Over P350-M aid given to farmers, fisherfolk in Central Luzon

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally handed cash aid and other modes of assistance to farmers and fisherfolk from Central Luzon, particularly Aurora and Pampanga, whose livelihoods were affected by the El Niño phenomenon.

During his visits to Baler, Aurora and San Fernando, Pampanga on Friday, Marcos said he understands the problems that El Niño caused to agricultural workers in Central Luzon, hence the P205.5 million aid for those in Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and Zambales, as well as the P147.6 million for Aurora.

“Upang makatulong sa inyong pagbangon at bilang pasasalamat sa inyong araw-araw na pagsisikap, kami po ay mamamahagi sa inyo ng ilang tulong pandagdag sa inyong kabuhayan,” he said to attendees in San Fernando, Pampanga.

(To help you recover and show our gratitude for your unwavering efforts, we are distributing some items that can assist your livelihood.)

“Bilang pambungad, masaya ko pong ibinabalita sa inyo na magbibigay ang [aking] tanggapan—ang Office of the President—ng [tig-sampung] libong piso para sa bawat benepisyaryong magsasaka, mangingisda, at mga pamilya na naapektuhan ng krisis,” he said, this time to farmers and fisherfolk in Baler, Aurora.

(To start things off, I am happy to announce that my office, the Office of the President, will give P10,000 aid to each fisherfolk, farmer, and their families affected by the crisis.)

Marcos also distributed a P10,000 cash aid for 10,000 beneficiaries in the Pampanga program and 10,000 others in Baler under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP) program.

According to Marcos, the government is not only concerned about El Niño’s effects, but also about the possibility of floods in the coming months due to a high chance of La Niña.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) characterizes El Niño as the unusual rise in average sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, resulting in warmer waters.

READ: Stronger El Niño phenomenon in 2024 threatens 65 provinces — DOST

El Niño was felt in several areas in the country, resulting in dry spells.  However, Pagasa said that there is also a chance of La Niña — the opposite of El Niño, where SSTs decrease, leading to a higher chance of stronger storms.

READ: Pagasa raises La Niña Watch as forecasts show early onset

“Batid din po namin na matapos ang labis na tag-init, ang malakas na ulan at baha naman ang [kakaharapin] natin na suliranin sa susunod na ilang buwan,” Marcos said.

(We also understand that with the waning heat comes strong rains and flooding, possibly in the next months.)

“Kaya po pinaghahandaan na natin ang pagdating ng tag-ulan,” he added.

(That’s why we are preparing for the rainy season.)

Aside from the cash assistance, Marcos also led the distribution of the following farming and fishing equipment:

• Machinery
• Boats
• Aid to beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced (TUPAD) workers
• Training support, scholarship grants, and starter tool kits to beneficiaries of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)