Cebu farmers, fishers get P50 million from Marcos JR.

MANILA, Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia the other day received from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. (PBBM) a P50-million check as financial assistance to no less than 30,000 farmers and fisherfolk in Cebu province whose livelihoods were affected by the El Niño phenomenon.

After addressing the delegates to the United Nations Tourism Organization (UNTO) Joint Forums held in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on Friday morning, Garcia and the president flew together to Bohol province for the ceremonial distribution of the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFF) for the provinces of Cebu and Bohol.

In his speech during the distribution ceremony, Marcos said that while tourism is a lifeblood for Cebu and Bohol, which are both known for their spots and destinations catering to local and international tourists, agriculture and fisheries are also the primary industries of the provinces.

“At sa angking yaman ng inyong mga lupa at karagatan, isa sa mga hangarin ng administrasyon ko ay palaguin ang pagsasaka at pangingisda sa inyong lalawigan; nang sa gayon umunlad din ang ating ekonomiya,” the president said.

In gratitude for the assistance, Garcia, wrote “Daghang salamat, President BBM” on her official Facebook page.

Apart from the P50 million from the president for Cebu province, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also distributed P10,000 each to 10 Cebu farmers and fisherfolk under its "Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita" (AKAP) program.

The recipients, who were all from Camotes Island, were Bryan Amancio, Isidro Luchavez, and Rinan Otida of San Francisco town; Esteneli Gallo, Venus Granada, Rita Sixto of Poro town; Joselito Huete and Fransito Garciano of Tudela town; and Dominador Montes and Raul Coraza of Pilar town.

Meanwhile, the Province Agriculture Office, in a post by Sugbo News, the Capitol’s official media arm, said it already submitted a list of 30,000 Cebu farmers who were affected by the El Niño.

The names come from the municipal and city agriculture offices in Cebu.  As reported, the names totaled 30,945 but got narrowed to 30,000 farmers after a review and verification.

The Province of Bohol also received from the president the same amount the same amount for El Niño-hit farmers and fisherfolk.

Bohol Acting Governor Dionisio Victor Balite said that the P50 million is the largest distribution of assistance to the farmers and fisherfolk of Bohol and for that he is grateful.

“Today we are set another milestone in our province’s history as we, Boholanos convey our deepest admiration to his excellency as he personally leaves the largest distribution of assistance to our farmers, fisherfolks, and families in our beloved province,” said Balite.

The President was joined by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.; Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian; Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo, Jr.; Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr; and Cebu 2nd district Congressman Edsel Galeos. (CEBU NEWS)