Marcos hands over P99-M aid to Palawan, Marinduque folk

CHECK President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. hands over the symbolic check worth P50 million intended as aid to farmers and fishermen who were affected by the recent El Niño to Palawan Gov. Victorino Dennis Socrates, during his visit to Puerto Princesa City on Thursday. On his left is House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez who also joined the trip. —PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY-PALAWAN PHOTO

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited this city on Thursday to distribute about P99 million in financial assistance to the agriculture sector in Palawan and Marinduque provinces, particularly to the farmers and fisherfolk severely affected by the dry spell spawned by the El Niño phenomenon that affected the country early this year.

Mr. Marcos, who was on his third visit here since becoming president, distributed a total of P10 million to around 10,000 residents of this city and another P50 million in cash assistance to the different municipalities of Palawan, taken from the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk and their Families (PAFFF) fund of the Office of the President.

He also handed out P39 million in PAFFF assistance for Marinduque, which was received by Gov. Presbitero Velasco Jr.

Palawan and Marinduque both belong to Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) region.

The President was initially set to fly to Romblon first for the same activity but the schedule was cut short because of unfavorable weather conditions.

Secretaries Benjamin Abalos of the Department of Interior and Local Government, Francisco Tiu Laurel of the Department of Agriculture (DA), and Rexlon Gatchalian of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) who were already in Romblon conducted the distribution of the financial aid on behalf of the President.

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, who also serves as caretaker of Palawan’s first and third legislative districts, joined Mr. Marcos on the trip and also distributed sacks of rice to the beneficiaries.

The President said the assistance hoped to partly ease the losses suffered by the agriculture sector in Mimaropa, which has reached P3 billion, caused by the drought.

Fishing gear, irrigation

The recent El Niño, which started affecting the country in December last year, ended with the onset of the rainy season in June.

Aside from the presidential aid, the DSWD also distributed P10,000 to each of the more than 6,000 beneficiaries under the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources also distributed P29,850,000 worth of fishing boats and other equipment and fish cages, while the DA distributed more than P900 million worth of farm implements that include hand tractors, rice combine harvesters, walk-behind transplanters, pump engine sets, hammermills, corn shellers and fertilizers.

According to the President, the National Irrigation Administration would also distribute P8 million worth of assistance for operation and maintenance subsidies to different irrigation associations and P500 million worth of certificates that either condone or exempt landowners from paying their dues under the National and Communal Irrigation System.

Irrigation projects valued at around P200 million will also be set up in four areas in Palawan while P20 million will be allotted for the survival and recovery program and another P30 million for the agri-business loan program in the province, he added.

Mr. Marcos said the government will also train farmers to improve production.