PBBM distributes rice and agriculture assistance to 4Ps beneficiaries and farmers in Panay Island

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visited Panay Island on Friday, delivering much-needed rice to 4Ps beneficiaries and agriculture assistance to struggling farmers in the provinces of Capiz, Antique, and Aklan. This visit underscores his commitment to addressing the pressing issues of rising rice prices and economic challenges faced by Filipinos as he distributed government aid to those in need.

In the province of Capiz, President Marcos provided a total of PHP 1,050,000.00 worth of rice to 1,000 indigent residents, focusing on supporting 679 fishermen affected by the red tide. Capiz Governor Fredinel Castro and Roxas City Mayor Ronnie Dadivas expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the much-needed assistance provided by the national government.

Continuing his mission in Antique, the President distributed PHP 1 million worth of rice packed at 25 kilos per bag to 4Ps beneficiaries. He also turned over P2 million to Libertad LGU for the Ice Plant project, P5.9 million for a rehabilitation and recovery plan for STS Paeng affected farmers from 17 municipalities, P5.1 million for the installation of two units Lambaklad in Libertad and Sebaste, and P3.8 million indemnity claims of 242 affected farmers, fishersfolks, and hog raisers.

Moving on to the Aklan province, President Marcos reaffirmed his commitment to aiding farmers and 4Ps beneficiaries by distributing 1,000 sacks of rice to recipients from 16 barangays. This visit marked his first official visit to Aklan since taking office.

During the President’s visit, various government agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Commission on Higher Education, and many more, joined forces to distribute aid and support their beneficiaries.

In the Province of Capiz,  the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) Region 6 has disbursed PHP 12,887,705.00 in crop indemnification funds to 2,151 affected farmers and hog raisers registered under the Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture (RSBSA) and beneficiaries of the Free Crop Insurance Program.

The Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) has allocated substantial financial assistance to various agricultural organizations in Aklan Province, including PHP 9,185,414.32 to the Altavas Small Fisherman’s Association, PHP 11,923,121.72 to the YARP Agriculture Cooperative, and PHP 6,786,737 to the Tagaroroc Mainuswagon Panimalay Consumers Cooperative, to bolster their respective projects.

The Department of Agriculture Western Visayas has distributed PHP 1.5 million in Enhanced Kadiwa Cash Assistance to the Municipality of Pontevedra in Capiz Province to empower local agricultural endeavors and promote sustainable farming practices.

The Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) acknowledged and supported successfully certified farms as Learning Sites for Agriculture (LSAs) through the Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System (PAFES). IBON MPC, led by Mr. Arnulfo Magcope, has been recognized as a certified LSA and received a substantial grant of PHP 150,000.00. Tinigaw Integrated Farmers Association in Tinigaw, Kalibo, Aklan, received Php250,000.00 for the establishment of a vegetable nursery in the barangay, and Green Cups Garden in Aranas, Balete, Aklan received the amount of 150,000 for the establishment of the Urban Community Garden. Chandy’s Integrated Farm in Timpas, Panit-an, and DISIRIE Integrated Farm in Tico, Panay, received PHP 150,000.00 each.

Furthermore, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) has initiated distributing certified coconut seeds to farmers, further enhancing coconut farming across the region.###(MCMBuala/AJSubade/JEEOgatis/DA-RAFIS-6)