SORSOGON CITY – Some 1,300 RSBSA-registered farmers and fisherfolk of Sorsogon province previously affected by the recent EL Niño phenomenon received the P10,000 cash assistance dubbed as Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk and Families (PAFF) during the pay out held at the City Gymnasium here on July 2, 2024.
The beneficiary-farmers came from the 14 municipalities and 1 city of Sorsogon. Vice Governor Krunimar Antonio Escudero and Sorsogon 1st and 2nd district representatives Bernadette Escudero and Cong. Manuel Fortes graced the event. Sorsogon Asst. APCO Roser Rebellon represented DA Bicol Regional Executive Director Rodel P. Tornilla.
Among the recipients were 157 farmer beneficiaries of Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Phase 2 from the municipalities of Bulusan (46 beneficiaries), Barcelona (9), Juban (39), Pilar (27) and Matnog (36 recipients). They were very happy because aside from the cash assistance from President Bongbong Marcos, Governor Edwin B. Hamor of Sorsogon also gave P300 transportation allowance to all 1,300 farmers and fishers.
Meanwhile, in Albay, 4,155 farmers and fishers received the P10K assistance during the PAFF distribution in Ligao City on July 1, 2024 for 3,155 farmers and fishers of Albay 2nd and 3rd district; and in Tabaco City on July 2, 2024 to 1,000 farmers and fishers of Albay 1st district. Governor Edcel Greco Lagman and Provincial Agriculturist Cheryll Rebeta led the distribution. Albay Assistant APCO Jayson Gonzales represented Director Rodel P. Tornilla.
In Masbate, Governor Antonio T. Kho led the distribution of PAFF to initial 700 farmers and fishers from all municipalities of Masbate during the distribution held in Cataingan on June 24, 2024. Masbate APCO Wilfredo Nelmida witnessed the distribution. Masbate OIC Provincial Agriculturist Sheryl Almario said that pay out will be completed in the coming weeks.
It will be recalled that President Ferdinand Bongbong R. Marcos, Jr. personally turned over a total of P161.85 Million-worth checks from the Office of the President to the six Governors of Bicol on June 7, 2024 during his visit to Pili, Camarines Sur and Legazpi City in Albay. A total of P41.55M check was turned over to the province of Albay; P10.28 M for Camarines Norte; P50M for Camarines Sur; P10.23M for Catanduanes; P36.79M for Masbate; and P13M for Sorsogon. (Lovella P. Guarin – RAFIS 5) (photo credit: Eduardo Collantes, Jr – RAFIS 5 | with reports from Mary Rose Detera of SAAD Sorsogon)