrive at the Macias Sports Center late Thursday afternoon where he would lead national and local government officials in the distribution.
Source: Philippines News Agency
