PBBM leads distribution of presidential assistance to farmers, fisherfolk and their families in Batangas

Transcript

00:00The province of Batangas was key in delivering a landslide victory for then-presidential wannabe

00:05Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the 2022 national elections. Today, the president made his

00:10way back to Calabarzon's most economically progressive province to lend a hand to

00:15thousands of hard-hit farmers, fisherfolk, and families left in dire need by our unforgiving

00:21El Nino weather scourge. Our Kenneth Pachente took his team to the event and he filed this report.

00:26Francis is still hoping and praying for rain. El Nino dashed his wishes to enjoy the yield of

00:34squash crops he planted that eventually wilted due to the extreme heat and extended dry spell.

00:56Francis is one of those who received help from the government during President Ferdinand R.

01:06Marcos Jr.'s visit to Batangas today. This is part of the presidential assistance to farmers,

01:11fisherfolk, and their families or PAF program, an initiative by the president to help those

01:16affected by El Nino. 10,000 farmers and fishermen received 10,000 pesos worth of assistance.

01:26In addition to the 10,000 pesos,

01:55beneficiaries also received five kilos of rice from the House of Representatives.

01:59There were also seedlings, fertilizers, boats, and various farming equipment such as tractors

02:05and hauling trucks worth millions for cooperatives to use for future harvests.

02:25This equipment can be used for processing, even small-scale processing,

02:35for our farmers and fishermen. Therefore, what we are buying now is a finished product,

02:44which means that the price is more expensive. And the current price is not going to the processor,

02:51but it will go directly to our farmers. Other government agencies such as DOLE, DTI,

02:59TESDA, and DILG also provided assistance. In total, nearly P170 million pesos in financial

03:05or material assistance was given to the provinces of Batangas, Laguna, and Quezon.

03:10The beneficiaries showed gratitude for this act of kindness and thoughtfulness.

03:22The DSWD reminds all that no one else should benefit from the assistance except the intended

03:38beneficiaries. Beyond assistance and services, the chief executive assured government's continuous

03:54effort to develop the local economy in Calabarzon. Proof of this is the provision of P10 billion to

03:59the region for the Philippine Rural Development Plan for Region 4A, as well as the construction

04:04of the Taal Lakes Reconferential Road and the Lobo Malabrigo San Juan Laya Road,

04:09Kipot Irrigation Project, among others.

04:25The government has distributed a total of P1.6 billion since the PAF program was launched on

04:32May 9. Kenneth Paciente, from the National TV Network, for a new and better Philippines.