BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Agriculture Cordillera (DA-CAR) is finalizing the list of farmers, fisherfolk, and their families in the region that have been affected by the El Nino phenomenon are set to receive a PhP10,000 financial assistance each from the government as financial support under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolks and their Families or PAFFF.
In the Bagong Pilipinas Kapihan on June 18, 2024, the DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Atty. Jennilyn Dawayan explained the program aims to provide financial support and resources to communities affected by the El Nino which has caused severe drought and negatively impacted the livelihoods of many agricultural and fisheries sector in the region.
“Actually for El Nino, aside from providing our action line, seeds, and machineries, the President has recently announced the PhP10,000 financial aid to be provided to El Nino affected farmers and fisherfolk. And if plans will push through, we and the local government units in the region are currently preparing, validating, and finalizing the list for the initial distribution of this fund to be personally handed over by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 19 this year in the province of Apayao,” Dawayan said.
The significance of the program lies in the comprehensive approach to addressing the immediate and long-term needs of affected communities.
By providing financial aid, agricultural inputs, and infrastructure development the government aims to mitigate the adverse effects of El Nino and enhance the resilience of farmers, fisherfolk, and their communities.
“This fund will come directly from the Office of the President under the Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolks Families or PAFFF affected by El Nino which will be transferred accordingly to the provincial government who will be the lead in the distribution, with the list coming from the joint inspection team of the DA-CAR Regional office and the local government,” Dawayan added.
The assistance underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of its citizens and supporting sustainable agricultural practices.
In its latest El Nino report, DA-CAR recorded the total damage to crops and livestock at PhP1.237 billion affecting rice, corn, high value crops, and some mortalities to livestock and poultry.
Ifugao incurred the most damages in corn which is almost 50 percent of the total value of damages in the region, followed by Apayao and Kalinga. By JTLlanes