A total of 1,668 farmers, fisherfolk and their families in the municipality of Dumangas received a cash assistance of P10,000 each under the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFFF) on October 26, 2024 at Haw-as Arena.
PAFFF is intended to aid in the recovery of farmers and fisherfolk who were severely affected by the El Niño phenomenon.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. led the distribution of the financial assistance and was accompanied by Fourth District Rep. Ferjenel Biron, USWAG Partylist Rep. Jojo Ang, Fourth District Board Member Rolando Distura, Dumangas Mayor Braeden John Biron, Dumangas Vice Mayor Ronaldo Golez, Anilao Mayor Lee Ann Debuque, Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Dennis Ventilacion, Provincial Agriculturist Ildefonso Toledo, and the municipal officials, among others.
The provincial government allocated P12.650 million sourced from the PAFFF fund which was turned over by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Governor Defensor on June 27, 2024 in Antique. Cong. Ang provided an additional fund of P1.1 million while Cong. Biron gave P2.930 million.
Governor Defensor stressed that agriculture is one of the priority sectors of the provincial government, recognizing that majority of Ilonggos rely on farming and fishery as their primary sources of livelihood.
He added that the provincial government is allocating a huge budget for agricultural programs such as hybrid rice, irrigation, and rice processing to ultimately reach a target of six metric tons per hectare of agricultural production in the province. This aligns with Defensor’s development thrust under MoRProGRes Iloilo which is to maximize agricultural production and eventually boost the province’s agri-tourism industry.
“Ubuson naton ang aton pwersa para makalab-ot kita sa anum ka tonelada kada hektarya. Indi ini mahapos pero mas maayo nga may ginatulok kita nga direksyon,” Defensor said.
The governor said the provincial government also eyes a shift to inland aquaculture for an alternative source of protein aside from pork.
He also emphasized his administration’s new approach to agriculture which is to treat it as a business to ensure its sustainability.
The provincial government, through the Provincial Agriculture Office, previously distributed the aid to 3,949 farmers and fisherfolk covered by PAFFF.
Meanwhile, the distribution of cash assistance coincided with the opening of the Haw-as Festival of Dumangas. The governor also joined the opening of the Agri-Aqua Product Display in front of the arena.
(Capitol News)
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