LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY — William R. Baranda, rice farmer from Brgy. Balogo, Oas, Albay, used to harvest 50 cavans of palay from his half-hectare farm. However, tropical storm Kristine caused heavy flooding in his area leaving his farm with only 12 cavans of palay harvested this cropping season, which he sold for only P7,000.
“Dahil po sa malakas na hangin at ulan, dumapa po lahat ng palay, wala po kaming masyadong naani. Malaki po ang nalugi sa amin. Kaya po nagpapasalamat po kami kay Presidente BBM na nabigyan po kami ng ganitong benepisyo sa mga magsasakang nalugi sa aming sakahan,” he shared.
Baranda was among the 5,000 farmers and fisherfolk from Albay who received the Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolks, and Families (PAFFF) worth P10,000 each. His Excellency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. led the ceremonial distribution of the immediate cash assistance to beneficiaries from 15 municipalities and three cities in the province on November 6, 2024 in this city. A total of P50 million PAFFF will be distributed to qualified beneficiaries identified by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Bicol in coordination with the provincial and local government units through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).
Also, the DA Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) has started the issuance of indemnity cheques to 416 farmers with approved insurance claims worth a total of P2.925 million.
Albay was one of the provinces devastated by TS Kristine with damages valued at P443,896,726.39. About 4,691.13 hectares of the agricultural area in the province was affected while 4,141.60 hectares were totally damaged.
In his message, the President expressed his sympathies with the typhoon victims in the province.
“Bagama’t ilang araw na ang lumipas, alam ko pong malaking pasakit pa rin ang iniwan na pinsala ng bagyo sa inyong mga tahanan at pamayanan. Kaya po naparito ako upang makapagbigay ng tulong para sa inyong muling pagbangon at pagtahak ng panibagong simula,” he said.
He added that aside from relief efforts, the Office of the President has already taken the necessary measures to strengthen the country’s disaster preparedness amid the impact of climate change. He urged the national government agencies particularly the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Transportation (DOTr), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to ensure the quality and safety of materials in order to build climate-proof infrastructures. He also announced that the DPWH has already completed the master plan and feasibility study for the Bicol River Basin Development Program in July and currently, the agency is working on its Detailed Engineering Design. The said Project is targeted to start by first quarter of 2025.
“Kapag nabuo po natin itong proyektong ito, unang-una, hindi na masyadong babaha; at pangalawa, kung babaha man ay mas mabilis ang labas ng tubig para lahat ng naaapektuhan ay matulungan natin kaagad,” he said.
He also mentioned that he already directed the Department of Budget Managament to allocate additional funds to sustain the release of the Quick Response Fund to the government units.
“Hindi tayo magpapatinag sa mga trahedyang ito; bagkus, palalawigin pa natin ang ating paghahanda at bibilisan ang ating pagkilos upang mapigilan ang pag-ulit ng ganitong epekto ng mga kalamidad. Kaya’t sa pagkakataong ito, hinihikayat ko ang bawat ahensya ng pamahalaan at ang bawat Pilipino: Magtulungan tayo upang matiyak na walang maiiwan sa ating laban kontra sa mga hamong dulot ng pagbabago ng klima,” he added.
He also acknowledged the efforts and thanked both the government and the private sector for their help and support to guarantee the welfare and safeguard the rights of the typhoon victims.
OIC-Governor of Albay Baby Glenda Ong-Bongao thanked the President for his efforts to extend assistance to the typhoon victims in the province, particularly the farmers and fisherfolk.
“Ang pagbisita po ng ating pangulo ngayong araw ay isang patunay kung gaano kayo kahalaga, aming mga magsasaka at mangingisda… Tunay na inaalagaan niyo po ang mga “oragon” na Bicolano. Sa ngalan po ng aming probinsya kasama po ang labing-walong magagaling na alcalde at ang bawat masipag na magsasaka at mangingisda, nais ko pong ipaabot ang aking pasasalamat sainyo, pangulong Bongbong Marcos,” she said.
Likewise, Albay Provincial Agriculturist Cheryll O. Rebeta expressed her gratitude to the President and the DA Secretary saying, “Salamat po ng marami from the bottom of our hearts. Marami po itong maidudulot na kaginhawahan sa ating mga farmers at fisherfolks.”
As of November 5, 2024, DA Bicol has reported P3.2 billion initial damage to the agriculture sector. Aside from the PAFFF, the agency is preparing to deliver immediate interventions such as rice, corn, and vegetable seeds to affected farmers. (Annielyn L. Baleza, DA RAFIS V with reports from Marissa Joy O. Villar and Mary Grace S. Milan, DA Field Operations Division Monitoring and Special Concerns Unit V)
Photo Credits: Annielyn L. Baleza, DA RAFIS V and Jayson M. Gonzales, DA RAFIS V and APCO Albay