Marcos: Gov’t earmarks P100-M aid to battle effects of El Niño in Bicol

FILE PHOTO: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. INQUIRER FILES / RTVM

MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. provided more than P100 million in cash assistance to farmers and fisherfolk in the Bicol Region to cushion the effects of the El Niño phenomenon there.

Marcos said the amount is allotted for the P10,000 cash aid for families severely affected by the weather phenomenon in Albay, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon.

“Today, the Office of the President allocated more than one hundred million pesos worth of assistance,” Marcos said in his speech at the Albay Astrodome in Legazpi City.

“This fund will be distributed to the provincial government and each farmer, fisherfolk, and some chosen families who have been severely affected by the drought caused by El Niño will receive ten thousand pesos,” he added.

READ: Marcos eyes distribution of over 60,000 CLOAs by end-2024

During the event, Marcos led the ceremonial distribution of P10,000 to select 10 beneficiaries from the said four provinces.

The chief executive also provided P41.55 million to the government of Albay, P10.23 million to the government of Catanduanes, P36.79 million to the government of Masbate, and P13 million to the government of Sorsogon.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development also distributed P10,000 to each of the 5,000 beneficiaries, who were farmers, fisherfolk, and families in four provinces.

The state weather bureau on Friday announced the end of the El Niño phenomenon with the onset of La Niña, which will prevail nationwide until September.

El Niño, or the dry spell that increases the prospect of below normal rainfall conditions, brought record-high temperatures and drought in the country, causing extensive agricultural damage in several parts of the country.