BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
came here yesterday, 27 June 2024, and left an aid package of more than P140 million, more than P80 million of which is for farmers and fisherfolk at P10,000 per beneficiary taken from the Presidential Assistance Fund for Farmers and Fisherfolk (PAFF).
Marcos, in his first post El Niño visit, also left a previously unannounced monetary assistance of P10 million for the city and P50 million for Capitol that can be used by City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez and Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson for their projects.
Marcos arrived early afternoon yesterday at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos here to turn over the P83 million aid package to local officials and the ceremonial release of the cash assistance before thousands of farmers and fisherfolk who have been identified as beneficiaries.
The ceremonial release of the cash assistance to Negros beneficiaries was also attended by two Cabinet secretaries, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Mayor Albee Benitez, Lone District Representative Greg Gasataya, and several other district representatives.
One of the fund’s beneficiaries, Joaquin Malacad, chairman of the Bacolod City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council, said hecwas happy with the assistance, sayimg that during the El Niño, fish catch was usually low, which meant low earnings that could not cover their daily expenses.
Benitez thanked Marcos Jr. not only for the financial assistance but also for signing Republic Act No. 12000, establishing the Negros Island Region.
Benitez also added that this is an important aid in providing resources and support to the agricultural sector, which has been severely affected by El Niño.
Lacson also thanked Marcos for choosing the province as a beneficiary and for the his continued support to Negrense farmers and fisherfolks.
He said the financial aid is helping the local agricultural community recover from the adverse effects of the El Niño.
In addition to the direct financial aid, various local government agencies, like the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, distributed additional cash aid and machines to selected beneficiaries.
