A total of P5.35 million in cash assistance was distributed to 535 farmer-beneficiaries in the Fourth District of Negros Occidental at rites held at the Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center in Bago City on Thursday morning, July 18.
The amount is part of the P50 million Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolk and Families (PAFFF) fund intended for 5,000 beneficiaries in Negros Occidental, a press release from Bago City said.
Each of the recipients, who were affected by the El Niño phenomenon, received P10,000 in cash assistance from the national government, and food packs from the Negros Occidental provincial government.
In Bago City 233 farmers and fisherfolk availed of the cash assistance and food packs, the press release said.
The distribution was led by Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo.
Yulo said the assistance is proof that the national and provincial governments are concerned about the welfare of the farmers and fisherfolk, as he emphasized that “agriculture is one of the pillars of our economy” thus, it has to be supported. *